Highlights of this region include vast beaches, colonial cities and an assortment of national parks.

The leafy and pleasant Plaza de Armas

The long sandy beach at Guanaqueros

Home of the rich and famous - Las Tapas

Birthplace of Gabriella Mistral and home to Pisco, Vicuna is a quiet agricultural village, a mecca for UFO enthuasists and astronomers.

Just east of Vicuna, these surrounding mountains are home to important observatories

A bullring behind our campsite and some friendly locals

Planta Capel, the location for the distillery process of Pisco (grape brandy), an alcoholic drink made from grapes with a high sugar content

An ecological island, this cloud forest exists within a semi-arid region, consequently the wildlife is diverse and abundant

Sendero El Bosque is a densely vegetated trail, and in early morning the condensation from the camanchaca (fog) leaves the plants dripping with moisture

Just a few minutes away the iosolated patches of green indicate that the forest was once more extensive. Our guide referred to a dangerous weed that if not stopped, will completely destroy this unique environment