For nature lovers, we recommend exploring a different place of rest and adventure that you cannot miss: one of the most important valleys in Chile.
Located in the Coquimbo region, west of La Serena, we find the Elqui Valley, one of the most beautiful and attractive natural locations in the entire country, and also in South America. The Elqui Valley is located in the center of the country, about 535km from its capital, Santiago. The route to the interior of the Valley is crossed by the Claro River and also by its tributaries, the Cochiguaz and Estero Derecho rivers, which give even more freshness to its enviable South American climate. And its Mediterranean climatic conditions are exceptional, making it ideal to visit at any time of the year.
In addition to its scenic beauty, the Elqui Valley has also been supposedly linked to “esoteric” and “extraterrestrial” phenomena, which attracts many tourists from around the world. Whether or not this is true, its location and good climate make it an excellent place for astronomical observation, unique in the world.
If you are thinking of visiting a warm, different and naturally beautiful place soon, we invite you to continue reading and discover more about the Elqui Valley in Chile and the different towns and activities that surround it. Let the adventure begin!
You feel a sense of relaxation, calm and wonder when you cross the river, and admire the banks with vineyards, and also the natural rocky landscapes in the Elqui Valley.
Getting around the Valley is very easy by bus, and you also take advantage of it to really enjoy the surroundings and the culture of this part of the country.
The Coquimbo region, and in general the entire city of La Serena, has a privileged climate with very little humidity and an enviable clear sky. In fact, the town of Vicuña in the Valley has been named the capital of astronomical observation, with many observation centers with daily and nightly tours. You will see everything that this town of fruitful vineyards can offer you.
DISCOVER VICUÑA
The entrance to the Valley is in the city of Serena, where buses take you to the iconic Vicuña, a very picturesque town where craft and souvenir shops abound, where you can do local activities and taste its gastronomy in a wide variety of restaurants, from the most traditional to the most sophisticated, all this in the city that saw the birth of the poet and Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Gabriela Mistral (1945).
Vicuña is the capital of the Elqui Valley and also the largest city in the area. In the Plaza de Vicuña you will find a space full of history, starting with the monument to peace with “the rose of the four winds” at its base, admired by all locals and tourists. It is a monument that you also find in other parts of the world, since it was originally written in 80 different languages to express the same message: “May peace prevail in the world.”
As we advance through the town we reach the Mistral axis, dedicated to the poet Gabriela Mistral, where you can follow her indelible artistic footprint after walking through the streets built with colonial-style buildings from the early 1900s, and also visit the museum in her honor that we will discuss later.
In addition, you will find picturesque attractions such as tributes to the poet in the trees, the Temple of the Immaculate Conception, the Bauer Tower, its observatories for scientific and public use (such as Mamalluca), and other museums located in its urban fabric.
Vicuña Artisanal Ice Cream:
Any local can confirm this. Vicuña is the birthplace of the best artisanal ice creams in the entire region. It is impossible to visit this town in the Elqui Valley and not try its variety of ice creams, which are served very well and in generous portions. The recommendation of the locals is that while walking around you stop at several ice cream shops and start tasting them, because they are all delicious and a big part of the experience when you visit the town. In fact, a national competition is organized annually in the place: The “Best snack in Chile”, in which each year they award the best ice cream. Among its nominees are usually the most classic establishments and ice cream shops that year after year surpass themselves. La Bilbaina is the oldest, with more than 65 years since it began making its ice creams with ancestral and artisanal freezing methods, using natural snow.
Some of the most renowned ice cream shops that you can visit besides La Bilbaina are:
Cielos Del Valle Artisanal Ice Creams, El Cobre Ice Cream Shop, El Gelatto de Vicuña Artisanal Ice Cream Shop and Gufrut Ice Cream Shop. All incredible options in style and quality.
Gastronomy in Vicuña:
On the other hand, we have the gastronomy on site with varied options of typical cuisine where you can taste some classic dishes such as empanadas, roast goat, bird casserole, accompanied by classic and award-winning pisco sour cocktails, and also wines and beers. You will see that the locals come up with ways to offer more delicious and innovative dishes each time, some with solar cookers. But what is indisputable is that tradition is reflected with a touch of imagination that leaves tourists fascinated, with fresh local products and eating under the stars.
The Elqui Valley surprises you wherever you look. Its hills are planted with vineyards, so it is not surprising that this area stands out for being a producer of excellent Chilean wines, highly recognized internationally.
All your senses will be delighted when you visit pisco factories, because in addition to the wine, you will also be able to learn about the entire fascinating manufacturing process, from the distillation of grapes to the tasting of the final product that will not disappoint you.
You arrive at the entrance to the Valley and are greeted by picturesque kiosks selling typical local crafts and also their classic artisanal ice creams. This is where the adventure of this great place begins. You will be fascinated by its famous Aeolian harp, a magical and unmistakable sound in the Elqui Valley. As you walk along you also come across the Puclaro Reservoir (200 million cubic meters), originally built to double the irrigation system and also as a reserve for drinking water.
Gabriela Mistral Museum
As we have mentioned, Vicuña is the city where the acclaimed poet and Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Gabriela Mistral, was born, so it is no surprise that you can follow in her footsteps by visiting the museum that preserves her life and work.
This museum is the Nobel Prize winner's former childhood home, which has been restored and decorated so that the public can learn more about the poet who has become a very important figure in Chilean culture.
Lucila Godoy Alcayaga, better known as Gabriela Mistral, was born in the town of Vicuña in 1889 and is the pride of this town.In addition to its permanent exhibition, which displays various objects, period photographs and texts by the poet, new temporary exhibitions are presented to the public every month, touring the School House, which has been declared a National Monument, and its Mausoleum in Montegrande.
DISCOVER OTHER AMAZING VILLAGES IN THE ELQUI VALLEY
Venture out on colorful walks and enjoy the local atmosphere offered by the towns of the Elqui Valley. Both Vicuña and the rest of the surrounding towns in the Valley have excellent accommodation options (hotels, inns or cabins) from which you can choose the ideal one for you. Most take advantage of nature to recreate charming settings in the rooms and in their common areas, such as the pool area and outdoor terraces. All have complete and necessary amenities to offer you a wonderful and comfortable experience.
The upper part of the Elqui Valley consists of several towns that belong to the municipality of Paihuano, although the most touristic center is Pisco Elqui, which we will talk about later.
The Pihuano commune
In addition to Vicuña, the Valley also contains the commune/municipality of Pihuano, which you cannot miss, made up of 8 districts: Paihuano (town), La Quebrada, La Bajada, Quebrada de Pinto, Montegrande, Alcohuaz, Pisco Elqui and Jarillas.
This place is a paradise for nature lovers and spiritual seekers because its surroundings invite meditation, among its imposing hills, its green areas and its crystal-clear waters. It is an incredible place to relax with the environment and the view, as well as take advantage of disconnecting a little from the hustle and bustle of technology.
Walking through its streets is to come into contact with its historic colonial architecture. In addition, you can visit the old church of Paihuano, and taste the typical gastronomy after a glass of artisanal pisco mixed with local fruits, in its restaurants with a rural atmosphere. Paihuano preserves its traditional architecture, very colorful and memorable.
Pisco Elqui
Nestled among the breathtaking scenic landscapes of the Andes Mountains, we find the Chilean town of Pisco Elqui, which, as you can guess from its name, is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the best pisco cocktails in the heart of the Valley. The most iconic of the area is the pisco distilled from the muscatel grape mixed with a little sparkling water, which the locals call piscola. A truly refreshing and exquisite cocktail!
Pisco Elqui is one of the main tourist destinations in the area. It is located between 1000 and 1700 meters above sea level, depending on the location you are in. This area has a remarkable microclimate that enjoys more than 300 sunny days a year, and even in winter temperatures range between 17 and 27 degrees. An ideal place if you are thinking of escaping the cold for a while!
You can't miss these visits in Pico Elqui, most of them with guided tours:
- Pisco Elqui Church
- Pisco Elqui Square
- Expeditions in Alcohuaz
- Excursions, camping, archaeological visits and guided hiking.
- Astronomical Excursions
- Meditation sessions and alternative therapies.
ARTISAN PISCOS: Knowledge and tasting.
When a Chilean hears that you are visiting the Elqui Valley, everyone agrees on one answer: you cannot miss trying pisco! This valley is one of the places where the most ideal grapes for the preparation of this exotic alcoholic drink from the brandy family are grown and produced.
Learning about and tasting pisco in the Elqui Valley is one of the most classic and obligatory activities you can do, as well as visiting the Pisco Museum. There you will learn a little more about the pioneering agency CAPEL, which offers very complete information about the pisco-making process from start to finish, with guided tours in which you can try the final product, in different presentations and with different alcohol levels for all tastes, a taste of the true Chilean feeling captured in the drops of this delicious artisanal liquid full of flavor and history. And it is more than delicious in a cocktail!
Chilean Pisco
The Coquimbo region is famous in Chile for its production of piscos, this alcoholic beverage that belongs to a variety of spirit made from grapes and produced after distilling wine from local grapes, with a designation of origin. In fact, the word “Pisco” comes from Quechua and means “bird”, a very apt definition for this drink.
For years, the Elqui Valley has mastered the perfect combination of tourism and agriculture, and pisco is a big part of that. Locals and tourists gather at the different pisco distilleries and factories where they immerse themselves in the secrets and history behind this exquisite spirit.
In addition to CAPEL, which is the largest and oldest in the area, there are also other distilleries such as Ruta Norte, Mistral, Artesanos de Cochiguaz and Tres Erres. All of them are great in their styles, and perfect for getting to know variations in the process that gives each one its unique flavor and touch, recognized internationally.
When you try Chilean pisco, an incredible muscatel spirit - and take the tasting and tour - you will realize that it follows a similar system to other spirits, but with a key difference: the culture that precedes it. This drink is distilled twice in a still or column at 70% vol. The result is diluted with demineralized water until it reaches the desired degree and then bottled or aged in oak barrels. But we won't tell you more because the real magic is in witnessing this interesting process live and in person.
ASTRONOMY IN THE ELQUI VALLEY
This place, according to locals and tourists who have visited it, has invaluable energetic properties and charges, as well as a completely unique experience on a cosmic level, making it ideal for alternative therapies such as meditation, massages and reiki sessions. If you like all this spirituality, then you have come to the right place. You will find tourist guides and locations prepared to enjoy all these activities.
The stars of the Elqui Valley are an impressive nighttime spectacle that you cannot miss. This valley is home to the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world. And its clear skies are another of the most important attractions in this location, some of the clearest in the entire southern hemisphere.
At night, the stars come out to shine like you've never seen before, a spectacle that has already captured the attention of many international scientific organizations that have set up astronomical observatories taking advantage of the Tololo and Pechón hills.
Fortunately, it is not an experience limited to the scientific area. There are many tourist observatories with guides and tours that provide the public with more information about the cosmic ecosystem of the area, as well as the opportunity to observe stars, galaxies, stars and planets, and even shooting stars! with the advantageous view offered by this location in the Elqui Valley.
There are many options in the Valley to fully enjoy this experience, including visits to observatories and guides in the area, where you can opt for night walks accompanied by informative talks about astronomy, in which stories and myths about the moon and the Andean constellations are revealed. Experts guide you accompanied by the sound of the waters flowing down the river in the Valley. A truly magical sensation!
The Elqui Dosmos
Can you imagine sleeping under the stars in front of one of the clearest skies in the world in Pisco Elqui? Well, if you visit the Elqui domos you don't have to imagine it. This private observatory perfectly combines the traditional nature of the area with all the comforts of a luxury hotel, including all the technology that a scientific observatory entails. This is truly an experience you can't miss.
It offers astronomical tourism tours that you can do on foot or under the stars on horseback. You will learn a little more about constellations outdoors or even inside its air-conditioned rooms at the observatory. Sounds wonderful? These are some of the unique experiences you get only in the Elqui Valley.
The Cerro Mamalluca Municipal Observatory.
Another must-see during your stay in the Elqui Valley, the Cerro Mamalluca Municipal Observatory, the main tourist attraction when it comes to guided astronomy for the general public.
Light pollution is practically non-existent in this area of Chile, and this makes it an ideal place for stargazing. So this observatory has earned one of the best locations in the Valles to do so. Its tour includes guided instructions and audio-visual support. It is a very pleasant and interesting experience that we recommend you visit. In addition, it has a cafeteria space very well adapted to make your visit even more pleasant. Getting there will be very simple, you can take a bus from the observatory itself or go in your own car without any problem.
They recommend their tours for children over 5 years old. You must book at least 48 hours in advance, so put it on your list of activities in Chile from the start of your adventure in the Valley. There are different schedules that will depend on the weather and the season in which you visit, so you should be very aware of this before visiting without consulting.
Gosch Solar Observatory
This observatory is unique and very representative in South America. Located in Vicuña, this observatory offers a unique view of the changing and unpredictable solar activity that occurs in this region in broad daylight. So you should enjoy the ride! with sunglasses to really enjoy this wonderful experience!
You will love joining the guided activities at this location that perfectly combines science, learning and fun, for longer than any other in the area.
There are many additional observatories to choose from, the important thing is that you enjoy the unique experience that this location offers and no other.You won't be able to erase such greatness from your mind! Some of them are:
- Sirius Observatory
- Nayra Observatory
- Ckoirama Observatory
- Paniri Caur Observatory
- Space Observatory
- Ahlarkapin Observatory
- Inca Gold Observatory
- Collowara Observatory
- Cerro Mayu Observatory
- Southern Cross Observatory
- Antilhue Observatory (Los Andes Estate)
- Cancana Observatory
- Southern Sky Observatory (La Frontera Refuge)
- Shangri-la sky observatory (My lodge)
- El Pangue Observatory
- National Astronomical Observatory, Cerro Calán Headquarters
- Umce Observatory
- El Pochoco Hill Observatory
- Andean Astronomical Observatory
- Roan-Jasé Observatory
- Pailalén Observatory
- Chilean Skies Observatory
- Pocuro Observatory
- Cerro Chamán Observatory
- Tagua Tagua Observatory
- Orion Observatory
- Elke Tourism Observatory
- Wangulenmapu Observatory
- Yepún Observatory
Don't forget the mystical tours of the area!
You will find many tourist agencies that offer exciting guides through the Valley taking as a concept the terrestrial and astronomical beauties to offer visitors a unique experience with ceremonies of connection with the Valley for the balance of the Chakras, with quartz in the temple of the town of Alcohuaz. It includes many great activities for lovers of spirituality.
ADVENTURE AND RELAXATION IN ELQUI
Adventure sports lovers can find trekking routes, bike trails, excursions and horseback riding in the Elqui Valley.
Enjoy the Valley by bike
Among the most outstanding activities we find the bicycle and horseback riding route in Pisco Elqui that ends descending through the valleys. The peaks of the areas are incredible with great panoramic views.
Normally, guided tours take you through almost the entire area to learn more about the valley's panorama. You will find guides who offer you e-bikes (electric bicycles) charged with sunlight, to travel the route. You will visit tourist spots in the area, including river beaches, monuments and museums, fisheries, astronomical observatories, campsites with night routes and more. A real experience to explore the Elqui Valley in depth by bike!
Trekking in the Elqui Valley
Trekking in this valley full of life will be an amazing experience among its characteristic rivers and vineyards. It is like a paradise in the middle of the arid Chilean mountains. The most typical thing is to go trekking to the El Molle hill, 1000 meters above sea level. You will find it behind the town that also bears the name of El Molle.
It could be considered a route for beginners, but don't be fooled. Its steep and complex rock passes transform the experience into a real challenge. It is very easy to get there from La Serena, heading towards Vicuña. Once you enter the town of El Molle you must walk all the way to the end, and reach the base of the hill, where you can park your car without any problems.
Are you excited about this wonderful location? Just 15km from La Serena, the Elqui Valley experience begins, full of privileged landscapes, clear skies, meadows, and relaxation at the foot of the Andes mountain range.
Every year it attracts tourists who clear their minds of everyday problems and immerse themselves in the adventure and freedom offered by this Chilean Valley, which seems to go at its own pace, calm, silent, with fresh air, and endless green areas that seem to never end.
But it is an experience that no one can describe in words, you must live it to really enjoy it!
