Half-Day Andes Hiking Tour from Santiago with Picnic

Walk through wild herb meadows and cross a mountain stream, then rest at a viewpoint over the snow-capped Andes

A half-day guided hike in the Andes Mountains near Santiago that adjusts to your fitness level, lasting up to three hours on trails through native flora and fauna, followed by a picnic lunch at a mountain viewpoint. Hotel pickup and a bilingual guide are included; the hike crosses or passes through a body of water depending on which park you visit.

The Experience

The hike lasts up to three hours and starts from a nature park just outside Santiago, reached by car from your hotel. Your guide leads you through meadows filled with wild herbs, eucalyptus and cypress trees, explaining the ecosystems and microclimates as you walk. The route is flexible—you set the pace and difficulty to match your fitness—so the day works whether you want a gentle walk or a more demanding climb. Along the way you'll cross or wade through a body of water, depending on which park the guide chooses that day.

The park is home to over 500 species of plants and animals. Grey foxes and Darwin's leaf-eared mice live here; overhead, eagles and the Chilean condor—with a wingspan of 10 feet—soar over the ridges. You'll reach a mirador viewpoint where the valley opens below and the snow-capped Andes fill the horizon.

After the hike, you return to the picnic area and settle in for lunch: freshly made local bread, seasonal fruit, cheeses, ham and more. The guide stays with the group, and you spend time reflecting on what you've seen and experienced in the mountains before heading back to Santiago. A bilingual guide (Spanish and English, with Portuguese, Italian and one additional language available) leads the entire day, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional bilingual guide leading the full day.
• picnic lunch with fresh local bread, seasonal fruit, cheeses and ham.
• additional water to refill your bottle during the hike.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Chile Off Track

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a hike that matches your own pace rather than a fixed group speed—the guide adjusts the route and difficulty as you walk, so it works for anyone from a casual walker to someone seeking more challenge. A minimum of two people per booking is required, and the tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

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Top questions

How difficult is the hike, and can I adjust it to my fitness level?

The hike adjusts to your fitness and experience—you and your guide set the pace and difficulty together during the walk, so it works for all physical fitness levels. The route lasts up to three hours.

What wildlife might I see on the Andes hike from Santiago?

The park holds over 500 plant and animal species. You may spot grey foxes, Darwin's leaf-eared mice, eagles, and the Chilean condor, a massive bird with a 10-foot wingspan that soars over the ridges.

What's included in the picnic lunch after the hike?

The picnic includes freshly made local bread, seasonal fruit, cheeses, ham and additional water to refill your bottle. You eat at the picnic area near the viewpoint.

Does the hike involve water, and what should I bring?

Yes—depending on which park you visit, the hike crosses or passes through a body of water where you may wade or soak your feet. The tour provides water, but it's recommended you bring your own bottle in addition.

Is hotel pickup included, and what languages does the guide speak?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price. Your guide is bilingual in Spanish and English, with Portuguese, Italian and one additional language also available.

When is snow present in the Andes mountains on this tour?

Snow is only present in the mountains from May through September, so the landscape and conditions vary by season.