I went to InfoTour as I wanted some local knowledge to confirm what I had researched online and fill in a few gaps. Elisa helped me in fluent English and... read more her 2 colleagues were busy backing her up with research and info for me. They provided a wealth of information and emailed it all to me the next day so I could process it all without forgetting anything. Well worth a visit!

  The hot springs tour in Cajon del Maipo was a really unique and beautiful experience, the highlight of our stay in Santiago! I felt taken care of from beginning to... read more end with Jessica heading our group (me and 4 friends with a few other small...More

  What a great experience! There are two types of tours. The first is your standard “stop-and-drop” where a gaggle of tourists is shuttled from one location to another... read more over the course of several hours. You’ll stop at a few locations, wait in line to have your picture taken at some pre-determined spot, before moving on to the next location. These trips are planned to the minute and are designed to move you from one place to the next in comfort. If you want to travel in a bubble, this first type is the best option for you.

Then there are tours like those offered by Paolo. If you are thinking about visiting Chile and you would like an authentic travel experience, this is the way to go. We booked a full day excursion to the Cajón del Maipo with Paolo. This is an area well-known to Paolo and it showed.

On the morning of our tour he picked us up in a well-worn 4x4, perfect for driving up and down the rough mountainside terrain. From the moment we met, it was clear that Paolo knew what he was doing. As we drove through Santiago’s early morning traffic, he shared facts about the city and the Cajón del Maipo along with personal stories that gave us a sense of life in this part of the world.

Once we exited Santiago and entered El Cajon del Maipo, the tour took off! We traveled up through rocky mountain roads. The landscape quickly changed and before we knew it we were in the middle of an alpine wonderland. The snow-capped mountains surrounded us and Paolo pointed out the sites. We stopped at a couple of overlooks for pictures. The backdrop was breathtaking.

Our original plan was to travel to the hot springs. However, a recent snowfall made the road impassible. At that point, Paolo really came through as en expert guide. We quickly re-arranged the day and headed towards the Embalse del Yeso. After a short hike, we reached a large, man-made lake the supplies fresh water to Santiago. The views were simple incredible.

On our return, we stopped at Paolo’s mountain retreat, El Refugio del Yeso. Yet again, Paolo proved his mettle as a guide and a host. As we toured his camp (think a hostel located in the mountains) his mother prepared a wonderful lunch of rice, chicken, salad, and fresh fruit, all of which we enjoyed with great Chilean wine and Turkish coffee (one of Paolo’s specialties).

After lunch, we toured San Jose de Maipo, where we visited with one of Paolo’s friends who is a great storyteller and just so happens to be restoring a beautiful train that played a role in facilitating travel up and down the mountain in the early half of the 20th Century.

After a 12-hour day, Paolo returned us to the bustle of Santiago. We were tired but happy. This tour exceeded our expectations. A visit to Cajon del Maipo is a must, especially with Paolo at the wheel. We hope to be back soon and spend some time at Paolo’s mountain retreat.

  We booked the night tour to the Colina hot springs in Cajon del Maipo. Communication via email with chilexplora was great. Price is extremely reasonable given the very long drive... read more and late hours. I think we got back around 2am. The price includes the transportation to the hot springs, entry fee, water, and light snacks. Make sure you eat before if you think you will get hungry. Our guide, Juan Pablo, was very friendly and loves nature. He showed us his favorite hot spring pool and we found it was perfect for us. The hot spring pools were less crowded at night and the stars were beautiful.

The ride to the area is a nice change from city landscapes. You pass through a lot of cute towns. Just beware it can be a 3+ hour drive one way from Santiago city depending on traffic, weather and light conditions. Take meds if you are prone to motion sickness. The last part of the drive is pretty bumpy since you are literally driving through a mountain to get to the hot springs.

  The hot springs tour in Cajon del Maipo was a really unique and beautiful experience, the highlight of our stay in Santiago! I felt taken care of from beginning to... read more end with Jessica heading our group (me and 4 friends with a few other small groups and individuals totaling 12). She contacted me the night before making sure we understood everything and were prepared for our trip. I enjoyed the little cafe they took us to for breakfast and the home they brought us to for dinner. Of course, the hot springs were very soothing and had an amazing view!

**NOTE FOR WINTER TRAVELERS** We traveled in the beginning of July. The host contacted me the night before warning me about having to hike the last 5km to get to the hot springs due to recent snow making the road impassable by car. There was an option to rent a snow vehicle as a ferry between the base camp and the springs, but that broke down the day before so we didn't get that option. As someone from sea-level with almost no hiking experience/aptitude, the hike was very slow but it was not super challenging. It took approx. 2-3 hours to hike to the springs, and the snowy Andes landscape was quiet and beautiful so it was an overall enjoyable hike. The most difficult bit was the last slope up to the hot springs! If you're visiting in the winter, you can rent snow gear at the cafe you visit for breakfast (I rented snow boots, which I found very helpful).

Talking with the host, in the summer it's possible to drive the road all the way to the springs. But as a result, the hot springs are much more crowded during the peak season (like waiting in line to fit in a pool). So if you're looking for a more relaxing experience, you have to earn it at the end of a beautiful hike!

  Left in the afternoon and stopped along the way at a bar to have a beer local to the canyon. Then proceeded onto the hot springs where spent about 4-5... read more hours and got to see more stars than I've seen in my lifetime while relaxing in the hot spring. Seeing the moon light up the canyon as it rose was equally as awesome. Finished off the day with a small picnic with cheese nuts tea and wine set up by Paulo and Jessica. Paulo and Jessica are both incredibly knowledgeable and do a great job of taking care of everyone. Would highly recommend.

  Paulo and Chris showed my girlfriend and I an incredible and unforgettable time in the mountains. They were kind, informative, funny, and truly interested in getting to know the two... read more of us as people. We will never forget this amazing tour.

  This excursion was, hands down, the most authentic, incredible, gorgeous, and magical adventure I have ever experienced. Paulo Ceasar attended to every single detail of the trip, accommodating the... read more needs of everyone in the group at every juncture. His passion for the outdoors and nature...More

  Left in the afternoon and stopped along the way at a bar to have a beer local to the canyon. Then proceeded onto the hot springs where spent about 4-5... read more hours and got to see more stars than I've seen in my lifetime while relaxing...More

  What a great experience! There are two types of tours. The first is your standard “stop-and-drop” where a gaggle of tourists is shuttled from one location to another... read more over the course of several hours. You’ll stop at a few locations, wait in line to have your picture taken at some pre-determined spot, before moving on to the next location. These trips are planned to the minute and are designed to move you from one place to the next in comfort. If you want to travel in a bubble, this first type is the best option for you.

Then there are tours like those offered by Paolo. If you are thinking about visiting Chile and you would like an authentic travel experience, this is the way to go. We booked a full day excursion to the Cajón del Maipo with Paolo. This is an area well-known to Paolo and it showed.

On the morning of our tour he picked us up in a well-worn 4x4, perfect for driving up and down the rough mountainside terrain. From the moment we met, it was clear that Paolo knew what he was doing. As we drove through Santiago’s early morning traffic, he shared facts about the city and the Cajón del Maipo along with personal stories that gave us a sense of life in this part of the world.

Once we exited Santiago and entered El Cajon del Maipo, the tour took off! We traveled up through rocky mountain roads. The landscape quickly changed and before we knew it we were in the middle of an alpine wonderland. The snow-capped mountains surrounded us and Paolo pointed out the sites. We stopped at a couple of overlooks for pictures. The backdrop was breathtaking.

Our original plan was to travel to the hot springs. However, a recent snowfall made the road impassible. At that point, Paolo really came through as en expert guide. We quickly re-arranged the day and headed towards the Embalse del Yeso. After a short hike, we reached a large, man-made lake the supplies fresh water to Santiago. The views were simple incredible.

On our return, we stopped at Paolo’s mountain retreat, El Refugio del Yeso. Yet again, Paolo proved his mettle as a guide and a host. As we toured his camp (think a hostel located in the mountains) his mother prepared a wonderful lunch of rice, chicken, salad, and fresh fruit, all of which we enjoyed with great Chilean wine and Turkish coffee (one of Paolo’s specialties).

After lunch, we toured San Jose de Maipo, where we visited with one of Paolo’s friends who is a great storyteller and just so happens to be restoring a beautiful train that played a role in facilitating travel up and down the mountain in the early half of the 20th Century.

After a 12-hour day, Paolo returned us to the bustle of Santiago. We were tired but happy. This tour exceeded our expectations. A visit to Cajon del Maipo is a must, especially with Paolo at the wheel. We hope to be back soon and spend some time at Paolo’s mountain retreat.

  Really enjoyable trip with 2 excellent guides.
We were well fed and say some authentic chilean culture as well as stunning scenery.
There was only a small hike of a... read more couple if kilometres so people of all ages had fitness types could go

  An exceptional experience with a renowned tour guide crew to the beautiful and scenic Andes mountains. Highly recommended

  The last part of the trip was exceedingly adventurous and the warm springs in the rugged landscape a unique experience. However, the guide did not speak English, although the participants... read more were all from abroad and no one spoke Spanish. This is unjustifiable considering the amount paid for the Tour. No questions could be asked, although I would have had many questions. However, the guide was very nice as a person: she drove fantastically on the difficult slope and prepared a picnic in a beautiful and interesting hut.

  This is a must in Santiago, very close to the city but immersed in the unbelievably and beautiful Andes Mountains. Baiting in the hot springs is a fantastic moment!

  Had the absolute best last day in Santiago I could ask for. The team is amazing with logistics and I loved every stop we had and the people we met... read more along the way. So fun-filled, great value for the amenities provided, and the driver and...More

  Amazing time with Paulo! He is super kind. Best part was the hot springs. It renews your body. Also, the perk is that he takes professional photos of you with... read more his camera the whole time and when you’re in the hot springs and he sends them to you right away. Best photos of our vacation! Highly recommend 🙂