ELQUI VALLEY

Valle del Elqui

Región de Coquimbo
Norte Chico

90 kilometers east of La Serena, Valle de Elqui is another world. The valley takes its name from the river running from the mountains to the sea and fascinates visitors with fruit orchards, vegetable plantations and clear night skies perfect for astronomical observation. The valley enlightens the spirit with alternative medicine, yoga and meditation. Don't be surprised if your hostel or hotel has pyramids or a quartz pool. This is all part of the valley's style.

It has earned a reputation as an area with a unique energy, something like Tibet's South American brother. Many people believe this to be true, and take advantage of gorges and small towns to find peace and a mild Mediterranean climate. But there's more: the valley is home to adventure sports, stargazing, wine and pisco (a strong grape liquor) tasting. These spirits are made from the grapes that ripen along the valley's hillsides.

Your five senses will come alive with guided visits to astronomical observatories at Cerro Pachón and Cerro Tololo. You will have the chance to admire the clearest skies in the southern hemisphere, as well as different production plants that distill pisco from grapes that have been grown in these fertile lands for centuries.

Valle de Elqui's unique energy seems to emanate from Cerro Cancana. This hill is believed to be the geographic antipode of the Himalayas. Some people in the area say that NASA once measured the hill's energy, which came to 1,500 electromagnetic mega units, the highest on Earth. Whether this is true or not, several people have started a spiritual life in the valley, leaving the traditional urban living model far behind.

Take highway CH-41 to La Serena, turn right when you get to Rivadavia and take the D-485 highway going up into the valley.

Buses go as far as Pisco Elqui and can be taken from Coquimbo or La Serena.