Weekend Escape: Santiago to the Andes - The Ultimate 3-Day Mountain Itinerary

My ritual when arriving in Santiago always includes an early morning visit to a local panadería for fresh marraquetas (Chilean bread rolls) before hitting the road. By 8 AM, I'm driving southeast toward Cajón del Maipo, the magnificent river canyon that serves as Santiago's adventure playground.

The route along G-25 reveals increasingly dramatic scenery as city buildings give way to vineyards, then rugged mountain terrain. My first strategic stop is always the village of San José de Maipo, where I fuel up with a robust coffee at Café del Montañés while chatting with local guides about current conditions.

By midday, I'm at Embalse El Yeso, the turquoise reservoir nestled at 2,500 meters. At my age, I've learned to respect altitude, so I take time acclimating with a gentle hike along the shoreline. The colors here—that impossible blue water against stark mountain walls—never fail to leave me breathless (and not just from the thin air!).

For overnight accommodations, I've discovered that the rustic cabins at Cascada de las Ánimas offer the perfect balance of comfort and connection to nature. Their river-view cabins provide the soothing soundtrack of rushing water all night long.

There's something uniquely liberating about paragliding in your sixties. When I tell my Cleveland friends about launching off Andean slopes, they often respond with wide-eyed concern—but at this stage of life, I find calculated risks far more rewarding than cautious regrets.

The Santiago region offers several world-class paragliding sites, but for weekend warriors, I recommend the Santiago Adventours operation in San José de Maipo. Their tandem flights provide both safety and spectacular views. Before my first flight here three years ago, I was admittedly nervous despite my paragliding experience in New Zealand. The Andes have their own character—more dramatic, more imposing.

Preparing for the flight requires proper equipment. I always wear my hiking boots for the trek to launch points and the potentially rough landings. Their ankle support has saved me from minor injuries more than once. For the flight itself, I layer up with my trusty insulated jacket which keeps me warm at altitude without restricting movement.

The moment of launch still delivers a heart-fluttering thrill—that instant when gravity seems negotiable and the vast Andean panorama unfolds beneath you. From the air, the geological drama of these mountains becomes clear: massive folds of earth thrust skyward, glacial valleys carved by ancient ice, and the ribbon-like Rio Maipo winding far below.

After landing (and calming my adrenaline with deep breaths), I always celebrate with a visit to one of Maipo Valley's boutique wineries. At Viña Santa Rita, I've developed a tradition of toasting my successful flights with their complex Carménère—a grape variety once thought extinct that found new life in Chilean soil. There's something poetic about that parallel to my own late-in-life adventures.

By the third day, my muscles usually remind me that adventure at 63 requires recovery time. Fortunately, the Andes provide the perfect solution: thermal hot springs fed by volcanic activity deep beneath these mountains.

My favorite spot is Termas Valle de Colina, where seven pools of varying temperatures sit in a dramatic valley setting. I arrive early (by 9 AM) to enjoy the pools before the weekend crowds. The mineral-rich waters work magic on sore muscles, especially after paragliding and hiking.

For maximum comfort during these thermal soaks, I've found that a quick-dry travel towel is essential. Unlike hotel towels, these pack down tiny and dry quickly between springs. I also never enter hot springs without my water shoes which provide crucial grip on slippery stones and protect feet from rough surfaces.

After a morning of blissful soaking, I head to one of my unexpected discoveries from previous trips: Chile's emerging craft beer scene. The Maipo Valley isn't just wine country anymore. Kross Bar in Lagunillas serves exceptional mountain-inspired brews that pair perfectly with their locally-sourced charcuterie boards. Their Golden Ale, infused with honey from Andean bees, captures the essence of these mountains in liquid form.

As a Korean-American who's spent decades in Cleveland, I find something deeply connecting about sharing craft beers with Chilean mountaineers. We exchange stories of climbs and flights, our different accents and backgrounds dissolving in shared appreciation for both adventure and artisanal brewing. It reminds me how universal certain pleasures are—good beer after physical exertion might just be a human constant across all cultures.

The beauty of a Santiago-based Andes escape lies in its accessibility. Unlike many mountain adventures that require extensive planning and equipment, this itinerary balances wilderness immersion with practical convenience.

For transportation, I've tried both rental cars and guided tours over my five visits. For a weekend escape, I now firmly believe in renting your own vehicle. The freedom to adjust your schedule when a perfect paragliding window appears or to linger at a hot spring until your muscles fully surrender is invaluable. I've had excellent experiences with Econorent, which offers suitable 4WD options without the premium pricing of international agencies.

Navigating mountain roads requires preparation. I always travel with a satellite communicator which provides emergency communication and location sharing even when cell service disappears. This small device has become non-negotiable for my solo adventures, particularly as I've gotten older. For mountain driving specifically, I also pack a portable air compressor since adjusting tire pressure for changing terrain (especially the unpaved sections to Termas Valle de Colina) significantly improves both safety and comfort.

Food planning requires strategy too. While San José de Maipo offers several good restaurants, options become limited deeper in the canyon. I pack a cooler with local cheeses, fresh fruit, and plenty of water. Chilean empanadas make perfect portable lunches—just ask any local for their favorite panadería before leaving Santiago.