The route at a glance
- Day 1: Santiago on foot and by Metro
- Day 2: A city viewpoint and neighbourhood time
- Day 3: Drive to Valparaíso
- Day 4: A coastal morning, then back inland
- Day 5: Maipo Valley or a mountain alternative
Day 1: Santiago on foot and by Metro
Explore Plaza de Armas and the historic centre before continuing towards Lastarria. Leave time for Cerro Santa Lucía if access and weather permit, or choose an indoor museum instead. Stay in Santiago tonight; a hire car adds parking work to a day that is easier without it.
Keep the first afternoon flexible after a long flight. Do not schedule several timed museums on an arrival day.
Day 2: A city viewpoint and neighbourhood time
Use the day for Cerro San Cristóbal and Bellavista, choosing the hill transport that is operating during your visit. Spend the afternoon in Barrio Italia or return to Lastarria. Choose one main viewpoint rather than paying for several versions of the same skyline.
Check operator hours for hill transport and individual museums before fixing the day order. Leave your luggage at the same city base for a second night.
Day 3: Drive to Valparaíso
Collect the car for the journey west towards Valparaíso. After checking in and parking securely, explore Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción on foot. The hills, stairs and narrow streets reward a compact plan; do not try to drive between every viewpoint. Stay on the coast tonight.
Allow room for congestion leaving Santiago and for finding parking on arrival. A Casablanca Valley stop is possible if it is booked and does not squeeze out the afternoon; the driver should skip alcohol.
Day 4: A coastal morning, then back inland
Spend the morning finishing Valparaíso or choose a short outing towards Viña del Mar. Return to Santiago with a generous margin for traffic. This avoids a long coast-to-mountains day and keeps the evening easy before the Maipo outing.
If you prefer public transport, make the coastal visit by interurban bus and use a guided excursion for the next day instead of hiring a car for the whole trip.
Day 5: Maipo Valley or a mountain alternative
Use the final full day for Pirque and a prebooked Maipo Valley winery visit. Arrange a non-drinking driver or an organised transfer for tastings. If mountains matter more than wine, replace this day with a Cajón del Maipo outing; do not assume the road to El Yeso is accessible.
For a same-day flight, cut the excursion and protect the airport transfer. Weather, road restrictions and rental conditions decide the mountain version, not the attraction list.
Make the practical details work
Suggested nights: two in Santiago, one on the coast and one back in Santiago. Add another night if you want both a winery day and a mountain day.
Check rental insurance, parking, toll arrangements and permitted roads before collection. A standard car suits the ordinary city-and-coast route; a mountain extension needs a separate road and vehicle check.
Cost the car only for the days needed, then add parking, tolls, fuel and any guided visits. Winery prices and accommodation depend on the operator and date; this route does not assume a fixed package price.
Make this route fit your trip
Change the length, pace, interests or starting point. The planner opens with Santiago, Chile and 5 days already selected.
Create my own itinerary →Useful planning links
- Chile Travel: Santiago, coast and Maipo routes
- Official Cajón del Maipo route information
- Chile Travel: Maipo Valley
Route reviewed 30 October 2026. Use the linked visitor and operator information to check current ticket arrangements before booking.