Every hour there are leaving coaches from Santiago de Chile to Ovalle. The journey takes approximately 5-6 hours. All coaches to Ovalle depart from several terminals at Alameda (Av. O`Higgins). These are the following:

Terminal de Buses Alameda:

• Av. O´Higgins 3750,  right at the southern exit of the underground stop "Universidad de Santiago"

Terminal Los Heroes:

• Calle Jiménez above Av. O`Higgins nearby the underground stop "Los Heroes".

Terminal San Borja: 

• Av. O´Higgins 3250,  at the Metroestación "Estación Central".

Coaches from Ovalle to Hurtado depart from Ferria Modelo ( Mon. to Sat.) and Sunday at the corner Calle Alameda / Calle Gabriela Mistral.

The journey will take approximately 3 hours to get from Ovalle to Vado Morrillos which lies 5 kilometres before Hurtado, where our Hacienda is located.
But do not worry, just tell the bus driver “Hacienda Los Andes” and he will stop right in front of the entry of our Hacienda. The drivers know us because we are the only foreigners around here.

There are two possibilities to get to the Hacienda Los Andes from La Serena by coach/transfer:

• Via Ovalle

Every 30 minutes depart coaches from the “Terminal de Buses” in La Serena, a beautiful old city on the pacific coast with splendid architecture to Ovalle, a nice farmer town in the mountains. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. You’ll find the bus timetable from Ovalle above.

• To Vicuna and from there with our transfer:

From the “Terminal de Buses” in La Serena the bus ride to Vicuna takes about 1.5 hours. The journey into our wilderness can not be continued from Vicuña by coach, but we pick you up from the Plaza or your hotel with the private transfer vehicle. The route to the Hacienda is 43 kilometres long and leads through remote Andean scenery.

Planes from Santiago de Chile land at the airport "Las Flores"  in La Serena three times every day and take approximately 1 hour. We would like to pick you up with our transfer vehicle. But you may also reach the Hacienda Los Andes very easily by coach or rental car.

There are two routes that can be taken to the Hacienda by car. The streets to the Hacienda are in good condition, it’s not necessary to hire a cross-country vehicle. A small car is also sufficient to drive on this streets.

Motorists should note that fuel is only available in Vicuña and Ovalle but not in the Rio Hurtado valley

• Vicuña - Hurtado - Vado Morrillos

Vicuña can be reached from La Serena. If you are coming from Santiago, you have to turn to Ovalle while you are on the Panamericana and then drive on to La Serena. The turnoff to Hurtado is marked on the bypass of Vicuña (do not drive into the place). There is a beautiful scenery along this winding and earthy road, and it will take 90 minutes to drive these 43 kilometres. Even you have to drive carefully, it’s not a problem to come along with a small car. In Hurtado you have to turn right, and after another five kilometres down to the valley in Vado Morrillos is our Hacienda. Can be clearly made out.

• Ovalle - Samo Alto - Vado Morrillos

Leave the Panamericana and drive into the town Ovalle. In Ovalle follow the road for La Serena. Leave behind Ovalle for about three kilometres, then turn right and follow the sign "Samo Alto"/"Hurtado". The road leads through the Rio Hurtado valley. It will take about 90 minutes to get to Vado Morrillos which is five kilometres behind the locality Seron. The road is mostly asphalted and in very good condition. Only the last 18 kilometres are gravel road but still good to drive with a small car.

• To/from Argentina

An extremely beautiful and breathtaking route at heights of 4500 metres leads from Vicuña to Argentina. Depending on snow conditions, the pass is open between November and April. It will take six hours to drive from Vicuña to Argentina. If you want to pass the border with a hired car, you must first get from the car rental service a written confirmation attested by notar

There are 310 sunny days a year. The Hacienda Los Andes is situated in the typical dry Andean climate of South America at heights of 1000 metres. As a rule, temperatures at night are around 50°F (10°C) colder than temperatures by day.

The Chilean Peso is the currency in Chile. The EUR is the best accepted currency for exchange. We accept traveller's cheques and all Chilean banks. Cash EUR should be carried with which in some cases can be paid and which can be exchanged at weekends. Almost all credit cards are accepted. We know from experience that Visa, Mastercard and American Express are the most accepted credit cards. You can draw cash money with credit cards. Have your secret number ready; that saves long procedures at your bank.

Make sure that your passport is valid for one year. You will get a visa on arrival at all borders respectively in the plane or at the airport. A stay of 90 days are given and the visa can be extended for another 90 or 180 days. In the visa application form, you will be asked for the address you are staying.

Give the address: Hacienda Los Andes, Ovalle, 4. Region, Hurtado.

In case of any problems on arrival or in Chile, and you need our help, please call us in the office:

Phone/Fax: 53 691822, from overseas +56 53 691822
E-Mail:  info@haciendalosandes.com

Our German and English speaking team will give you their advice and support.

Chile is like an island, the desert is in the north, the Antarctica is in the south, and the 4300 kilometres border runs along the huge Andes. Many typical South American diseases do not exist here. Amongst South American experts this country counts as a clean one and so are the restaurants.

There are no inoculations required in Chile. Please bring plenty of your personal medication and ask your doctor.