Today I did another day tour – this time heading up into the Elqui valley and up into the Andes once more. On the way we had a stop at a dam for some nice views and to try some local delicacies.

Our first longer stop then was in the small town of Vicuña, where we had some time off to explore town on ourselves. Afterwards we drove deeper into the Elqui Valley for lunch in a small village, after which it was time, for what the Elqui Valley – or better or next destination Pisco Elqui is famous for – the Pisco.

We stopped at a small winery/ distillery to get an introduction into the process – of course followed by the usual tasting.

On the way back we had a stop in town and some more free time to explore or – just – to enjoy an ice cream. I stayed in Vicuña at the end of the tour – to literally start the next tour just two hours later.

Given that the region has some of the most unpolluted air worldwide, it is a prime spot for star-gazing, with many observatories around. On the second tour I visited a tourist observatory near Vicuña (that’s why I stayed) to get to see the stars properly.