Talking to The Walls

After getting a decent rest it was time for more exploring as I had an early morning tour booked into the Andes to the Inca Lagoon and famous Portillo Hotel. After being picked up by the tour group we made our way into the Andes and made a stop off at a family owned winery called In Situ. There was a wine tasting set up and was able to try the white and red wines with stunning views of the Andes in the background.

After the wine tasting next stop was in the mountains to visit the Llamas. Being able to get up close and feed the Llamas was a highlight for sure as they are pretty friendly and interactive.

Next up was a stop for lunch at the famous Inca Lagoon and Hotel Portillo. To reach the top you have to take a road that features 29 turns that zig zags up the mountain. Or the best road to take if you are afraid of heights!

Once you reach the top you arrive at the Hotel Portillo which is very famous for its views of the Inca Lagoon and is also a ski resort. I was able to explore the views for a little bit before having lunch at the hotel. The views were incredible and definitely a highlight of the trip!

This tour is definitely one I would recommend and was glad I was able to see. After the tour it was time to make the way back to Santiago for a quick dinner and to rest up for the next day. For dinner I found a Pisco bar called “Chile Libre” were I was able to try a few different Piscos served with Ceviché and Empanadas.

After getting some rest it was time to get up early again for my next tour which would explore the coastal towns of Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar. Once again this was an amazing tour as the city of Valparaiso is built on multiple hills and has some amazing views and street art.

The tour guide was great as was very knowledgeable explaining the history of the city and how it used to be the most important port in Latin America. The original Funicular to get up the hills is still in operation as well which dates back to 1883. I was very impressed with the city as it reminded me a bit of one of my favourite cities, San Francisco, but has its own unique vibe. I even made a friend with a stray dog on the tour and wish I could have brought home with me!

After visiting Valparaiso, the next stop was the coastal town of Vina del Mar. Just a quick 10 minute drive from Valparaiso but a completely different set up and it is built around the beaches and Pacific Ocean.

Before heading back to Santiago there was a quick stop to see one of the statues from Easter Island which was cool to see as the trip to Easter Island is about a 6 hour flight. It was a great opportunity to see one of the statues up close.

After a long day it was time to get back to Santiago. Upon arriving back in the city I made my way to El Hoyo for dinner. This was on my list as it is one of the oldest restaurants in Santiago (113 years old) and I had known about it as Anthony Bourdain has stopped there in his travels to Chile. I was able to try the famous Terremoto drink which consists of white wine, grenadine and pineapple ice cream. I also tried “Pichanga” which is an appetizer with vegetables, pickles, olives, cheese and ham as well as a full pork leg for the main with boiled potatoes. The restaurant has a great vibe with loud music and great service from the bartenders.

Today will be a rest day just exploring the city and picking out some souvenirs and to rest up for the next tour!