Chile · HISTORICAL TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 12 history 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.”
Walk from Condell 1154 to Muelle Prat with a local guide, exploring Valparaíso’s plazas, hills, murals, viewpoints, and naval monuments. Expect stories about Juan de Saavedra, Aníbal Pinto, Arturo Prat, and Rafael Sotomayor, plus a rest stop at Empanaderia 190 Varieties.
“What an amazing tour that covers all things Valpo! Geans is fantastic and does a wonderful job explaining all the colorful history in town.”
Spend 4 to 5 hours seeing Santiago with a private guide and driver. Visit Paseo Bulnes, La Moneda, Plaza de Armas, Lastarria, Bellavista, and Cerro San Cristobal, with a typical food tasting and cable car and funicular tickets included Tuesday through Sunday. Guides such as Esteban, Daniel, Pedro, and Leonardo tailor the route to your interests.
“Estoben was a great guide. Very knowledgable and good company. He could not have been more helpful, even trying to book our dinner in a local restaurant that evening. It is the perfect tour if you only have one day to get a taste of Santiago. Highly recommend. Thank you Estoben.”
Travel 55 km south of Punta Arenas in a group of up to 10 to visit reconstructed Fort Bulnes, its interpretive center, lighthouse, church, jail, and stables. English and Spanish guides, including Cristofer and Romina, lead the outing, with a Strait viewpoint and Chile midpoint photo stop.
“it wasn't clear about pick up. No one at the port knew about the operators. We started late and then had to pick up others. Didn't know it would be bilingual. It was really about the transportation and then basic info added. I wouldn't do it again.”
Explore Santiago with a private English- or Spanish-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and an air-conditioned car. Walk through Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, La Moneda, and Central Market, then ride the cable car or funicular up San Cristóbal Hill for sweeping city views. Guide Mariana can tailor the route.
“My husband and I had an enjoyable afternoon sightseeing with Mariana in Santiago. She was knowledgeable about the city & Chile and responded to any questions in depth. She has a very friendly, cheerful personality and led the tour at a relaxed pace to suit us. Would recommend without hesitation.”
Visit the places where Rapa Nui’s Moai were made, toppled, and raised again. This seven-hour tour includes Vaihu, Akahanga, Rano Raraku, Tongariki, Te Pito Kura, and Anakena, with transport, pickup, drop-off, and an English or Spanish-speaking native guide for up to four people.
“We loved our guide Tete, who took us around the sites without rushing us and told the stories in a very funny and entertaining way. He was friendly and kind and we loved our time with him. However, we would have liked a bit more history about Rapa Nui - about the people and where they came from and how they settled here. About the island and the stories of the past. We can read up everything on internet these days but still a bit of history and context would have been interesting. Also, the car that was sent was really dirty. Tete kept on apologizing that he was the…”
See Santiago with a local guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. In four hours, you’ll visit Santa Lucia Hill, Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, and more, while passing Bellavista, Costanera Center, and Lastarria. Guides such as Carlos, Rodrigo, Daniel, and Juan tailor the route to your interests.
“Our guide Juan was very friendly, professional and knowledge. Our tour was just our family (3) so felt like a private tour, we were able to take our time exploring the city. 5/5, highly recommend! Muchas gracias Juan”
Spend seven hours with a private guide visiting Ahu Vinapu, Akahanga, Rano Raraku, Tongariki, Ovahe, Te Pito Kura, and Anakena. English, Spanish, and French guides are available. Expect major Moai sites, short walks, photo stops, and free time at the beach.
“la culture et la connaissance passionante du guide , sa gentillesse et son professionalisme .... a notre ecoute , un vrai bonheur , ce fut un reve de vour 8 sites dans la journée”
Meet your Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking guide by the fountain at San Francisco Church for a four-hour walk through central Santiago. You’ll see Santa Lucia Hill, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Paris London, and La Moneda Palace, with local stories along the way.
“Excelente recorrido. El guía muy amable y con amplio conocimiento de la historia”
See Valparaíso with private transport, hotel pickup, and an English or Spanish guide. Visit hilltop viewpoints, colorful heritage streets, artisan shops, and the former prison, now a cultural park. Lisette and Loreto are among the guides associated with this service.
“Tour was exactly what we needed. Guides were very accommodating and helpful, even helping us with our bus connection. Very interesting and informative tour, can't recommend them highly enough!”
Spend nine hours at Santa Rita, pairing a bilingual guided vineyard tour with a 45-minute bike ride, three-wine tasting, picnic, and the Andean Museum. Jeannette and Matías have guided especially warmly. Transfers from central Santiago meeting points are included, but hotel pickup is not.
“Amazing tour. Our guides Jeannette and Matías were truly fantastic and made us feel very welcome. Super day out. Totally recommended. Thank you again.”
Join a small group of up to 10 people for a two-hour walk through central Santiago with a Portuguese, Spanish, or English-speaking guide. See La Moneda, Plaza de Armas, Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, Calle Nueva York, the National Historical Museum, and Santa Lucía Hill. Marco is especially praised for clear historical stories.
“Andre Luiz is a really great guy and took us around the historic center and some other nice attractions. However, his English could use some improvement and we feel like the historic knowledge was not always on point.”
Pick a desert, a canyon, a cellar or a glacier.
