FD Cerro El Tololo Observatory and the Elqui Valley

Duration: 1 day

Highlights: Coquimbo, La Serena, Elqui Valley, El Tololo Observatory.

Full day excursion taking in Coquimbo and surrounds.

Itinerary

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Depart from the port of Coquimbo for a glimpse of some of the highlights of this important port city including the picturesque Barrio Inglés and the Cross of the Third Millennium, before continuing through La Serena, the regional capital, en route to the Cerro El Tololo Observatory in the heart of the Elqui Valley. On leaving La Serena, and turning east, the landscape transforms itself into a lush array of plantations and vineyards, set amongst rolling hills. Just beyond the impressive Puclaro Dam there will be a visit to a papaya and cherimoya plantation.

Chile’s Norte Chico (Little North) was blessed with the clearest skies on earth. It is no wonder that several international astronomical organizations opted to install their flagship observatories in this region. One of the most prestigious of all is the one on Cerro El Tololo hill. Set at 2,200 metres above sea level, this is the world’s largest southern-hemisphere observatory. The observatory is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), and is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), which also operates such other major national observatories as the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. The principal instrument is a 158-inch (4- metre) reflecting telescope, a twin of the reflector at Kitt Peak. Other equipment of the observatory includes 60- inch (1.5-metre), 36- inch (0.9-metre), and twin 16-inch (0.4-metre) reflectors and the 24-inch (0.6-metre) Curtis-Schmidt camera formerly at the University of Michigan. Also at Cerro Tololo, a half-mile from the summit, is a 24-inch (0.6-metre) reflector belonging to the Lowell Observatory. The latest additions are the incredible 161-inch (4.1-metre) telescope from Columbia Univiversity and a new 26-foot (8-metre) reflector.

Following the guided visit at El Tololo, continue back into the charming Elqui Valley. This semi-arid paradise is now a haven for esoterics. The change of the century together with the change of cosmic era from Pisces to Aquarius has meant also a change from 30ºN to 30ºS from the previous location in Tibet in the Himalayas to the Elqui Valley in Chile. This has attracted many esoteric groups linked to astrology, yoga and meditation because of its mystic-magnetic energy. There is much more to the Elqui Valley than this however. This is an area of Diaguita culture, sleepy villages, charming adobe constructions, and beautiful rolling hills. It is also an important agricultural area awash with papaya (pawpaw) groves, olive groves, pear orchards and vineyards. This is also the area where muscatel grapes are turned into pisco, Chile’s national spirit, and main ingredient of the pisco sour.

Continue to the town of Vicuña, famous for its many Pisco producers and its tranquil, sleepy setting. Lunch will be served at a charming, informal restaurant. Popular with locals, the restaurant serves traditional Chilean cuisine in a charming, informal atmosphere. Following lunch there will be a short tour of Vicuña including the Main Square, Bauer Tower, and church, before the return drive to Coquimbo.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
View the highlights of the important port city of Coquimbo and the regional capital of La Serena before heading into the rolling hills of the Elqui Valley. Enjoy a stop at a papaya and cherimoya plantation before reaching El Tololo, one of the most prestigious observatories of this region blessed with the clearest skies on earth. After this interesting guided visit, continue to the charming town of Vicuña for a traditional Chilean lunch.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
00:00 - 00:10 Drive from the port through the city of Coquimbo
00:10 - 00:20 Drive to La Serena
00:20 - 00:30 Drive through La Serena
00:30 - 01:30 Drive through the Elqui Valley, including visit to papaya plantation
01:30 - 02:15 Drive up Cerro El Tololo
02:15 - 04:00 Cerro El Tololo Observatory
04:00 - 04:45 Drive to Vicuña
04:45 - 06:30 Vicuña, including Lunch
06:30 - 08:00 Return drive to Coquimbo

Approximate duration: 8 hours
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- Includes the services of an English-speaking guide
- Bottled mineral water included
- Food service includes Lunch in Vicuña
- Activity level is Easy