La Serena travelers can choose between a longer Elqui Valley day focused on food and culture, a fuller Elqui itinerary with small-group or private service, and a shorter private city-and-coast route with lunch. Each option fits a different pace, grouping style, and way to see the area.
TourPickGuide may earn a commission when you book through an affiliate link in this guide, at no extra cost to you.
This comparison is designed for travelers researching La Serena tours. For related planning, see our TourPickGuide experience comparisons and Chile tours and experiences.
Compare the 3 Tour Options
Use this comparison to match the itinerary, traveler feedback, duration, and key features to your preferred travel day.
| Tour | Best for | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Key point | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Elqui Valley culture day | Travelers who want a broad Elqui Valley day with tastings, lunch, and multiple stops | ★ 4.9/5 | 149 reviews | Approx. 7 hr–9 hr | Includes tickets and tastings plus lunch | View on Viator |
 Full Elqui day | Travelers who want a guided full-day Elqui Valley tour from La Serena with pickup and a clear shared-tour structure | ★ 4.8/5 | 11 reviews | Approx. 10 hr | Includes hotel pickup and drop-off | View on Viator |
 City and coast private | Travelers who prefer a private La Serena and Coquimbo outing with lunch and hotel or port pickup | ★ 4.8/5 | 5 reviews | Approx. 6 hr 30 min | Private tour format | View on Viator |
Explore Each Tour in Detail
Each option includes its own photo gallery, overview, key features, traveler profile, and direct Viator link.
Compare with other Elqui Valley tours
Elqui Valley Tour: History and Flavors
Best for: Travelers who want a broad Elqui Valley day with tastings, lunch, and multiple stops
This full-day Elqui Valley experience is built around culture, tastings, and a fairly wide route through the valley. The itinerary includes the Puclaro reservoir area, a pisco museum and tasting at CAPEL, a wine visit with tasting, and time in Pisco Elqui and Vicuña. Lunch is included, and the tour notes also mention free time in town stops rather than a tightly fixed, sightseeing-only pace. The listed options show an English option and a full-day landscapes-and-history version, both with pickup included. It suits travelers who want a longer valley day with a mix of scenic, culinary, and historical elements.
Elqui Valley Tour: History and Flavors
- Includes tickets and tastings plus lunch
- Uses an air-conditioned vehicle
- Adds several valley stops with free time in towns
Compare with other Elqui Valley tours
La Serena: Full day Tour to Elqui Valley
Best for: Travelers who want a guided full-day Elqui Valley tour from La Serena with pickup and a clear shared-tour structure
This full-day tour from La Serena is the most straightforward guided Elqui Valley option in the list. The product confirms hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide for the whole tour, lunch, and a pisco tasting at a production plant. The itinerary notes also highlight Cochiguaz and Vicuña, including time to see the Bauer Tower and the main square. The listing mentions small-group service, and the option set includes shared Spanish, shared English, and private English service. It is a strong fit for travelers who want a more organized day with clear logistics and the possibility of choosing between shared and private arrangements.
La Serena: Full day Tour to Elqui Valley
- Includes hotel pickup and drop-off
- Provides a guide for the whole tour
- Confirms lunch and a pisco tasting
Compare with coastal city tours
La Serena and Coquimbo Private City Tour Including Lunch, Shore Excursion
Best for: Travelers who prefer a private La Serena and Coquimbo outing with lunch and hotel or port pickup
This private tour stays in and around La Serena and Coquimbo rather than heading into the Elqui Valley. The listed stops include La Serena’s main square, the cathedral, the lighthouse, and other city and coastal points such as Playa La Herradura and the Cruz del Tercer Milenio, plus Coquimbo-related sights. The product confirms a professional guide, lunch, and hotel or port pickup and drop-off, which makes it a practical option for cruise passengers or travelers who want a flexible private day. It is shorter than the valley tours, so it suits visitors who want a more compact itinerary centered on local city landmarks and the port area.
La Serena and Coquimbo Private City Tour Including Lunch, Shore Excursion
- Private tour format
- Includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off
- Includes lunch and a professional guide
Choosing an itinerary style in La Serena
If you want a longer day with tastings and multiple valley stops, the two Elqui Valley tours are the best match for that style. If you prefer a shorter private outing focused on La Serena and Coquimbo, the city tour keeps the route closer to town and the coast.
Elqui Valley route
Valley-focused with reservoir, pisco, wine, and town stops.
Elqui Valley route
Long-day Valley excursion with Cochiguaz, pisco, and Vicuña.
La Serena and Coquimbo route
Private city-and-coast sightseeing with confirmed lunch and pickup.
Travel planning tip
Check the live product page before booking. Departure details, activity order, inclusions, and available options can change.
Booking notes
- Check whether you want shared or private service, since the three products offer different group styles.
- Review the confirmed inclusions carefully; lunch and pickup are included in some tours but not all in the same way.
- If timing matters, compare the stated durations before booking, since the tours range from a shorter city outing to longer full-day valley trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tour is the most private option?
The La Serena and Coquimbo city tour is explicitly private, while the second Elqui Valley product also offers a private English option.
Which tour focuses most on tastings?
The first Elqui Valley tour places the most emphasis on tastings, with confirmed tickets and tastings plus visits to pisco and wine stops.
Which option is better for staying closer to La Serena?
The private La Serena and Coquimbo tour stays closest to the city and coast, while the other two go farther into the Elqui Valley.