Blogs from Pisco Elqui, Coquimbo Region, Chile, South America

In the narrow country, there are only two directions to choose from - north or south. With snow still in and out of the Lake District, heading north seemed like a reasonable choice, so we headed to La Serena, 7 hours north of Valparaiso. At least a 7-hour bus ride allows you to see amazing nature, unlike flying, so the trip went pretty quickly. Fortunately the Chilean buses are closer to Argentinian standards than those in Bolivia or Peru!La Serena is a large seaside resort in the summer, but was quite quiet in the off-season. Arriving early in the evening, food was again on the priority list, and after checking out the pizzeria we recommended, red wine was on my mind. Unfortunately, the waiter decided to leave out the fact that they were out of red ... read more

Leaving Valparaiso and heading off to the Elqui Valley on the advice of a local seemed like a good plan. I hopped onto a bus for the eight hour journey ($CLP 13,000 or $26 USD; buses here are expensive) to La Serena which is a coastal city and the jumping point to the Elqui Valley. I knocked on a few doors, found accommodation and really did not do anything nor do I have much to write about whilst in La Serena. Waking up the following morning I walked to the bus terminal, got a ride, and spent the next three hours climbing the Chilean foothills into the Elqui Valley. The valley is known for its many vineyards providing the fruit for pisco, its clear and pollution free skies for stargazing (many, many observatories on the peaks), ... read more

Geo: -30.0715, -70.4677The skies of central and northern Chile are known around the world for their sharpness and clarity, thanks to the fact that it only rains about 60 nights a year. And given DH's fascination with all things shiny and sparkly, we knew we had to make our way there.On the way, we stopped in at the coastal city of La Serena (with a claim to fame as a summer beach escape). We didn't have any specific plan and started questioning our decision while checking into our hotel- the proprietor was a grumpy Scottish ex-pat (we think the grumpy part was just part of his shtick) who was not La Serena's best salesman. Since this was the second hotel in a row that we had stayed in which we were the only guests, we put ... read more

Journée chargée à nouveau aujourd’hui, direction la vallée de l’Elqui, une vallée réputée pour la production de Pisco, mais avant tout très fertile, impressionnant le nombre d’arbres fruitiers (citronniers, pommiers, poiriers, avocatiers…). Premier arrêt dans une plantation de papaye, le seul fruit qui montre tous les stades sur le même arbre, car il se développe en continu, toute l’année. Puis arrêt à Monte Grande où l’illustre Gabriela Mistral originaire de la région, a vécu et été aide-institutrice à l’adolescence. Le musée (l’ancienne école/poste) est minuscule mais il est plutôt émouvant de voir le télégramme (télégramme !) de félicitations du directeur pour annoncer l’attribution du Prix Nobel de littérature en 1945. Puis direction Pisco Elqui et Los Nichos pour la plus vieille distillerie du Chili. Alors le sujet de l’origine du Pisco est sensible et pour le ... read more

Con meses de preparación de este viaje mágico con Jiwan Mukta Singh, cada reservación, cada plan, cada detalle, doblemente preparados y cómodos. 8 días inolvidables y muchos encuentros y reencuentros con mi infancia. Me costó sacarme el agotamiento mental de Santiago. Isla Damas, la visión panorámica de esta región desde la Cruz del Milenio, La Pampilla, paseos en la bahia de La Herradura, La Serena y Coquimbo...y luegola travesía dulce al Valle del Elqui... Muchas aventuras y reencuentros. Encontrarnos dos veces con Sat Mohinder Singh fue fantástico, él se rodea de seres que entrelazados tenemos una energía muy rica de diversidad y arte por las venas. Las mejores fotos de nuestro primer viaje juntos a un lugar nuevo. Disfrute del alma juguetona. Gracias por el Encuentro!!... read more