What are the key attractions covered in the first few days when starting from Santiago?

The early days of most tours begin in Santiago with visits to the city's essential sites. Travelers explore the Plaza de Armas central square and see the Metropolitan Cathedral with its classic neoclassical design. The presidential La Moneda Palace offers a glimpse into Chile's political history. Many tours take guests through the arts-focused Lastarria district and up to Cerro Santa Lucia for city views. Day trips often venture to Casablanca Valley for wine experiences or to the colorful port city of Valparaíso. As one TourRadar traveler notes: "Starting in Santiago gave us the perfect mix of city culture and Andean landscapes with the first days spent exploring historic sites and enjoying Chilean wine tastings."

What kind of accommodation options are available in Santiago for tours heading to the Andes?

Santiago's accommodations for Andes tours fall into three main groups: tourist-level 3-star properties like Hotel Presidente standard 4-star hotels such as Hotel Providencia and luxury 5-star options including Plaza el Bosque Ebro. These properties are picked for their locations near key attractions and all include breakfast service. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The hotels in Santiago and Atacama were picked carefully with excellent access to downtown areas and restaurants."

What weather conditions should I expect when starting a tour from Santiago to the Andes?

Santiago's weather follows Mediterranean patterns. Summer months from December through February see temperatures reach 85°F (29°C) while winter from June to August brings milder conditions around 52°F (11°C). The temperature changes become more dramatic as tours move into the Andes. A TourRadar traveler notes: "We weren't properly advised about what to bring for the Atacama desert. You need to pack both warm and cool weather clothing as temperatures vary drastically between day and night."

Are there any recommended day trips from Santiago before starting the Andes journey?

Before heading to the mountains visitors often take day trips to the coastal cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar or explore the vineyards of Casablanca Valley. The Cajón del Maipo canyon offers another popular option. These trips usually start from central hotels like Hotel Le Reve or Renaissance Santiago. One TourRadar traveler shared: "The day trip to Valparaiso was a highlight before our Andes adventure showing us Chile's coastal charm."

How do I get from Santiago International Airport to the starting point of Andes tours?

Most tours include private transfers from Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport to downtown hotels such as Hotel Pullman El Bosque or Renaissance Santiago. The drive takes 30-45 minutes. Drivers meet guests at arrival gate 3 with clear signs. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The airport pickup was perfectly organized making our arrival in Santiago stress-free before starting our Andes adventure."

What cultural experiences can I expect in Santiago before heading to the Andes?

Santiago offers visits to La Vega Market Pablo Neruda's La Chascona house and Metropolitan Park. Many tours include Chilean cooking classes wine sampling at Concha y Toro vineyard and walks through historic areas like Patronato. Hotel Pullman El Bosque serves as a common base for these activities. As shared by a TourRadar traveler: "The cultural immersion in Santiago was incredible from local markets to wine tasting before we ventured into the mountains."

Andes Mountains Tours from Santiago

The Andes Mountains are iconic for a reason. How about trekking in Patagonia's famous Torres del Paine National Park, climbing through a beautiful lenga forest to the Las Torres towers, or paying a visit to the impressive and mesmerising Grey Glacier? Patagonia's landscapes are genuinely breathtaking, but don’t miss exploring Santiago in great detail too. All of it is an adventure more than worth having.

10 best Andes Mountains tours from Santiago

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Hiking & Trekking
Chile to Argentina: Patagonia Peaks & Starry Nights
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Santiago, Puerto Varas, Osorno Volcano, Chiloe Island,Puerto Montt,Puerto Natales,Torres del Paine,El Calafate,Los Glaciares National Park,Perito Moreno Glacier,El Chalten,Buenos Aires+8 more
Age Range
Ages 18-39
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
From
US$4,799per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Hiking & Trekking
Ultimate Patagonia
4.7 (3 traveler reviews)
"I had a fantastic time and the scenery was beautiful."
MaryDeNitto, traveled in October
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Santiago, Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales,Torres del Paine National Park,El Chalten,Mount Fitz Roy,Perito Moreno Glacier,El Calafate+5 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
OneSeed Expeditions
From
US$9,339per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Explorer
Santiago and the Chilean Patagonia
4.3 (3 traveler reviews)
"The hotels were good. Communication with Ripio Turismo worked well."
Leopold, traveled in February
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Santiago, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, Puerto Varas,Frutillar,Ancud,Castro,Dalcahue,Puerto Montt,Petrohue,Puerto Natales,Mylodon Cave Natural Monument,Cerro Castillo,Torres del Paine National Park,Lake Pehoé,Lago Nordenskjöld,Perito Moreno Glacier,El Calafate,Punta Arenas+15 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
RipioTurismo
From
US$2,350per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Vineyards, Desert & Salt, Chile & Bolivia 11 days tour
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Santiago, Vina del Mar, Valparaiso, Calama,Valle de la Luna,Uyuni,Lake Titicaca,La Paz+4 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Mountain
Andes Mountains
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
GUIDEcuador Travel
From
US$3,490per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Hiking & Trekking
Classic Patagonia Treks
5.0 (10 traveler reviews)
"Huge glaciers, massive rock pinnacles, spectacular landscapes, interesting clouds and friendly locals make it a great holiday."
Andrew, traveled in January
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Santiago, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park,El Calafate,El Chalten,Los Glaciares National Park,Mount Fitz Roy,Glaciar Cagliero,Buenos Aires+6 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
2% Off
From $11,100
US$10,900per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Northern Chile and Uyuni, end in La Paz (12 Days)
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The itinerary itself is great - city life, water, desert and then the amazing salt flats!"
Michelle, traveled in January
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Santiago, Valparaiso, San Pedro De Atacama, La Paz
Age Range
Ages 18+
Mountain
Andes Mountains
Operated in
English
Operator
Hi Travel Argentina
2% Off
From
US$990per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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In-depth Cultural
Highlights of Chile & Argentina
4.4 (15 traveler reviews)
"Valparaiso was vibrant and quirky, Pucon wild and adventurous, Bariloche breathtakingly beautiful and quaint."
Terry, traveled in September
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Santiago, Valparaiso, Pucon, San Carlos De Bariloche,Buenos Aires+1 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Mountain
Andes Mountains
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
From $2,799
US$2,099per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Highlights of Chile - Atacama to Paine
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Santiago, Valparaiso, Calama, San Pedro De Atacama,Salar de Atacama,El Tatio,Puerto Montt,Puerto Varas,Osorno Volcano,Punta Arenas,Magdalena Island,Torres del Paine National Park,Puerto Natales+9 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Mountain
Andes Mountains
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
25% Off
From
US$7,050per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
18 Days Santiago, San Pedro de Atacama, Puerto Varas and Patagonia
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The tour was structured very well. The tour is really recommended."
Nahman, traveled in January
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Santiago, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, Casablanca,San Pedro De Atacama,El Tatio,Valle de la Luna,Socaire,Puerto Varas,Petrohue,Ensenada,Chiloe Island,Ancud,Puerto Montt,Punta Arenas,Magdalena Island,Puerto Natales,Torres del Paine National Park+14 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Mountain
Andes Mountains
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Responsible Travel South America
2% Off
From $6,600
US$6,500per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
12 Days Chilean Wonders: Santiago, Atacama, and Uyuni Expedition
3.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Santiago, Maipo, San Pedro De Atacama, Valle de la Luna,Salar de Atacama,Ojos del Salado,El Tatio,Villa Mar,Uyuni,Uyuni Salt Flat,Colchani,Calama+8 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Mountain
Andes Mountains
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Responsible Travel South America
3% Off
From $3,990
US$3,890per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
11 Days Ultimate Patagonian Adventure: Journey from Santiago to Chile and Argentina
4.0 (4 traveler reviews)
"The trip was well organized."
Dawn, traveled in March
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Santiago, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park,El Calafate,Perito Moreno Glacier,Buenos Aires+3 more
Age Range
Ages 14+
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Responsible Travel South America
3% Off
From $3,900
US$3,800per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
11 Days Santiago, San Pedro de Atacama and Puerto Varas
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The itinerary flowed well and the hotels, guides and drivers we were allocated were above expectation."
Jill, traveled in April
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Santiago, Casablanca, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar,San Pedro De Atacama,Ojos del Salado,El Tatio,Valle de la Luna,Salar de Atacama,Socaire,Puerto Montt,Puerto Varas,Petrohue,Ensenada,Osorno Volcano,Llanquihue Lake,Vicente Perez Rosales National Park,Ancud+14 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Mountain
Andes Mountains
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Responsible Travel South America
2% Off
From $4,350
US$4,250per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
City, Volcanoes and Glaciers in Chile
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"The sites visited were beautiful and guides were well-informed and friendly. The tour company made every effort to accommodate our needs."
Lori, traveled in March
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Santiago, Vina del Mar, Valparaiso, Puerto Varas,Llanquihue Lake,Vicente Perez Rosales National Park,Petrohue,Osorno Volcano,Ensenada,Puerto Natales,Cerro Castillo,Torres del Paine National Park,Lago Nordenskjöld,Lake Pehoé,Mylodon Cave Natural Monument,Balmaceda+12 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
People Travel and Experience
2% Off
From
US$2,660per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Chile - Santiago, progressive city
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"It would've been nice to see a little bit more of vina Del Mar and Valparaiso but other than that I loved it!"
Mitchell, traveled in August
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Santiago, Vina del Mar, Valparaiso
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Andes MountainsChilean Coastal RangeCentral Chile+2 more
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Receptivo Aborigen Tours
15% Off
From $469
US$399per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
South America Wonders: Patagonia Glaciers, Iguazu Falls & Rio | 18 Days · 4-Star
5.0 (6 traveler reviews)
"The perfect combination of natural wonders and beautiful cosmopolitan cities, especially Rio and Copacabana Beach."
Sean, traveled in January
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Chile Argentina Brazil
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Andes MountainsPatagonia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
15% Off
From $5,299
US$4,504per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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