Cochiguaz

Cochiguaz lies in the Cochiguaz River Valley (Valle del Río Cochiguaz). Cochiguaz is a dry site with colder weather, and its production -with the exception of the wild grapevines found where it meets the Claro river- is essentially based on mountainous cattle products. In the year 1970, Mother Teresa (Madre Teresa), a spiritual guide with mystical orientation, settled upriver. Her influence was enormous, stamping in the entire valley a strong spiritual and ecologist character, which is currently maintained by 7 institutions that offer lodges, hotels, camping sites and a naturist Spa amongst the tranquility and beauty of the mountain landscape.

To visit this mystical Cochiguaz Valley (Valle de Cochiguaz), you must take into account that there is no public transportation that gets to this place. There’s a person in the community that makes deliveries who lives next to the Los Paltos Store (Almacén Los Paltos) in Montegrande.

Locate mile 0 in Monte Grande and take the road to the left by the Cochiguaz Valley that crosses the Negro bridge at mile 0.62. The road continues by the hillside and at mile 1.8 there’s the El Retiro campsite. At mile 3.1 there are the lodges El Albaricoque, with an ecologist orientation, and next to it, a beach by the river. Holistic therapies take place there. Almost neighboring is the Homa Farm (Granja Homa) and at mile 4.3 the El Retiro campsite by the river. The narrow road goes up by the river’s canyon, which is in some places cultivated.

At mile 6.2 there’s the Alma Zen with hotel, lodges and a quartz pool. It offers a diverse activity program of alternative therapies, in front is the RestaurArte restaurant housing art exhibits. From there a road goes down to the Río Mágico campsite. A bit further you can find the detour to the Valle Paraíso Community (Comunidad Valle Paraíso). With a mystical orientation, diverse natural therapies, fasts and retirements take place in this place of Cochiguaz.

The Valle Paraíso Community was created by 1970, the year when Madre Teresa settled at the Cochiguaz Valley, a spiritual guide who founded this community that survives up to today, with a mystique orientation and supported by the theory held by the locals that some geomagnetic energies originally coming from the Himalayas have been transferred here. With ample criteria, she advocated for the syncretism of different tendencies and spiritual schools going from esoteric to religious and gestaltic psychology views.

Following the same road, after a curve you will see the modern Rural School (Escuela Rural) of Cochiguaz that has an interesting design. At mile 7.1 another road goes down to the river, to the Río Mágico campsite. At mile 7.4 Tambo Huara campsite can be accessed.

At mile 8 there are the excellent Casa del Agua Lodges (Cabañas Casa del Agua) of Cochiguaz, with a park by the river bank and a restaurant. Further up, the valley becomes dry. After 1.2 miles you will find the entrance to the El Colorado ranch and some agricultural works. Inside the ranch, at mile 9.3, next to the river is the Cochiguaz campsite, where upriver horse excursions are organized.

At mile 11.8, and already at the end of the road of the Cochiguaz Valley is the Sol Naciente campsite, with more than 20 years teaching relaxation techniques. It has temples where fire and moon ceremonies are held, and it’s possible to participate of the daily mantras and prayers. The direct return from Cochiguaz to La Serena is 72 miles.

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