Portillo full-day tour: Laguna del Inca & Andes views

The Road Los Caracoles climbs to 2,600 meters, where turquoise water and border views wait

A full-day guided tour from Santiago to Portillo, the Southern Hemisphere's oldest ski resort, set high in the Andes above 2,600 meters. You drive the winding Road Los Caracoles, stop at the turquoise Laguna del Inca for photos, visit Salto del Soldado waterfall, reach the Chile-Argentina border, and finish with a gourmet picnic of cold cuts, crackers, snacks and typical drinks. The tour runs 9 to 10 hours with an air-conditioned vehicle and a live guide speaking English or Spanish; hotel pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour to Portillo and Andes

• Depart from Santiago
• Drive along Road Los Caracoles
• Admire Andes Mountain views
• Visit Laguna del Inca and take photos
• Continue to Salto del Soldado
• Stop at Chile-Argentina border for photos
• Enjoy picnic with drinks and snacks

The Experience

The drive from Santiago follows the Road Los Caracoles, a mountain route that winds upward into the Andes. As you climb, the landscape opens into high-altitude views—the road itself is part of why this tour works, since the route to Portillo is not one most travelers navigate alone. You stop at Laguna del Inca, a turquoise glacial lake ringed by peaks, where the water's color comes from snowmelt and mineral content. This is the main photo stop and the visual anchor of the day.

From there, the route continues to Salto del Soldado, a waterfall in the high mountains, and then to the Chile-Argentina border, where you get out for another set of views and photos. The border crossing itself is not a crossing—you stop at the line, take pictures, and turn back. By the time you reach the picnic site, you've covered the major landmarks and the drive has done most of the work. The gourmet picnic includes cold cuts, crackers, snacks and typical regional drinks, served in the mountain landscape with the views still around you.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters at this altitude and on a 9- to 10-hour day. A live guide in English or Spanish narrates the route and explains what you're seeing—the geology, the history of the ski resort, the border region. Hotel pickup from Santiago is included, so the day starts at your accommodation and ends there, with no separate transport to arrange.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full 9- to 10-hour day.
• gourmet picnic with cold cuts, crackers, snacks and typical regional drinks.
• hotel pickup from Santiago.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• stops at Laguna del Inca, Salto del Soldado and the Chile-Argentina border with time for photos at each.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by We love Chile

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can follow the narration comfortably in either language—choose the departure that matches your preference when you book. The tour is suitable for most fitness levels, though the 2,600-meter altitude and 9- to 10-hour day mean it works best for travelers without cardiovascular concerns or spinal issues.

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Top questions

What is Laguna del Inca and why does the water look turquoise?

Laguna del Inca is a glacial lake at the heart of Portillo, formed by snowmelt from the surrounding Andes peaks. The turquoise color comes from minerals and fine sediment suspended in the water—a result of the glacial melt process. It's the main photo stop on the tour and the most recognizable landmark of the day.

How high does the tour go, and what should I know about the altitude?

Portillo sits over 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) above sea level in the Andes. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries, and pregnant travelers should avoid it. Most people at this altitude experience no problems, but the air is thinner and some travelers feel the elevation on their first visit.

What's included in the gourmet picnic, and when does it happen?

The picnic includes cold cuts, crackers, snacks and typical regional drinks. It's served at the end of the tour, after you've visited all the main stops—Laguna del Inca, Salto del Soldado and the border. You eat in the mountain landscape with the views still visible around you.

How long is the drive from Santiago to Portillo, and what's the Road Los Caracoles?

The full tour runs 9 to 10 hours from start to finish. The Road Los Caracoles is the winding mountain route that climbs into the Andes toward Portillo—it's famous for its switchbacks and high-altitude views, and it's the main reason most travelers book a guided tour rather than driving themselves.

Does the tour actually cross into Argentina, or just stop at the border?

The tour stops at the Chile-Argentina border for photos and views, but does not cross into Argentina. You get out, take pictures at the border line, and return to continue the rest of the day's route.

Is hotel pickup included, and what time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup from Santiago is included in the tour price. The specific start time is not listed in the tour details, so confirm the departure time when you book—it will depend on your hotel location and the tour operator's schedule.