Explore the best of the Santiago valley region on this wine and cuisine adventure! Explore the neighborhoods of Santiago, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Roam through the Central Valley, savoring the wines of the region on a week long tour of Chile. Visit well known museums and hidden gems as you soak in the beautiful landscapes and quaint villages which make this region unique and intriguing.
Highlights
Explore Santiago’s important historical sites and lesser-known barrios
Savor the award winning wines of the Colchagua Valley
Roam vineyards with breathtaking views of Aconcagua Mountain.
Stroll among the lush gardens and palm-lined boulevards of Valparaiso.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet your guide at the hotel for a tour highlighting Santiago’s most important historical sites, including the downtown area surrounding the Plaza de Armas and the La Moneda Presidential Palace. Stroll among the Mercado Central, one of Chile’s largest fresh seafood markets, with its many bustling stalls to see the tremendous variety available from Chile’s bountiful sea. Visit some of the lesser-known neighborhoods of Santiago, including Republica and Concha y Toro, which were historically privileged neighborhoods and home to Santiago's high society. Take time to walk around and enjoy the varied styles of architecture dating back to the 19th and early 20th century. Continuing through the cobblestoned Lastarria neighborhood, walk through the Parque Forestal and pass by the Bellas Artes Museum. For a panoramic vista of the city, head to the top of Cerro San Cristobal Hill, 984 feet above the city.
During the tour, you will have the option to visit one of Santiago’s most famous museums, La Chascona, former home to beloved poet and Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda. The whimsical residence provides a snapshot into the life and mind of Neruda, filled with art, eccentric collections, and even his Nobel Prize.
Set off on a two hour drive south through the marvelous agricultural heart of the Central Valley towards the Colchagua Valley. In the late nineteenth century, during the era of immense mining wealth in Chile, important families introduced fine wine varieties of French origin – primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot and Malbec. Since then, this area has developed into one of the most important wine regions in South America.
Your first visit is to Neyen Winery. Founded on the site of one of the region’s pioneering wineries dating back to the 19th century, Neyen is today the perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Next, enjoy a delicious lunch at the family-run Viu Manent Winery. Founded in 1935, with a core philosophy is centered in attention to detail, respect for the environment, and honoring history and tradition while embracing innovation and modernity to support continued excellence. A short drive away is the famed Apalta sub-region and our next stop, Casa Lapostolle Winery, established in 1994 and produces some of the best wines in Chile.
This morning drive towards the Aconagua Valley in the shadow of Mt. Aconcagua. It is Chile’s smallest valley, but very well known as a viticulturist paradise for its natural balance of wind, heat, and soil diversity, Aconcagua has produced prize winning wines. First, is Viña Von Siebenthal, a boutique winery founded in 1998 by Swiss lawyer Mauro Von Siebenthal. The boutique winery, has a total annual production of 150,000 bottles, has also produced one of the highest scoring wines in Chile.
Next, head to Errázuriz Winery, one of the largest, oldest, and most beautiful wineries in Chile, for lunch. Founded in 1870, Viña Errázuriz is one of the most iconic in Chile and has played a crucial role in developing the country’s wine industry. Following a tour of the winery, a delicious lunch awaits in the historic casona.
Aconcagua Valley tour is not available on Mondays, we can rearrange the itinerary to accommodate.
Today drive approximately 90 minutes west toward the coast, passing through the lush agricultural valley of Curacaví and the renowned Casablanca Valley, famous for its commitment to terroir and for producing some of Chile’s best white wines and cool-climate reds.
Your first stop is a visit to Emiliana Winery. A true leader in the concepts of biodynamic and organic agriculture, Emiliana aims to create the highest quality wines while promoting sustainability and social responsibility. Next, onto one of Chile’s most interesting cities, Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003 for its architectural and cultural significance. Explore the downtown sector, learning about the history of “Valpo” and its importance in South American trade and commerce. Century-old hillside ascensores (elevators) transport you up into the city’s steep hills, where a labyrinthine maze of streets reveals brightly colored buildings, bohemian cafes, elegant restaurants, and spectacular views of the harbor below. Follow the streets to the most famous hills, Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre, for lunch at one of the city’s top restaurants nestled in the hills.
After lunch, continue on to the resort city of Viña del Mar, also known as “the garden city” for its lush gardens and palm-lined boulevards. We’ll pass by the “Reloj de Flores” (flower clock) and the inviting beaches while learning about the colonial history of the city as well as its contemporary flair. In the afternoon, you’ll be transported back to Santiago.
Day 6: Fly home
1 Breakfast
Wake this morning for your transfer to the airport. Fly home or continue with your adventure in Chile. With extra time, extend your trip to Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, or any other destination in the region. Contact us for options.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 340 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 340 reviews on
22 hours ago
Mary Curry is the BEST! I have worked with her for multiple family trips for over 10 years, and she is responsive, works within your preferences and budget, has great suggestions and has personal travel experience at many of the locations. We prefer active family vacations and Adventure Life and Mary Curry make sure that is what we get!
Heather Spanbauer
2 weeks ago
My tour operator was helpful. Unfortunately she was unable to get my single-supplement canceled. Not too many tours charge for that anymore and I almost canceled my trip because of that.
Joel
1 month ago
Excellent communication and coordination for our proposed trip. It couldn't have been smoother, and any question we did have was rapidly addressed. It has made the whole process nearly seamless.
Quinn Johnson
2 months ago
Great suggestions. Knowledgeable about the area and options. Flexible. Taking time to understand the experience we are looking for.
Mark Esposito
5 months ago
This is at least the fifth trip we have booked with AdventureLife. Jess has always had excellent ideas.