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After becoming the first Starlight-certified accommodation in Chile, Reset Elqui is promoting a model for protecting the night sky that aims to spread throughout the town of Alcohuaz.

In the town of Alcohuaz, at an altitude of over 1,800 meters in the Elqui Valley, there is a small tourist complex that has just achieved an unprecedented recognition in the country: becoming the first Starlight-certified rural guesthouse in Chile. The distinction, awarded by the international organization Fundación Starlight, validates the quality of its night skies and recognizes the active commitment of its hosts to protecting against increasing light pollution.

The history of the project is also a personal story. “I have been coming to the Elqui Valley since I was 13,” recalled Flavio Levine, who, together with his partner Tatiana Seguel, decided to create a refuge in the middle of one of the darkest skies in the world. In 2019, they left Santiago, sold their house, and settled in Alcohuaz. Two years later, they opened the doors of the lodge. “It was an immediate success,” they said.

Reset Elqui was designed for disconnecting. With a capacity for only 11 people, three cabins spread over 8,000 square meters of land, a fire pit specially designed for stargazing, a park, and a swimming pool, the place seeks to preserve silence and the experience of the deep sky. Two of its cabins, called Astrocabañas, have skylights that allow guests to observe the stars directly from their beds. “It’s quite a challenge for astrophotographers to find places where they can work safely without freezing,” Tatiana pointed out.

A collaborative effort for Starlight certification

The idea of applying for certification came about almost by chance, after a visit from astrophotographer Cari Letelier. “She told us, ‘You have to be Starlight. I’ve never seen a sky like this in this area,’” Tatiana said. From that moment on, a process began that lasted more than a year and required not only scientific measurements, but also community work and collaboration.

To obtain certification, it was necessary to coordinate efforts with the Municipality of Paihuano and the astro-tourism company Nómade. In addition, they enlisted the help of light pollution experts Pedro Sanhueza and Cecilia Santander from Ecodilumina, who led a series of measurements with special cameras during different seasons of the year. “Every little source of light could alter the result. In one of the measurements, we asked the mayor if he could turn off the lighting in the town square of Alcohuaz to see the difference between on and off. The difference was tremendous,” Tatiana describes.

But beyond the technical challenges, the founders of Reset Elqui recognize that one of the main obstacles has been misinformation about the value of the dark sky. “In rural areas, there is often resistance to reducing lighting for safety reasons. Turning off lights is perceived as a risk. That’s why we insist that it’s not about turning off, but about lighting better,” said Flavio.

After certification

The founders of Reset Elqui aspire to become a replicable model in the area. “We want Alcohuaz to become a Starlight village,” said Flavio. The idea has already been publicly proposed to the municipality, and they believe that Reset Elqui’s certification could be the first step toward broader protection of the commune’s night sky.

The certification has also opened up new opportunities for local tourism. “The Starlight Foundation estimates that tourism increases by 16% in places that have Starlight Certification. There are travelers who seek out these destinations all over the world,” explained Tatiana. Reset’s visibility has grown, especially in Europe, and the possibility of safe and accessible observation has begun to increase demand from a more specialized audience.

Even so, the central goal of both is clear: to protect the sky that made all this possible. “Seven years ago, we didn’t see the lights we see from here. The sky is being lost, even in the same valley. In Pisco Elqui, you can no longer see the stars as you used to,” warned Flavio.

For now, Alcohuaz retains that privileged darkness. And Reset Elqui wants to continue doing everything possible to maintain it. “There are nights when the sky really takes your breath away. When there is no moon in winter, you can see the entire Milky Way above you, even from inside the cabins. We want to make sure that these privileged skies remain that way forever,” said those responsible for the project.