Chile · HISTORICAL TOURS
Good historical tours sell out weeks ahead in high season and the best go first. Below: the 12 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Walk Santiago’s old town, Cathedral, Santa Lucia Hill, Bellas Artes, Lastarria, and Bellavista with a small-group guide in three hours.
“We didn't have very much time to see Santiago but after this tour we really felt like we had a good feel for the city. Eugene was exellent, really knowledgeable and made the tour interesting and fun.”
Cycle through Chile’s Maipo Valley, taste Carmenere and Santa Rita wines, explore a historic winery, and visit its Andean museum.
“I would not recommend this tour to anyone. First of all, the communication is absolutely terrible. After booking, I received zero information. I used all the options I could find for the company and finally got some contact the (late) afternoon the day before the tour. It had been unclear whether or not we would be on the hotel pick-up route or meet at the 'pick-up point'. They finally confirmed we would be picked up. Then they were 30 mins late to pick us up and, again, I had to call them to get any kind of update. After they picked us up, we drove for about 5 minutes to…”
Explore Chile’s Elqui Valley from La Serena with pisco, organic wine, mountain views, local lunch, and Gabriela Mistral sites.
“Guide/Driver picked me up from my location even though there was a stated meeting point. This was wonderful. Guide was down to earth and had lots of experience. Guide was able to conduct tour in both English and Spanish. He spoke both well. He was able to keep everyone engaged and had a deep understanding of the area and the locations we visited. I wasn't expecting much out of this tour and it far exceeded my expectations as I normally use a different tour provider. We went to several sites including a reservoir, a wine production facility, a pisco mueseum and retailer, a historical site, a wonderful place for lunch…”
Review of a Santiago day tour to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, with hill walks, sea lions, museums, coastal views, costs, timing, and tips.
“J’attend toujours le remboursement de la prestation le chauffeur n’est pas venu. Levée à 5 h00 pour rien”
Explore Valparaíso’s murals, hills, viewpoints, and naval history on a flexible 2 to 3 hour walking tour for $42.05.
“Our tour guide John was excellent! Very good English, very knowledgeable about the history, the street art, the food and local customs. It was a walking tour that was very doable for a 62 yr old! We had a fun funicular ride, got to taste a pisco sour (great!!) and checked out some cool shops along the way. Highly recommend this tour!! Loved John’s humor!!”
Review of Santiago’s private half-day tour, covering historic sights, city views, local food, transport, guides, price, and practical tips.
“Having never been in Santiago previously, this was an excellent tour to orientate on major aspects of the central city. Our tour guide Esteban was outstanding in sharing his extensive knowledge of the history, geography, climate and social information of Chilean society. Highly recommend this tour and asking for Esteban to be your guide when scheduling. Five Star experience!”
See Rapa Nui’s moai, volcanic quarries, sacred villages, and birdman site on a private two-day tour with local guides.
“Joaquin was a great guide. He was friendly, helpful and flexible. He was very knowledgeable and had great stories.”
Review of Punta Arenas’ Fort Bulnes tour, with Strait of Magellan views, historic buildings, transport details, costs, and practical tips.
“The tour was ok, but could have been improved by the guide giving us the option of looking around the fort buildings or doing the boundary lookout walk, as their was not time for both.”
Explore Santiago by private car, historic center walk, San Cristobal cable car, and Central Market in a flexible 4-hour tour.
“The tour was amazing, I recommend it to anyone wanting to know Santiago in a few hours. We were taken very good care of, we were provided with all the interesting information and are really happy we found this tour!”
Explore Santiago’s political past, queer history, Plaza de Armas, Santa Lucía Hill, and Lastarria with a warm local guide.
“Our guide, Freddy, was knowledgeable and very attentive. We saw a lot, walked a lot and learned a lot!”
Explore Rapa Nui’s finest moai sites, volcanic craters, caves, and historic paths on a two-day small-group tour from Hanga Roa.
“My wife and I did two private tours with Green Island. We did the Moai Monuments tour with a group of 7 as we toured with some friends whose visit to the island overlapped with ours. We then did the Historic Pathways Tour with just the two of us.”
Explore Punta Arenas’ Antarctic past aboard replica ships, along the Strait of Magellan, and over drinks at historic Palacio Sara Braun.
“This is one of the best tours we have ever been on. Our guide was highly knowledgeable and very accommodating. She was very friendly .”
Pick a region or pick a kind of day. Both land on the same shortlists.
