Six Diaguita flutes are part of the Museo del Limarí collection, making the archaeology of Limarí Province unusually tangible. Vertical and angled stone flutes, a stone antara and a spherical ceramic flute showcase different forms and materials. Some pieces were found in La Marqueza in the Elqui Valley, while others were discovered in what is now the urban area of Ovalle in the Limarí Valley. The collection thus brings together finds from two explicitly named valleys.
The museum was founded on September 17, 1963, under the name Museo Sociedad Arqueológica de Ovalle. Its initial collections included archaeological finds from the region, especially objects from the local Diaguita culture dating to the period of Inca transculturation. In 1984, it adopted the name Museo del Limarí and took on a custodial role for the province’s archaeological heritage. The flutes are therefore part of a collection with a clear connection to regional archaeology.
A forest relic and trails with different levels of difficulty
Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge protects a relic forest of the humid Valdivian forest type. The park’s trails also vary considerably in length, duration and difficulty. The easy Sendero de Los Sentidos is 121 meters long; the full trail is listed as taking 15 minutes.
For the challenging Sendero El Mineral, the 3.1 kilometers and two hours are each for the one-way route. Prior authorization from the park administration is required for this trail. The moderately difficult Sendero Semiárido is 2.2 kilometers long, takes 90 minutes and also requires prior authorization. Comparing the trails reveals specific differences in the time required and level of difficulty; authorization is part of the planning for two of them.
Geological time and archaeological traces
Monumento Natural Pichasca lies on an 80-million-year-old volcanic-sedimentary geological formation. Its fossils include Araucaria trunks and impressions of leaves from tree-like plants. The two types of plant remains—preserved trunk sections and leaf impressions—make the site’s geological history tangible in different ways. Check the current access conditions separately before visiting.
The Valle del Encanto archaeological site in Ovalle is an ancient Indigenous settlement with significant remains, including petroglyphs, pictographs, cup stones and mortars. You can hike in Valle del Encanto; check the current access conditions before visiting. Rincón de las Chilcas in Combarbalá offers a different archaeological focus: this protected area is known for particularly well-preserved remains of the Molle and Diaguita cultures. While Valle del Encanto is described in terms of rock art and worked stones, Rincón de las Chilcas focuses on the preserved traces of two cultures.
Water, pisco and a date in February
At Embalse Cogotí, visitors can swim and camp at the foot of the surrounding hills. The calm water and pleasant breeze also make water sports such as windsurfing possible. Water conditions and facilities can vary seasonally; take this into account when planning.
The Fiesta del Pisco y Queso de Cabra takes place in Monte Patria every February. The exact dates may change, so it is worth checking them before planning your trip. The family-run Viña Pisquera Tulahuén-Waqar distillery in the historic village of Tulahuén in the Limarí Valley offers another local connection to pisco. Its location and family-run character complement the province’s cultural and archaeological themes with a specific sense of place.
In the broader context of Región De Coquimbo
At the level of the broader destination, Región De Coquimbo, there are additional nature-related attractions. Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas is the only place where the endangered Chilean long-tailed chinchilla is protected. At Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt, visitors can watch whales and sperm whales between October and April, when the weather is at its best. These sightings depend on the weather and natural conditions. This seasonal comparison offers another perspective on Región De Coquimbo, while Limarí Province offers its own selection of forest, fossil and cultural attractions.
Discover more places: Hurtado, Ovalle, Monte Patria, Punitaqui, Combarbalá
Discover more destinations: Elqui Province, Choapa Province
Back to the main travel overview: Región De Coquimbo.
