Booking Policy
This Reservation System website, hereinafter referred to as “the System”, is managed by Astronomy Adventures SpA, hereinafter the subcontractor, with the principal being Globalis Ltda., hereinafter the contractor, and offers the reservation service for visits to the La Silla and Paranal Observatories, belonging to ESO in Chile, under the policies detailed below.
These provisions may be subject to periodic modifications and updates by the subcontractor or contractor, without prior notice to the user or any other individual or legal entity. Therefore, the user is recommended to regularly review these conditions each time they access the System. Access to it implies the user’s acceptance and understanding of these conditions.
Generalities
It is established as an essential requirement that any person who makes a reservation through the System tacitly and fully accepts this reservation policy, which becomes mandatory and binding at the time of registration of a reservation by the user. Therefore, any individual who does not accept these provisions must refrain from using the reservation service through the System.
User registration and account creation:
Registering a reservation for public visits to the ESO Observatories through the System is free.
It is a fundamental requirement for the user to register in the System, providing all the required data in the mandatory fields and creating a secret password for exclusive use. By carrying out this process, the user accepts the reservation policies of the System, in addition to committing to guarantee the authenticity, accuracy and validity of the data provided.
Once registration is completed, the user will be able to make reservations and make changes to them as necessary.
Data associated with the user’s account, especially the secret password, is personal and non-transferable. The user is responsible for safeguarding the security of their account, maintaining the confidentiality of their password at all times. Allowing third parties to access the account using the user’s username and password is strictly prohibited. By accepting this reservation policy, the user assumes responsibility for any damages that may arise from unauthorized use of their account.
In case of forgetting the secret password, the user can change it by following the procedure indicated on the website. In the event that the security of your account is compromised, you must notify us through the email address [email protected].
Booking Policy
Guided tours of the ESO Observatories are offered free of charge, although it is imperative to pre-register in advance due to space limits. Specifically, groups of more than ten people are requested to register directly through email [email protected], as far in advance as possible.
Cancellation of a reservation is possible through the System. Users are urged to cancel their reservations as early as possible, in order to make it possible for other interested parties to access the observatory.
Reservations, although free of charge, may be revoked without prior notice, at any time, for operational reasons of the observatories or due to force majeure circumstances, such as adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen events. This prerogative includes the possibility of cancellation even when visitors are at the entrance to the Observatories and are denied access due to the discretionary decision of any of the observatories, or if they are already taking a tour and it is interrupted.
In the event of cancellation of visits due to the circumstances mentioned above, interested parties will be notified by telephone or electronic communication as soon as possible. However, the lack or delay in receipt of said notification, in relation to the arrival at the sites by persons with a reservation, will not constitute any reason for claim or legal action against the subcontractor or the contractor.
Likewise, users of the System will not have the right to take legal action against the subcontractor or contractor, in case of technical or administrative failures in its operation.
By accepting these reservation policies, the user exempts the subcontractor and the contractor from liability for any physical, mental, moral or material damage suffered during the guided tour of the observatories, also agreeing to abide by the instructions provided in this document and by the personnel in charge. Likewise, if applicable, you agree to compensate the appropriate party for the damages caused.
Booking conditions
Reservations can only be made through the online form , except for reservations of more than 10 people, which are recommended to be made via [email protected] .
There is no accommodation on the observatory premises for visitors.
It is not allowed to drive your own vehicle inside the observatory. You must park in the designated area and use the tour bus authorized for the tour.
For safety reasons, people with pacemakers are not allowed inside the telescopes. This is because electromagnetic fields generated by instrumentation can interfere with the device.
For safety reasons, children under 4 years old cannot visit the Paranal and La Silla observatories at any time of the year. Nor will children under 8 years of age be able to visit La Silla during the winter period: from April to August.
Pets are not allowed in the observatory.
Minors must be accompanied by an adult, who may be responsible for a maximum of 10 minors.
The observatories do not offer transportation services to get to their facilities.
The observatories do not offer fuel supply to visitors. It is your obligation to have enough fuel in your vehicle to head to your next destination.
The observatory does not have facilities that offer food to visitors. You can bring your own snack or light lunch, which must be consumed outside the facilities, before or after the tour.
Be sure to arrive at the observatory gate 15 minutes before the tour start time.
For security reasons, entry to the facilities is not permitted before the tour time.
At the door, you will be asked for your ID.
Bring sunglasses, a hat, protective clothing and sunscreen over factor 50.
Stay hydrated.
Do not make sudden movements.
Don’t leave trash.
Flying drones is not allowed.
If you feel unwell, inform the guide immediately.
In case of emergency, follow the instructions of the guide and the emergency coordinator.
Follow the guide’s instructions at all times during the tour.
You may take photographs without prior permission, as long as you do not include other people without their consent.
Acceptance
I have read, understand and accept these reservation policies, which implies reading, understanding and accepting the established safety regulations, as well as recognizing the potential risks associated with the specific altitude and atmospheric conditions at each observatory. Furthermore, I confirm the absence of any illness that could endanger my stay in these conditions. The visitor exonerates the subcontractor and the contractor from any responsibility for any adverse effects arising from his visit to any of the observatories.
In the case of visits to the observatories in the company of minors, it is the responsibility to explain and ensure that they understand the safety regulations. It is understood that the visitor is solely responsible for the safety of the minors during the visit and the subcontractor and the contractor are released from any responsibility for any incident that may occur during the visit.
Personal Data
Both the subcontractor and the contractor reiterate their commitment to the protection of the personal data of users of the System. All information provided through this will be exclusively used for coordination and information about visits to the observatories. The personal data provided will be treated with absolute confidentiality and kept only for the time necessary to fulfill the communicated purposes. It is clarified that the subcontractor and the contractor will not collect data for commercial purposes.
Sending information to the subcontractor and contractor, using the form available in the System, is completely voluntary. However, by doing so, users give their express consent for the use of said data for the specified purpose. It is important to note that failure to provide certain data could result in the inability of the subcontractor and contractor to provide the information or service requested by the user.