Norte Chico Selfdrive

Explore this beautiful fertile region with stunning Andean views, fertile valleys, historical villages and incredibly clear night skies. Starting at La Serena, the circuit covers the Hurtado and Elqui valleys, and includes a hacienda stay.

How it works: You receive a rental car with unlimited mileage, a road map and detailed itinerary, and hotels booked en route. distance tables

Day 1: Arrive in La Serena - Hurtado Valley (170 km / 107 miles)
Pick up your car at the airport or rental office in La Serena. Before leaving for the Hurtado Valley, you can visit the historical center of La Serena and the interesting port of Coquimbo. From la Serena you drive southeast to the city of Ovalle. From here drive up into the Andes, following the river Hurtado until you reach the colonialstyle Hacienda Los Andes high up in the Hurtado Valley. Overnight at the Hacienda.

Day 2: Hurtado Valley
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you have all day to explore the diverse natural scenery of the Hurtado Valley. It is a valley where time seems to stand still. Visit several small historical villages; enjoy the beautiful landscape of perfectly cultivated green fields set against the immense Andean slopes, or visit a petrified forest. At the hacienda itself there are various walking trails as well as horseback riding excursions. Overnight at Hacienda Los Andes.

Day 3: Hurtado Valley - Elqui Valley (100 km / 63 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you cross the Andean foothills from south to north, driving from the Hurtado Valley to the Elqui Valley. On the way enjoy spectacular views of the Andes and both valleys. The Elqui Valley is famous for the cultivation of grapes, edible ones as well as for the characteristic Chilean drink pisco sour. Drive into the valley and pass historical villages like Vicuña, Monte Grande and Pisco Elqui.

You arrive at your hotel Elqui Domos in the afternoon. This “Astrohotel” offers exclusive domeshaped rooms with a detachable ceiling and private telescope in each “room”. In the late afternoon observe the incredible clear sky from your private Domo or choose to make an optional tour to the observatory of Mamalluca, close to the village of Vicuña. Overnight at Elqui Domos.

Day 4: Elqui Valley - La Serena (120 km / 76 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you have time to explore some of the small villages in the Elqui Valley. In Vicuña you can visit a small museum dedicated to Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American woman to win the Nobel Price for Literature and was born here. In the afternoon leave the dry valley behind and arrive at the attractive beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Overnight at resort on the shore of the Pacific Ocean.

Day 5: La Serena - Drop off (20 km / 13 miles)
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast make your final trip and return your car either at the La Serena Airport or the downtown rental office.