The best places to go stargazing

There are few things more spectacular to witness than a truly dark night sky. Living in a light-polluted city you might be lucky to spot a sprinkling of stars, perhaps if you live rurally you might see a few more, but have you ever experienced nighttime in a dark sky reserve –  the whole of the Milky Way spread out before your eyes? We’ve gathered together the best places to go stargazing, from the remote deserts of South America to the isolated national parks of Nepal, to add to your travel bucket list.

NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

A little over 2,000 sq km in size, the NamibRand became the first African Dark Sky Reserve in 2012 when it was recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association. It’s the perfect destination for those who want to mix safari and stargazing, as the area also doubles up as a nature reserve – housing species such as zebras, giraffes, springbok, baboons and leopards. Take in the arid landscape and magnificent wildlife on an afternoon game drive, before returning to your lodge to watch the thousands of twinkling stars at night.

Atacama Desert, Chile

The Atacama Desert regularly tops lists of the world’s best stargazing destinations. Situated in northern Chile, it’s well-known for its remote location and otherworldly topography, including dusty red plateaus and towering snow-less peaks. In fact, the landscape is so unlike anywhere else on earth that NASA has been known to test some of its Mars equipment here, adding to the extraterrestrial atmosphere. At night the uninterrupted skies are awash with the spectacular colours of the Milky Way, from dark blues to soft pinks, greens and purples in places.

The Karoo, South Africa

The Karoo region in South Africa is home to the MeerKAT. Not the small, furry creature one initially thinks of, but instead the largest and most sensitive telescope in the entire Southern Hemisphere. This remote, desert region boasts cloud-free skies for roughly 80% of the year and due to the lack of electricity there is virtually no light pollution, making it the ideal destination for stargazers. The MeerKAT sits within the boundaries of the Tankwa Karoo National Park which is located only four hours outside of Cape Town, and is easily reached by car.

Aoraki Mackenzie, New Zealand

At the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps is Aoraki/Mount Cook, the country’s highest peak at 3,724m. Around it, 23 other peaks shoot up over 3,000m amidst a patchwork of glaciers and lakes. Above this icy wilderness, the glorious firmament is all but untouched by artificial light. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve also takes in the adjacent Mackenzie Basin, and the region has had strict lighting controls in place since the 1980s. It’s a popular destination for climbers, with a dozen or so climbing huts dotted around the park, all offering incredible stargazing opportunities. For easier access, the villages of Lake Tekapo, Twizel and Aoraki/Mount Cook are all good bases for Alpine pursuits – by day and by night.

Northern Territory, Australia

The vast uninhabited stretches of Australia’s Red Center provide the perfect conditions for stargazing, with wide horizons, few settlements, and mostly clear skies. To visit the Northern Territory, Australia’s ultimate outback, most start in the remote town of Alice Springs. From there you can head out into the desert on guided astronomy excursions, accompanied by knowledgeable guides and a telescope. Near Uluru (Ayers Rock) and around Kings Canyon are several outdoor bush dining experiences for you to try and savor. Start your meal at sunset, feasting your eyes on the changing light over the landscape. Then, round off the evening with stargazing and stories, learning about Aboriginal cosmology as you gaze up at the pristine night sky.

County Kerry and County Mayo, Ireland

Right on its sea edge, Ireland has some of the darkest skies in Europe. County Kerry lies in Ireland’s rugged southwest with a wild peninsular coastline, moorland and mountains. Sparsely dotted with small villages, it enjoys very little light pollution and is an official Dark Sky Park. County Mayo lies further north, also hugging the coast, and is another Dark Sky Park offering guided stargazing walks and an annual Dark Sky Festival. To experience Ireland’s glories, both by day and by night, consider exploring on a road trip taking in the Ring of Kerry, pitching north past the Cliffs of Moher and on to County Mayo.

El Leoncito National Park, Argentina

If you’re planning a trip to Argentina, be sure to pay a visit to El Leoncito National Park. Only a three-hour drive north of Mendoza, the center of Argentina’s wine production and a popular stop-over point, El Leoncito is renowned for its dark sky opportunities and is home to not one, but two superb observatories. Night visits to the Leoncito Astronomical Complex or the Félix Aguilar Observatory can be arranged, but be sure to enquire well in advance of your visit.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

Sometimes referred to as the ‘Valley of the Moon’, the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan is a vast expanse of ochre-colored sand, dotted with red rocky outcrops. Whilst you’re there, immerse yourself in the local culture and spend a couple of nights in a Bedouin camp. The Bedouin people have lived around Wadi Rum for centuries, pursuing a nomadic lifestyle and crossing the desert on camels or, more recently, jeeps. Once the sun sets, gather around the campfire and watch the stars come out as you listen to the tales of the local people and drink delicious mint tea.

Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal

Nepal‘s Sagarmatha is the home to the imposing Mount Everest – its famous snow-capped peak visible from almost all areas of the national park. Whilst tens of thousands of travelers flock here every year for the incredible trekking, the stargazing opportunities are equally impressive and often overlooked. The park was included in National Geographic’s round-up of the world’s best stargazing sites, demonstrating that Sagarmatha – which literally translates as “forehead in the sky” – is so much more than just a hiking destination.

Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Japan

The only tropical rainforest in the country might not be the obvious place for astronomy, but Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park is part of the Yaeyama Islands in Japan‘s Okinawa Prefecture, and the first place in Japan to receive International Dark Sky Places accreditation. Tokashiki Island has stunning beaches where you could take a romantic picnic under the stars and see dozens of constellations. On the mainland, amateur photographers could join a professional for an evening of photographic instruction at Daisen-Oki National Park.

Dark-Sky Preserves of Canada

Canada has 13 Dark-Sky Preserves, which are areas that make a special commitment to protect and preserve the night sky, making it one of the best places to stargaze. These include the national parks of Fundy in New Brunswick, Point Pelee in Ontario, Banff in Alberta, and Jasper National Park – giving you just one more reason to visit the stunning Jasper region.

Special mention goes to Waterton Lakes National Park which, together with Glacier National Park in the United States, is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. You can even stargaze here within walking distance of town, at Cameron Bay. Another urban stargazing spot is Parc du Mont-Bellevue in the heart of Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Tips for stargazing

• Before heading out the door to your chosen stargazing destination, do a little research and reading first. Learn about what you might expect to see in your location at the time of year, and note the patterns of the constellations and the characteristics of certain planets. Being able to spot some of these in the night sky will enhance your experience.
• Wrap up with plenty of layers and pack a flask of something warming. Even if you’re somewhere hot by day, nights can get chilly, especially if you’re sitting or standing still.
• Put your phone away and give your eyes time to adjust. The longer you gaze, the more will be revealed. Astronomers say that it takes about half an hour for our eyes to fully adjust, so give it time.
• There are lots of stargazing apps to download to your phone or tablet that can help you find your way around the night sky. Be sure to turn your screen brightness right down to use them, though.

Make it happen

If starry skies are calling your name, follow the links below to explore one of our many sample itineraries. These can provide you with a bit of inspiration before you contact one of our many local operators, who can plan you a bespoke stargazing itinerary of a lifetime.