A Private Tour of Valparaiso with an experienced local guide.

based on 84 reviews

Duration:7 hours to 8 hours (approx.)
Location: Valparaíso, Chile

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Tour WITHOUT 1 stop in a winery:

Valparaíso, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003 for its architectural and cultural significance, it's in fact one of Chile's most fascinating cities. Quaint hillside 'ascensores' (elevators) will bring you up into the city's steep hills, where a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys reveals brightly colored buildings, bohemian cafes, elegant restaurants, and of course we'll explore the street art on hidden alleys.
Also we'll enjoy visiting this unique Fish Market and then Viña del Mar with its Easter Island original extant statue, the Oceanic Rock, the magnificent beaches of Reñaca and ConCon.

Tour WITH 1 stop in a winery:

We skip Viña del Mar and after scouting Valparaíso hills we head towards Casablanca valley to start a wine tour visiting one of the most renowned wineries. We'll visit the underground cellar, the ancestral gardens and a tasting of 4 glasses of wine plus a board of bread, cheese, dehydrated fruit, olives & olive oil.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
Get ready to be charmed by a unique landmark that blends nature and timekeeping – the iconic Flower Clock in Viña del Mar! Here's a glimpse of the experience that awaits you: A Visual Delight: Witness a vibrant tapestry of colorful flowers meticulously arranged to form a giant clock face. Imagine the breathtaking spectacle of seasonal blooms continuously changing the clock's design throughout the year. Prepare to be amazed by the horticultural artistry that brings this timepiece to life. A Photogenic Gem: The Flower Clock is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Snap stunning pictures against the backdrop of this unique landmark, capturing the vibrant colors and intricate design. Share your photos with friends and family, showcasing a piece of Viña del Mar's charm. A visit to the Flower Clock offers a delightful blend of visual intrigue, historical significance, and a touch of tranquility. It's a must-see for anyone exploring the charming city of Viña del Mar.
2.
During this panoramic view we will see 'Wulff Castle', a historic palace in Viña del Mar that was built in 1906 for the Wulff family. Nowadays it is the headquarters of the City Heritage Center. We will also see Ross Castle, built in 1912 by the architect Cruz Montt, being an interesting building which holds years of history within a natural environment. Basically it is the Tudor architectural style born in England during the sixteenth century and whose characteristics are identified with the sophistication and wealth.
3.
-'Moai' are monolithic human figures carved by the 'Rapa Nui' people on Easter Island in eastern Polynesia between the years 1250 and 1500. Carved at 'Rano Raraku', the main 'moai' quarry, these statues were transported from there and set on stone platforms called 'ahu' around the island's perimeter. This 'moai' was brought from Easter Island in 1951 and now is part of the collection of Fonck Archaeological museum. The guide will give you a comprehensive explanation about the island and the 'Rapa Nui' culture. *NOTE: You can also visit the interesting Fonck Museum but entrance tickets are NOT INCLUDED, they will be covered by the passengers. Fees are USD 4 per person.
4.
Palacio Carrasco, built by Emilio Carrasco -a wealthy mines owner- in 1912, now houses the Municipal Library and it is also used for arts exhibitions. The building is also surrounded by nice gardens adorned with fine sculptures including 'La defense' an original Auguste Rodin bronze statue. This sculpture was originally made by the artist to commemorate the defense of Paris during the French-Prussian War but it didn't win the contest. Later Rodin himself offered it to the Chilean government -as a memorial- but this proposal was rejected. Finally in 1964, the City of Viña del Mar bought one of the 12 'authorized' and signed by the artist statues, therefore an original one.
5.
A scenic coastal experience awaits! Witness the dramatic rock formations jutting out from the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. Reñaca Beach offers beautiful golden sands and crashing waves, creating a picturesque backdrop for your encounter with marine wildlife. Sea Lion Encounter: Get up close to a colony of playful sea lions basking on the rocks. Observe their natural behaviors like sunbathing, barking, and interacting with each other. This sight is sure to bring a smile to your face and create lasting memories. Overall, a visit to Sea Lion Rock offers a unique opportunity to witness Chilean wildlife in its natural habitat, while enjoying the beauty of the Viña del Mar coastline.
6.
-Panoramic view of the historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaiso: this vibrant city is an exceptional testimony to the early phase of globalization in the late 19th century, when it became the leading commercial port on the sea routes of the Pacific coast of South America. We are going to stroll these plenty of history streets, heading towards the two most eclectic hills on this seaport driving up on winding, narrow and steep hillside lanes.
7.
This small but with a big seafood culture cove, called 'Caleta Portales', serves as the home to many fishermen, catching and selling fresh produce daily. Enjoy visiting this Fish Market just by the ocean where fisherman line their old and colourful boats side by side selling their daily catch, and learn from the guide all about the various fish and seafood from the cold Chilean Pacific Ocean. Stroll down the pier and keep an eye out for sea lions, pelicans, cormorants and kelp gulls as they hang around the shore and will be extra friendly if you have fish. NOTE: This activity might be affected by the traffic during weekends. We suggest ONLY consider to stop in this beautiful place from Monday to Friday.
8.
We then drive through Viña del Mar, Chile’s “Garden City,” where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the city, the local Casino as well as the city’s pristine beaches to finally reach the 'Oceanic Rock' and the majestic 'Dunes of Concon'.
9.
Embark on a charming journey through time and terrain aboard the Ascensor Concepción, Valparaiso's oldest funicular railway. Here's what you can expect: A Nostalgic Ride: Step back in time as you board the historical Ascensor Concepción. Imagine the brightly colored carriages, adorned with wooden interiors, transporting you up the hill like a scene straight out of a postcard. Enjoy the unique perspective of Valparaíso's colorful houses cascading down the hillside. Reaching the summit of Concepción Hill isn't the end of the journey. Explore the charming Paseo Gervasioni, a pedestrian walkway lined with cafes, shops, and street art. Delve into the cultural and historical significance of the hill, or simply relax and soak in the panoramic views. A ride on the Ascensor Concepción offers a delightful blend of history, adventure, and breathtaking vistas. It's a quintessential Valparaíso experience that shouldn't be missed!
10.
Prepare to be captivated by the charm and artistic spirit of Paseo Gervasoni, a hidden gem nestled atop Concepción Hill in Valparaíso. Here's a glimpse of the experience that awaits you: -Panoramic Paradise: As you arrive at Paseo Gervasoni, breathtaking panoramic views of Valparaíso will greet you. Imagine the vibrant city sprawling out before you, with the sparkling Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. Capture unforgettable photos and soak in the beauty of this unique vantage point. A Gateway to Further Exploration: Paseo Gervasoni serves as a gateway to further adventures in Valparaíso. From here, you can easily access other historical landmarks like the Anglican Saint Paul's Church or delve deeper into the vibrant street art scene in neighboring Cerro Alegre. A visit to Paseo Gervasoni offers a delightful blend of breathtaking views, artistic expression, and historical charm. It's a must-see for anyone seeking a unique and captivating experience in Valparaíso.
11.
All throughout Valparaíso, you’ll see tons of house walls full of street art, but Templeman St. is definitely one of the most beautiful alleys. Here we start the street art pathways! As we walked through the streets we will be amazed by all the beautiful wall paintings and 'graffiti'.
12.
*Atkinson Promenade: Nestled in one of the oldest and most traditional hills of the seaport of Valparaíso, this short and unique in its category promenade overlooking the harbor in the historic part of the city, shows the visitors how European settlers lived in the nineteenth century in a purest British Victorian style. Also you could see awesome views of the East side of Valparaiso, hills, and the Centenary Catholic and Dissident cemeteries.
13.
*Dimalow Promenade: An interesting alley which take you to 'Ascensor Reina Victoria' (elevator/lift/funicular) that is located at the very end of this 'boulevard'. There is a small 'belvedere' that joins the elevator with Montt Street; here visitors can find lovely 'cafés' and good places to eat. The elevator was named 'Reina Victoria' honoring Her Majesty Queen Victoria who died one year before the elevator was inaugurated (in 1902). Many important people from the British colony lived in this neighborhood. We will take a ride in this quaint 'ascensor' to get the plain side of Valparaiso and enjoying the street art in Atahualpa St.
14.
In the center of this square is the Monument to the Heroes of the Pacific Ocean War (1879) where Captain Arturo Prat was the leader of the main battle; it was inaugurated in 1885. Heritage buildings surround Prat's monument, and one of the most remarkable is perhaps the old Intendance, which currently houses the Chilean Navy Headquarter. We could also see in this spot the First Fire Company of Chile and the Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage which show us its particular 'Bauhaus' architectural style. After this attraction we will head straight towards Santiago to drop you off in your accommodation place. Cheers!
15.
NOTE: This is an OPTIONAL excursion during this full day experience in Valparaíso. But it is a 'must see' and also is a 'Mecca' for those who are on the hunt for good street art destinations in the world. Atahualpa lane is such an exceptional spot where each door has been decorated by a different artist; it is highly recommended to walk around this section in Valparaíso, as it seemed every alley and sidewalk has many treasures to display to the street art lovers.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Global635261
Lucas made us feel like we were friends as he took us around Valparaiso. He was knowledgeable and even those questions he wasn't sure about he made sure to fact check it. I felt like we got our moneys worth as we got to experience the old with the new. I highly recommend him for a private or group tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-04 08:01:18

Posted By : holmesdal
Julio was excellent and so was Matius the driver. He will customize your trip for you. Great winery Estancia and Valpairiso and Del Mar and beaches beautiful. Gracias Julio!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-07 09:17:04

Posted By : Curtis_S
Julio and his son Matis are a dynamic tourist team. Julio shares all his knowledge while Matis safely drives us to each destinations. They are a top notch operation and very pleasant travel companions!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-04 16:52:03

Posted By : MonsieurBernard2015
Matias and Lucas (Julio’s sons) provided us (2 couples) a comprehensive, wonderful experience of Valparaiso and Santiago over 5 days. We knew in advance that we would end up in Valparaiso with a gap of four days before our next cruise. We saw the reviews of Julio Private Tours and engaged with Julio about how he could help us during this time when none of us had ever been to Chile before. He constructed a program that started with picking us up at the port in Valparaiso and ended with dropping us off at the port in San Antonio 5 days later. We were shuttled around in a comfortable van and shown the sights as well as enjoying wonderful experiences at outstanding Chilean wineries. Matias is a tremendously skilled driver and we felt very safe in his hands. Lucas provided all the tour commentary and was constantly making sure our tour was meeting our needs. If you are like us and want an stress-free and very friendly guided tour experience, Julio Private Tours is for you!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-26 10:58:51

Posted By : 472DavidC472
We did the tour to Viña del mar and Valparaiso from Santiago. Julio was unwell but we had his sons, Mattias who chauffeured us around, and Lucas as the main guide. We had a wonderful experience seeing the fish market, with Lucas translating as we spoke with the fishermen/women. Amazing array at the wet market with the busy-ness and hubbub associated with a true working market, smells, splashes, fish guts included! It was instructive to see the recycling of offal into the waiting mouths of sealions and gulls. Lunch was a whole lot of fun with Mattias talking and Lucas translating to us about meal traditions. Lots of laughs and animated discussion. Then the walk around Valparaiso….
Lucas and Mattias walked with us showing classical buildings from the golden age of this city to the colourful bohemian neighbourhoods that it is so well known for. In total, it was like a day out with favourite family. We enjoyed it so much we requested another day tour and saw a whole other side of Santiago. But, that is another story!

Sorry we didn’t meet you Julio, but your boys really excelled.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-18 22:33:44

Posted By : Steve_C
This is the tour to take if you really want to see Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar. Julio, our personal guide, was outstanding in every way. He is a very personable individual with a wealth of knowledge and stories to share with you., all in excellent English. He is an outstanding driver with a very comfortable SUV. He will show you sights, up close and personal, that otherwise you would not see. Our lunch at the Restaurant La Concepción might have been the highlight of the tour. The food and view of the harbor were both superb. We highly recommend you take his tour. Both my wife and I absolutely enjoyed our day touring with Julio Peraldi.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-17 13:00:56

Posted By : Trek39838211546
Julio was a fantastic guide. We really enjoyed our tour of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar with him. He was very personable and accommodating and his English was very good. We particularly enjoyed our morning visit to the fish market in Valparaiso.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-16 15:02:06

Posted By : cairhien
Cannot recommend Julio enough in terms of visiting Valparaiso and Vina del mar. Aside from the depth of knowledge and connections with various locals in Valparaiso and Vina del mar - Julio was able to adapt the tour to the preferences of my sister and I. We didn't send through any details to him prior to the tour.

The van was clean and well stocked with water as well as travel sickness bags. Julio is very kind and considerate as well as being super knowledgeable and navigated the steep cobblestoned roads like the seasoned pro he is.

For anyone concerned about the impact of the fires in early 2024 - note that the places outlined in the description of tour was not impacted by the fires. I am super glad that I did not cancel as I would have missed out on an amazing day.

For the next time I'm back in Chile - I'll definitely be reaching out to Julio.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-09 22:18:51

Posted By : claudiamX1088GD
We had an amazing time with Julio. He planned a wonderful day for us that included a kind and attentive driver and a comfortable, clean van. Julio gave us interesting information and a variety of things to see that gave us a glimpse of the culture, people, architecture and iconic places in Valparaiso and vicinity that we would have not been able to see on our own. Julio was easy to engage with and he aimed to please and suggested a delicious lunch spot that was perfect. I would use Julio again if I returned to Valparaiso and recommend him highly!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-05 09:45:04

Posted By : victoriacR3317BI
I cannot imagine a better way to see Valparaiso in a day than with Julio and his son/driver Lucas. My husband & I had a spectacular day learning about the sights, people and customs of this fascinating, historical city. We also enjoyed the time we spent on the beautiful coast--seeing sea lions play--as well as in the public gardens.
We highly recommend Julio for his warmth, knowledge and good company. His son was an excellent/safe driver of their clean and comfortable car.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-03 20:36:12