Portillo & Laguna del Inca: Andean Day Trip with Gourmet Picnic

Summary

Portillo’s turquoise lagoon mountain roads and a picnic above Santiago

You’ll wind up through wild Andean roads from Santiago to Portillo, pausing at Laguna del Inca’s surreal blue waters and feeling mountain air in your lungs. With stories from your guide and a picnic spread out above the clouds, this day trip leaves you with more than photos — maybe even a little peace you didn’t expect.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how the light bounced off the mountains as we left Santiago — kind of harsh but beautiful, almost like the whole landscape was waking up before us. The drive to Portillo gets twisty fast, climbing through Los Caracoles. Our guide, Matías, joked that these curves make even locals queasy sometimes. I just gripped my seat and tried not to look down too much. Every so often we’d stop for a photo or just to breathe in that cold, thin air — it’s over 2,600 meters up here, and you can feel it in your chest.

Laguna del Inca really does look unreal — turquoise water surrounded by snow patches and these jagged peaks that seem too dramatic to be real. Matías told us the legend about an Incan princess who drowned here; he said it’s why the water is so blue. I’m not sure if I buy it, but there was this weird hush around the lake that made everyone quiet for a minute. A couple of kids were throwing stones into the water while their dad tried (and failed) to get a family selfie without squinting into the sun.

We kept going up toward Salto del Soldado — there’s this narrow canyon where you can hear water echoing way below. The wind picked up and someone’s hat flew off (Matías caught it). Then came the border with Argentina: nothing fancy, just a sign and some trucks rumbling past. But standing there with mountains all around felt kind of epic in its own way.

The picnic was honestly better than I expected — cold cuts, local crackers, some sweet things I couldn’t pronounce (Matías laughed when I tried), plus drinks that warmed me up after all that wind. Sitting there with crumbs on my jacket and my fingers still chilly from the breeze… I don’t know, it felt good. Like you’re part of something bigger out here. I still think about that view over Laguna del Inca when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day tour to Portillo and Andes

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

Top questions

How long does the Portillo day trip from Santiago take?

This is a full-day tour departing from Santiago and returning in the evening.

Is lunch included on this Portillo & Laguna del Inca day trip?

Yes, a gourmet picnic with drinks and snacks is included during the tour.

What altitude is Portillo ski resort located at?

Portillo sits at over 2,600 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains.

Does this tour include pickup from my hotel in Santiago?

Your day includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle departing from Santiago.

Can infants join this Portillo Andean Escape tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Is this day trip suitable for travelers with health issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.

Will we visit both Laguna del Inca and Salto del Soldado?

Yes, stops include both Laguna del Inca and Salto del Soldado along the route.

Are there any border crossings on this tour?

You’ll reach the Chile-Argentina border for photos but do not cross into Argentina.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transport from Santiago in an air-conditioned vehicle, stops at Laguna del Inca and Salto del Soldado, time at the Chile-Argentina border for photos, plus a picnic with typical Chilean cold cuts, crackers, snacks, and drinks before heading back down through those wild mountain roads.