Juncal Glacier hike from Santiago: 10 hours over ice

Ten hours to stand on the Juncal Glacier, the ice that faces north

A 10-hour guided hike from Santiago to Juncal Glacier in the Andes, two hours north of the city, where you walk across the moraine of Chile's largest glacier outside Patagonia and Antartica. The route follows the Juncal River through a RAMSAR wetland, crosses two streams, and ends on the ice itself. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide in English or Spanish, trekking poles, binoculars and box lunch are included. Minimum age is 14 and a moderate level of fitness is required.

The experience

Ten hours sounds long until you realize two of them are the drive from Santiago and back. The hike itself traces the Juncal valley floor alongside a forgotten railway line that once crossed the Andes, then follows the eastern bank of the Juncal River on a low-slope trail. The park itself, created in 1911 and designated a RAMSAR wetland of international importance in 2010, sits in the middle of the valley and shelters a wide variety of birds year-round because water runs through it even in the dry season. You'll pass through this mountain oasis, then cross the Monos de agua river before the terrain steepens.

The last section is where the glacier announces itself. The trail becomes less defined and the slope increases as you move through a narrow drawer in the landscape, and the moraine (the steep, broken terrain of rock and ice debris) tells you that you're already walking on the Juncal Glacier itself. The ice body is massive and faces north, an unusual orientation that catches visitors off guard. You reach it on foot, not by vehicle or cable, which is why the hike demands a moderate level of fitness and why the guide carries a first aid kit.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish and travels with trekking poles, binoculars for the birds, and a box lunch. The park's remoteness and the glacier's size mean you won't crowd the ice. This is a private reserve, not a public attraction. A minimum of two people per booking keeps the cost reasonable, and children from age 14 can join if they're accompanied by an adult and can handle the physical demand.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Santiago.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• trekking poles and binoculars.
• box lunch per person.
• first aid kit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Coigue Expeditions

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you follow the commentary in your own language. Moderate fitness is essential. The first half is manageable, but the second half steepens as you approach the glacier, and you'll feel the altitude and the moraine's uneven surface.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years). Children under 14 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is Juncal Glacier from Santiago?

Juncal Andean Park sits two hours north of Santiago by car. The drive is part of the 10-hour total, so the hike itself takes roughly four to five hours depending on pace and conditions.

What is the Juncal Glacier like when you reach it?

The Juncal Glacier is the largest glacier in Chile outside Patagonia and Antartica. It faces north, an unusual orientation, and you walk across its moraine (the steep, rocky terrain formed by the ice) rather than on the ice surface itself. The moraine is what tells you you've arrived on the glacier.

What birds or wildlife might I see in the wetland?

The park is a RAMSAR wetland of international importance and shelters a wide variety of birds year-round because water flows through the valley even in the dry season. Binoculars are provided so you can watch them without disturbing the reserve.

Is this hike suitable for someone who is reasonably fit but hasn't hiked in a while?

The park requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The first half of the hike follows a low-slope trail along the river, but the second half becomes steeper as you approach the glacier. A professional guide leads the pace, and trekking poles are provided to ease the climb.

What's included in the 10-hour tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Santiago, a professional guide in English or Spanish, trekking poles, binoculars, a box lunch, and a first aid kit are all included. You bring comfortable hiking clothes and footwear.

What's the minimum group size?

A minimum of two people per booking is required. Children from age 14 can join if accompanied by an adult.