Destination Elqui Valley - The Elquimista Experience
​(Tour Report March 2013 - Updated Sept 2017)

Pisco Elqui is a pretty, traditional Chilean village located some 100kms east of La Serena​, in the beautiful vine-clad Elqui Valley.  Famed for its pisco​ ​brandy, crystal clear skies that offer fabulous opportunities for "astroturism", and the area where Chile's first Nobel Laureate, Gabriela Mistral, was born and raised, it is a popular vacation destination for many Chileans in the summer, eager to have a tranquil break in the country far from the city bustle.   Situated just on the outskirts of Pisco Elqui is a beautifully developed chalet complex, Elquimista​, that offers a special retreat in Asian-Elqui style with 7 unique chalets, each with their own superb view and distinctive feel.

​For those visiting from Santiago, the 470km drive to La Serena via the Panamerican Highway (Ruta 5) can be achieved easily within 6 hours, but many people stop to visit other natural attractions en route.  These include the very beautiful natural coastal reserve of Puquen, by Los Molles on the Pacific coast​, where visitors can see local natural flora in beautiful surroundings.  Also, the famous "puquen" (or whale's blowhole) itself, that spouts seawater high into the air every few minutes when high seas and strong westerly winds are blowing, plus seabirds, a sealion colony, Humbolt penguins in the mating season (Oct - March), and the rare, endemic Cururo.

​Further north, near Ovalle​, some visitors go to see the petroglyphs and ancient carved rock basins to be found in the Valle del Encanto ​(or Enchanted Valley).  In the Spring, rare Fox Ears (Aristolochia chilensis ) plants can be seen here; they are similar to a pitcher plant but attract flies to pollinate, rather than to trap and devour the insects.  Also in this area, the remains of an ancient petrified forest can be visited, at Pichasca, but it is far out of the way in the Andes foothills.  A more popular visit is to ​Fray Jorge National Park, some 100kms south of La Serena​.  It is one of the few examples left of a Valdivian Mist Forest, with very rare flora and fauna, such as Andean fox, Pampas cat and nocturnal ​quinques ​(Molina's hog-nosed skunk), plus other lesser seen birds.

Arriving in the vibrant coastal city of La Serena​, many visitors opt to spend a few days here on the lovely beaches, like Totoralillo or La Herradura, or visiting the fisherman's harbour in nearby ​Coquimbo for excellent fresh seafood and restaurants.  Coquimbo also hosts one of Chile's few mosques, and boasts a fine casino.  La Serena ​offers a different view, with its many old museums and churches, the sprawling La Recova market, where almost anything can be bought.  And the Japanese Kokoro No Niwa Garden is a delightful surprise in these Latin surroundings.  And an hour or so north of La Serena, ​nature lovers delight in the marine life and seabirds that can be enjoyed up close in the ​Reserva Nacional de Pinguinos Humbolt, by boat from Caleta Punta de Chorros​​.

But the No.1 attraction in ​Norte Chico is a vacation break in the lovely Elqui Valley​, stretching 100kms east from La Serena to the Andes range!   The drive through the Elqui Valley provides many a photographic opportunity with its constant changes in scenery.  One minute you will be driving through luscious valleys filled with green grape vines, then around the corner you will be met by arid mountains dotted with cacti.  Each little town you pass also has its own character, attractions and locals ready to tell you their stories of this mystical valley.  Some may tell you that Tibetan monks came here and believe that  an energy vortex exists between Elqui and Lhasa in Tibet, specifically centred up in the Cochiguaz Andes. 
​Come and see for yourself what this unique valley can offer!

Nearby there are two major astronomical observatories also worth a visit. The Cerro Mamalluca Observatory is located near the town of Vicuña and is a scientific, tourist and educational complex, open to the public every night of the year. For those with a more professional interest in astronomy you can visit the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory which is a scientific complex containing many telescopes and instruments dedicated to professional astronomical observation.

During your observations of the sky you are almost certain to see a shooting star, a relative rarity for a city dweller. And, as I’m told by the locals, you may also come across something else of a rarity – a UFO! The Elqui Valley has also made a name for itself internationally by being known as having some of the most UFO sightings worldwide. There is a belief by some that the Elqui Valley has an energized magnetism about it – perhaps drawing the UFO’s near……… Some may believe this, and others, well they may think it’s all something to do with too much of the potent local cocktail, the Pisco Sour!

While I’m speaking of Pisco Sours, you ought to know that the Elqui Valley is the very home of this drink. All of the countries major pisco distilleries are located here and are open to the public for tours and of course, tastings. I would personally recommend the Capel and Mistral distilleries.

Overall, whatever your interests are, there is sure to be something to entertain you during your stay at Elquimista!