Portillo and Laguna del Inca Day Trip from Santiago

The road to Portillo and Los Caracoles

The trip follows the main highway that links Santiago with Argentina, crossing the green Aconcagua valley before the road starts to climb. The highlight is Los Caracoles, a set of tight switchbacks that zigzag up the mountainside to the high border zone, and one of the most photographed roads in Chile. The whole route is around two and a half hours each way, so a guided transfer is the easiest answer to how to get to Portillo from Santiago.

In winter this road can be affected by snow and border-tunnel traffic, and the driver knows how to plan around it. Travellers who search for a Portillo day trip usually want this drive as much as the destination, so sit on the side with the best views and keep your camera ready for the bends.

Laguna del Inca

Laguna del Inca is a high mountain lake at roughly 2,850 metres, famous for its deep emerald-to-turquoise water framed by rugged peaks. Local legend links the lake to an Inca princess, and the still surface often mirrors the mountains on calm days. A Laguna del Inca tour is popular for photographers, and the walk around the shore is short and easy at altitude pace.

In winter the lake can freeze or be covered by snow, and the colour is at its most vivid in the clearer months, so the best time to visit Laguna del Inca depends on what you want to see. Wear warm layers and sunglasses, because the wind and glare are strong at this height. Some of the lake edge is restricted at times, so follow the guide's instructions.

Portillo ski resort and its surroundings

Portillo is one of the oldest ski resorts in South America, with a bright yellow hotel building on the lake shore that is instantly recognisable. Snow is usually deepest from around June to September, when skiers arrive from around the world, and the setting is dramatic even if you never put on skis. Activities, meals and lift access at the resort are not included in this trip and are paid separately.

Free time is yours to spend walking, taking photos, warming up in a cafe or exploring the surroundings. If you are wondering whether Portillo is worth visiting without skiing, the scenery alone is a good reason: sheer slopes, an alpine lake and the open sky of the high Andes. Check the season before you book if snow is what you hope to see.

Aconcagua views and the border ranges

On clear days you may see distant views towards Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside Asia at 6,961 metres, and the chain of peaks that forms the border with Argentina. The visibility depends on cloud, and your guide will point out where to look. The route also runs close to the tunnel that connects the two countries, one of the busiest mountain crossings in South America.

This is a long day at altitude, so drink water, move slowly and dress for sudden weather changes. The commentary on this trip is mainly in Spanish and Portuguese, so please tell us when you book if you need English support and we will let you know what can be arranged.