Top La Serena Outdoor Activities

Discover one of northern Chile’s top nature experiences without hassle of organizing logistics yourself. This tour to the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve from La Serena takes you past the islands of Gaviotas, Choros, and Damas while watching for penguins, dolphins, sea lions, and otters. On Isla Damas, you can walk across white-sand beaches for a closer look at its desert flora and dramatic landscapes.

This tour stands out by offering a complete and immersive journey through the Elqui Valley, one of Chile’s most scenic and culturally rich destinations. From breathtaking mountain landscapes to charming traditional villages, you will experience the true essence of the region in a single day. Unlike standard tours, this experience combines culture, gastronomy, and local traditions, including visits to a pisco distillery and a high-altitude winery, where you will enjoy guided tastings of regional products. The journey also includes a traditional lunch in the heart of the valley, allowing you to connect with the flavors and lifestyle of northern Chile. With a well-balanced itinerary, comfortable transportation, and expert guidance, this tour is perfect for travelers looking to discover the Elqui Valley in a deeper and more authentic way.

Discover one of northern Chile’s most-important archaeological landscapes in the company of a guide who brings its ancient stories to life and explains the meanings behind the mysterious petroglyphs. This guided tour from La Serena takes your through the Valle del Encanto provides insights into the pre-Columbian Molle culture that you'd likely miss visiting on your own.

The coastal region of the Atacama Desert is home to stunning landscapes and remote settlements, which are difficult to explore without a private vehicle. Make the most of your time and visit two national parks—the Pan de Azucar and Llanos del Challe—along with coastal and mining towns and the Obispito archaeological site in one day with this guided tour from La Serena, which takes care of all your logistics.

Get up close to Chile’s coastal wildlife on this full-day tour from La Serena, including hotel pick-up. Drive past vibrant fields of desert wildflowers (depending on the season), then cruise around the windswept Gull, Choros and Damas islands. After spotting bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and penguins at the Humboldt Penguins National Reserve, tuck into a delicious seafood lunch (included), then spend time relaxing on the islands’ white sand beaches.

Itinerary: We will pick you up at your accommodation to head towards the Puclaro reservoir, about 16 km from Vicuña, we will arrive at one of the villages surrounding the reservoir, here we will start walking. We will help each other with headlamps and canes throughout the trek. We will arrive at a strategic point and we will settle to make observation of the sky taking advantage of the remoteness and the little light pollution that is in this place, you will be able to observe the stars by naked eye. You will receive a small astronomical talk about the stars that can be seen during the night, we will prepare the camera to start this session of astro photography with one of the cleanest skies in the world as protagonist. We will return from trekking to vehicles and drop you back at your accommodation. It is necessary to bring: Comfortable/warm clothing. Trekking or sports boots/shoes. Backpack. Water (min. 1/2 liter)

Discover the charming Elqui Valley with a unique experience that combines scenic horseback riding, organic wine tasting and cultural exploration in the village of Vicuña. From the mystical valley of Cochiguaz to the local vineyards and time to get to know the village of Vicuña, this tour offers an unforgettable day amid spectacular landscapes and the delight of Chilean wines. Join this adventure that connects nature, culture and flavors in the heart of the 4th region.

This experience stands out by offering one of the best opportunities in Chile to observe fin whales, the second largest animal on Earth, in their natural habitat. Located in the remote and protected waters of Chañaral de Aceituno, this tour takes you far from crowded tourist areas and into a unique marine ecosystem where wildlife thrives. With a high probability of sightings during the season, you may encounter not only whales, but also dolphins, seabirds, and other marine species. Combined with a scenic journey through the coastal desert and a visit to a traditional fishing village, this experience offers a rare and unforgettable connection with Chile’s wild nature.

Visit the home of Chile’s famous Pisco Sour on this full-day, small-group tour of the Elqui Valley from La Serena, including hotel pickup. Uncover the cosmic secrets of the Cochiguaz Valley; tour a Pisco production plant; and indulge in an expert-led Pisco tasting. After tucking into a traditional lunch (included) at a local restaurant, spend time exploring Vicuña, the hometown of Nobel Prize winning poet Gabriela Mistral.

Avoid the hassle of navigating remote mountain roads at night and enjoy a stress-free experience of northern Chile’s world-famous dark skies. This small-group astronomy experience at Pangue Observatory provides telescope viewing far from light pollution and 4,265 feet (1,300) meters) above sea level. Learn about planets, galaxies, and constellations while enjoying an immersive experience that thrills for novices and astronomy enthusiasts alike.

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.

The high-Andes hot springs at 10,827 feet (3,300 meters) on Cerro Las Tortolas's foothills require a 75-mile drive from Vicuña on rough mountain roads, advance reservation, and border post registration with Chilean Carabineros at Juntas del Toro—barriers that keep most independent travelers away. Keep logistics simple on this private tour, which includes breakfast in Huanta, a hot springs visit with wine pairing, and dinner back in Vicuña.