Top La Serena Art & Culture

The Valley of Enchantment is a marvelous place with a unique nature and numerous striking resources that surprised and enchanted thousands of years ago primitive nomadic tribes native to the Atlantic and the Amazon, attracted by the good climate, precious stones, and the Pacific coast. and its ancient oceanic forests, becoming the first sedentary of the regional valleys. This mysterious culture settles in this beautiful natural space and hidden semi-arid ravine, turning it into the most important artistic, astronomical and ceremonial center of Chilean prehistory. Its attractive and strategic location, geomorphology, variety of slopes, flora and fauna, its large stones with surprising engravings, paintings and mortars, teach the amazing art, rituals and worldview of the oldest and shamanic culture of the Coquimbo Region: Molle culture.

The Elqui Valley is the most valuable cultural and mountain destination in Chile, creator of the most emblematic cultural treasures of our country. Its illuminated atmosphere allowed the creation and development of various cultural practices that make it a dream destination for those seeking relaxation, inspiration, cosmic connection and advanced knowledge about Chile's cultural heritage. Its beautiful geography welcomed ancient indigenous peoples, churches and hacienda houses of the first conquerors surrounded by pyramidal mountains full of minerals, energy and a transparent atmosphere, propagated tropical, desert and Mediterranean crops and the oldest wine and pisco cellars in the country. You will discover the art of the Diaguitas, the legacy of the Incas, the origins of Chilean and Argentine wine, the advanced astronomical observatories and the places that inspired mystics and the first female Nobel Prize winner for literature in Latin America, Gabriela Mistral.

Pangue Observatory is probably the best Astrotourism Observatory in Chile, its privileged location at 1300 meters above sea level and the absence of light pollution teaches the universe, galaxies and stellar objects of the Southern Hemisphere like nowhere else in the world. The El Pangue Observatory has two types of tours, the classic tour (16" telescope) and the extreme tour (25" telescope). The number of stellar objects to observe is the largest that can be obtained in an astronomical tour in Chile, from 8 to 12 objects are seen. We recommend booking in advance as spaces are limited.

Set out from Coquimbo port on a private sightseeing tour of La Serena, known for both its historic architecture and exquisite beaches. Visit some of the city's stone-built churches as well as its Archaeological Museum, exhibiting artifacts from Easter Island's Rapanui culture. Continue onto La Serena Lighthouse en route to Coquimbo city, another place known for its white sands as well as seafaring traditions. After lunch stop by the Cross of the Third Millennium and Guayacan, a neighborhood rich in copper smelting history. This shore excursion includes round-trip transport.

Discover a unique phenomenon: a Valdivian forest that survives in a semi-arid climate thanks to the mysterious "camanchaca" fog. Fray Jorge National Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, is a true oasis of biodiversity. Walk along trails surrounded by nature, breathe fresh air, and marvel at the views.

We will pick you up at your accommodation to take a journey to the majestic Andes mountain range. Our first stop will be in the remote town of Huanta, where we will enjoy breakfast at the last restaurant in the Valley. Afterwards, we will head to the Juntas del Toro Border Complex, where we will check in with the Carabinieri of Chile to access the thermal baths, located on the foothills of Las Tortolas Hill, the second highest mountain in the region and about 120 km from Vicuña. We will be at an altitude of 3,300 meters above sea level. You can enjoy a small trek to a hidden waterfall. Then, you will experience moments of relaxation in the baths, tasting local wines accompanied by a mountain pairing. We will return to Vicuña, where you can finish the day with a tasting of craft beer accompanied by delicious pizzas, in this way we will culminate this unique experience.

Explore Chile's lush Elqui Valley on a private shore excursion from your La Serena port of call. Set out for this stunning region where the bulk of Chilean pisco is produced, stopping first at Puclaro, an artificial reservoir offerings spectacular views of the area. Next tour a pisco factory, learn about the distillation process of this national spirit and enjoy a sampling or two before continuing on to Vicuña, the birthtown of poet Gabriela Mistral. Peruse the Gabriela Mistral museum, then enjoy lunch in Villaseca before returning to port.

This experience stands out by offering a boutique stargazing journey in the Elqui Valley, one of the best places in the world for astronomy thanks to its exceptionally clear skies. Unlike large observatories with crowded groups, this tour takes place in a private and peaceful setting, allowing for a more personal and immersive connection with the night sky. Guided by an expert, you will explore stars, planets, and deep space objects through professional telescopes in a relaxed and intimate environment. The experience also includes astrophotography, giving you the opportunity to capture unforgettable moments under one of the clearest skies on Earth.

We will visit the most picturesque places of this great Valley, which surrounds us with mysticism and relaxation. We will visit the Puclaro Reservoir, Vicuña and its attractions. We will know in a pisquera factory the process of the distillation of the grape. Lunch will take place in a typical restaurant of the place. We will continue the route to Paihuano, we will make a stop at the viewpoint, to go later to Monte Grande. Pisco Elqui is the last town on this circuit, a small town with narrow streets and adobe houses, where the place's square and a beautiful water fountain stand out, with figures of children; the village church and crafts centers typical of the place, welcome us and say goodbye to this tour.