The Las Chinchillas National Reserve covers 4,229 hectares and is located in the municipality of Illapel in Choapa Province. It was established on November 30, 1983. For a shorter nature experience, try the Sendero Rumpiato: the trail is 720 meters long, easy to walk and takes about 45 minutes in total. This places the reserve’s vast area and the manageable length of this individual trail side by side as two different scales.

Birdlife and Coastal Landscapes

At the Pichidangui Urban Wetland, you’ll find a coastal ecosystem with resident and non-resident birds; walking trails lead through the area. Species you can observe there include herons, coots, coscoroba swans, cormorants and black skimmers. Its diversity makes the wetland a destination in its own right for anyone who wants to explore the landscape on foot while watching birds.

Isla de Lobos offers a different perspective on wildlife: the island is home to a colony of around 1,500 South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens). The approach to the coastal area opposite the island begins at Quebrada de Quereo. The path starts on earth and becomes sandy as it nears the coast; it is suitable for trekking and cycling. These two options share the route described, but not the same mode of travel.

Rock Art and Architectural History

Numerous petroglyphs around Salamanca offer a glimpse into the area’s ancient cultural history. They are associated with a presumed boundary between the cultures of Norte Chico and those of the Aconcagua Valley and central Chile. The rock carvings at Culimo, in turn, are attributed to the Diaguita or Diaguita-Inca, who inhabited the Valle de Quilimarí and its surroundings. Activities listed there include trekking, cycling and photographing the cultural heritage. In Salamanca, the Ruta de Arte Rupestre is a one-day route for viewing petroglyphs.

Architecture and engineering history are also part of the province’s character. The small Iglesia Santa Teresa in Pichidangui, in the municipality of Los Vilos, is admired for its architecture and its location beside the coastal rock formations. Near Huentelauquén stands the old Amolanas Viaduct: it is 106 meters high and has three arches. It is considered Chile’s highest viaduct and one of the highest in South America; it is also described as an engineering landmark of the 1950s. Large hacienda estate houses in the Illapel Valley remain very well preserved.

If you prefer to turn your gaze toward the sky, the Illapel Valley has a clear sky almost year-round, making it suitable for observing the cosmos. In the same province, rock art, historic buildings and sweeping views upward thus offer very different reasons to explore.

Comparing Hiking and Cycling

Tacitas de Quelén is a waterfall on Estero Quelén that forms three pools. At Salto Los González, a tributary creates the waterfall on Río González; a moderately difficult trekking route leads to it. For cycling, there is the Ruta en Bicicleta – Valle de Chalinga. This is a moderately challenging loop with gentle climbs and both paved and unpaved sections. Route conditions may change; check them before your trip.

The information allows for a concrete comparison of effort: Rumpiato is rated easy and takes about 45 minutes, while the loop in Valle de Chalinga is considered moderately difficult. The latter is also described as having gentle climbs and specific surface types. This lets you choose between a short walk, a moderately difficult trekking route and a cycling route without treating these activities as equivalent.

Local Flavors, Traditions and Discoveries

In Coirón, Viña Arnaud Faupin offers wine tastings guided by the producer. Viña Mallacún in Quelén Alto produces local pisco and hosts guided tastings. Their focus differs: one offers wine with direct guidance from the producer, while the other features locally produced pisco. Check the current tasting arrangements before your visit.

At Caleta de Pescadores de Pichidangui, local businesses and stalls offer fresh seafood and homemade seafood empanadas. Availability may vary depending on the season and vendor. Boat trips to a nearby island also depart from the caleta; whether they are offered depends on the season and operator. Check with the operator in advance for current options.

The municipality of Los Vilos has three self-guided routes focused on nature, cultural heritage and wellness. One is the Ruta del Cuarzo in Valle de Quilimarí: it combines complementary therapies and workshops with handmade crafts made from local stones. The three route themes offer different ways to explore the municipality, while this particular route brings wellness and local crafts together.

Religious traditions give other places a special cultural significance. The Fiesta del Señor de la Tierra is considered the most important religious festival in Choapa Province and welcomes around 3,000 pilgrims. In Arboleda Grande in Valle de Chalinga, eight kilometers east of Salamanca, a celebration is held in honor of San Juan. During the celebration, his image is carried in a procession to the banks of Río Chalinga.

Discover more destinations: Los Vilos, Limarí Province, Elqui Province.

Return to the main travel overview: Coquimbo Region.