This document gives the weekly transportation schedule between La Serena and LCO for visitors.
Please note that from Monday to Sunday, there are transportation options at least once in each direction, according to the schedules indicated below. The travel time is approximately two and a half hours. Please keep this schedule in mind when booking your trip.
Also, please note that at your own expense and outside of the offered schedules, you can request a special transportation service at least one week in advance on https://www.lco.cl/visit-arrangements/.
To be considered for daily scheduled transportation, you must indicate your request at least 48 hours in advance.
Transportation schedules are fixed; however, if there is no need for passenger transportation on a particular day, the service will not be provided.
Monday
- La Serena to LCO -- 8:30 (Regular)
- La Serena to LCO --11:30 (available when requested through the travel form)
- LCO to La Serena -- 14:30 (available when requested through the travel form)
Tuesday
- La Serena to LCO -- 8:00 (Regular)
- La Serena to LCO -- 11:00 (Regular with the night operations personnel).
- LCO to La Serena -- 8:00 (Regular with the night operations personnel)
- LCO to La Serena -- 14:30 (Regular)
Wednesday
- La Serena to LCO -- 11:30 (available when requested through the travel form)
- LCO to La Serena -- 14:30 (available when requested through the travel form)
Thursday
- La Serena to LCO -- 08:00 (Regular)
- La Serena to LCO -- 11:30 (available when requested through the travel form)
- LCO to La Serena -- 14.30 (Regular)
Friday
- La Serena to LCO -- 08:00 (Regular)
- La Serena to LCO -- 11:30 (available when requested through the travel form)
- LCO to La Serena -- 13:00 (Regular)
- LCO to La Serena -- 14.30 (available when requested through the travel form)
Saturday, Sunday
- La Serena to LCO -- 11:30 (available when requested through the travel form)
- LCO to La Serena -- 14:30 (available when requested through the travel form)
Transportation will be provided by LCO or arranged through an external company that will do everything possible to meet the needs indicated on the travel forms: https://www.lco.cl/visit-arrangements/ .
The cost of internal or external transport included in regular trips corresponds to CLP80.000 each way which will be charged per person, regardless of the number of people using the transport vehicle.
Transportation Service Reservation
For both regular and special transportation services, you must request a Visit Arrangement through the following website: https://www.lco.cl/visit-arrangements/
Special Transport Service
If our regular transportation service to or from the mountain is insufficient for your visit, we have arranged a professional taxi service, which must be requested through the same website. Please indicate the number of passengers and the departure time from our office in La Serena or from the Observatory.
Important: If you need to request a special service from the mountains, it should not be before 8:30 a.m., as the vehicle will travel from La Serena to the observatory, and there are traffic restrictions on mountain roads that only allow travel during daylight hours. Please note that the access road to the summit is normally open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (winter hours) and from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (summer hours).
The cost of this special service is CLP 160,000 per vehicle each way (not a round trip), and its availability will depend on the provider and the vehicle size according to the number of passengers. Once requested through our website, this cost will be added directly to your Observatory bill (applicable to all visitors).
Special Transportation Trip Cancellation Policy: Trip cancellations must be requested with a minimum of 72 hours’ prior notice. If this notice period is not met, the trip will be charged in full.