For two years, public bodies and private providers of tourist services in the Coquimbo region in the so-called “Small” North of Chile worked together to have the Elqui Valley be declared a tourist area of interest by the Chilean government. Now accepted as such, the valley will be under the direction of a four-year action plan which will enable the region to preserve its natural and cultural heritage, stimulate investment, and improve tourism infrastructure as well as service quality, among others.
The Elqui Valley is already enjoying increasing demand. With a clear and cloudless sky almost all year round, the valley offers visitors incomparable views of the stars under the expert guidance of several observatories located in the valley. Pisco, a typical Chilean brandy distilled from wine, is another speciality of the Elqui Valley. The special microclimate of the valley favours the growth of sweet grapes that give pisco its remarkable aroma. If you are interested in the production process, and of course in tasting the pisco, you are welcome to take part in guided tours offered by almost all the distilleries in the valley. Literature lovers will enjoy the visit to the village of Vicuña, the birthplace of Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral and which has a museum dedicated entirely to the writer’s life and work. The Elqui valley also offers an impressive landscape, flora and fauna, all of which can be admired on hikes or horseback rides in the mountains.
All parties involved in prompting the valley’s new distinction hope that the appointment as an area of tourist interest will lead to further development of coordinated and attractive tourism activities. If you would like to include the beautiful Elqui Valley in your programmes, please contact your travelArt representative.
