Day trips from Santiago: the coast, the Andes or the wine

From Santiago the Pacific coast is about two hours one way, and the Andes are close the other. Our days go both ways: west to Valparaíso, up into the mountains at El Yeso and Portillo, and south to the vineyards of Pirque. The city itself takes half a day. Here is what each of our five involves.

One day: Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, for the painted hills and Neruda's house above the bay. If you would rather see the mountains: the Cajón del Maipo and the El Yeso reservoir.

The five, side by side

Trip	Length	Leaves	Price
Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Private Day Trip from Santiago	10h	07:00	from €310
Cajón del Maipo and El Yeso Reservoir Private Day Trip from Santiago	9h	07:00	from €390
Portillo and Laguna del Inca Private Day Trip from Santiago	10h	07:00	from €390
Concha y Toro Private Wine Tour from Santiago: Pirque and the Maipo Valley	5h	07:00	from €290
Santiago Private City Tour: Plaza de Armas, La Moneda and San Cristóbal Hill	4h	07:00	from €200

Prices are starting prices and depend on the size of your group.

How to choose

You have one day, and want the coast

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Ten hours from 07:00: the flower clock and the Wulff Castle in Viña, then the UNESCO-listed hills of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, up and down by one of the old funiculars, lunch, and La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda's house above the bay. On a Monday the house is closed and we give the hills longer.

You want the mountains without a hard walk

The Cajón del Maipo. Nine hours up the Maipo river: coffee in San José de Maipo, then the turquoise El Yeso reservoir between bare, high peaks. The last stretch is gravel and slow, and you see the lake from the road above it. No walking beyond short strolls.

You want the high Andes

Portillo and the Laguna del Inca. Ten hours: through Los Andes and up the hairpins of Los Caracoles to the ski resort and its yellow hotel on the shore of the lake. The air is thin up there, so walk slowly. The day stays on the Chilean side; in the ski season you can ski, with lift passes extra.

You want wine, not a long day in the car

Concha y Toro. Five hours, at 07:00 or 13:00: the old family house, the vineyards and the Casillero del Diablo cellar at Pirque, then a slow lunch in the country. Your driver drives, so everyone can taste. The winery runs its visits at set times: book yours, then pick the start that fits it.

You only have half a day

The city tour. Four hours, at 07:00 or 13:00: the Plaza de Armas, La Moneda from its two squares, Santa Lucía Hill, and the funicular up San Cristóbal Hill for the view to the Andes. On a Monday morning the funicular does not run, and we swap the hill for Lastarria and Bellavista.

Four things worth knowing before you book

Entrances are paid on the day

The price covers the private vehicle, driver, fuel, tolls and parking. The funiculars, La Sebastiana, the Concha y Toro visit and tasting, ski passes at Portillo and lunch are paid on the day.

The mountains are another climate

El Yeso and Portillo are much colder and brighter than the city, even in summer: bring warm layers, sunglasses and sun cream. In winter both roads can close after snow. We check before the day and tell you.

Private costs less than you think for a group

A coach seat is cheap for one person and stops being cheap at four. Our prices are by group size, not per seat: up to four of you share one car at one price, and the price only steps up when you need a van. And you are not waiting for forty strangers at every stop.

You can change your mind

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up, refunded in full. If the date stops working, message us and we will do our best to move you to another day.