Snowshoeing Cajón del Maipo Hike with Volcano Views

Twelve hours in the snow: steep first hour, then a 4 km walk to a volcano lookout

A full-day snowshoeing hike in Cajón del Maipo near Santiago takes you 600 meters up through winter terrain to La Engorda valley, where you stop at a lookout facing San José Volcano. A bilingual guide leads the walk in snowshoes and trekking poles. The first hour climbs steeply, then the trail flattens. You eat a box lunch at the lookout, rest, and return to the van for wine before heading back to Santiago in the evening.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Santiago.
• snowshoes and trekking poles.
• a bilingual guide.
• box lunch and wine.
• bottled water.
• complimentary insurance.

Times

7 similar tours departing soon ›

Next departure: 1 Jun 2027

Information

Snowshoe through the Andes near Santiago with a bilingual guide, climbing 600 meters to La Engorda valley for views of San José Volcano while enjoying a box lunch and wine.

Group Private 5 similar group tours ›

Live guide English, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickup You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. Pickup is included in the price. Ends back at the starting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 2 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 30 minutes before departure. See the exact addressSee the pickup points

Ages Adult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (65 to 75 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 13 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 7 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup from Santiago, and the drive heads toward San José de Maipo along the Maipo River: one of the region's main waterways. If you want breakfast and coffee before the hike, there's a stop in the traditional village. From the van drop-off point, you put on snowshoes and trekking poles and begin the walk through snow-covered landscape. The first hour is steep. After that, the terrain flattens out for the remaining 4 km to La Engorda valley.

At the lookout in La Engorda valley, San José Volcano comes into full view. This is where you stop, eat the box lunch, drink wine, and take photographs. The peace of the mountains gives you time to rest before the walk back to the van. The altitude gain totals 600 meters over the day. Weather can change the route (rain or heavy snow may alter what the guide plans), so flexibility matters. You return to Santiago in the late afternoon or evening with the guide and the group.

The hike sits at medium-high difficulty: the steep opening hour is the main physical demand, but the flatter second half is more manageable. Snowshoes and poles are provided. A bilingual guide (English, Spanish or Portuguese) leads groups of no more than 12 people. Hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water, complimentary insurance, and the box lunch are all included. Bring sunscreen, trekking shoes, a sun hat, a jacket, warm layers and a camera or backpack.

Top questions

Can I be picked up at my hotel?

You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. Pickup is included in the price. When you book, you choose your hotel from 2 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 30 minutes before departure.

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (7 to 13 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

How steep is the snowshoeing hike in Cajón del Maipo?

The first hour climbs steeply with a 600-meter altitude gain, then the trail flattens for the remaining 4 km walk to La Engorda valley where you reach the lookout.

What do you see at La Engorda valley?

San José Volcano fills the view from the lookout in La Engorda valley, where the group stops to eat lunch and rest before walking back to the van.

Does the tour include food and drinks?

Yes, a box lunch is served at the lookout, and wine is shared on the return walk to the van. Bottled water is provided throughout the day.

What equipment do I need to bring, and what is provided?

Snowshoes and trekking poles are provided by the operator. Bring sunscreen, trekking shoes, a sun hat, a jacket, warm clothing, a camera and a backpack.

Can the tour operate in any weather?

The tour is subject to change or cancellation due to rain or heavy snow, so the guide may alter the route depending on conditions on the day.

Operated by AndoAndes. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.