Santiago & Valparaiso Explorer
Santiago & Valparaiso Explorer
- Departure Date:
- Departs Daily
- Price:
-
from USD 1,390/pp
Day 1 – Santiago
On arrival into Santiago Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your home for the next few days. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy!
Overnight: Le Reve Hotel
Day 2 – Santiago
Today, enjoy a full-day cultural tour of Santiago, visiting the main attractions and the country’s most important cultural, cosmopolitan and artistic sights. We start out with a visit to the highpoints of the city’s civic centre, such as La Moneda Palace (presidential offices) and the traditional Plaza de Armas square, a meeting place for Santiago’s diverse and multicultural expressions. Buildings of historical value can be found in the neighbourhood, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, National historical museum and the Central Post Office. Then, continue on foot to visit the Pre-Columbian Museum, founded on December 1981 by the Chilean philanthropist Sergio Larraín who collected his collection of pre-Columbian art from all America to the community to contribute to the knowledge and appreciation of the legacy of the ancient American peoples. Throughout its existence, the museum has expanded its interests towards the art of native peoples, and its collections have grown with new donations constituting today an interesting testimony of the heritage of America. The museum houses unique works of art that demonstrate the diversity of American culture, highlighting its valuable Andean textile collection, with pieces of more than 3,000 years old, Chinchorro mummies, the oldest in the world, works in ceramics, metal and stone , true works of art of Mayans, Aztecs, Andean cultures, ancient peoples of the Amazon and the Caribbean, and an outstanding collection of art from the societies that inhabited the current territory of Chile.
After leaving the Museum, the tour continues to one of the most important points of supply of the city – the Central Market, then cross to the other side of the Mapocho River and reach the Barrio Bellavista, renowned for its bohemian and cultural life very active. There he visits “La Chascona”, a house that in 1953 Pablo Neruda began to build for his secret love at the time, Matilde Urrutia. To end the day, we will head towards the western sector of the capital, to visit the Museum of Memory, which is a space designed to give visibility to human rights violations committed by the State of Chile between 1973 and 1990; to dignify the victims and their families; and to stimulate reflection and debate on the importance of respect and tolerance, so that these events will never happen again. Transfer back to the hotel and overnight.
Transfer back to the hotel and overnight (B)
Day 3 – Santiago
Today is a free day to explore the city at your own pace. Explore Santiago’s local markets, buy tickets to a local Chilean football game, pack a picnic and head to a beautiful city parks, or enjoy a couple of Pisco Sours on one of Santiago’s famous rooftop bars.
Transfer back to the hotel and overnight (B)
Day 4 – Santiago > Valparaiso
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Valparaiso with a stop en route in Casablanaca valley to enjoy a wine tour at Casa Bosque vineyard (or similar). Because of its special location, the valley receives the influence of sea breezes, a natural condition that gives it a favourable temperate climate for producing white wines. Casas del Bosque is located 70 km (43 mi.) from Santiago, Chile’s capital, and 30 km (18.6 mi.) from Valparaiso, one of country’s main ports. It was established in 1993 as a family boutique winery to exclusively produce high quality wines. Casas del Bosque has its own vineyards in the Casablanca Valley, an ideal location for premium wine production. Its soil type includes a thin layer of red volcanic clay mixed with decomposed granite formed 110 million years ago on the Pacific Ocean floor. A guided tour will take visitors through the whole production process, followed by a wine tasting experience and lunch at Tanino Restaurant.
Arrive in Valparaiso in the afternoon and check into your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Fauna Hotel (B/L)
Day 5 – Valparaiso
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing from to enjoy a visit to this city. Plaza Victoria is the perfect starting point for an entertaining walk through the city of Valparaiso. The square is one of the loveliest in Valparaiso and used to be a bull ring in the past. Currently it’s a social meeting place and features a fountain brought over from France with four statues symbolizing the seasons of the year. Facing Plaza Victoria is the Cathedral of Valparaiso. From here, one can ride one of the local trolleys that are part of the only trolleybus network in Chile today and second oldest in South America. They are an actual national monument on wheels transporting passengers to Anibal Pinto square.
From here, a light walk leads to Reina Victoria, an elevator on Cerro Alegre hill and one of the oldest and best restored of this heritage site. One of the best views of the city can be seen from the hill’s vantage point that is only a few steps away from Dimalow alleyway, from where the silhouette of the Lutheran Church on Cerro Concepcion hill and colorful murals can be admired. A walk along Urriola Street will lead to enthralling sites, like “El Desayuno” restaurant and the Anglican Church, a vestige of the past and symbol of the British community’s involvement in the mid-19th century. On the corner of Templeman and Papudo, an alleyway leads to lively neighbourhoods, featuring schools, small stores and restaurants of all types. From Beethoven alleyway a wonderful view of the old cemetery that sits almost at the feet of the Lutheran Church can be admired. Continuing along
Gervasoni promenade, the city’s oldest elevator leads to Valparaiso’s busiest street, Calle Prat. This is Valparaiso’ main spine road, where since the mid-19th century most of the city’s banking and financial activities have occurred. The tour continues with visits to Plaza Sotomayor, the building of the Shipping Company, Victoria Hotel, the Council of Arts and Culture and the port’s entrance. One of the highlights is the monument and crypt built in honour of the heroes of the Battle of Iquique, after funds were raised among the population to construct this memorial commemorating the sailors who fought in the Iquique and Punta Gruesa battles on 21 May, 1879. The last leg of the tour consists of a walk along the city’s narrow sidewalks.
Overnight: Fauna Hotel (B)
Day 6 – Valparaiso > Santiago Airport
Enjoy breakfast before being picked up for your drive back to Santiago Airport to continue your onward journey (approximately 1.5 hours). The exact pick up time for your airport transfer will be agreed with your driver locally.
Tour Inclusions
- Return Airport Transfers
- Private scenic drive from Santiago to Valparaiso
- 5 nights superior accommodation with meals indicated as per itinerary
- 2 Full day cultural sightseeing tours
- Winery Tour including lunch
From USD 1,390 per person twin share
*Single traveller pricing available on request.
**Public Holiday Surcharges apply
