Chile · GUIDED
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 guided tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Start at Palacio de la Moneda and walk Santiago’s historic core with Eugenio, Eugene, or another English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide. See the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, Bellas Artes, Santa Lucia Hill, Lastarria, and Bellavista in a small group of up to 10 people.
“Eugene was extremely knowledgeable, and the pace was very manageable. I’d definitely recommend him and this tour.”
Meet your English or Spanish-speaking guide at your hotel, then visit Duna Mayor, Tres Marias, Anfiteatro, and Ckari viewpoint in four hours. Guides such as Valentin, Marco, and Alejandro are praised for clear explanations and care. The tour ends with snacks and a pisco sour at sunset.
“Great tour. Our guide was excellent, and our driver was very entertaining. The valley was stunning. The pisco sour and snacks before sunset were an unexpected treat. We would definitely recommend.”
Join guides such as Patricio or Nathan at 9:30 p.m. for a 2.5-hour astronomy session outside San Pedro de Atacama. You will use manual and computerized telescopes, identify southern constellations with a laser, and receive a professional night-sky photo. Pickup, blankets, chairs, drinks, snacks, and a restroom are included.
“Interesting facts, guides with lots of knowledge. Got great pictures of the full moon (we still got to see many stars even though it was full moon), with help from the guide. Free wine, whiskey, coffee, tea etc after the activity.”
Use one day of unlimited bus travel to connect Parque Arauco, Bicentenario Park, San Cristóbal, Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, Santa Lucía, and Costanera Center. Audio is available in six languages, while live staff speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Nathaly and Carlos are noted for explaining the system clearly.
Travel from Santiago to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with hotel or airport pickup. Your guide leads you through Casablanca Valley, coastal viewpoints, the Flower Clock, Easter Island’s Moai, Valparaiso’s hills, street art, funiculars, and local food stops.
“Our private tour of Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar was spectacular!! The places we saw and our guide from HecTours were both outstandin! En route to Valparaiso, we stopped to take pictures of the beautiful Casablanca Valley. In Valparaiso, we loved all the street art, interesting buildings, ascensors, and views of the port. It is really a unique place to visit. I can see why it is a UNESCO site. We were lucky to also have a great tour guide from HecTours that grew up there and knew so much about the place. He even treated us to delicious homemade alfajores. In Vina Del Mar we got some great views…”
Spend 10 hours traveling from Puerto Montt to Lake Llanquihue, Osorno Volcano, and Petrohué Falls with a Spanish and English guide. Expect a small group of up to 14, optional chairlift and boat rides, strong photo stops, and a full day with limited time at each site.
“Javier and Javier were kind and attentive and made this a very nice trip for everyone,taking pictures and videos and explaining everything you need to know. You would have needed more time in all of the places, but this is what daytrips are- many great locations and beautiful places in a short amount of time. I definitely recommend this trip, it covers all the great spots and although time was of the essence, I didn't feel pushed around. Thank you again to the Javiers 😁”
Join Juan Pablo, known as JP, for a three-hour, 50-kilometer buggy trip from San Pedro de Atacama. After a safety briefing, you’ll cross riverbeds, climb desert trails, ride dunes, and stop at archaeological sites and quiet viewpoints with hotel pickup included.
“Such a neat way to experience and learn about the desert outside of San Pedro. JP is an excellent guide, taking you to three different spots in the desert that show you the varying types of landscape, as you learn about the desert but also a bit about Chilean history and culture. A highlight was at the second spot, when JP encourages you to take some time walking up a sand dune for a spectacular view and an opportunity to soak in the surroundings and silence that comes with them.”
Meet in central San Pedro de Atacama for a two-hour evening outing into the desert. Your English- or Spanish-speaking guide uses telescopes to show stars and planets, explains Andean cosmovision, and serves wine or coffee with a snack. Hotel drop-off and two photos are included.
“informative and friendly. a really interesting and different experience and the Milky Way looked amazing. nice selection of drinks and snacks and good photo op.”
Meet a local guide such as David or Martin for a private Santiago walk built around your interests. See major sights, use public transport when useful, and add museum visits if arranged ahead. Tours last 2 to 8 hours, with hotel pickup in central Santiago.
“David was terrific. This was our first visit to Santiago. David did a great job of educating us on the history of Santiago, Chile and important sites in the city. I'd highly recommend using him. After the tour, he showed us how to use the subway which we took back to our hotel. He called me to be sure we arrived safely - very thoughtful!”
Paddle the Liucura River near Pucón with guides such as Guillermo, Gio, or Lorenzo. Expect 1.5 to 2 hours on the water, open sit-on-top kayaks, white-water rapids, quiet river stretches, volcano views, and possible sightings of kingfishers and salmon.
“Guillermo is the best guide in Chile. Fun, knowledgeable, entertaining, and easy on the eyes! Great equipment too. We were the Dream Team!”
Leave San Pedro before dawn for El Tatio, where fumaroles rise against 5,000-meter peaks. Walk the geothermal field, enjoy breakfast beside Geyser Blanco from September to April, then stop at Putana River and Machuca. Expect high altitude, bitter cold, Spanish-led guiding, and a group of up to 15.
“Excellent tour! Our guide was the sweetest and really took the time to explain the history and science behind the geysers and what we were seeing. He also prepared an adorable and tasty breakfast and took time to show us the wildlife in the area - at times we also felt we were on a safari! Such cool adventure. Highly recommend.”
Walk Valparaíso with a native guide such as Catalina, Felipe, Cristian, or Sebastian, exploring Plaza Sotomayor, Cerro Alegre, Cerro Concepción, street art, craft stalls, and two historic funiculars. The $40 tour also includes an electric trolleybus ride, sunscreen, and sanitizer.
“Great walking tour. Felipe explained this section of the Valparaiso, Concepcion, with interesting facts as he showed us it's unique charm. Gave great recommendations which we followed up the next day on our own. Felipe's interest and pride in his city made for a wonderful day (as well as the day after). Thanks Felipe.”
Travel with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide through Atacama’s salt flats, flamingo habitat, Red Stones, and high-altitude lagoons. Guides Brandon and Valentin are praised for clear local stories and attentive care, while breakfast and lunch make this long day easier.
“Brandon was super knowledgable about the area and the tour was extremely informative.”
Meet your English- or Spanish-speaking guide at Hotel Reina Victoria for a three-hour walk through Valparaíso. Expect harbor views, historic squares, street art, Cerro Alegre cafes, old funiculars, and local stories from guides such as David, Luis, and Carlos.
“The best way to visit Valparaiso. Luis was just amazing More than 3 hours along the street of Valparaiso, coming into shops, bank to discover every secret of the city. Great experience with Luis !”
Meet your English- or Spanish-speaking guide at Viña del Mar’s Flower Clock for a private 2 to 3-hour tour. Walk the coast, see Wulff Castle and the Casino, visit the Fonck Museum’s authentic moai, then ride public transport to Muelle Vergara.
“O guia Miguel, perfeito, muito gentil, educado e domina a história, fazendo do passeio uma verdadeira aula de história. Parabéns pelo guia, fez toda diferença em nosso passeio.”
Pick a desert, a canyon, a cellar or a glacier.
