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Around Santiago

you can have more than a city experience. Visit the cajon del Maipo and appreciate the cordillera so close to the city. You can half half or one day excursions for walking, horse riding, rafting, visiting hot springs or looking at the vineyards and wine production of Chile, al with in little more than an hour of the city center. Santiago is surrounded by the mountains of the Central Cordillera and is also the Central Valley, through which runs the Maipo river with its world class vineyards.
At our mountain lodge, Cascada de las Animas in San Alfonso, just over an hour from the center of Santiago, you can walk or ride for a half day or more and get the real feeling of being in the Andes. It is perfect for that day trip which fills the gap between your arrival in Chile and departure for Patagonia or other parts. And if you plan to stay longer, or live or work in Santiago, we can fill your time with longer walks or rides, trips to hot springs in the moonlight, rafting or simply relaxing in the good air of the cordillera.
So whether your fancy is visiting vineyards and tasting wine; walking in the pre-cordillera (gentle and not-so-gentle options); rafting on the river Maipo; taking a horse ride into the cordillera mountains for half a day, one day or more; a day spent eating in our wonderful restaurant in San Alfonso and swimming in our pool with mountains all around; or basking in the hot springs higher up the Cajon del Maipo, surrounded by the mineral colors of the rocks of the Andes: we can provide it for you, within a short drive from the center of the city.

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Horseback riding While being in Santiago, the "Cajon del Maipo" is the closest entrance to the majestic Cordillera de los Andes. Just 1 hour away from the city, you can start amazing horseback riding trips! From half day to 12 days riding full supported trips. Check them here.

Maipo River, 1 day, , all year From Santiago, the Maipo Valley runs deep into the Andes for some 120km until it reaches impassable gorges and rushing rivers where the terrain is only negotiable on horse or on foot. It is in the middle of this rugged scenery that one feels at the heart of the Andes, the geographic feature which domains the whole of Chile.

Easy day at the Mountains, 1 day, , all year Just one hour away from Santiago you will find some of the nicest mountain landscapes of Chile: the Maipo Valley. This full day trip is designed to easily explore the area.

Scouting the flight of the Condor, 1 day, , all year The Maipo Valley offers excellent alternatives for hiking. In this full day trip you will hike in the Andes mountains and might have the chance to scout the giant condor. This trip starts and finishes at your hotel in Santiago.

Aconcagua, 15 day, , November to March This adventure will take us to the highest point in the entire American continent (6.959 m./22.834feet) and also the highest peak outside Asia. This is a non technical ascent but requires an excellent physical condition.

El Plomo, 4 1/2 day, , October to April Cerro Plomo (5.424m/ 12.600ft) is the giant ice-capped dome that domains Santiago´s valley, visible from most parts of the city on a clear day. We strongly suggest this itinerary as an acclimatization procces for those willing to do the Aconcagua Expedition.

Andes Nature, 2 day, , all year round This short overnight trip is perfect to introduce our most important geographical quality: The Andes. You will explore actively the Cajon del Maipo area, leaving town and roads behind; reaching places of silence and enjoying activities as hiking, rafting, horseback riding and hot springs.

Birdwatching in el Yeso Reservoir, 1 day, , all year The Cascada van will pick you up early in the morning, to make a full day's birdwatching in El Yeso Reservoir area (7.000-8.000 ft). On the way up we will stop in different places, to watch Chile´s endemic birds, like the Chilean Mockingbird and the Dusky-tailed Canastero, in their typical Chaparral environment.