Kayaking Laguna Del Inca from Santiago: Paddle the Andes

Paddle between towering summits and emerald waters at altitude

Kayak Laguna Del Inca, a turquoise lagoon nestled at nearly 3,000 meters in the Andes, on a full day trip from Santiago that includes all gear, a guide and lunch. You paddle between steep snowcapped peaks with views of Aconcagua Mount (the highest mountain in the Americas at 21,000 feet), and return to your hotel by evening. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Airport pickup is available for an extra charge.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak and explore Andean lagoon

• Travel to Andean lagoon
• Kayak in turquoise lagoon waters
• Enjoy views of snowcapped mountains
• Visit nearby ski resort area
• View Aconcagua mount from road

The experience

Laguna Del Inca sits at 9,200 feet among mountains that rise above 15,000 feet, and the lagoon itself glows emerald against the rock. You'll paddle a kayak equipped with spray skirt, dry bags and bilge pump: gear that keeps you stable and dry on water this cold and this high. The guide stays with your group (one guide for every four paddlers) and speaks English or Spanish. A lunch box with sandwich, fruit, energy bars, isotonic juice and chocolate fuels the day, and you're back at your hotel by evening.

The trip runs eight to ten hours total, including the drive from Santiago and time on the water. Hotel pickup happens in the morning. If you need airport pickup instead, that's an extra $30 per person. The road passes a well-known ski resort surrounded by imposing mountains a few kilometers from the Argentina border, and Aconcagua Mount stays visible the whole way. The lagoon itself is an Andean lake of clear turquoise water, sometimes with snow on the peaks that frame it. The operation runs in all weather, so dress for cold and wind at altitude.

Two options are available at checkout: the kayaking day trip alone, or kayaking combined with a vineyard visit and lunch. If you choose the vineyard option, that experience is added to your day. You can request a single kayak instead of a double, and vegetarian lunch is available if you let the operator know when booking. Minimum age is 14. The cockpit width is 45 centimeters, and weight and height limits apply (maximum 100 kg / 220 lbs and 190 cm / 6.2 ft).

What’s included

• Kayak, paddle, dry bags, spray skirt and bilge pump.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• lunch box with sandwich, fruit, energy bars, isotonic juice and chocolate.
• a guide who speaks English or Spanish (one guide per four paddlers).
• all instruction and safety briefing.

Options for this experience

2 options

Day kayaking trip in the Andes, departing from SantiagoGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Pickup is included

Kayaking with vineyard visit and lunchGuide in English or Spanish · 07:00Vineyard visit: After kayaking on Inca Lagoon, we include a 1.5-hour stop on the way to San Esteban Vineyard for a wine tasting and a cellar tour. Duration: the vineyard stop adds one more hour to the trip. Lunch: we serve lunch at the Portillo ski resort restaurant, which has stunning views of Inca Lagoon. Includes: one drink, one main dish and one dessert. Viña San Esteban. Transport: your guide will do the driving. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (14 to 70 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Andes Explora

Is this one for you?Book this trip if you want to paddle at altitude with all the logistics arranged: the guide, the gear, the lunch and the drive from Santiago are included, so you show up and kayak. The two-option checkout lets you add a vineyard visit if you want to see more than the mountains in a single day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 Laguna Del Inca like when you get there?

Laguna Del Inca is a turquoise lagoon at almost 3,000 meters in the Andes, surrounded by huge steep peaks that are sometimes snowcapped. Aconcagua Mount, the highest mountain in the Americas at 21,000 feet, is visible from the water and from the road on the way there.

How long does the full day take, and what's included in that time?

The trip runs eight to ten hours total, which covers hotel pickup, the drive from Santiago, time paddling on the lagoon, lunch, and the return drive to your hotel. Transfer times depend on traffic and the time of day you depart.

What kayaking gear do I get, and do I need my own equipment?

Kayak, paddle, dry bags, spray skirt and bilge pump are all included in the rental. You bring your own clothing appropriate for cold mountain weather and water. The operator will tell you what to wear when you book.

Can I choose between a single kayak and a double?

Yes, the standard setup is a double kayak, but you can request a single kayak in the booking details if you prefer to paddle alone.

What's the difference between the two options at checkout?

One option is the kayaking day trip by itself. The other adds a vineyard visit and lunch to your day, so you experience both the lagoon and a wine region before returning to Santiago.

Is airport pickup available, and does it cost extra?

Airport pickup and drop-off are available for an extra charge of $30 USD per person. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the base price.