2-Day Private Hiking Tour to La Paloma Glacier

The glacier is the reward. This private two-day hike carries you from Santiago into the Yerba Loca Nature Sanctuary, up a high Andean valley toward the hanging La Paloma Glacier. I like the quiet pace, with one night in the mountains, and I like that the guide and muleteer handle the camping equipment so you can focus on the trail. The main catch is simple: this is a serious 21-mile hike, not a gentle sightseeing outing.

You get hotel pickup, private transport, meals, camping gear, trekking poles, and a guide for every four people. I also like the personal feel of a private group, especially since guide Nicolas has been praised for being prepared, experienced, and a gracious host. Still, you need moderate fitness, suitable clothing, and some tolerance for long hours on your feet.

Key points to know before booking

• The route covers about 21 miles: Day one reaches camp after roughly 6.5 miles and five hours of hiking, followed by a demanding glacier day and return.
• La Paloma Glacier is the main prize: You reach the glacier on foot and eat lunch near its base beneath La Paloma and Altar mountains.
• The camping load is reduced: A muleteer carries the equipment, while the tour supplies a four-season tent, sleeping bags, pads, cookware, and trekking poles.
• The setting changes as you climb: Riverbanks and remaining vegetation give way to bare rock, stone walls, frozen waterfalls, and high Andean peaks.
• This is a genuinely private outing: Your group has its own guide, with a stated ratio of one guide for every four people.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation without penalty requires at least three full days’ notice.

From Santiago hotels to the Yerba Loca valley

Your day begins at about 7:30 a.m. with pickup at your hotel in Santiago. Private transport heads east toward the Andes, which makes the start far easier than arranging your own way to the sanctuary. You return to the same hotel after the hike, at about 8 p.m. on the second day.

That schedule gives you a full mountain day without asking you to find a remote trailhead or sort out transport after a tiring descent. It also means the experience begins early. I would keep the morning free and avoid planning an important evening commitment on the return day.

At the Yerba Loca Nature Sanctuary, a horseman meets the group and loads the equipment. This is one of the tour’s most useful features. You still hike a long distance and gain altitude, but you are not required to carry the tent, cooking gear, and sleeping equipment on your back.

The route follows a glacial valley. At first, the trail climbs gently along the east bank of the river. The gradual grade helps you settle into the walk, though five hours of hiking is still a long first day. Take the early section seriously, since a moderate start does not make the total distance short.

Day one: 6.5 miles toward a waterfall camp

The first day covers about 6.5 miles, or 10.5 kilometers, and takes around five hours. The trail gains height at a low angle as the river cuts farther into the mountains. Vegetation gradually fades, replaced by exposed stone.

That change gives the walk a clear sense of progress. You are not simply following a path through one type of scenery. The valley becomes narrower, the walls rise higher, and the surroundings feel increasingly wild as the greenery disappears.

Small creeks appear along the way. Their water is described as pure and suitable for hydration, but you should follow your guide’s advice about when and where to fill a bottle. Bring a water container that is easy to use while walking.

The river and creek crossings also add a practical element to the hike. Conditions can affect how easy they are, particularly on a route that depends on mountain water. Since poor weather can cancel the tour, the provider is clearly treating conditions as an important safety issue rather than a minor inconvenience.

The camp is set near the foot of a distinctive waterfall that freezes in winter. It is a memorable place to spend the night, with the surrounding stone walls closing in around the valley. The camp is not described as a permanent facility, so expect a backcountry setup rather than a cabin or developed campground.

Dinner is included, along with a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cookware, and the other basic camping equipment. The guide handles the outdoor logistics, leaving you with time to eat, talk, and take in the Andean night. The single overnight stay is a strong reason to choose this tour over a rushed day trip. You get to see the valley change at a slower pace and begin the glacier approach before turning around.

Sleeping in the Andes without carrying camp

The equipment package has real value. A four-season tent is supplied, as are sleeping bags and pads. Trekking poles, cookware, and a first aid kit are also included. That removes several hurdles for visitors who are staying in Santiago and do not have a full backpacking kit.

You do need to bring your own personal clothing. That phrase matters. The tour supplies shelter and camping equipment, but it does not supply the layers, footwear, rain protection, or other clothing you need for a two-day mountain hike.

Do not treat the included gear as a reason to pack lightly in every other area. You still need to be ready for changing temperatures, a long walking day, and conditions that can differ from those in Santiago. The supplied sleeping system makes the trip more practical, but it does not turn the route into a casual walk.

The muleteer arrangement is another useful touch. On the first day, the horseman carries the equipment toward camp. After breakfast on day two, the group breaks camp and prepares the load for the muleteer to carry back to the sanctuary entrance. You hike with less weight, but the distance and altitude remain your responsibility.

Day two: Campos de Marte and the first glacier views

After breakfast, camp is dismantled and the route continues. The first section crosses the Yerba Loca estuary before the trail begins to zigzag upward. Those switchbacks open new views into the valley and toward the surrounding peaks.

The day includes a broad area known as Campos de Marte, or Mars fields. The name fits the bare, rocky character described on this part of the route. You also pass Piedra Carvajal, an old stone refuge used by muleteers and possibly built by the Incas.

The historical detail is modest but appealing. This is not a museum stop with signs and displays. It is a rough stone shelter along an old mountain route, giving you a physical link to the people who moved through these high valleys before modern tour vehicles and trekking equipment.

After about two hours of walking and more climbing, La Paloma Glacier comes into view. The glacier is a hanging glacier, which means it occupies a high position above the valley rather than spreading across a low, flat plain. The visual impact grows as you gain height.

La Paloma Mountain reaches 4,910 meters, or 16,098 feet. Nearby Altar Mountain reaches 5,180 meters, or 16,984 feet. You do not climb either peak on this tour, but their scale gives the glacier approach its drama. The route is about reaching a strong viewpoint and the foot of the glacier, not attempting a technical ascent.

Lunch at La Paloma Glacier

Lunch is served at the foot of La Paloma Glacier. Two lunches are included in the overall package, along with breakfast, so you are not left to organize meals during the trek. You should give the operator any dietary requirements when booking. A vegetarian option is available if requested in advance.

Eating beside the glacier is the emotional center of the experience. The long first day, the early start, and the second day’s climbing all lead to this pause beneath the ice and high peaks. It is also a practical rest point before the return.

The tour description gives no exact menu, so I would not book it expecting a particular dish. The useful point is that food is handled for you, including breakfast and two lunches, while the campsite includes cookware and dinner arrangements.

After lunch, the group begins the walk back to the vehicle. The return is followed by private transport to your Santiago hotel, with arrival expected around 8 p.m. That makes day two a full outing. You should expect fatigue, especially because the return comes after the glacier approach rather than after a short viewpoint walk.

What the private format adds

The private setup is more than a marketing label here. Only your group participates, and the stated ratio is one guide for every four people. That allows the pace and stops to be managed around your group’s ability, within the limits of the route and weather.

A private guide is especially helpful on a mountain trail where the day includes river crossings, altitude gain, changing ground, and camp work. The guide can explain the valley, manage the schedule, and help keep the group moving toward the glacier without making the trip feel like a race.

Nicolas is the guide specifically praised for being prepared, experienced, and a gracious host. Those qualities matter on a two-day trip. You spend enough time with the guide that organization and personality affect the whole experience, from the hotel pickup to dinner at camp and the long return.

The private format costs more than joining a large group, but it also limits the usual compromises. You are not waiting for a bus full of strangers, and you have a better chance of asking questions or adjusting breaks. For a group that values privacy and direct support, the added cost can make sense.

Is $560 per person good value?

At $560 per person, this is not a budget hike. The price becomes easier to assess when you count what it covers: private transport from Santiago, hotel pickup and drop-off, a private guide, a muleteer, camping equipment, trekking poles, breakfast, two lunches, dinner arrangements, cookware, and a first aid kit.

You are also paying for access to a two-day route that would require more planning if arranged independently. You would need to reach the sanctuary, organize a tent and sleeping system, carry or transport the equipment, plan food, and arrange a safe return. The tour bundles those jobs into one booking.

The value is strongest for visitors who want an overnight Andean experience but do not want to buy or carry a full camping kit. It is less compelling if you already have equipment, prefer independent hiking, or only want a short mountain excursion.

Accident insurance is not included. That is an important cost and safety detail, so check your own coverage before committing. Personal clothing is also excluded, and you should budget for suitable hiking clothes if you do not already have them.

Who should book this hike?

This tour suits a fit adult or teenager who can handle a long mountain walk over two days. The minimum age is 14, and the stated fitness requirement is moderate. That does not mean easy. The distance, altitude gain, creek crossings, overnight camp, and late return make this a poor match for anyone seeking a relaxed nature stroll.

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A private outing from Santiago
• A real overnight in the Andes
• A glacier destination reached on foot
• A guide-led route with camp equipment supplied
• A trip that combines scenery, mountain history, and physical effort

It may not suit you if you need hotel comfort each night, dislike early starts, or want a flexible schedule with little walking. The tour also depends on good weather, so keep some space in your Chile itinerary in case the date changes.

You should also be comfortable with the idea that the glacier is a destination within a long mountain route, not a quick roadside stop. The reward comes after the effort.

Practical details that affect your decision

A minimum of two people is required per booking. Since the activity is private, you should confirm that your party meets this rule before paying.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. If your schedule is tight, allow time for that confirmation rather than assuming the booking is immediate.

The tour is offered in English. That makes it suitable for English-speaking visitors who want explanations during the walk and support with the camp routine.

For cancellations, you receive a full refund if you cancel at least three full days before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. Weather-related cancellations are handled differently: you can take a new date or receive a full refund.

These rules are fairly strict, so I would avoid placing the hike on the final day of your Santiago stay. A weather change is easier to manage when your schedule has room.

Should you book the La Paloma Glacier hike?

I would book this tour if you want a demanding but well-supported way to reach the high Andes from Santiago. The private guide, muleteer, included camping kit, meals, and direct hotel transport remove much of the planning burden. The frozen waterfall camp, Campos de Marte, Piedra Carvajal, and lunch near La Paloma Glacier give the route more character than a simple out-and-back walk.

I would skip it if your idea of a mountain day is a short trail and a comfortable bed at night. The 21-mile total, five-hour first-day hike, altitude gain, and late second-day return require honest preparation.

For the right person, $560 buys more than transport and a view. It buys a focused two-day Andean experience with a small private group, a guide who has earned praise for his care, and a clear goal at the foot of one of the region’s striking glaciers.

FAQ

Where does the La Paloma Glacier tour begin?

Pickup is offered at your hotel in Santiago. The scheduled start time is about 7:30 a.m.

How long is the hike?

The full route is about 21 miles. The first day covers approximately 6.5 miles, or 10.5 kilometers, and takes around five hours to reach camp.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the stated guide ratio is one guide for every four people.

What camping equipment is included?

The tour provides a four-season tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles, cookware, and a first aid kit. A muleteer helps carry the equipment.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast, dinner arrangements, and two lunches are included. Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking, and you should provide other dietary requirements in advance.

What age and fitness level are required?

The minimum age is 14. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness because the tour involves a long hike, altitude gain, an overnight camp, and a full return walk on the second day.

What happens if bad weather cancels the hike?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. For a standard cancellation, you must cancel at least three full days before the local start time to receive a full refund.