Top Things to do in Elqui Valley
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What to do and see in Elqui Valley, Coquimbo Region: The Best Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Elqui Valley, Chile including Gemini Observatory, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Observatorio del Pangue, Centro Turistico Cooperativa Capel, Museo Entomologico de Vicuna, Gabriel Gonzalez Videla Museum, San Francisco Church, Archaeological Museum, Mamalluca Observatory, Observatorio Cancana.
Restaurants in Elqui Valley
1. Gemini Observatory
2. Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By judythr
This was a remarkably informative experience. I was lucky to be on a Spanish/English tour because I got to hear everything twice. So much to take in! Kadur has worked at Tololo since he was 23 (maybe in his 50's now). He beams with enthusiasm when sharing in depth about the telescope, the recent developments in astronomy....all of it. Though it was a day-time experience, I learned far more than at the Pangue Observatory. Tololo may become outdated because of the soon-to-be-completed observatory near Antofagasta. But I found the tour to be fascinating!
3. Observatorio del Pangue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Astronomical Observatory offering guided Tours, as well as telescope renting programmes for advanced astronomers. Several large telescopes offered, ranging from 16 inches to 28 inches of aperture, and away from city lights. Groups strictly limited to 10 people per night, so booking in advance is requested. Transfert to the observatory (17km) included. Open every night except around Full Moon dates, all year long. Programmes performed in english, french, and spanish.
Reviewed By stork90 - Mount Juliet, United States
We greatly enjoyed our 2 hour tour of the night sky, and had all our questions answered completely by the two astronomers. There was a group of 4 French speaking tourists, and the 2 of us for English. We were picked up promptly at 2045 by the minivan, and driven 30 minutes into the mountains outside town. We saw a binary star, nebulae, "space gas" (forgive my ignorance of correct terms), a dying star and other gorgeous sights and constellations.The sky was clear and we had nearly 2 hours of great viewing of the Milky Way before the sky started to lighten with the rising moon behind the mountains. Fantastic tour and definitely worth every CLP!
4. Centro Turistico Cooperativa Capel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Porque queremos cuidarte, y por motivos de la contingencia sanitaria cerramos nuestro Centro Turístico hasta nuevo aviso, estaremos preparándonos para volver con el cariño y cordialidad de siempre. Apertura y más información será comunicada por nuestras redes sociales.
Reviewed By Andypose - Buenos Aires, Argentina
We walked from Vicuña and were offered a tour within 30 minutes in English or Spanish. We paid for the Capel tour (4000 pesos) and were really surprised by its great value. It included a 45 minute tour, 2 piscos to taste and a free glass. We really enjoyed our tour with Rafaela. She was very informed and taught us a lot about Pisco. We definitely recommend a visit.
5. Museo Entomologico de Vicuna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By good_ants - Santiago, Chile
The "other museum" across town wasn't letting us in (even though it was dead quiet), so we strolled over to see this little one in central Vicuna. We "dropped a dollar" in the cup and gawked, squirmed and giggled at the interesting collection of insects, fossils, and models in this great museum. Definitely worth a visit that won't last an hour, just on the corner of the main square ('plaza de armas') in little, old Vicuna.
6. Gabriel Gonzalez Videla Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 89 reviews
This museum and national monument houses over 3,500 indigenous artifacts and paintings.
7. San Francisco Church
8. Archaeological Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 100 reviews
Chile's indigenous Tarapaca and Antofagasta cultures are strongly represented in this Archeaological Museum.
9. Mamalluca Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 664 reviews
The Mamalluca Observatory ("mother who shelters" according to Quechua) is located 9 kms northwest of Vicuña, at 1,100 m.s.n.m. Is a must see in the region of Coquimbo, is the first tourist observatory in Chile, has a 12-inch telescope donated by AURA that has CCD detectors for electronic photography, as well as a computer for data transfer This observatory offers one of the most important attractions of the area, the cleanest skies in the world, perfect for watching the night sky and be amazed. Within the Mamalluca Observatory, there is a tour with a duration of approximately 2 hours, where guides specialized in the matter explain in details about the universe and answer the concerns giving a sample of quality and truthfulness to the visitors. There it is possible to observe the stars, the Moon, the planets like Saturn and its rings or Jupiter and its 16 moons, and the different constellations.
Reviewed By Courty1886 - London, United Kingdom
This place is amazing. I did the English version of the tour and the guide was brilliant, so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I really recommend this. The starscape is awesome. They also make a good coffee.
10. Observatorio Cancana
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 26 reviews
