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Valparaiso Region
Valparaiso
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Michael the German Pirate
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Michael the German Pirate

See all things to do
See all things to do
Michael the German Pirate
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#7 of 84 Tours & Activities in Valparaiso
Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours
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Tailor-made private tours in Valparaiso and its surrounds off the beaten path and at your own pace.
Valparaiso, Chile
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Tours and Tickets by Michael the German Pirate

Discover the treasures of Valparaiso with a local

39
By Michael the German Pirate
Cable Car Tours
3–4 hours
It is a unique experience with a lot of inside knowledge. All our excursions are tailor-made designed after the needs and…
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
from
$143.59
per adult
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
190 reviews
Excellent
181
Very good
3
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Vacationer766364
1 contribution
Friendly and interesting transfer to Valpo
Jan 2023 • Couples
Michael met us at the airport and drove us to Valparaiso with stops at two wineries and lunch at Quintay fishing village. Provided plenty of interesting comments about the region. Knowledgeable, pleasant and efficient, it was a lovely afternoon!
Review of: Discover the treasures of Valparaiso with a local
Written February 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
226can
Dallas, TX7 contributions
This guy is incredible! Couldn't have been better!
Mar 2015 • Family
Michael has an amazing gift for personal connections. He used that to our benefit on our tour when, as we were admiring the architecture of a particular house, the owner stepped out and asked us to come in and see her house. As we were walking down the sidewalk a short time later, a bombero driving an old fire engine stopped for photos. I was amazed that Michael knew so many people in Valpo. He knew which artists had painted the murals that he was describing to us and we even met a few. From street artists to proprietors of hotels and restaurants, he seemed to know everyone. I don't think we would have seen so much of the city and its people had we not toured with Michael. I cannot recommend Michael's tour enough for anyone interested in the back story of this fascinating town.
Written March 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LarryLen
Indianapolis, IN15 contributions
Great way to transfer from Valparaiso to Santiago at great price!
Mar 2016 • Couples
They pick us up at cruise ship and took 5 of us on great tour of Valpo , then to a winery on the way to Santiago. Took my wife and I to our hotel and the others to the airport. Highly recommend this!
Written May 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ComputerTravelGuy
Tampa, FL38 contributions
Changed our arrangements unexpected
My wife and I arranged a private tour via Michael based on his positive reputation. We had been to Santiago and Valparaiso before so we wanted to have a specialized tour of the area (and skip shopping). About six weeks before our trip, Michael combined us into another group which wasn't our written deal and what we wanted. We were able switch to another tour provider called Perfect Day who exceeded our expectations. While traveling friends have recommended Michael, I'd would not since he changed the arrangements unexpectedly. Caution.
Written March 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
IMLady_Marion
United States133 contributions
Great Communication, Awful Tour!
Dec 2017 • Solo
Prior to the pickup tour/ transfer to the Port of San Antonio, communication with Michael was outstanding. The breakdown occurred after our pickup in Santiago. We were all staying at different hotels and apparently some of the earlier pickups dictated our itinerary. For lunch, our guide took us to an EXTREMELY out of the way run down shack. The driver had to use GPS (which wasn't working well) to get us there. Once we arrived, the owner informed our guide that she had run out of the meat for lunch. None of us wanted to stay anyway. Then we were driven to a vineyard for lunch. Not one on the printed itinerary, where we had lunch with wine. The prices were VERY expensive. Overall, we did not see half the attractions on the itinerary we were previously provided and we didn't get to the port until VERY late, after 3pm. Let me say that this was not Michael's fault, but definitely the guide, who seemed more interested in discussing his cooking skills and cookbooks rather than describing what we were seeing. Need new guide and knowledgeable driver!!
Written January 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
paperweight811
Angola, IN93 contributions
2 great days with the German Pirate
Jan 2016 • Couples
My husband and I arranged for a private transfer with Michael, the German Pirate, from Santiago to Valparaiso two days in advance of a cruise. We wanted to tour between the cities on the transfer day, and then tour Valparaiso. For a very reasonable amount (compared to the cruise ship), He picked us up at the San. airport, took us to two wonderful wineries and a wine mart, then dropped us at our hotel so we could rest following our overnight flight.
Our Valp. hotel was located in an area where he could not drive to the door. He knew just how to navigate this issue and we got all the help we needed from the staff, safely and easily, thanks to Michael's experience.
The next morning, he met us in the lobby with one other couple, who was also on our ship, and we spent the next 4 to 5 hours on a delightful walking and driving tour of Valp. and Vina del Mar. Michael is very knowledgeable, aware of his clients needs, well-known in the community and comfortable to spend time with. If you are in that area, I highly recommend him as a guide for whatever you need.
Written January 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EleanaHsu
Tucson, AZ17 contributions
Beyond spectacular!
Jul 2014 • Couples
My boyfriend Jimmy and I took two tours with Michael the first to Valparaiso and the second to the valley. We had such a great time hanging out with him the first time around that we decided the next day to call him again to book another tour. Not only is Michael a wealth of information about everything but he is also very genuine. Many tour guides I have had in the past clearly give tours for the sake of money, but you can tell that Michael gives tours because he truly loves it and through his passion and joy he was able to show us a great time. Michael tailors all his tours to exactly what your interests are. He also mentioned that he is capable of tailoring tours to the handicapped (such as considering wheel chair accessibility and etc). He showed us around to some great local spots including an old grocery, hat-maker, and alcohol maker/distributer, and he also showed us the more touristic spots such as the cemetery, conception hill etc, famous lifts, shops etc.

During our second tour Michael picked us up in his car and we went to two wineries, Quintay a local fisherman's village, and the beach. The best part of the trip though was when he took us to a friend's home in Quintay and we were able to meet the most interesting man alive. (I believe his name was Don Julio). Not only was this man a collector of various interesting odd things (I won't mention them here because you need to see it to believe it) but he was also a builder and he built many many things... such as sculptures, models of ships, airplanes, trains, and even reconstructed skeletons of various animals.. This man had everything and I envied his children, grand children, and great grandchildren, how I would love to spend a day with him watching as he built and used his imagination! All in all best tour ever. Please give Michael a call and let him show you a great time in the area!

P.S Tours last from around 7 hours or so.. Michael takes his time.. most often as was the case with us, you get so tired at the end from all the walking and exploring that you want to end the tour before Michael does!
Review of: Discover the treasures of Valparaiso with a local
Written July 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bernard R
UK120 contributions
An excellent human being... and probably a fabulous guide
Mar 2017 • Couples
This is an unusual review. My wife and I booked a private tour with Michael of Valparaiso and then a Wine tour. All fine and very straightforward. He didn't ask for an upfront payment saying he trusted people. Nice and unusual.

We got to Chile and were travelling around elsewhere when we had to change the days of our trip with him. "Fine," he said. "I'm flexible." Then we asked him to help by working out a cheap taxi in Torres del Paine. He made some calls- in his own time- and for us a 50% reduction in cost. Good service.

Then we finally got to Santiago the day before the first tour. And my wife was sick. We had to fly home. I send a quick email saying sorry, but obviously agreeing to pay him since it was a cancellation wishing 24 hours. He wrote back and ask "Dom't worry I hope your wife is OK." Beyond the call of duty. Way beyond.

So we never managed to take Michael's tours. They sound good. When we go back we will use him for sure. But most important for me he represents what we all want on holiday- someone who is flexible, helpful, knowledgeable, responsive and empathetic. Not sure pirate is the right name!
Written March 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StrapperToronto
Toronto11 contributions
Disorganized,uninteresting and dangerous tour
Dec 2016 • Couples
This was to be a post cruise tour of Valpariso,, Vina,Wine country and drop off in .Santago.There were two groups of 8 people and obviously a lot of heavy luggage.We were told to meet on board so that we could get to the terminal bldg together where Michael would be waiting The plan was that 8 of us would go in the 10 seater van and the other 8 with all our luggage would be in the 20 seater bus.However the 20 seater bus had been caught in a speed radar trap and was delayed .What transpired was that he decided to transfer 2 of the people from the bus to our small van with all our luggage and the other 6 people were in the large bus .As a result there was not enough space for all our luggage which was stacked behind the rear seat right up to the ceiling so that the top half oh the luggage was not restrained at all.Later in the morning 3 of us decided to take the van down a hill rather than walk and when the driver braked about 5 of these heavy cases came crashing down on the seats ahead.It was lucky none of us were seated at the rear or we would have been seriously injured.The tour was uninteresting we were walked down some very uninteresting streets.We then left Va;paraiso ,not having seen much of the city and drove through Vina del Mar to a beachfront sandwich place for lunch,after which we drove to a winery.This winery does not produce wine any longer so we were taken to a room with empty tanks that once contained wine and that was the extent of this tour other than the wine tasting.We then drove to Santiago and we were lucky to be the first dropped off at our Hotel and because it was late Michael suggested calling taxis to take the others to their hotels.The last we heard the taxis refused to come because of the traffic.One wonders when the rest of the people on the van got to their hotels.No water or drinks were provided till we asked for some which he then purchased.The van was the least comfortable of all the vehicles we had on this cruise.Michael told us he had been doing these tours for over 10 years so it is mind boggling how he could be so disorganised and conduct such lousy tour
Written January 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa C
Frisco, CO30 contributions
Fun family tour of Valparaiso
Jun 2016 • Family
We just got back from a tour with Michael which included drop off in Santiago. The day was a blast - we learned a ton about Valparaiso and the history of the area, saw great art and fat sea lions, and even toured the fish market. Michael was able to get us a tour that I was excited about, but also kept our energetic 8 and 10 year olds interested and engaged. (The diversion to a local candy shop made him the kids' new best friend) Michael is a fun and interesting guide who knows the area well and has a number of great personal stories about the area and people (make sure u go to the cemetery with him!) we loved our tour with him.
Review of: Discover the treasures of Valparaiso with a local
Written June 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Michael the German Pirate (Valparaiso) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go