To the south of the chilean cities of La Serena and Coquimbo lies a vineyard-filled valley known as the "Green North." The Limari Valley has always been known for its agriculture, especially the cultivation of Pisco grapes, and today it produces excellent wines, which are synonymous with fine wines. But in addition to wine, Limari Valley has many humanities and natural landscapes worth exploring.
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The Limari Valley is conveniently located and visitors can choose from a variety of modes of transport to get to the Limari Valley, such as driving north from Santiago along Route 5 or public transport for about 4 hours, or taking a plane to la Serena and then driving south for about an hour. During their trip to the Limari Valley, visitors can also choose to stay in Ovalle, the capital of Limari Province, which is full of palm trees and parks, and the Musume of Limari Museum is also well worth a look.
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There are many recreational options to choose from in the Limari Valley, and local travel agencies offer a variety of excursions to explore the natural beauty of the area. Some of the most popular programs are: three-hour bird watching hikes, primeval forest tours, visits and interpretation of rock carvings, mountain lion trails and other thrilling exploration experiences.
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It is worth mentioning that The Bosque Fray Jorge National Park, located between Limari Province and Coquimbo Province, is one of the attractions worth exploring, and it is designated as an ecological reserve by UNESCO. This place was discovered by friar Fray Jorge while searching for the timbers to build The San Francisco Church in La Serena. The park covers an area of 100 square kilometers, and due to the type of climate and the influence of dense wet fog (Camanchaca), the park has a well-established ecosystem and rich biodiversity. Also a must-see attraction is Embalse La Paloma, an artificial lake 27 kilometres south of the city of Ovie, the largest reservoir in all of South America, surrounded by mountain peaks and a wine region close to the scenic area.
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In addition, there are only two lapis lazuli mines in the world, one of which is in the town of Tulahuen in The Province of Limali. Visitors can see the lapis lazuli process in the workshops here, and the artist Rita Alvarez also sells a variety of gold and silver jewelry here.
The Limari Valley has its own unique charm, and there are many colorful natural landscapes and things to do in this quiet valley. It's an oasis away from the hustle and bustle and well worth a visit.