Panoramic Tour: Portillo, Laguna del Inca, and Cuesta Caracoles (Summer)
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE
2,853 masl (Laguna del Inca) 3,000 masl (Portillo) 3,200 masl (Paso Los Libertadores)
SCHEDULE
Departure: 07:00 hrs Return: 17:00 hrs
INCLUDES
Guided tour and transportation
NOT INCLUDED
Meals
Panoramic Tour: Portillo, Laguna del Inca, and Cuesta Caracoles (Summer)
Panoramic Tour: Portillo and Laguna del Inca – Discovering Treasures in the High Mountains (Summer)
Overview: Very close to Santiago, the Andes Mountains offer highly interesting tourist attractions. Traveling deep into the mountain range, our first highlights include the “Salto del Soldado,” a geomorphological formation with large rock walls, and the view of the highest summit in the Southern and Western Hemispheres, the “Aconcagua,” also considered the tallest mountain on Earth outside the Himalayan range, standing at 6,960 meters. Our tour then continues to the “Cuesta Caracoles,” an impressive route with 29 curves that leads to the border crossing “Paso Los Libertadores.” We have the chance to stop at curve 17 and capture breathtaking photos. The journey continues to the border crossing to photograph the customs sign welcoming visitors to Chile. This international pass, inaugurated in 1980 at an altitude of 3,175 meters, allows transit between Chile and Argentina. Finally, we arrive at “Portillo,” one of Santiago’s main ski resorts, located at 3,000 meters above sea level. The hotel at this winter center offers the opportunity to have lunch at its restaurant (not included in the tour) with views of the stunning “Laguna del Inca.” This emerald-colored lagoon captivates visitors with its beauty. It has an oval shape, approximately 4 km long, and a width that ranges from 400 m to 700 m.
This tour is conducted between September and May, as during the snow season (winter), the ski resort restricts access to certain tourist spots.
Itinerary planning: Our transport will pick you up at your hotel at the previously arranged time. We will stop for breakfast (not included – location recommended by our guide) on Route 75 on the way to Los Andes. Afterward, taking the international route (60), we start to see the first highlights, such as the “Salto del Soldado” and the “Aconcagua” summit. If you wish, we can photograph them from the road. We then continue to the “Cuesta Caracoles” to photograph this spectacular winding route filled with curves and cliffs, proceeding to the border crossing. The tour concludes with the attractions of Portillo and Laguna del Inca. If desired, we can arrange lunch (not included) at the ski resort’s restaurant or on the return route in the city of Los Andes. Return to Santiago.
Tour recommendations: To make this tour an enjoyable experience, we recommend wearing comfortable footwear. Since Santiago and its surroundings experience all four seasons, we suggest dressing accordingly (check the weather forecast before heading out). Lastly, use sunscreen.
Important: *Tour conducted between September and May, as during the ski resort opening months, some areas may have access fees. *Tour subject to weather and international road access conditions.
Overview: Very close to Santiago, the Andes Mountains offer highly interesting tourist attractions. Traveling deep into the mountain range, our first highlights include the “Salto del Soldado,” a geomorphological formation with large rock walls, and the view of the highest summit in the Southern and Western Hemispheres, the “Aconcagua,” also considered the tallest mountain on Earth outside the Himalayan range, standing at 6,960 meters. Our tour then continues to the “Cuesta Caracoles,” an impressive route with 29 curves that leads to the border crossing “Paso Los Libertadores.” We have the chance to stop at curve 17 and capture breathtaking photos. The journey continues to the border crossing to photograph the customs sign welcoming visitors to Chile. This international pass, inaugurated in 1980 at an altitude of 3,175 meters, allows transit between Chile and Argentina. Finally, we arrive at “Portillo,” one of Santiago’s main ski resorts, located at 3,000 meters above sea level. The hotel at this winter center offers the opportunity to have lunch at its restaurant (not included in the tour) with views of the stunning “Laguna del Inca.” This emerald-colored lagoon captivates visitors with its beauty. It has an oval shape, approximately 4 km long, and a width that ranges from 400 m to 700 m.
This tour is conducted between September and May, as during the snow season (winter), the ski resort restricts access to certain tourist spots.
Itinerary planning: Our transport will pick you up at your hotel at the previously arranged time. We will stop for breakfast (not included – location recommended by our guide) on Route 75 on the way to Los Andes. Afterward, taking the international route (60), we start to see the first highlights, such as the “Salto del Soldado” and the “Aconcagua” summit. If you wish, we can photograph them from the road. We then continue to the “Cuesta Caracoles” to photograph this spectacular winding route filled with curves and cliffs, proceeding to the border crossing. The tour concludes with the attractions of Portillo and Laguna del Inca. If desired, we can arrange lunch (not included) at the ski resort’s restaurant or on the return route in the city of Los Andes. Return to Santiago.
Tour recommendations: To make this tour an enjoyable experience, we recommend wearing comfortable footwear. Since Santiago and its surroundings experience all four seasons, we suggest dressing accordingly (check the weather forecast before heading out). Lastly, use sunscreen.
Important: *Tour conducted between September and May, as during the ski resort opening months, some areas may have access fees. *Tour subject to weather and international road access conditions.