Coquimbo – Elqui Valley

Discover the splendid beauty and history of northern Chile during this memorable, half-day sightseeing tour of Vicuña and the Elqui Valley.

The Coquimbo region forms the narrowest part, or ‘waist’ of Chile, and is therefore one of the country’s most mountainous regions, where the Andes range runs closer to the sea than anywhere else. Nobel Prize-winning poet Gabriela Mistral was a native of Vicuña in the Elqui Valley, a pisco producing area, famous for its beauty and clear skies.

We will head directly from the pier to the Elqui Valley, driving along the coastal road, where you can see the traditional lighthouse monument in the city of La Serena, and one of its main avenues. Our first stop will be at a pisco distillery plant, where besides touring the installation, you will have the opportunity to taste this unique liquor. After this experience, the tour will proceed towards the town of Vicuña.

Upon arrival at Vicuña, we visit the main plaza, surrounded by old trees that stand in stark contrast to the area’s arid hills. Then it’s on to the parish church, with a pretty wooden tower erected in 1910; and Bauer Tower, a strange wood-lined metal structure made to resemble a medieval tower with battlements. It was prefabricated in 1905 in Ulm, Germany, by order of Mayor Adolfo Bauer. Return to the pier

Practical information

• Included: One bottle of mineral water on the bus and pisco tasting at the distillery

• Remarks/requirements: We recommend wearing clothing that is appropriate for the weather, lightweight and comfortable, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.

• Walking information: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking for approximately 0.1 miles over dirt pathways and uneven surfaces, with approximately 50 steps at the distillery.

• Wheelchair accessible: No