Norte Chico Selfdrive

Explore this beautiful fertile region with stunning Andean views, fertile valleys, historical villages and incredibly clear night skies. Starting at La Serena, the circuit covers the Hurtado and Elqui valleys, and includes a hacienda stay.

How it works: You receive a rental car with unlimited mileage, a road map and detailed itinerary, and hotels booked en route. distance tables

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago - Ovalle - Hurtado Valley (540 km / 334 miles)
Pick up your car at the airport or rental office in Santiago. Departure up North along the Route 5 or Panamericana until reaching the town of Ovalle. From here you will drive up into the Andes, following the river Hurtado until you reach the colonial style Hacienda Los Andes high up in the Hurtado Valley. Overnight in Hurtado Valley.

Day 2: Hurtado Valley
Today you will have all day to explore the multisided nature of the Hurtado Valley. Visit several small historical villages; enjoy the beautiful landscape of perfectly cultivated green fields set against the immense Andean slopes, or visit a petrified forest. Overnight in Hurtado Valley.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 3: Hurtado Valley - Elqui Valley (100 km / 63 miles)
Today you will cross the Andean foothills from south to north, driving from the Hurtado Valley to the Elqui Valley, famous for the cultivation of grapes and its Pisco Sour. Accommodation at the “Astrohotel” Elqui Domos, which offers exclusive dome shaped rooms with a detachable ceiling and private telescope. Overnight at Elqui Valley.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 4: Elqui Valley - La Serena (120 km / 76 miles)
Before heading back to La Serena, you can visit some of the small villages in the Elqui Valley or go to a small museum in Vicuña dedicated to the first female Latin-American Nobel Prize winning poet Gabriela Mistral. Overnight in La Serena.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 5: La Serena - Santiago (460 km / 285 mi)
After breakfast you will drive back to Santiago to drop off your rental car either at the Airport or a downtown rental office.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Tour includes: 4 nights including breakfast, 5 days car rental including unlimited free mileage, local tax, full CDW coverage, a selfdrive brochure, basic roadmap and descriptions. Deductible as per general car rental conditions.

Not included: International and domestic Air Fare, airport taxes, meals not mentioned, PAI and SACA insurance (optional), gratuities and personal expenses. In Chile rental car companies charge an additional airport service fee (Hertz rate: appr. USD 8 per day) at the time of vehicle pickup at the airport. This service charge is not included in the rates above, it has to be paid upon returning the car. 

Notes:
- Prices per person in USDollars.
- The services are subject to the availability & rates at the moment of the reservation
- Hertz car categories:J (Nissan Terrano -diesel engine- 4x2 or similar) / K (Mitsubishi L200 -diesel engine- 4x4 or similar)
- Optional service: Bilingual Assistance with pick up of car in Santiago: US$ 75 per pick up.  
- Ask about our 3-night extension to Bahia Inglesa and Antofagasta.