Chile’s capital city, Santiago, is a fascinating mix of past and present, combining classical architecture with sleek skyscrapers. Ringed by the snow-capped Andean Cordillera, it’s destination you just can't miss! Roam the city on this fun and educational day tour, visiting the bohemian neighborhood of Lastarria, the La Moneda Presidential Palace, the central square and cathedral, before heading up Santa Lucia hill for an unbeatable panoramic view of the city.
To start this awesome tour, our friendly driver will put you up from your hotel and we'll drive together downtown to the Mercado Central. This well-renowned market, popular with locals and tourists alike, supplies many Santiago homes and business with fresh fish all year round. We'll take a look around and then explore the market's nearby surroundings. Next to the market is Plaza de Armas, Santiago’s main square and Kilometer Zero, the point from which all distances in the country are measured. Famous architecture in the square includes the Metropolitan Cathedral and the central post office, originally built as a house for Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia. Close by stands the Justice Tribunal, in a neo-classical building housing the Supreme Court, ex-Congress and beautiful gardens.
After wandering through this area, we'll walk towards the Alameda, the main street of the city center, via busy pedestrian walkway Paseo Ahumada. This walkway is famous for its crowds, shops, and diversity of people. Once we reach the Alameda, we'll head a couple of blocks west toward La Moneda, the Presidential palace. This palace is a model of 18th-century colonial architecture and one of Santiago’s most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of Chile’s political past and its famously turbulent history.
Next, we'll climb Santa Lucía hill, where Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro Valdivia. From the top, there is a fantastic 360 panoramic view of Santiago city. Our tour finishes by visiting the bohemian Lastarria neighborhood, lined with cafés, restaurants, small theaters, bookstores and boutique shops. After a half day of city exploration, we'll head back to the hotel for a rest.
Private departures, every day on request. Available all year-round.
The trip starts at your hotel in Santiago at either 9 AM or 2 PM, and finishes back at your hotel approximately 4 hours later.
This trip does not demand physical activity other than walking through city streets at a relaxed pace.
We use comfortable minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people.
Santiago has a mild Mediterranean climate with relatively hot, dry summers (November to March) with temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) on the hottest days. Winters (June to September) are more humid, with cold mornings and typical maximum daily temperatures of 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit), and minimums of a few degrees above freezing. Occasional snowfall occurs in suburbs at higher altitudes.
You need to bring your personal belongings. We recommend bringing a camera to snap photos of all the sights you'll be seeing!
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Updated June 17th, 2021
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia