Indigenous Heritage Route in the Elqui Valley
Offered by
AGUAYMANTO ELQUI
This 4-hour route aims to explore the pre-Columbian past and indigenous history on site, touring archaeological sites, historical indigenous villages, ancient roads, and observing the Inca trail and pre-Columbian mining sites. We will also visit important sites where we can recognize native tree species and fruits that have been part of the diet of Elqui inhabitants for thousands of years. Finally, we will visit an indigenous Diaguita woman who practices local medicine, inherited from her ancestors, and taste native fruits and products. Languages: Spanish, Portuguese, English
Included services
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Indigenous heritage
Indigenous cultural experiences
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Transportation
transfer from accommodation to the route
Itinerary
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From Vicuña through the Indigenous Villages
We will explore the city of Vicuña and its ancient roads, visiting sites associated with historical indigenous villages. Here, the pre-Columbian and colonial history of the indigenous peoples in the Elqui Valley will be narrated, identifying indigenous places up to the present day.
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Carob Tree Forest
On the way to the ancient villages and indigenous territories, we will identify different native species until we reach a carob tree forest, where we can delve deeper into the importance of all the species encountered along the way.
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Archaeological Site
We arrive at a ravine where we find petroglyphs located in a place where we can also observe pre-Columbian mining and other natural characteristics of the area, which help understand the visited biocultural landscape.
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Visit to a Diaguita Woman in Vicuña
After visiting the indigenous 'past' in the center of the Elqui Valley, we will visit a woman who carries on the Diaguita legacy through local medicine, using herbal remedies and other very interesting ancestral techniques. Through this visit, we understand that indigenous people still live in the Elqui Valley and sustain their communities through this knowledge.
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Tasting of Local and Ancient Fruits and Products
At one of the described stops, we will share an interesting tasting experience with ancient flavors, related to what we learned during the tour and what the Diaguita woman tells us.
What to bring
- Cap
- Light clothing
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
Location
Vicuña, Coquimbo, Chile
How to get there
Nosotr@s pasaremos por ti a tu lugar de estadía. Nuestras tarifas tienen como punto de inicio la ciudad de Vicuña y sus alrededores, pero si te encuentras en Pisco Elqui, Cochiguaz, Coquimbo o La Serena, se extiende la jornada y se agrega un monto adicional de 15.000 pesos al grupo completo.
Rules
- Stay on authorized trails
- Leave no trace
- Practice responsible photography
- 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.
July 2026
$66.421 / person
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