Elqui Valley
A Buddhist stupa in a remote corner of northern Chile? You'll think you took a wrong turn off the Panamericana and somehow ended up in the Himalaya rather than the Andes. Built in 2016, this evocative snow-white monument, complete with Tibetan prayer flags flapping in the breeze, looks all the more striking against the parched, mountainous backdrop.
Plans are underway to eventually open a meditation center on the site, though fundraising has been slow-going.
18.26 MILES
You won't get far in the Elqui Valley without someone offering you a Guayacan, and if you're even vaguely interested in beer, you should accept. This…
21.63 MILES
The town's landmark Museo Gabriela Mistral, between Riquelme and Baquedano, celebrates one of Chile's most famous literary figures. Gabriela Mistral was…
Observatorio Interamericano Cerro Tololo
25.6 MILES
Probing the mysteries of stars billions of miles into the past is all in a night's work at the futuristic Observatorio Interamericano Cerro Tololo, which…
20.69 MILES
The star of the stargazing show, the purpose-built Observatorio Cerro Mamalluca, 9km northeast of Vicuña, is Elqui Valley's biggest attraction. So big, in…
8.46 MILES
The gravesite of Gabriela Mistral lies on a hillside just south of Montegrande's main plaza. A winding path to the top is lined with quotes and…
20.78 MILES
Capel distills pisco at this facility and has its only bottling plant here. Located about 2km (a 20-minute walk) southeast of town, this large pisco maker…
19.06 MILES
The latest of a few on the observatory front is Observatorio del Pangue, 17km south of Vicuña, run by three enthusiastic French and Chilean astronomers…
20.18 MILES
This family-run boutique pisquera, in operation since 1921, offers quite a different view of pisco production. The 40-minute tours take you through all…
7.23 MILES
An artisanal pisquera established in 1868, 3km south of Pisco Elqui, Fundo Los Nichos still produces pisco the old-fashioned way. Its four guided tours …
7.4 MILES
The star attraction in Pisco Elqui is the Distileria Pisco Mistral, which produces the premium Mistral brand of pisco. The hour-long 'museum' tour gives…
3. Museo Casa-Escuela Gabriela Mistral
8.45 MILES
Gabriela Mistral received her primary schooling at the Casa Escuela y el Correo, where there is a humble museum dedicated to the poet, with a…
8.46 MILES
The gravesite of Gabriela Mistral lies on a hillside just south of Montegrande's main plaza. A winding path to the top is lined with quotes and…
8.87 MILES
At Km14.5, on the road to Montegrande, is the Cavas del Valle winery. Started in 2003, this little boutique bucks the trend by serving actual wine, rather…
18.26 MILES
You won't get far in the Elqui Valley without someone offering you a Guayacan, and if you're even vaguely interested in beer, you should accept. This…
19.06 MILES
The latest of a few on the observatory front is Observatorio del Pangue, 17km south of Vicuña, run by three enthusiastic French and Chilean astronomers…
20.18 MILES
This family-run boutique pisquera, in operation since 1921, offers quite a different view of pisco production. The 40-minute tours take you through all…