La Serena Things to Do

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One of the beaches we went to was Totorolillo. It is located a little bit out of La Serena and to get there we had to take a bus from the La Serena Bus Terminal. The bus stopped also at the bus terminal in Coquimbo before continuing on. We got dropped off on the highway and had to walk down to the beach about 2 kms. The beach was worth the hike as it was really gorgeous. A lot of people though! There was fresh seafood for sale nearby and they had a safe area for kids to swim in.

This is a great route to see some of the best sites in the region. A 4x4 is required for some of the way.

The Elqui valley is the first section - head from La Serena towards the airport and carry on for some 20 mins until you enter the valley. Regardless of the clouds on the coast, as soon as you enter the valley the sky is a perfect blue with seldom a cloud in sight. Keep going up the valley, past the Puclaro reservoir to the town of Vicuña. Here head south on dirt road towards the Hurtado Valley.

A 4x4 is required for this road as it winds through some spectacular semi-arid desert scenery. After about 45 mins you get to Hurtado, from here the road is in better condition.

The Hurtado valley is at least as beautiful as the Elqui valley. Just outside the village of Hurtado is Hacienda los Andes, where you can arrange some excellent horse rides off and up into the Andes.
From Hurtado, continue down the fertile valley to the village of Pichasca, where there are the fossilised remains of a prehistoric forest. Back on the road there are two option: a shorter route is to turn off at Samo Alto and take the cross country road (4x4) to Andacollo;or a longer route is to carry on to Limari and the enchanted valley.

Andacollo: The town is dotted with small scale gold mines that have been worked for centuries, and as a result you can't look anywhere without seeing some evidence of a mine. Visiting one of the few remaining "trapiches" is a fascinating experience.

Limari: There are now half a dozen excellent wineries here or close by: Tamaya, Tabali, Ocho Tierras, Viña Familia Farr, Francisco de Aguirre, and Solar are the most recommended. You can visit any of these for a tour and tasting. Just down the road from Limari is el Valle del Encanto, a hidden valley where hundreds of boulders display ancient etchings of humans with head dresses, animals and other objects and symbols.

Return to Coquimbo via the old inland road, Ruta 43. Best local agency to ask for information is Optimundo.

The construction of this dam started in 1997 and now it's a "must see" for the people who goes to the Elqui Valley.
A good stop to walk along the dam and take a few pics. It's really quiet and windy, but nice, I like it.
There's no fee to enter here.

CAPEL is the major Pisco Company in Chile. It was born in 1934.

Alto del Carmen, Artesanos del Cochiguaz and Valle del Limari brands belong to Capel, as well as Pisco Capel, it's emblematic brand.

The Capel Plant, located in Vicuna, offers guided tours in Spanish and English, every 30 minutes. Here you can know more about the Pisco elaboration processes, from the grapes selection till the storing in American Oak barrels.
After the tour you can taste different types of Pisco....cheers! :o)

Visit schedules:
March - December (Low Season)
Monday to Friday: 09:30 - 12:30
14:30 - 18:00
Saturdays, Sundays and Holydays: 09:30 - 12:30

January - February (High Season)
Monday to Sunday: 09:30 - 18:00

Closed during: January 1st, May 1st, September 20th, November 8th and December 25th.

MAMALLUCA OBSERVATORY
This Obsevatory was built in 1995 as a need to offer to the general public the chance to get a guided tour to observe the stars.
As you might know, the North of Chile is worldwide known as the best place in the Southern Hemisphere for astronomic observations, because of it's clear and blue skies.
Important Observatories like Gemini, La Silla and Tololo which are also placed in this region, are only destined to professionals. Because of the high cost of observation and maintenance, it's not open to general public. Although, you can ask for a guided tour with a month in advance, just to take a look to the facilities (not for observation).
Mamalluca is the best choice for local people and tourists who'd like to have a night of observation in the area.
It's always good to call the same day to ask for the weather forecast just in case.
Prices:
Adults: US$5.00 p/p
Children (5 - 12 years old): US$2.00 p/p
*you have to pay in the office first, located in the town of Vicuna, and then follow the route to the Observatory (20 km away).
There are tours in Spansih and English.
*Photo: taken from www.circuloastronomico.cl*

Don't know if this is a really "must see activity", but some people might be interested too.
This is the Flea Market in La Serena, there are lot of stuff.........but I have only found junk ha ha ha.
Anyway, you'll lose nothing if you just take a look here.
It's open on Saturdays, from 10am to 2pm.

This is the most important hand-crafts center in La Serena. Lot of Peruvian and Bolivian products as well as local hand-crafts and food.
This is a good place to purchase souvenirs and taste the typical food, restaurants are in the second floor.

There are more than 30 churches in La Serena.
The one you see here is called Sn Agustín's Church and it's a National Monument. You can see it's Eclectic style.
It was built in 1672 by the Jesuitas. In 1768 is transfered to the Agustinas Religious Order.