Chile · DAY TRIPS IN SANTIAGO
Every Chilean itinerary is one free day short. These 7 day trips in Santiago are the ones to spend it on, priced and timed so you can decide quickly.
Leave Santiago by air-conditioned minivan for Salto del Soldado, the hairpin turns of Cuesta Caracoles, Portillo Ski Center, and Laguna del Inca. Guides such as Sol, Carlos, Dina, and Sebastian are known for warm, helpful service. The day includes a mountain picnic, though it takes place near Los Andes, not beside the lagoon.
“Edison the guide was great. He is very passionate.”
You’ll tour Santiago aboard a London-style double-decker bus, stopping at Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, Bellavista, shopping districts, and Cerro San Cristóbal. Your day ticket also covers the cable car, funicular, and panoramic buses in Metropolitan Park. Audio commentary is available in six languages, with help from Spanish, English, and Portuguese staff.
“A great way to get around the city and see all the best sites. The bus comes every 30 minutes and very easy to get around.”
Ride from Santiago into the Andes on a 9 to 10 hour guided trip with hotel pickup. Visit Farellones and El Colorado, continue to Valle Nevado at 3,000 meters, and enjoy sweeping views. Guides speak Spanish, English, or Portuguese. Lunch, lift tickets, clothing, and equipment cost extra, and snow conditions vary by season.
“mesmo sendo no verão o passeio é super bacana. conhecemos as pistas, principais estações e a vista é de tirar o fôlego. Paisagem magnífica. vale super a pena. nota 10 para o Christian”
Leave Santiago at 7:00 am for a private drive into the Andes. You’ll visit Cajón del Maipo, El Yeso Reservoir, Casa Chocolate, and the Tinoco railway tunnel with a guide and driver. Expect remarkable mountain scenery, a long road day, changing weather, and some uneven mountain roads. Guides have included Juan, Ignacio, Boris, Polina, Oskar, and Chris.
“Sebastian was a GREST driver we were on some scary roads. He did a great job. Our tour guide was very nice but the tour itself seems unorganized. We left very early and went to a town that non of the vendors had set up yet. Not much to see. The canyon itself was beautiful and the lake near the dam was very peaceful. The Andes are different from any mountains I have seen. I really expected more but what we saw was ok.”
Start with hotel pickup in Santiago and cross Casablanca Valley to the Pacific coast. See Reñaca Beach and Viña del Mar, ride a Valparaíso funicular, walk its colorful historic center, and visit Pablo Neruda’s La Sebastiana. The small group can have up to nine people, with museum fees, meals, and wine tastings extra.
“Great day trip, top sites - would have loved more time in Valaparaiso to explore, however were wheeled into a pre-determined, over priced lunch.”
You’ll leave Santiago early, stop for optional ski clothing rental, and climb through 60 mountain curves to Valle Nevado at 3,000 meters. Hotel pickup covers Santiago Centro, Providencia, and Las Condes. Guides speak Spanish or Portuguese, with past guests praising Albert and Ítalo for friendly help. Bring warm clothes, and buy your park ticket and ski pass in advance.
“O guia Albert foi extremamente simpático e eficiente, nos orientou sobre tudo do início ao fim. Recomendo.”
Travel privately from Santiago to Casablanca Valley, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar with a guide such as Manuel, Javier, or Patricio. Taste wine at Bodegas RE, tour Pablo Neruda’s La Sebastiana, ride the El Peral funicular, and see coastal landmarks including the Flower Clock and a Rapa Nui moai. Lunch is not included.
“We enjoyed this long day visiting a lovely winery, Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar from Santiago. Our guide was so friendly and informative. Be aware that on Mondays museums are closed so we did not get to enter the Pablo Neruda house/museum. Just a drive by. The lunch stop at a seaside restaurant in Vina Del Mar was excellent-a reserved table with views of the sea, but not included in the price of the tour.”
Pick an altitude, a coastline or a cellar.
