Elqui Valley tour – private

General information

Destination	Category
La Serena, Chile	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

The mystical, picturesque and historic Elqui Valley comes to life with this private full day tour from La Serena. Bounded in the north by desert and by vegetation in the south, the valley is believed to radiate a pleasant sensation of energy – so much so that many visitors leave convinced that the valley is the new geo-magnetic centre of the earth. The tour also takes in a pisco production plant and the town of Vicuña.


The valley is located at the southern end of the Atacama Desert and is known for producing succulent fruits, with grapes – and, of course, wine – chief among them. The region’s vineyards go from the Pacific Ocean to the Andes, reaching an altitude of 2,000 metres above sea level but concentrate especially along the River Elqui itself, where access to high-quality water grants irrigation. At times there is an astonishing contrast between the verdant valley and the arid hills that frame it.


Dry rocky terrain, steep valleys and temperate hills cooled by strong winds from the ocean and the mountains make the landscape. Visit a pisco production plant and see how it is produced and then taste this grape variety.


Hit the road again to go to Vicuña, the most important town in the area, and birthplace of Nobel Prize-winning poet Gabriela Mistral. You will also see the landmark Bauer tower, the main square and the church. We will have lunch in a typical restaurant. After lunch, visit the tomb of Gabriela Mistral and the school she went to.



Meeting/pick-up point: Collection from hotels.

Duration: Eight hours.

Start/opening time: 9am and 10am.

Languages: English and Spanish.