Day Trips in Chile: 8 That Fill a Day Properly

1.Portillo and Laguna del Inca Day Trip with Picnic

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 572 reviews · 10 hours · from $45Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned minivan from Santiago to Portillo and Laguna del Inca, with stops at Salto del Soldado and Ruta Los Caracoles. Your guide, such as Sebastián, Sol, Carlos, or Emilio, shares local stories in Spanish or Portuguese. You get mountain views, free time by the lagoon, and a simple picnic near Los Andes.

“As described and expected. The picnic is not much but fair for the price.”

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2.1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Cable Car Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 332 reviews · 1 day · from $60

See Santiago by London-style double-decker bus, then ride the Teleférico and historic Funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal. You can hop off at 10 stops for Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, Santa Lucía Hill, major malls, parks, and Providencia. Recorded commentary comes in six languages, while the Turistik app shows stops and bus locations.

“The tour was fine. It takes you around to the places that are important in the city, but the only two that were really worth getting off in my opinion are the plaza de armas and cable car.”

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3.Valle Nevado and Farellones Ski-Center Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 110 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $51

Travel from Santiago into the Andes on a 9 to 10-hour guided trip to Farellones and Valle Nevado. You will see the city from above, visit El Colorado, reach 3,000 meters, and have time for lunch. Christian has earned praise for attentive guiding, but service can vary by driver. Lift tickets, food, and equipment cost extra.

“El Guía solo realizó 1 parada durante la subida, la Van es muy pequeña para la cantidad de personas que llevaban, no se puede ver ni disfrutar del paisaje REALMENTE NO RECOMIENDO REALIZAR ESTE TOUR CON ESTA EMPRESA No realizó ninguna parada en Farellones a pesar de que el tour dice Farellones, el guía solo pasa con la Van y dice esto es Farellones Realmente no lo recomiendo”

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4.Red Rocks & Altiplano Lagoons Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 108 reviews · 10 hours · from $129Top rated

Travel from San Pedro de Atacama to the Tropic of Capricorn, Chaxa Lagoon, Red Rocks, and the high Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons. A bilingual guide explains desert wildlife, geology, and local life, with breakfast, lunch, park entries, and hotel pickup included. Expect thin air, cold wind, and a 1-hour-15-minute walk at about 3,800 meters.

“Lu was a super guide. We managed to see almost all the wildlife that was possible (next time, pumas!). Really good value for money. Recommended”

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5.Puerto Natales: Day Trip to Perito Moreno Glacier Argentina

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 100 reviews · 16 hours · from $175

Travel from Puerto Natales to Argentina’s Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park on a 16-hour guided day trip. English and Spanish support, round-trip transport, and guides such as José and Silvia make the long crossing easier. Bring your passport, Argentine pesos, and a packed ham-and-cheese sandwich. The boat ride is optional and highly recommended.

“Worth the long journey. The Perito Moreno Glacier was superbly majestic.”

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6.Puerto Varas: Peulla Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 10 hours · from $66

Travel from Puerto Varas through Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park to Petrohué Falls, then sail Todos los Santos Lake by catamaran to Peulla. Your guide, possibly Alfredo, handles the transport and timing in Spanish or English. You get free time for lunch and optional activities, but park entry, food, and excursions cost extra.

“Foi um passeio bem agradável até a chegada a Peulla. O almoço no hotel foi apressado pois tinha um passeio para ver animais na fazenda. O passeio deixou a desejar. É mais adequado para quem tem crianças.”

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7.Caracoles: Red Stones of Atacama and Chaxa Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 56 reviews · 10 hours · from $85

Spend 10 hours with a Spanish- or English-speaking guide exploring Chaxa Lagoon, the Red Stones, Aguas Calientes, and the Meñiques and Miscanti lagoons. Brandon, Valentin, and driver Alvaro have helped make this a well-organized day, with breakfast, lunch, wildlife stops, and hotel pickup included.

“Brandon was super knowledgable about the area and the tour was extremely informative.”

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8.Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 10 hours · from $45

Travel from Santiago to Valle Nevado in a small van, climbing 60 mountain curves beside the Mapocho River. You get about five hours at 3,000 meters for skiing, sightseeing, lunch, and park activities. Hotel pickup, a guide, and drop-off are included, but park admission, ski passes, food, and rental clothing cost extra. Guides may include Ítalo or Albert.

“A visita ao Valle Nevado vale super a pena! Porém, se estiver em mais pessoas recomendo verificar as condições da pista e se estiver boa e sem neve, sugiro alugar um carro. Assim poderá aproveitar mais o parque. A van retorna as 15 horas e o parque fecha às 17 horas.”

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