This 3 hour walking tour from port to high hills will help you find your feet and lose your mind as you discover the Heritage Site of Valparaiso. In Valparaiso it is easy to get lost in the maze of alleyways and street art. We lead you around not only enhancing your sense of direction but filling you with our knowledge and wisdom of locally named “Valpo”. An adventure that takes you through your senses of taste, smell, vision and laughter (ok that last one might not be a sense, but if it was it’s going to be tickled). Today you will ride a 100 year old funicular, learn about Chileans favourite food and find out which Valpo street dog is called David Bowie. A personal tour around the heritage site spots that will help you find your feet while losing your mind!
Why take THIS tour, Why THIS tour with La Bicicleta Verde? Taking a wander with us is like hanging out with your older brothers cool friend, they know all the cool places in town! Find out where to eat, drink and party along with the little quirks of Valpo only a local would know. All this along with the town’s cultural, political, architectural and religious background. It’s impossible to discover Valpo by bus or vehicle, walking is the only way to see the hidden gems. We choose our guides on the basis of how much they love Valparaiso. If they convince us of this as well as making us laugh and feeling comfortable we know they can make you as passionate as Valpo as we are. If you aren’t convinced yet you can check us out on TripAdvisor, we have maaaad references!
Who should NOT take this tour? If you hate meeting new people or seeing controversial if not a little offensive art then you are in the wrong place completely. Now that you are in a bit of a smaller town we like to be more interactive and friendly. In our tours people get to know each other and learn each others stories. If you are a more traditional type that likes a bright white clean house then you may not like Valpo. All the houses here look like they have been sprinkled on by a concoction of colour and art.
Check out our sustainability policy here.
Tour Details
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Start TimeBetween 9AM and 3PM (Subject to Availability)
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Price$75 USD Per Person - Ask for a discount with groups over 4.
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Duration2.5/3 hours (Prefer Full Day Tour?)
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AvailabilityEvery SINGLE day!
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Start/FinishPlaza Sotomayor
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Distance4km Up and Downhill at a leisurely pace
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What to BringOnly yourself and comfy clothes, maybe slap on some sunscreen!
Tour Itinerary
The Port
Meet for your personal tour with your green guru guide at our Valparaiso office. Once we have all met one another we make our way to the port.
Spot the port, we discuss the “golden era” of the mid 19th century. Valpo played a huge role in trade, stock exchange and had Chile’s first public library. We discuss some of the most important buildings around the port before heading off to the centre of town together.
FUNiculars
By now you will be raring to discover the winding cobbled streets. No better way to get there than the local bus which is older than your grandparents. By taking this we skip past the more commercial side of town heading towards the nitty and gritty of it all. You will see the difference when you disembark of the bus. The streets are bended and the bars and restaurants are plentiful. Your guide will tell you their favourite spot for notorious Valpo grub.
We continue up up up! You’re knees won’t be as strong as Valpo locals' who have experience in constantly walking on hills. So it’s time to take a somewhat safe but shaky ride on Valparaiso’s infamous funiculars (beginning with FUN for good reason).
Cerro Alegre, Concepcion
Together we will explore the wealthy hills of Cerro Alegre, Concepcion. You will discover bohemian hotels, 5 star restaurants and wild nightclubs. Valparaiso is build on a natural amphitheatre of 45 seaside hills connected by a maze-like system of side-streets and endless stairways. Lucky you have your Wally to lead the way through these streets with jaw dropping views.
Here, with the backdrop of both Catholic and Protestant churches we will discover how they came to be. Now there is mostly peace between the two churches, but Wally will tell you stories of the strange arguments in the past between the two religions.
Graffiti Rich Walls
Onwards we go to the poorer hills, but with lack of money comes an inflow of creativity visible on these even more boho hills. You will struggle to find a section of wall that isn’t covered in art. We will see weird and eclectic homes. You will begin to understand why, Pablo Neruda wrote that if we walked all Valparaiso’s stairs, we would make a trip around the world.
But not to worry we stop at one of our favourite locals house, he even has a delicious treat for us!
We began our descend through the winding alleys to go back to the flat area.
After the Tour - Hit the Bar or Have Lunch?
We end the tour in one of Valparaiso’s oldest buildings, which also happens to be our office. Good thing we end before dark, we insure to leave before sundown when the potential ghosts come out. Ask your guide any questions that might be left. Your guide will point you in the direction you need to go weather it be the bus station, somewhere for a good meal or your hostel. All this while we sip on Chile's famous Chichon cocktail. You’re now ready to explore the city on your own. This is not your typical boring dates and old dead-men tour. Our guides are going to show you the heart and soul of the Valparaiso. A perfect way to discover Chile's Golden Jewel for you culture seekers.
