Pisco Elqui is a Chilean village located within the Elqui Valley, at an altitude of approximately 1300 meters above sea level. It is situated in the Paihuano commune in the Coquimbo Region.
Pisco Elqui is the village that has upheld the designation of origin for pisco since 1931, and it changed its name from “La Unión” to “Pisco Elqui” in 1936.
The village is home to Chile’s oldest distillery, as well as artisanal distilleries and well-known brands. The wineries have organic vineyards and some of the highest-altitude plantations in Chile, specializing in wines made from the Syrah grape variety.
The complementarity of agricultural production and tourism instigated the transition from selling pisco bottles to offering tourist experiences that integrate gastronomy and rural tourism.
Pisco Elqui is the birthplace of Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral. The context of her work is rooted in the Elqui Valley, and allowed the village to integrate literature into a unique tourist narrative that harmoniously complements her internationally acclaimed poetry. The village is part of the “Camino a Gabriela Mistral” Route, which stretches over 150 kilometers, between the coast and the interior valley highlighting the buildings and public spaces related to the life and work of the poet.
Bailes Chinos (Chinese dances), a traditional cultural heritage of the village of Pisco Elqui declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2014, are a captivating blend of mixed-race origins and vibrant festivities. These dances are deeply rooted in the local history, with their origins dating back to the 17th century. Bailes Chinos feature instrumental music, energetic dances, and devotional songs that reflect the community’s strong sense of devotion and cultural identity. This unique tradition showcases a fusion of Hispanic and pre-Hispanic elements, making it a significant part of Pisco Elqui’s cultural heritage.
Pisco Elqui has positioned itself as an astro-tourism destination, creating experiences for visitors of all ages and becoming a training hub for the national tourism industry.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Astrotourism destination
In Pisco Elqui, you can find tourist observatories that offer a memorable stargazing experience. There are also innovative tourism experiences such as night hikes or astronomical dinners, aiming to provide an opportunity to gaze at the sky while traveling from the perspective of ancestral cultures to the latest discoveries in scientific astronomy. This aspect has positioned Pisco Elqui as the Astrotourism destination in Chile, attracting thousands of domestic and international tourists and tourism professionals seeking to train in this tourism modality. In Pisco Elqui, you can find workshops on stargazing, English for Astrotourism, and telescope operation. Skies are protected through lighting that complies with the new light pollution regulations, making Pisco Elqui the first village in the northern region to have such equipment.
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An emphasis on building capacities
The Municipal Office of Labor Information (OMIL), to which Pisco Elqui belongs, has the function of developing training programs and facilitating the placement of human resources. For this purpose, it publishes job offers on social media, conducts job readiness workshops, especially for young people, and provides state subsidies to companies that are actively hiring. Among the training courses offered, there are those provided through SENCE, including the +Capaz programs, which cover general tourist information, master of cooking, and basic pastry operations, all of which have high employability in the area.
In 2020, the initiative “Bringing Digitalization to Paihuanino Tourism” was carried out with the participation of 50 entrepreneurs from Pisco Elqui. In this initiative, workshops were conducted on topics such as Online Channels and Digitalization of Tourism Experiences for Tourism Businesses, the Importance of Digital Transformation in Tourism, and the dissemination of the “Soñadores Turísticos” radio program, as well as Digital Marketing and Social Media. Additionally, with the support of the Paihuano Tourism Corporation, virtual tours were designed, including the Virtual Tour of the Señora del Rosario Church in Pisco Elqui and the Virtual Tour of the Pisco Elqui Valley Plaza.
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A tourism sector supported by entrepreneurs
The “Agrupación de Empresarios Turísticos de Pisco Elqui” is a local organization that has been actively operating since 2011. Comprising a group of tourism entrepreneurs, its primary goal is to contribute to the planning and development of the Pisco Elqui region as a thriving tourist destination. This association focuses on addressing the specific challenges and opportunities within the local tourism sector, collaborating closely with the community and authorities to promote sustainable tourism practices.
On the other hand, the “Organización Turística Valle de Elqui” is a broader regional organization with legal status since 2011. Originally established to address the emerging challenges of the hospitality sector in Pisco Elqui, it has evolved to encompass various sectors, including hotels, gastronomy, tourism agencies, astronomical tourism, craftsmanship, and viticulture. This organization is dedicated to fostering the development of the entire Elqui Valley as an exceptional tourist destination. It operates as a network of interconnected services and products committed to showcasing the beauty and culture of the Elqui Valley, while also providing a platform for job postings to support the local workforce. Together, these organizations play pivotal roles in advancing tourism and community development in Pisco Elqui and the surrounding areas.
