Things to do in

La Serena

Pangue Observatory is probably one of the bests places in Chile for stargazing. Located in the Elqui Valley, 1,500 meters above sea level in the preandean mountain range under the Gabriela Mistral dark skies sanctuary. In front of Tololo, SOAR, Gemini, and Vera Rubin observatories (the most powerful digital camera in the world), it gives to its visitors and travelers, landscapes of unique beauty and unforgettable astronomical observations due to its privileged location and excellent skies of great transparence, dryness, and clarity. Pangue has advanced eyepieces and telescopes (16" and 25" inches) to give incomparable views of our galaxy center and unexpected areas of the universe. You will visit one of the best places in the world for exploring and observing the cosmos and the southern skies on an exclusive, personalized, and specialized tour. Stargazing considers the observation of several stellar objects such as nebulae, clusters, galaxies, planets, massive blue stars, red dwarfs, among others.

You will discover one of the places with major diversity of sea fauna in the South Pacific coast: "the frontiers of Coquimbo´s Green North region and the beginnings of the driest desert in the world: the Atacama." We will travel through attractive landscapes and settlements of ancient shepherds, miners, farmers and brave descendants of indigenous fishermens and pirates, until reaching the coast of the most experienced and long-standing artisanal fishermen, divers and seaweed collectors in Chile: Los Changos "blood drinkers" culture, Choros and Camanchacas. We will navigate the borders of the islands: Seagulls, Choros and Damas to appreciate its beautiful beaches with mythological geomorphology of stone gods and outstanding diversity of plants and cactus beside its attractive fauna of seabirds, sea otters, sea lions, penguins, whales and dolphins. You will discover islands of great beauty with a fascinating past that gave life to the first and last indigenous fishing rafts made with sealion skin.

Your day begins with an 8:30 AM pickup from your centrally located La Serena or Coquimbo hotel. Greet your guide, board the vehicle, and settle in for a journey of about two hours to Cochiguaz, in the Elqui Valley. After learning why some people call Cochiguaz the world's new geomagnetic center, and exploring a little of its new-age culture, pay a visit to a Pisco production plant. Discover how Chile's national drink is made and enjoy a tasting before returning on road that leads to Vicuña. Stroll through Vicuña as your guide explains how it is the most important town in the valley and also the hometown of the Nobel Prize-winning poet, Gabriela Mistral. There is also time to admire the Baüer Tower, main square, and church. Next, it's time for lunch in a typically Chilean restaurant. After lunch, descend into the valley to visit the tomb of Gabriela Mistral and her childhood school-house. Your tour concludes with a drop-off back at your hotel at around 6:30 PM.

We will begin our trip from La Serena towards the town of Caleta Los Hornos, one of the most important archaeological capitals of the Coquimbo Region. Accompanied by professional local guides, you will learn about the community work of protection and research of different archaeological remains such as screes, which are being studied by the archeology department of the Alberto Hurtado University (UAH) and the Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones ( CEAZA). This site corresponds to the coastal edge of Caleta Los Hornos, a path which we will follow on foot, managing to appreciate important archaeological finds from different pre-Hispanic cultures that inhabited the territory in a transhumant manner more than 10,000 BC. On our tour, we will identify different native flora with a high degree of endemism and fragility, such as. The Lucumillo (Myrcianthes coquimbensis). Shrub native to the Coquimbo region. In addition, you will learn about bird species that nest on the different islands of the Humboldt archipelago. Where you can observe them with high quality monoculars. To end the day we will visit a renowned local restaurant, where we will taste the wonderful local cuisine. Later you will visit a museum exhibition room of the attractions of the La Figuera commune and its prehistoric past. DETAILS: DISABILITY TREKKING DURATION OF THE ACTIVITY: 1 HOUR AND A HALF. SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES, IDEAL TO MEET WITH A FAMILY OR IN A GROUP. INCLUDES: ROUND AND RETURN TRANSPORTATION TREKKING STICKS HEALTHY SNACK HYDRATION POINTS PROFESSIONAL LOCAL GUIDE QR INFOGRAPHIC LUNCH TYPE MENU IN A RESTAURANT (Starter, Main Course, Dessert and Drink). HIGH QUALITY MONOCULAR RECOMMENDATIONS: Sunscreen, comfortable clothing, outdoor shoes and a hat.

Travel to the origins of the conquest to discover the places where the history and foundation of the North was forged Verde, Coquimbo Bay and the oldest city in the coast of the country, La Serena, Latin American capital for the Architecture and Urbanism and cradle of viticulture in the Southern Cone. Created to keep Santiago de Chile alive threatened by the Mapuche uprising, received by land and sea everything that came from the Viceroyalty of Peru, for his privileged geography and location, played a role strategy for the propagation of resources that they would raise and found the first cities of Chile and Argentina. Discover the treasures of La Serena and Coquimbo, ancestral bay and inhabited pre-Columbian cultural metropolis by the Animas, Changos, Diaguitas, Incas, Mapuches, Conquerors, clerics, and pirates, drawn by the weather and the riches of its coast and its mountains make it the economic and cultural capital of Chile in the colony. Itinerary • Tour of terraces, old town monuments (Churches and Plan serena) foundational milestones and origins of Chilean wine • Visit the archaeological museum, La Recova market and Plaza de Weapons of La Serena (Cathedral, Dominican Church and statues). • Tour of Aguirre Avenue and visit to the Monumental Lighthouse. • Entrance to Avenida del Mar in La Serena and Avenida Costanera from Coquimbo, views of the Culebrón wetland and the Mosque. • Arrival at Ciudad Puerto de Coquimbo and tour of its historic streets, central square and English Quarter. • Stop at Fort Lambert, Cross of the Third Millennium, the pampilla and Viewpoint of the Navigators. • Visit the port and Church of Guayacan and the town of La Herradura. • Free time at Totoralillo beach and return to La Serena.

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. Get up-close to native wildlife Ideal choice for families Lunch included

Explore one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Chile and the world where the most emblematic landscapes and cultural treasures of our country were born. Ancient precolumbian villages, early churches and hacienda houses of the first spanish conquistadores, surrounded by pyramidal mountains rich in minerals and magnetism gave birth to tropical fruits, semiarid flora and mediterranean crops inspired the creation of the most recognized wineries and pisco distilleries in Chile. Discover the art of the Diaguitas, the legacy of the Incas, the origins of Chilean wine and pisco, the landcapes that inspired the life and artwork of Nobel winner Gabriela Mistral, its avant-garde Astronomical Observatories and its mysterious new age’s communities.

Travel to one of the most beautiful places in South America, Coquimbo bay, La Serena city and the great Elqui Valley to discover the origins and evolution of chilean and argentinean wine industry. Come and experience one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Chile and the world where the most emblematic landscapes and cultural treasures of our country were born. Ancient precolumbian villages, early churches, and hacienda houses of the first conquerors, surrounded by pyramidal mountains rich in minerals and magnetism gave birth to tropical fruits, semiarid flora and mediterranean crops that inspire the creation not only of the first and most recognized wineries and pisco distilleries from XVI in Chile but also the deep and emotive poetry of the Nobel prize winner Gabriela Mistral. You will visit and taste very unique ancestral and avant-gardes wines and piscos along 4 wineries and pisco cellars, one of these will be paired with incredible food recipes and flavors from the Andes Pacific side. You will discover the places and mountains that give birth to the Diaguitas art pottery, the legacy of the Incas, the origins of Chilean wine and pisco, the landscapes that host and inspire Gabriela Mistral literature and activism, the avant-garde Astronomical Observatories with its mysterious new age’s communities.

Land transportation is not included, you must travel in your own vehicle to reach Caleta Chañaral de Aceituno where the tour guide of the boat will be waiting for you, with whom you will navigate (with life jacket), with them you will circumnavigate Chañaral Island, belonging to the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve, this location is known for having the greatest possibility of sighting whales such as Humpback Whales, Fin and Bottlenose Dolphins. The activity starts at 09.00 am, so it is important to be punctual. This experience has a duration of 1.15 hr aprox. *Subject to weather conditions