Mountain to Sea Route: Elqui Valley
Offered by
AGUAYMANTO ELQUI
This 12-hour route includes a heritage tour in the Elqui Valley and the coastal towns of La Serena, Coquimbo, Guanaqueros, and Tongoy. Making stops related to the railway heritage, train line, and tunnels, as well as culturally significant places in the Elqui Valley, passing through historical sites in La Serena and Coquimbo, arriving at a seafood tasting in Tongoy, and then visiting the Ruta de Piedras Tacitas in Guanaqueros, an archaeological heritage site in the area. After an afternoon at the beach, we return from the Route. This route can be taken from the coast or from any point in the Elqui Valley. Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Included services
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Transportation
Transfer services available
Itinerary
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8:00 Departure from Vicuña
The fare is indicated from the City of Vicuña (place of stay), but if passengers are in another location in the Elqui Valley, La Serena, or Coquimbo, transfer service from their pick-up point can be added to the fare.
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8:40 Visit to the Elqui Valley Railway Heritage
We enter the old Elquino train line, where we can observe native and colonial vegetation, in a green landscape bordering the Elqui River. We pass through a tunnel built in 1898. We will also observe natural caves, which hold indigenous legends.
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9:50 Arrival at La Serena Lighthouse
We arrive at the historic La Serena Lighthouse, where we explore the site and enjoy the coastal panoramic view. We continue on our way to Tongoy.
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11:00 Arrival in Tongoy
We arrive at Tongoy pier after a tour of the Estero Tongoy Wetland and its entire peninsula, to taste some seafood products. Then we head to the neighboring town of Guanaqueros.
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13:00 Arrival in Guanaqueros
We arrive to explore the town of Guanaqueros via the Ruta de las Piedras Tacitas, archaeological sites of coastal peoples, which are found within the town itself.
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14:00 Free time for lunch
One hour is allocated for lunch in Guanaqueros. Depending on the passengers' choice, after lunch, you can enjoy a few hours of free time strolling along Guanaqueros beach or, as an alternative, go to Coquimbo Port's English Quarter.
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18:00 Return to Vicuña
Depending on the choice between a beach stroll or Coquimbo heritage, at this time we return to Vicuña or the agreed-upon accommodation.
What to bring
- Cap
- Light backpack
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
Location
Vicuña, Coquimbo, Chile
How to get there
Lugar de estadía de las y los pasajeros o como punto de encuentro la Plaza Gabriela Mistral (plaza principal de la ciudad). También existe la posibilidad de sumar a la tarifa el servicio de traslado desde otro punto como La Serena, Coquimbo o Pisco Elqui (entre otros).
Rules
- Avoid single-use plastics
- Stay on authorized trails
- Leave no trace
- Respect local culture
Cancellation policy
Basic - Experience
Designed for experiences that do not require early logistical costs or significant prior preparation. It allows users to book with greater confidence by offering a wide margin of days for free cancellation, making the service listing more attractive.
- More than 3d before — 100% refund. If you cancel within this timeframe, you will receive a full refund of the amount paid.
- Less than 3d before — No refund. Cancellations within this timeframe are not eligible for a refund.
Frequently asked questions
If I'm staying in Pisco Elqui, can this route pick me up there?
Yes, we can arrange to pick you up at your accommodation, adding this service to the fare.
Could we get off with our suitcases to stay at the bus terminal?
It is possible for two passengers, with complete safety. However, depending on the number of passengers, we can explore the possibility for more than 4 people with the same need.
July 2026
$86.858 / person
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