Tours

Sernatur, the national tourism service, maintains a listing of experienced individual tour guides, who run half-day tours of Santiago and the surrounding area.

Chilean Travel Services. Chilean Travel Services handle tours of Santiago and other parts of Chile. Antonio Bellet 77, Office 101, Providencia, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 7500000. 2/2251–0400; www.ctsturismo.cl.

FoodyChile. The name of Colin Bennett's tour company is a play on words, meaning both "foodie Chile" and "food and Chile." Tours, booked online only, are always small, personalized, and focus on consumables, including wine, craft beer, and sweets. There are lunches and dinners hosted in private homes, as well as market tours. Providencia, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 7500000. 9/9538–4342; www.foodychile.com. From 60000 pesos.

Fotoruta. Cat Allen, a photographer with lots of experience leading people around Santiago on foot, has a lovely way of encouraging you to take beautiful pictures, no matter the skill level. Check out the Streetscape or iPhoneography classes; also explore further afield on a Valparaíso tour. Some classes have a photo-sharing session at the end. Bellavista, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 7500000. 9/8766–6844; www.foto-ruta.com. From US$32.

Turismo Cocha. One of the biggest players in the Chilean tourism industry, Cocha books tours inside and outside of Chile, as well as hotels, airfare, and cruises. Single-day city tours are available, but the main focus is on multiday tours with lodging at three-, four-, and five-star hotels. The main office is in El Golf (Las Condes), but there are 13 offices around the city, including one at the airport that's open 24 hours. El Bosque Norte 0430, Las Condes, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 7550092. 2/2464–1000; www.cocha.com. From 100,000 pesos.

Upscape. This adventure tour company prides itself on running tours no one else does, such as heliskiing at Ski Arpa and thematic tours of Santiago, including Jewish culture, bicycling, and food. The company also organizes multiday trips inside and outside of Santiago, extending to the north and south of the country and beyond to Argentina and Uruguay. Tegualda 1352, Providencia, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, 7500587. 2/2244–2750; www.upscapetravel.com. From US$74.