Portillo and Lagoon of the Inca tour: Mountain pass and lake

The Los Caracoles Route itself is the journey: 29 hairpin curves climbing from 800 to 2,600 meters in a single morning.

This full-day guided tour from Santiago climbs the Los Caracoles Route to Portillo ski resort and Laguna del Inca, two of the highest points in the central Andes. You ride the winding mountain pass with a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, stop at Los Rosales Restaurant for breakfast, traverse one of the world's most dramatic roads, and spend time at the turquoise alpine lake 2,853 meters above sea level. Transport from your accommodation and a picnic lunch are included. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours and suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the altitude.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Portillo and Laguna del Inca

• Breakfast at Los Rosales Restaurant
• Drive the Los Caracoles Route
• Explore Portillo ski resort
• Visit Laguna del Inca lake

The experience

The day starts at Los Rosales Restaurant in the foothills, where you eat breakfast before the road begins. From there, the Los Caracoles Route takes over: a section of Route 60 that connects Santiago to Argentina through the Los Libertadores International Pass. This is not a straightforward climb. The road makes more than 29 tight curves as it ascends between majestic summits, each switchback revealing a wider view of the Andes. You rise from 800 meters to 2,600 meters in the space of a few hours, and the route itself becomes the main event of the morning.

Portillo sits at 2,800 meters, a ski resort 160 kilometers from Santiago known for its cozy mountain atmosphere and 35 slopes. But you are not here to ski. You are here to stand in the landscape itself. The real destination is Laguna del Inca, a turquoise lake at 2,853 meters surrounded by snow-capped peaks. According to local tradition, the lake is named after an Inca prince whose spirit dwells in its waters, and the legend adds a layer of mystery to the already striking scenery. You walk along the shore, breathe the thin mountain air, and take in the panoramic views. A picnic lunch happens here, with the lake and the surrounding mountains as your table.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese throughout the day, and transport from your hotel is arranged as part of the booking, as long as your accommodation falls within the tour's route. The full day takes 8 to 9 hours. The altitude and the winding road mean this tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, but it suits all other fitness levels. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

What’s included

• A live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• transport from your hotel within the tour route.
• and a picnic lunch at Laguna del Inca surrounded by the Andes peaks.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Morandé Turismo & Transporte

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided drive over Los Caracoles Route to reach high-altitude Portillo: the guide navigates the winding mountain road while you take in the Andes, and transport plus picnic are arranged as part of the experience.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

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.

What is the Los Caracoles Route and why does it take so long to drive?

The Los Caracoles Route is a section of Route 60 in the Andes that climbs from 800 meters to 2,600 meters through more than 29 tight hairpin curves. The winding road is one of the most impressive in the world, and the steep incline and sharp turns mean the ascent takes several hours, but the journey itself is the experience: each curve reveals new mountain views and the landscape changes as you climb.

How high is Laguna del Inca and what can I do there?

Laguna del Inca sits at 2,853 meters above sea level in the heart of the Andes. You walk along the shore, take photographs of the turquoise water and the surrounding snow-capped peaks, and eat the included picnic lunch while looking out at the lake and the mountains. The site is popular with nature lovers and photographers because of the panoramic views and the quiet, serene atmosphere.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese; transport from your accommodation within the tour route; and a picnic lunch. Breakfast at Los Rosales Restaurant is your own cost, as is any snow clothing you may need if you visit in winter.

Is this tour safe to do if I have altitude concerns?

The tour reaches 2,853 meters at Laguna del Inca, which is high altitude. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, but it suits all other fitness levels. If you have concerns about altitude or your health, check with your doctor before booking, as the elevation gain happens over the course of the morning and the day is spent at high altitude.

How long is the full day, and when does it start?

The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total. It begins with pickup from your hotel (within the tour route) and breakfast at Los Rosales Restaurant, then continues through the Los Caracoles Route, Portillo, and Laguna del Inca before returning to Santiago.

Can I bring an infant on this tour?

Yes, infants can travel on this tour. They are required to sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one. Let the operator know when you book if you will need a seat.