Pisco Elqui: Production, Tasting and History
In Pisco Elqui, traditional distilleries invite you to learn about how Pisco is made and taste different varieties. At the Museo del Pisco, you can deepen your knowledge of the drink. Advance reservations are recommended for distillery tours; also check the museum’s current visiting hours. In 2023, the town received the Best Tourism Village award. The award recognizes a rural destination distinguished by sustainable tourism, the preservation of its cultural and natural heritage, and the well-being of its communities.
Vicuña: Astronomy and Gabriela Mistral
Tourist observatories such as Mamalluca can be reached from Vicuña. The Gabriela Mistral Museum also offers an introduction to the poet’s life and work: both are presented there. In the precordillera of the Elqui Valley, near Alcohuaz and Cochiguaz, Observatorio Cancana is one of the observatories mentioned. The valley thus offers several places to explore astronomy, including tourist observatories near Vicuña and an observatory in the area around the two valleys farther east.
Another connection to Gabriela Mistral leads to Pisco Elqui. There, Escuela Nº 10 Jerónimo Godoy Villanueva has been declared a National Monument in the Historic Monument category. It is also the endpoint of the Ruta Mistraliana, a route linking buildings that are significant to the poet’s life and work. The school is thus identified both as a historic site and as part of this literary route.
Coast, Bay and Islands
Coquimbo offers a maritime perspective on Elqui Province: its varied cuisine is based on seafood, and boat or catamaran trips are available around the bay. Attractions along Avenida Costanera, which begins at the Peñuelas resort, include a casino, a 4-kilometer-long bike path, and fitness facilities and outdoor games that are free to use. There are different options here, from a trip on the water to activities along the coast.
In the part of the Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt that lies within Elqui Province, visitors can reach Isla Damas by boat from Caleta Punta de Choros. Isla Damas is the only island in the archipelago where visitors can go ashore. On boat trips, you can observe Humboldt penguins, dolphins, sea lions and Yuncos. For the Región De Coquimbo, October to April is cited as the period with the best weather for whale and sperm whale watching in the same reserve; sightings remain dependent on the weather and natural conditions. Check the CONAF’s current visitor information before planning your trip.
Valleys and Getting There
Paihuano is the gateway to the valleys of Cochiguaz and Alcohuaz, where visitors will find a varied range of tourism options. The landscapes along the Río Cochiguaz invite you to go trekking and cycling. The valleys complement the astronomical destinations with experiences in a mountain landscape and outdoor activities, without requiring a specific tour or fixed itinerary.
You can also plan your journey around the places mentioned. Vicuña is accessible from La Serena via the fully paved Ruta 41; regular buses and private vehicles connect the two cities during the day. The route from La Serena to Pisco Elqui is stated to be about 100 kilometers and take around one hour and 30 minutes; this route also follows the fully paved Ruta 41. Regular buses and private vehicles also connect the coast with this point in the valley during the day.
Another Regional Perspective
Beyond Elqui Province, the Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge lies in the wider Región De Coquimbo. It protects a remnant forest in the Altos de Talinay coastal mountain range; 227 animal species have been documented in the park. This offers another way to experience nature within the Región De Coquimbo, separate from the experiences described in Coquimbo, Vicuña, Pisco Elqui and the valleys near Paihuano.
Discover more destinations: La Serena, Coquimbo, Paiguano, Vicuña, La Higuera, Trigo Blanco, Limarí Province, Choapa Province.
To the overview of the wider region: Región De Coquimbo.
