Pisco Elqui, Chile
November 4-6, 2015
Crossing overland from Peru into Chile proved to be an easier event than expected. Within a few hours we had cleared both immigration borders and had safely arrived in the northern border town of Arica, Chile. After a days' rest, we boarded a 22 hour bus ride to the next major destination called La Serena city and the nearby Elqui Valley. The Elqui Valley grows grapes to produce an alcoholic beverage called Pisco (similar to a brandy) and is a beautiful area surrounded by dry dessert mountains, the green valley below and blue skies all day! There are many tiny villages dotting the valley and we chose to spend a few days in the village of Pisco Elqui and took in a pisco distillery tour as well.
Our Accommodations in Arica (northern border town in Chile) - Hostal Sunny Days
After crossing into Chile we found a great place called Hostal Sunny Days run by a fellow from New Zealand. It had good amenities and great information.
Our Accommodation in La Serena - El Arbol
After a 22 hour bus ride we arrived in the city of La Serena. There isn't much going on here of interest but we came here to rest after our travels and then move onward to the nearby Elqui Valley. In La Serena we found this cute little gem located close to the city centre and it felt like a home away from home. El Arbol was a great place to spend a few days and staff were very helpful.
Our Accommodations in Pisco Elqui - Hostal San Pedro
From La Serena we took a micro bus through part of the Elqui Valley to a village called Pisco Elqui about 2 hours away. Its a charming and laid back place and is surrounded by the dessert mountains and the green valley floor.
We found a basic hostal called San Pedro but it was well located and the staff were very nice.
We would also recommend Hostal Triskel.
Village of Pisco Elqui
The village of Pisco Elqui is a relaxing and charming place and has attracted alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation and natural products.
Fundo Los Nichos Distillery Tour
Pisco is a type of alcohol made from grapes which is distilled to make a high proof clear color spirit. We walked 4 km further into the valley to visit the oldest pisco distillery in Chile called Fundo Los Nichos established in 1868. They still use a primitive operation to make their pisco and produce only 3 varieties. They continue to follow family tradition and have never felt the need to glamorize the process or grow larger. In the cellar of the distillery, niches were built into the walls to house the remains of the family loved ones who died. Today those niches are used to store aging bottles of pisco and many people have stories of ghostly activity and photos which capture unexplained images! At the end of our tour we sampled the 3 varieties of pisco...The original used to make the drink called "pisco sour", a much stronger 45% proof variety which was overwhelming, and a very sweet amber variety. We can't say we really like it but we really enjoyed the tour and information.