Valle del Encanto

Valle del Encanto Review

En route to the Valle del Encanto (Valley of Enchantment) you'll pass herds of goats and their caretakers, but the true enchantment is upon arrival. In the stillness of the valley, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time as you search out the petroglyphs left by hunters who inhabited the site almost 4,000 years ago. Unlike geoglyphs, which are large-scale figures chiseled into the landscape, petroglyphs are small pictures carved onto the rock surface. One of Chile's densest collections of petroglyphs can be found here. The 30 images were most likely etched by the Molle culture between AD 100 and 600. The figures wear ceremonial headdresses hanging low over large, expressive eyes. On occasion a guide waits near the petroglyphs and will show you the best of the carvings for a small fee. To reach the site, take Ruta 45 west from Ovalle. About 19 km (12 mi) out of town, head south for 5 km (3 mi) on a rough, dry road.