This is the Norte Chico chapter from Lonely Planet’s Chile & Easter Island guidebook.

Caught between the ocean and the Andes, Chile’s Norte Chico, or Little North, is unique unto itself. La Serena, a coastal colonial capital is a must-see for anybody visiting. Elqui Valley is home to pisco producers and cutting-edge observatories. Further north are amazing national parks and uncharted coastline.

• Lounge around Norte Chico’s coolest little beach town, the pretty Bahía Inglesa
• maps
• Learn just how potent the little pisco grape can be as you hop through villages of the groovy Elqui Valley
• transport
• Take in starry southern skies at one of many observatories dotting Norte Chico
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Parque Nacional Pan De, Azúcar, Caldera, Bahía Inglesa, Copiapó, Parque Nacional Nevado Tres, Cruces, Ojos Del Salado, Huasco Valley, Parque Nacional Llanos De, Challe, Reserva Nacional Pingüino De, Humboldt and La Serena.