Shaman Molle Route

Route Details

Discover the sites that welcomed and gave life to the oldest shamanic culture of Chilean prehistory, the Molles, who, natives of the Atlantic Amazon, crossed the Andes finding a new world and ocean, settling in strategic sites of attractive and transitional geography. From the Bay of Coquimbo inland we will get to know its magical refuges until we reach the Elqui mountain range, the Hurtado River Valley and enter the great province of Limari, a place that for thousands of years has been receiving numerous waves of transhumant nomads and mysterious traditions attracted by minerals, semi-precious stones, climate, geography and its natural resources. We will explore the main refuge of the Molle Culture, considered the most important astronomical, artistic and ceremonial center of Chilean Prehistory to finish at the mouth of the River that has maintained the northernmost oceanic and southern forest of the country for thousands of years, the last refuge of the Shaman Molle.

Itinerary

• Departure from La Serena and visit the small town of Molle where the first findings of this ancient culture appear.
• Arrival in Vicuña and start of the Antakari route section.
• Tour through wild landscapes of mountains, bushes, cacti, springs, hot springs and refuges for muleteers that contrast with the Astronomical Observatories.
• Entrance to Valle de Rio Hurtado and beautiful views of its geology, leafy banks, river and picturesque houses to reach the archaeological site of Turkey.
• Arrival and exploration of the Pichasca Natural Monument to discover vestiges of petrified Jurassic flora and fauna and a stone cavern from the ice age.
• Arrival to Valle del Limari, city of Ovalle and visit Archaeological Museum of Limari.
• Exploration Valle del Encanto National Archaeological Monument.
• Heading towards the coast and the mouth of the Limari River to see its beautiful landscapes and the southernmost forest of the ice age in the north of Chile.
• Return by Route 5 with views of the beaches and bays of Guanaqueros, Guayacan, Coquimbo towards La Serena.