Top Activities on the Ground in La Serena

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.

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.