On this full-day privately-guided city tour stops will be coordinated with the individual interests and preferences of the guest. The following includes suggested places.
Pick up from your hotel to explore the historic sights of Santiago de Chile including the downtown area surrounding the Plaza de Armas (the main square of the city) and La Moneda (the Presidential Palace), the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada.
You will also pass by the Mercado Central, one of Chile’s largest fresh seafood markets and take a stroll by the many bustling stalls to see the tremendous variety available from Chile’s bountiful sea. You will visit some of the lesser know barrios of Santiago including, Republica and Concha y Toro. Initially constituting the outskirts of the city, the capital’s constant growth transformed the area into a privileged neighborhood and home to Santiago’s high society.
There will be time to walk around and take photos of the many styles of architecture dating back to the 19th and early 20th century. Continuing through the cobblestoned Lastarria neighborhood, you will walk through the Parque Forestal passing by the Bellas Artes Museum. For a scenic view of the city, you will visit the top of Cerro San Cristobal Hill, 600 feet above the city. Visits to museums can be included for an additional cost (entrance fees).
This morning you will be met at your hotel by your guide and begin a half-day privately-guided exploration of Chile’s capital.
Your bilingual guide will lead you on a guided exploration featuring Santiago’s most important historic and cultural sites. You will begin at the governmental seat of Palacio La Moneda, the House of Justice, and the National Parliament. Along Plaza de Armas, the main square, you will visit the Cathedral and view the majestic architecture of the Post Office and governmental buildings.
Also, if the weather is clear will overlook the city from the top of 300-meter San Cristóbal Hill. Enjoy sightseeing and people watching in this city that has been bustling with life from colonial times to present day. At the end of this tour you will be taken back to your hotel.
*Our city tour can be adjusted to the special interest of our clients. At the start of the tour you guide will discuss any specific interests you may have and arrange visits accordingly. Museum visits can be added for an additional cost (entrance fee). The time spent in the museum will normally be around 2 hours.
You will meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel and start your walking tour towards the closest metro station.
Santiago´s metro is South America's most extensive metro system and provides a safe and smooth commute. You and your guide will get off at the Cumming Metro Stop and walk to Plaza Yungay, which, along with the “Roto Chileno” statue, was created as a tribute to the triumph of the battle that took place during the Peru-Bolivian confederation war. Across the street from the square is the San Saturnino church, a Gothic-style building that was finished in 1844.
You will continue walking 2 blocks south to stop for coffee or tea at the “Boulevard Lavaud,” the most iconic building of the neighborhood and a place full of history. This is one of the oldest buildings in Santiago and features hairdressing in the Peluquería Francesa, which still has the same atmosphere that it did at the beginning of the 19th century. A restaurant, a small shop, and another area full of unique antiques are all accessible to visitors.
Walk a few more blocks amongst buildings with European influences and you will discover different Cités. Cités are typical constructions that are part of the architectural identity of the city and are where many people still live today.
In one Cité it is possible to find from 6 to 30 houses, of no more than 50 square meters each, that share a patio in the middle of the construction. These kinds of houses were built at the beginning of the last century as the best alternative to absorb the high housing demand in Santiago.
The most beautiful ones are “Cité Adriana Cousiño” and “Lucrecia Valdés.”
From here, you will continue walking towards Quinta Normal Park, passing by the “Escuela de Preceptores de Santiago,” an educational institution in charge of training primary school teachers. You will also pass by the “Hospital San Juan de Dios,” the first hospital in Santiago.
Quinta Normal is an urban park in the middle of the city, and is home to several museums including the Chilean National Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, inaugurated in 2010. You will have the option to visit either of them before getting back on the metro, this time at the “Quinta Normal” stop. Your guide will ride the metro with you and escort you back to the lobby of your hotel.
Visit Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, and Isla Negra, the land of Neruda, where the most important points of historical, social, multicultural and economic interest can be found!
You will be picked up in the morning from your hotel and begin your journey from Santiago by heading towards the coast to Isla Negra, where one of Pablo Neruda´s three houses in Chile is situated. Located about 85 km south of Valparaíso and 110 km west of Santiago, it was his favorite house and where he and his third wife, Matilde Urrutia, spent the majority of their time in Chile.
In English, Isla Negra means "Black Island," which refers to a rock outcropping nearby; however Isla Negra is not, in fact, an island. Neruda, a lover of the sea and all maritime things, built the home to resemble a ship with low ceilings, creaking wooden floors, and narrow passageways.
A passionate collector, every room has a different collection of bottles, ship figureheads, maps, ships in bottles, and an impressive array of shells, which are located in their own "Under the Sea" room. Neruda and his wife Matilde Urrutia are buried there, with a clear view of their beach.
Leaving Isla Negra, you will continue north towards the beautiful city of Viña del Mar, also known as the Garden City, for a visit of its main streets and avenues, museums, and its large homes and palaces.
Later, head along the coast towards Reñaca, one of Chile’s most famous beach towns to enjoy a bit of sunshine and nature! Around the bay is Valparaíso, a busy port city with charming hills. You will pass by Chile’s parliament building as well as other examples of the historical architecture that have made Valparaíso a World Heritage Site since 2003. The first stop is a must; the “Artillería” lift will take you to the 21 de Mayo lookout point.
There is no other place in Valparaiso with this view. You can watch the port activity, the rolling hills full of color, and see how the city has developed over recent years. You will continue around the “cerros” or hills of the city to the San Luis square. Come across Cerro Concepción, and discover on foot its Anglican and Lutheran churches and the Paseo Atkinson alleyway with its famous Brighton Restaurant. Walk over to Paseo Gervasoni where the famous Café Turri and the house of the cartoonist Lukas are located.
Cross over to Cerro Alegre where the Paseo Yugoslavo and Baburitza Palace, once home to a Croatian immigrant and now the recently renovated Fine Arts museum of Valparaiso, are situated. From here you will descend on the “El Peral” lift to the Plaza Sotomayor where you will see the Monument to the Fallen Heroes of Iquique.
You and your guide will take a morning drive toward the Maipo Canyon up to Las Vertientes, a popular resort at the foothills of the Andes with a view of the winding Maipo River. You will continue to the Santa Rita winery located 30 miles south of Santiago, in the Maipo Valley. The Maipo Valley is renowned as one of the finest viticultural areas in the world. Your full-day tour includes a private guide and visits to three wineries. You will have time for lunch on your own.
You will be met at your hotel and depart Santiago with your guide for a half day visit to the Santa Rita Winery, located 30 miles south of Santiago in the Maipo canyon.
This impressive estate features over 100 acres of park and ornamental gardens, including 800 hectares of vineyard land for the production of high quality wines in a completely modern vinification facility with a high storage capacity. The old family mansion is found here as well, surrounded by acres of the beautiful hundred-year-old park and gardens.
The winery was founded in 1880 by the prominent public figure and entrepreneur Domingo Fernandez Concha, who built the houses, the chapel, and the viticole facilities on the privileged soils of the River Maipo Valley in the area of Alto Jahuel. At the international level, Santa Rita has been awarded several prizes confirming the excellence of its wines. Upon arrival, a comprehensive tour through the premises can be followed by lunch served at the nice vineyard restaurant in a remodeled part of the old family house.
Lunch is optional, and NOT included in the trip cost. Doña Paula restaurant, currently a national monument, was named after Paula Jaraquemada, the owner of Santa Rita’s manor house over 200 years ago. At that time, a number of historical events related to the independence of Chile took place here. Bernardo O´Higgins, the general who achieved independence for Chile, and 120 soldiers took shelter here after fighting the Spanish crown forces. Santa Rita’s most famous range of products is called "120" in homage to these patriots.
The Aconcagua Valley is separated into three major growing regions. One is coastal and two are inland: Quillota, San Felipe and Los Andes respectively.
Although San Felipe and Los Andes are located in separate valleys, they enjoy similar climates. The climate is very much like the lower San Joaquin Valley of California, but with lower night time temperatures. This phenomenon provides the region with stone fruits, grapes, and red apple varieties with good color.
The coastal valley of Quillota has an exceptional climate for sub-tropical fruit such as avocado, where sixty-five percent of the Chilean avocado production is grown. This valley is also known for its wine production. You will tour the Von Siebenthal winery with a Grand Reserve tasting. The tour of Errazuriz winery will include wine tastings and lunch.
Get acquainted with a well-known white wine producing valley, Casablanca. Taste its wines, visit its wineries and watch the many wonders of this famous valley.
This full day excursion begins driving through the beautiful Curacavi Valley until reaching the Casablanca Valley, very well known for its fine white wine production and fast development in the past few years. Here the gentle sea breeze coming from the ocean creates the perfect climate to produce excellent white wines.
You will visit Emiliana Organic Winery for a tour of the vineyard, followed by a wine tasting of organic wines and cheeses. Continue the trip with lunch at Macerado Restaurant. You will meet one of the owners, an agricultural engineer who will be your host, and visit the plantations to learn about the production in this valley.
In the afternoon, visit the Boutique Winery of Casas del Bosque. Located just 12 miles from the Pacific, this winery is widely applauded for its delicious and crisp Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Although the house specialty is white wine, their creative winemaking team was the first in the valley to plant merlot. Also in their red wine repertoire is a fresh, peppery Syrah.
Depart from your Santiago hotel with your guide towards the Casablanca Valley, located near the Pacific Ocean and the World Heritage port of Valparaiso, less than an hour’s drive from Santiago.
Emerging from Chile’s coastal mountains into the Casablanca Valley, the gentle sea breeze coming in off the Pacific creates the perfect climate for one of the best valleys for producing white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Start off by visiting the Casas del Bosque Winery, which was conceived in 1993 as a family boutique winery exclusively oriented to the production of high quality wines. Here they will receive you with its first level, and the best of its wines, Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy a tour through their modern wine cellar and wine tasting. Lunch is included at the Tanino Restaurant at Casas del Bosque.
Next, you will be taken to The William Cole Winery. Built in 1999 and architecturally reminiscent of old Chilean missions or the southwest American Indian people, this winery has been pleasingly blended into an attractive and functional structure. It is well known for its reserve and grand reserve wines and its boutique production, and invites you to enjoy their tour to visit their installations and taste their best samples.
Depart your Santiago hotel with your guide on a three-hour drive from Santiago, towards one of Chile’s best known wine valleys and home to award-winning, full-bodied Cabernet, Carménère, Syrah, and Malbec wines.
The Colchagua Valley is the best place to discover the real Chilean countryside; there you can find the beauty of a region that is rich in traditions and folklore. The main feature of Colchagua is its red wine, favored by the warm and dry climate. Enjoy the Chilean culture, pretty estates, and the best wines offered by this region.
The first stop will be on an exceptional corner with a holistic concept, VIK winery. Here you can try trekking, biking, or horseback riding with exceptional views. Discover the mystery that is locked inside each bottle, as if you were the winemaker learning the art of a good wine.
In the wine tasting room, you can try the wines, accompanied by an expert who will teach you how to discover the soul of them. You may get to know the VIK cuisine where the chef will treat you to an authentic Chilean lunch specially prepared for VIK´s wines as well.
Continue to Lapostolle Vineyard, which was founded by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband, Cyril de Bournet, in 1994. Its objective is as simple as it is ambitious: to create world-class wines using French expertise and the superb terrain of Chile.
You will travel through an innovative winery that combines modern architecture with functionality in order to obtain an excellent wine. It was created exclusively to produce Clos Apalta wine, the Premium wine of Lapostolle. The tour will start in the reception room where you can see how the meticulous work of de-stemming the grapes by hand is done.
Then, you will go down to the fermentation room with the vats – the storage of the barrels in the first and second year rooms – in order to follow in detail the process that the grapes undergo to meet their end as the iconic wine of Lapostolle, Clos Apalta. The visit culminates in a tasting of three current wines each of Lapostolle’s lines: Casa, Cuvee Alexandre, and Clos Apalta. Picnic lunch included.
You will depart your Santiago hotel with your guide on a three-hour drive towards one of Chile’s best known wine valleys and home to award-winning, full-bodied Cabernet, Carménère, Syrah, and Malbec wines.
The Colchagua valley is the best place to discover the real Chilean countryside. There you can find the beauty of a region that is rich in traditions and folklore. The main feature of Colchagua is its red wine, favored by the warm and dry climate. Enjoy the Chilean culture, pretty estates, and the best wines offered by this region.
You will visit a family-owned vineyard, Viu Manent. The old house, where the cafeteria and the restaurant are located, is an elegant property to relax and enjoy a simple coffee or a more sophisticated meal. A horse-drawn carriage takes you through the vineyard as part of the tour, before finishing with a wine tasting.
Continue to Estampa, a premium Chilean vineyard, pioneer, and avant-gardist in the expression of the art of “Assemblage,” the art of combining two or more noble varieties so that each contributes its best characteristics to our wines. Enjoy a tour of through the winery and finish with a wine tasting.Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
You will be picked up at your hotel for a full day private tour of the wineries in the heart of the Colchagua Valley. In one day you can see and learn about the workmanship in the production process of the best and most renowned wines of Chile. You will enjoy sampling different varieties of wines produced by the vineyards you visit.
The tour starts with a drive through downtown and the industrial areas of Santiago in a southerly direction, along the Panamerican Highway. Soon the countryside opens up and after about 50 miles, you will arrive in the Santa Cruz area to visit the Casa Silva and Viu Manent wineries. Here you will learn about grapes and the production process of fine wines, visit the facilities and cellars and, of course, have the chance to try some of the wine.
Around noon, you will drive into the village of Santa Cruz and stop at the Hotel Plaza Santa Cruz, located across the main square of the city. Lunch is included and will be served here. Wine is of course included.
After lunch, proceed to the Colchagua Museum, operated by the Cardoen Foundation where you will find the most complete collection of colonial art and artifacts (not only of Chile but also other Latin American countries) on exhibit in colonial houses, patios and gardens. In the late afternoon, you will return to your Hotel in Santiago.
You will be met at your hotel lobby by your guide and depart Santiago around 8:00 am for the Maipo Canyon, located 50 km (31 mi) southeast of the capital. The Maipo River flows through the valley. At 155 miles, the Maipo is the third longest river in Chile.
You will reach the El Manzano area around 9:30 am, where you will receive the proper security instructions before starting the horseback ride to the viewpoint overlooking the valley. Afterward, you will enjoy a tasty Chilean-style barbecue. After lunch, you will return to your Santiago hotel.
You will be met at your hotel lobby by your guide and depart Santiago around 8:00 am for El Morado National Park, located in the Maipo Canyon, about 57 miles southwest from Santiago.
The park is a protected area in the heart of the Andes. It encompasses the Morales Stream and the adjacent mountains, enhancing the magnificent mountain El Morado. This is the highest mountain at an altitude of 5060 meters (16,596 feet) above sea level and gives the park its name.
You will arrive at the Cajón del Arenas at approximately 10:30am, where you will start a beautiful horseback ride for about 2 ½ hours to the lake where the thousand-year-old ice from Colgante Del Morado (Morado hanging glacier) lies. We will finish the excursion with a tasty Chilean style barbecue whilst enjoying the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Enjoy a day of horseback riding to The Colorado River viewpoint, located in the Maipo Canyon, 50 km (31 miles) southeast from Santiago.
The Maipo River that runs through it is the main river in the area and the third longest river in Chile. You will be met at your Santiago hotel by your guide and depart around 8:00 am. You will arrive at an area called “Alfalfal” around 9:30 am, where you will receive instructions and a brief orientation before starting the 2-hour horseback ride to the Rio Colorado viewpoint. The horseback ride will cross through some Andean villages until reaching the destination.
At the viewpoint, if the day is clear, you will be able to see the Tupungato Volcano, the highest volcano in the southern hemisphere at 6,570 meters (21,555 feet) above sea level. It will also be possible to enjoy the wonderful views of the Río Colorado Canyon, and if you're lucky, you may catch sight of some condors.
After a snack and rest, you will head to a picnic area for a tasty Chilean-style barbecue, and return to your hotel in Santiago around 7:00 pm.
This tour will give you a general view of the Jewish community in Santiago, Chile’s capital and the third largest Jewish community in South America with more than 25,000 members.
The journey begins right after you are picked up at your hotel in Santiago to visit one of the ten Synagogues in Santiago, and then the Jewish fire company Bomba Israel, located in Ñuñoa, a residential town. The fire company was created in 1954 by the initiative of a few firefighters. Founded upon the principles of solidarity, tolerance, and respect for the human condition, the fire company does not allow discrimination for any religion, race, social condition, or ideological position.
One of the many contributions made by the Jewish fire department is the creation of the first Youth Fire Brigade in Chile.
The tour will continue through the city to the newest part of the capital and visit the Jewish Community Center, the Country Club, and the Israeli Stadium, created in 1953 to be a place where the Jewish community would be able to celebrate its traditions and culture. Presently, 1,100 Jewish families participate in the activities carried out there and it has become a privileged place for the Chilean Jewish life. In the Israeli Stadium lays the Jewish Sephardic Museum, an important museum that welcomes Sephardic immigrant donations and is where you will see typical and historical costumes and candelabras.
After visiting the main Jewish community spots in Santiago, you will continue to the historic civic center, starting with a visit to Santa Lucía Hill where the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded the city on February 12, 1541. Your trip will continue in the Lastarria neighborhood, which became a cultural route.
Continue to the neoclassical La Moneda Palace, nowadays the government palace, but originally constructed to house the Mint of the Spanish Crown during the 18th century. You will head to the Plaza de Armas (the main square) where the city’s oldest buildings can be found, such as the Cathedral Church of Santiago, the Central Post Office, and the National History Museum. Afterwards, you will return to your Santiago hotel.
You will be picked up at your hotel at approximately 9:00am and transferred to the Melocoton Village, located in the Cajón del Maipo just 25 miles southeast from Santiago.
After receiving safety and paddling instructions, you will begin the rafting descent along the Maipo River, the third longest river in Chile. The rafting excursion lasts about one hour. After the take-out, you can change your clothes and enjoy a snack. Afterward, you will return to your Santiago hotel around 2:30pm.
*The full day excursion also includes a tasty Chilean style barbecue after you have had time to change into dry clothes after the rafting adventure.
Enjoy a day of hiking to the Colorado River viewpoint, located in the Maipo Canyon, 50 km (31 miles) southeast from Santiago.
The Maipo River that runs through it is the third longest river in Chile. You will be met at your Santiago hotel by your guide and depart around 8:00 am. You will arrive at an area called “Alfalfal” around 9:30 am, where you will receive instructions and a brief orientation before starting the 2 1/2-hour hike up to the Colorado River viewpoint.
From the viewpoint, and if the day is clear, you will be able to see the Tupungato Volcano. It will also be possible to enjoy the wonderful views of the Río Colorado Canyon, and if you’re lucky, you may catch sight of some condors.
After a well-deserved rest and boxed-lunch, you will begin the descent. A Spanish-style buffet will await you upon your return with a selection of fine cheeses, cured hams, and Chilean wine. You will return to your hotel in Santiago around 7:00 pm.
Your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 8:00 am and will take you to El Morado National Park, located in the Maipo Canyon, about 93 km (57 miles) southwest of Santiago.
The park is a protected area in the heart of the Andes. It encompasses the Morales Stream and the adjacent mountains, enhancing the magnificent mountain El Morado. This is the highest mountain at an altitude of 5060 meters (16,596 feet) above sea level and gives the park its name.
You will arrive at Cajón del Arenas at approximately 10:30am where we will start a beautiful trek that will last 2 to 3 hours until we reach the lake where the thousand-year-old ice from Colgante Del Morado (Morado hanging glacier) lies. After a well-deserved rest and boxed-lunch, you will trek back to Cajón del Arenas.
A Spanish-style buffet will await you upon your return with a selection of fine cheeses, cured hams, and Chilean wine. You will return to your hotel in Santiago around 7:00 pm.
You will be met at your Santiago hotel by your guide around 7:30am and depart along on a winding road with beautiful landscapes to the east of Santiago.
After reaching the La Parva ski resort, located at 2.800 meters (9,186 feet) altitude, you will take the chair lift to an altitude of 3.500 meters (11,483 feet). After security instructions, you will start the 2½-hour hike to the top of El Pintor Mountain (The Painter), named for the great variety of colors present.
At the top is a spectacular viewpoint of the surrounding mountains such as El Plomo, with an altitude of 5424 meters (17,796 feet).
After a well-deserved rest and box-lunch you will descend the mountain where a Spanish-style buffet awaits you with a tasty selection of cheeses, Spanish cured ham, and Chilean wine. You will return to your Santiago hotel around 6:00 pm.
You will be met at your hotel by your guide and depart around 7:00am to the La Campana National Park, located 160 km (99 mi) northwest from Santiago, next to the central coast mountain chain.
The park covers 8000 hectares and three approach roads (two through Olmue and one through Ocoa). It belongs to the Valparaíso region and was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1985. You will reach the La Campana National Park (through the Olmue entrance) around 9:00am and, after receiving a brief orientation, begin the 5-hour trek to the top with marvelous views of the Andes.
If the day is clear, you will be able to see the Pacific Ocean as well as the Aconcagua, which is the highest mountain in the Americas at 6965 meters (22,851 feet) above sea level.
After a rest and box lunch you will begin the descent, which takes about 3 hours. Just before reaching the vehicle, you will end the day by enjoying a selection of cheeses, Spanish cured ham, Chilean wine, drinks, coffee, tea and dessert.
You will arrive back at your Santiago hotel at approximately 7:00pm.
You and your guide will depart in the morning from your hotel in Santiago for the Provincia Hill. It is the most visited summit of the Ramón Mountain Range immediately to the east of Santiago, which is visible from anywhere in the city. North to south, it is the first peak of the aforementioned range.
Continuing south, the next peaks are Cerro Tambor, Cerro Ramón, and Cerro Punta de Damas. Cerro Provincia is a dry hill, with a landscape typical of the “precordillera” or Andean foothills of Central Chile.
During the summer, the lower two thirds of the mountain are very hot. The last third is somewhat cooler, thanks to the winds and the temperature loss due to altitude. On the way up you will stop for a break and a snack at Los Altos del Naranjo before continuing your climb to the summit.
From the summit, the entire Central Valley may be seen all the way to the Cordillera de la Costa (Coastal Mountain Range). To the east, one can see the complete line of great mountains which would be visible from Santiago if the Ramón Range wasn't standing in the way. From the summit, you will go down to the Nilhue Bridge where some refreshments will be served before returning to Santiago.
You will be picked up at your hotel and set off with a private driver for a full day of skiing in Portillo. The Portillo Ski Center is located about 100 miles from Santiago. Your day is free for however much skiing or relaxing you would like. In the late afternoon, you will return to Santiago.
You will be picked up at your hotel and set off with a private driver for a full day of skiing in Valle Nevada. The Ski Center Valle Nevada is located about 50 miles from Santiago and boasts the most terrain of any ski resort on the continent. Your day is free for however much skiing or relaxing you would like. In the late afternoon, you will return to Santiago.
