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

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1/11

Duration8h–9h

GroupUp to 99

LanguagesEN · PT +1

PickupAt your hotel

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.

8h–9h

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditionsInfants 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.