Highlights

• 3-day guided expedition deep into the Chilean Andes
• Horseback riding with local arriero through wild mountain landscapes
• Ride along Yerba Loca Creek, waterfalls, and towering stone walls
• Hike to a remote glacier viewpoint on day two
• Private camping under a star-filled Andean sky
• All camping and cooking equipment provided
• Only 1 hour from Santiago — total wilderness, far from crowds

Location

Santiago, Chile

Difficulty

Easy to medium horse ride plus a moderate hike— high-altitude hike with rocky moraine sections; suitable for active travelers with some hiking experience.

Riding time

Day one: 3 hours of ascent, low steepness (almost flat) Day two: 4 to 5 hours hike round trip. Day three: 3 hours descent.

Transportation time

1 hour by car from Santiago to the beginning of the path.

Technical data

Length: Day one and day three 9,6 km -6 miles each day (horse) / Day 2 (hike): 5 km -3.1 miles Ramp: 500 meters 1600 ft.

Maximum Altitude: 10.200 ft.

Season

October to April. The rest of the year ask for snowshoeing trip to this amazing valley pressing here.

Requirements

The age of participants must be between 14 and 80 years old. The physical and medical conditions must be compatible with activity (When in doubt, please ask).

Itinerary

Day one: Into the mountain

We'll pick you up at your hotel or a designated meeting point in Santiago, then journey for an hour to the Yerba Loca Natural Sanctuary, our starting line. Here, your trusty horses will be waiting. After preparing our pack horse and getting you settled on yours, we'll set off through the stunning valley towards the majestic Paloma Glacier.

Our trail gently follows the Yerba Loca Creek, offering breathtaking views of the towering Paloma Glacier (16,150 ft) and Mount Altar (16,990 ft). After a couple of hours, the valley narrows dramatically, turning left to reveal colossal rock walls thousands of meters high, with spectacular waterfalls cascading from above. Our campsite awaits beneath these massive rock formations, nestled among boulders beside the tranquil creek.

Day 2: Epic Hiking Adventure to La Paloma Glacier Viewpoint

Start your day with a nourishing breakfast at camp, preparing for an unforgettable trek. Today’s hike takes you from the peaceful La Lata campsite into the heart of the Central Chilean Andes. You’ll cover approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) on a steady ascent of about 500 meters (1,640 feet).

Immerse yourself in stunning Andean landscapes, passing through native sclerophyllous forests, rocky moraine terrain, and open high-altitude valleys. The trail culminates at the breathtaking La Paloma Glacier viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the glacier and surrounding peaks.

Pause to enjoy the panoramic scenery, capture memorable photos, and rest before your descent back to camp. This moderate-level hike rewards you with a true taste of the Central Andes’ raw beauty.

Return to camp in the late afternoon to relax and share stories under the vast Andean sky.

Day three: The Return

After a fueling breakfast, we’ll set off on horseback, riding back through the wild valley. Feel the rhythm of hooves, the call of native birds, and the rush of the river as the towering mountains watch over us—an epic journey to close an unforgettable adventure.

Warning: This activity include riding in irregular terrain, driving by land roads, sudden changes of weather, walk under the strong sun.

What's included

• Private transportation (Pick up from your hotel)
• Guides: 1 each 4 clients
• Arriero (national cowboy from the Central Chilean Andes)
• Every breakfast, snack, and meal needed during the trip.
• Packhorses
• Horses for riding
• headlamp
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Tents
• Cooking set
• Cookware (pots, bowls, cutlery, mugs)
• First aid kit
• VHF Radio and Satellite Phone
• Park fee

What's not included

• Personal Clothing (Please check "Gear", or ask for rental prices)
• Small backpack (Rent available)
• Personal Insurance

What to bring:

Summer:

• Small backpack. If you haven't, we can rent to you. (10 USD)
• The first layer or sport t-shirt
• Polar Fleece or similar
• Wind jacket
• Hiking pants or similar comfortable to walk/ shorts (ask for the weather the day before)
• Hiking shoes
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat/ lip balm
• Sunscreen

Winter:

• Summer gear
• Down or puffy Jacket
• First layer upper and lower body
• Liner gloves
• Wool hat
• Balaclava/ Neck gaiter