Solar de los Madariaga

Elqui Valley


Set in a beautifully restored 19th-century home, this friendly and welcoming guesthouse has loads of charm, with attractive rooms opening on to a back garden. The front of the house is something of a house museum, with furnishings and family memorabilia from the Basque family that lived here in the 1880s.

With just a few rooms available, the Solar books up quickly, so reserve well ahead.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Elqui Valley attractions

1. Museo Gabriela Mistral

0.11 MILES

The town's landmark Museo Gabriela Mistral, between Riquelme and Baquedano, celebrates one of Chile's most famous literary figures. Gabriela Mistral was…

2. Museo Entomologico e Historia Natural

0.26 MILES

On the south side of the plaza, this small, one-room museum has an eye-catching collection of fierce-looking scarab beetles, shimmering blue-winged morpho…

3. Planta Pisco Capel

0.95 MILES

Capel distills pisco at this facility and has its only bottling plant here. Located about 2km (a 20-minute walk) southeast of town, this large pisco maker…

4. Pisquera Aba

2.06 MILES

This family-run boutique pisquera, in operation since 1921, offers quite a different view of pisco production. The 40-minute tours take you through all…

5. Cervecería Guayacan

4.32 MILES

You won't get far in the Elqui Valley without someone offering you a Guayacan, and if you're even vaguely interested in beer, you should accept. This…

6. Observatorio Cerro Mamalluca

5.8 MILES

The star of the stargazing show, the purpose-built Observatorio Cerro Mamalluca, 9km northeast of Vicuña, is Elqui Valley's biggest attraction. So big, in…

7. Observatorio del Pangue

7.58 MILES

The latest of a few on the observatory front is Observatorio del Pangue, 17km south of Vicuña, run by three enthusiastic French and Chilean astronomers…