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Santiago Nature & adventure

Our most recommended Santiago Nature & adventure

Santiago: Cajon del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso Trip with Picnic

1. Santiago: Cajon del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso Trip with Picnic

Discover the magnificent Andes Mountains on a guided day trip from Santiago. Pass by the Tinoco Tunnel, admire the picturesque Cajón del Maipo gorge, and enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the El Yeso Dam. Start your tour early in the morning with a convenient pickup directly from your accommodation. Hop into the air-conditioned van and set out towards the Maipo Canyon. As you travel, admire the wonderful views of this natural landscape full of high mountain passes, lakes, and forests. Hear about the area's traditions and listen to folktales told by your guide. Along the way, you'll pass the Tinoco Tunnel, a dark disused train tunnel that runs along the Camino Al Volcán, a remnant from the region's railway days. Listen as your guide tells you about the history of this unusual attraction and the tragic story behind the shrines located at the tunnel's entrance and exit. Not far from here, you'll reach the El Yeso Dam. This large reservoir was created in 1964 by damming the Yeso River and now serves as one of the major sources of water for Santiago. Stop here to enjoy a picnic-style lunch served with a glass of wine and some juice. Then, sit back and relax as you set out on your return journey to Santiago, where your driver will drop you off directly at your accommodation.

Santiago: Cajon del Maipo/Embalse del Yeso Tour with Picnic

2. Santiago: Cajon del Maipo/Embalse del Yeso Tour with Picnic

Admire the stunning massifs, estuaries, and rivers of the Andes Mountains on a full-day trip to the Cajon del Maipo on this van tour. Enjoy a delicious picnic in a stunning natural setting along the way. See sights like the Tinoco Tunnel and pass by charming, traditional towns.  Depart Santiago and journey to San Jose de Maipo in a spacious and air-conditioned van. Listen as your guide tells you about the folklore of the area. Head towards the volcano and see small towns like Las Vertientes, El Canelo, El Manzano, El Melocoton and San Alfonso.  Learn the history of the Tinoco Tunnel as you make your way along a dirt road to the large lake of Embalse del Yeso. Stop at the reservoir to enjoy a picnic-style snack with cheese, olives, salami, juice, wine, and more.  Start back towards Santiago at around 3:00 PM and be dropped off at your hotel or in the city center at approximately 6:00 PM.

Santiago: Portillo and Laguna del Inca Day Trip with Picnic

3. Santiago: Portillo and Laguna del Inca Day Trip with Picnic

The tour begins with pickup from your hotel in a van. You will head north of the city of Santiago along the Los Libertadores highway until the first stop at a Chacabulco Monument that belongs to one of the most important episodes in the history of Chile. On the way you will pass the famous Autopista Caracoles which is known for its curves. We will arrive at the border with Argentina where you can take a picture with the Welcome to Chile sign. You will know the Portillo Ski Center. You will have a time determined by the guide to visit the ski resort and the wonderful Inca Lagoon that is located between the mountains, this lagoon also has a beautiful story about an Inca king. You will also participate in a picnic on the mountain at no additional cost. At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Santiago.

Santiago: Cajon del Maipo Hot Springs & Barbecue Experience

4. Santiago: Cajon del Maipo Hot Springs & Barbecue Experience

Discover Cajón del Maipo on an afternoon trip from Santiago escaping from the crowds and heat. Relax in the medicinal hot springs, see the stunning Veil of the Bride waterfall and enjoy a traditional Chilean barbecue while stargazing. Meet at one of several pickup points in Santiago at 3 PM and head into the Andes to see a majestic valley called Cajón del Maipo. Cross the old train line and the Maipo river to enter Cajón del Maipo. Drive past picturesque towns before stopping at the roaring Veil of the Bride waterfall. Continue through the hills to several viewpoints and enjoy panoramic views of the volcano and mountains, before heading to the natural hot springs of Termas Valle de Colina. Relax in any of the 7 pools with temperatures ranging from 130ºF to 86ºF (55ºC to 30ºC), heated by the nearby volcano. Head back to the lounge in order to enjoy a Chilean barbecue of finger foods, including empanadas, pebre, olives, fruit, nuts, grilled vegetables, sausages, choripanes, and beef. Enjoy as much food as you can eat, along with wines from central and southern Chile, beer, juice, or hot beverages. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. Once you've finished eating, lay down at the lounges around the campfire while stargazing. Afterward, relax on the return journey to Santiago with drop-off at your hotel. We go back around 1 AM.

From Santiago: Cajón del Maipo and Volcán San José Hike 8K

5. From Santiago: Cajón del Maipo and Volcán San José Hike 8K

Get back to nature and go for a hike in the Andes mountains. Learn why the region is one of the most active in the world for volcanoes and get up close to one just 100 kilometers from Santiago. Travel to the town of San Jose de Maipo and marvel at the beautiful waterfalls. Head to the refuge of El Cabrerio for the start of your hike in the Engorda Valley and get stunning views of the gorge of Cajón del Maipo and its rock formations. Encounter a breathtaking view of the Volcán San José on the Chile-Argentina border.                                                                                             

Santiago: Cajon del Maipo Small-Group Tour

6. Santiago: Cajon del Maipo Small-Group Tour

Escape the hustle and bustle of Santiago city, and enjoy a day to remember as you embrace the magic of the Andes Mountains on a small-group tour for no more than 16 people. Be picked up at your accommodation and travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan on a scenic drive to Cajon del Maipo. Once there, connect with nature in a peaceful environment of fresh, clean mountain air. Visit the enchanting village of San José del Maipo to admire the colonial-style architecture, and see the church and main Plaza de Armas, where fans of adventure travel often gather. From there, continue the drive following the Maipo river.  Make your way to discover the amazing lagoon at Embalse El Yeso Dam. Take amazing pictures and a relaxing walk, and savor a delicious picnic with wine or juice. Head back toward Santiago at around 3 PM and get dropped off at your hotel or in the city center at approximately 6 PM. In the winter season from June to September we make a stop at the snowwear rental store before and after the tour depending on the weather condition.

From Santiago: Sunset Valle Nevado in the Andes Mountains

7. From Santiago: Sunset Valle Nevado in the Andes Mountains

The tour will start by picking up all customers from their respective hotels and will go directly to a viewpoint on the mountain. Then you will continue up the mountain towards Valle Nevado to enjoy the mountainous summer climate. The tour guide will help you move around Valle Nevado and take pictures. The Transport van will be available as a support place for any urgent need. After the visit to Valle Nevado, there is a stop in the town of Farellones to see the viewpoint and to participate in the picnic. Afterwards, everyone will be taken back to their hotel.

From Santiago: Maipo Canyon Volcano and Hot Spring Tour

8. From Santiago: Maipo Canyon Volcano and Hot Spring Tour

Depart Santiago and journey to the foothills of the Andes Mountains, where you will find the remote and peaceful Baños Colina. Depart at 07:00 for an estimated arrival time at San José de Maipo at 09:00. Admire the stunning beauty of the Maipo Canyon (Cajón del Maipo) along the way. Upon arrival at the volcano of San José de Maipo, take a 2-hour, 4-kilometer round-trip hike to a glorious viewpoint. Get breathtaking views of one of the most active volcanoes in the metropolitan region, and learn why the area is one of the world's most lively, geologically speaking. Stop for lunch and a glass of wine at 12:30 PM, and then continue to the hot springs of Baños Colina, located about 100 kilometers from Santiago at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level. Enjoy panoramic views of the Andes Mountains while sitting in a natural pool that can reach temperatures of 50°C. Return to Santiago at 3:30 PM for an arrival and drop off at approximately 7:00 PM.  

San Francisco Glacier & El Morado Natural Monument

9. San Francisco Glacier & El Morado Natural Monument

This tour is recommended for adventurous people! A spectacular trip to "El Morado" Natural Monument National Park, located at 93 km from Santiago. The starting point of the trek is in Baños Morales, a mountain village at 1,900 meters of altitude. The trail leads to the beautiful San Francisco Glacier (2,500 meters) and Morales Glacier Pond. During the hike you will have a refreshing stop at "Aguas de Panimávida", iron-rich carbonated water that springs out from  the earth.                                                             The tour is recommended for people in good physical shape. Not recommended for asthmatics, cardiopathies, overweight people or people with recent surgeries. The first hour of the hike is steep and then it becomes flat. Altitude increase of 600 meters. Tour subject to change due to weather conditions (rain or snow).   The tour will be open all year. The winter conditions will require the use of Snowshoes which we will provide and the trek will cover a distance of 12 Kilometers instead of 16 Kilometers.

From Santiago: Portillo Inca Lagoon and San Esteban Vineyard

10. From Santiago: Portillo Inca Lagoon and San Esteban Vineyard

Start with pickup from your hotel in Santiago by a professional guide. Travel through spectacular scenery to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the Andes mountains, Portilla Inca Lagoon. Capture photographs of the water’s iridescent turquoise surface and listen to poignant legends of Incan royalty. Marvel at the archaeological park located in a hill in the middle of San Esteban Vineyard in which you will explore walking trails and find its various petroglyphs which belong to the Aconcagua culture. Ascend to the vertiginous altitude of Hotel Portillo ski resort to take in the verdant beauty of San Esteban Vineyard before pleasuring enjoying some samples of local wine.

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What people are saying about Santiago

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 510 reviews

The tour was amazing. Our guide Diego was very knowledgeable, friendly and happy, explained everything along the way, and was able to answer every question asked. Stopped and many places to get good photo opportunities. The Maipo canyon and the lake were beautiful to see, with stunning colours and reflections of mountains in the water. The Waterfall is small and the river is crystal clear. The cheese and meat platter for snacks were delicious and so was the wine and juice. I would suggest to bring some lunch or snacks with you. The icecream shop on the way home is very cute, and has good icecream. Great tour and at a great priced. Well worth it. Thanks for the great day

Amazing experience! Highlight of my time in Santiago. Worth every $. The bbq was a unique experience and moment I’ll never forget. Would like to get the photos taken from the night

The tour was great, the driver came at the agreed time, the coffee was great, the food was good, the wine was delicious and the view was breathtaking

Really recommended, the tour was excellent, the barbeque 5 stars..and the sunset in the mountains was a great expetience.

Excellent trip. Andres, tour guide was very knowledgeable, friendly, and talkative,