Cajón del Maipo: Andes Volcano Hike & Wine Day Trip

Summary

Hiking the Andes near Santiago to San Jose volcano with local flavors

You’ll hike deep into Cajón del Maipo with a local guide, pausing for mountain views and stories about San Jose volcano’s wild history. Taste fresh air (and Chilean wine) over lunch in Valle de la Engorda before heading back to Santiago with tired legs and new memories.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I was a little nervous about this Cajón del Maipo volcano hike. The Andes always looked so distant from Santiago, like some blue-grey wall you could never touch. But then our guide, Nico, picked us up (right on time, actually), and suddenly we were winding out of the city before sunrise, windows fogged up from everyone’s breath. There was this quiet anticipation in the van — someone cracked a joke about llamas but mostly we just watched the mountains get bigger and sharper.

The trail started in this wide valley called Valle de la Engorda. It smelled like cold earth and wild herbs. Nico pointed out these tiny yellow flowers growing between rocks — I forget their name now, but he said locals use them for tea. We walked at a steady pace (I’m not exactly an athlete), stopping when someone needed water or just to stare at the San Jose volcano looming ahead. It’s 5,800 meters high — I mean, you can’t really process that until you’re standing there squinting up at it. At one point I just sat down on a boulder and let the wind hit my face. You could hear nothing except distant water rushing somewhere below.

Lunch was this thick sandwich with avocado and something smoky — maybe local cheese? — plus fruit and snacks Nico pulled out of his pack like magic tricks. And then there was wine (yes, real glassware balanced on rocks). Someone tried to pronounce “Cajón del Maipo” properly; Nico laughed and corrected us gently. The sun came out for a bit and everything felt warmer, lighter somehow. On the way back my legs were jelly but nobody seemed to mind much — we all just shuffled along in companionable silence until the van appeared again like some lost ship.

I still think about that view over the valley, honestly. It wasn’t easy but it felt real — like you’d actually met the Andes instead of just seeing them from afar.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hike Andes volcano and return

• Begin trekking in Andes mountains
• Walk to Valle de la Engorda
• View San Jose volcano and Andes
• Take break for photos and rest
• Return to van

Top questions

How long is the Cajón del Maipo volcano hike?

The hike is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) round trip.

Is hotel pickup included for this Andes day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Santiago are included.

What altitude is San Jose volcano?

The San Jose volcano reaches 5,800 meters (19,000 feet).

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, a gourmet sandwich lunch with snacks and wine is included.

Do I need to be very fit for this hike?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness; it’s not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health.

Are dietary needs accommodated?

Vegetarian options are available if requested at booking; other requirements can also be accommodated.

How far is Cajón del Maipo from Santiago?

It’s about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Santiago by road.

Is insurance included in this Andes hiking tour?

Yes, insurance is included as part of your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Santiago, an 8 km guided hike through Valle de la Engorda with bilingual guide support, bottled water along the way, insurance coverage for peace of mind, plus a gourmet sandwich lunch with snacks and a glass of Chilean wine enjoyed right in the heart of the Andes before heading back home.