Metropolitana de Santiago is the central Chilean region built around the capital, Santiago, a city of about seven million set in a valley between the Andes and the Coastal Range. Beyond the capital it holds the Cajon del Maipo canyon, the pottery town of Pomaire, the Maipo Valley vineyards and the Andean ski centres of Farellones, La Parva, El Colorado and Valle Nevado.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Cajon del Maipo and San Jose de Maipo
A canyon of the Maipo River in the high Andes with river-rafting, hiking, hot springs, mountain villages and cafes in San Alfonso and San Jose de Maipo.
Highlights: Rafting the Maipo River rapids with licensed operators · Strolling the plaza and craft stalls of San Jose de Maipo · Cafes and riverside lunches in San Alfonso · Hiking and hot-spring stops along the Ruta G-25 canyon road · Spring wildflowers in October and November
Embalse El Yeso
A turquoise high-Andean reservoir at about 2,500 m, framed by glaciers and peaks, a classic photo stop and picnic spot.
Highlights: Turquoise reservoir water set against glaciers and Andean peaks · Photography and picnics at about 2,500 m · Scenic drive along Ruta G-25 through the Cajon del Maipo · Short walks along the shore and the dam
Monumento Natural El Morado and Banos Morales
A national monument with an easy 4 km trail to the Morales Lagoon below the El Morado glacier and a small community of thermal springs.
Highlights: Easy 4 km trail to the Morales Lagoon · Views of the El Morado glacier and surrounding peaks · Thermal springs in the Banos Morales community · Scenic bus or drive up the Cajon del Maipo
Pomaire
A small village famous for its red-clay pottery workshops, rustic grill restaurants and artisan streets.
Highlights: Browsing red-clay pottery workshops and artisan streets · Watching potters at work · Lunch from clay dishes at rustic grill restaurants · Affordable ceramics from about CLP 2,000
Concha y Toro Winery, Pirque
Chile's largest wine group, with a historic estate, the Casillero del Diablo cellar legend and tastings in the garden.
Highlights: Guided tour of the historic Pirque estate and gardens · The Casillero del Diablo cellar legend · Tastings of Maipo Valley wines in the garden · Harvest atmosphere in March and April
Santa Rita Estate, Alto Jahuel (Buin)
A historic Maipo Valley estate with a wine museum, 19th-century chapel, gardens and a restaurant serving lunch.
Highlights: Historic estate gardens and 19th-century chapel · Wine museum and guided cellar visit · Tasting of Maipo Valley wines · Lunch at the estate restaurant
Vina Undurraga, Talagante
A family winery founded in 1885 in the Maipo Valley, known for tours of its cellars and gardens.
Highlights: Tour of a winery founded in 1885 · Cellar visit and garden walk · Wine tasting at the visitor centre · Easy pairing with a stop in Pomaire
Valle Nevado and Farellones
Chile's largest ski area near Santiago, linked with La Parva and El Colorado. In summer and October the area is for hiking and mountain biking; lifts run roughly June to late September.
Highlights: Skiing across the Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado linked area · Driving the Camino a Farellones and its 40 hairpin turns · Mountain lunches with Andean views · Hiking and mountain biking outside the snow season
Santuario de la Naturaleza Yerba Loca
A protected Andean valley with glacier views, waterfalls and the Estero Yerba Loca trail; best for full-day hikes.
Highlights: Estero Yerba Loca trail through an Andean valley · Glacier and high-peak views · Waterfalls and meadows along the stream · Guided full-day treks from Santiago
Reserva Nacional Rio Clarillo
A CONAF-managed reserve of native sclerophyllous forest, quiet river pools and picnic areas close to Santiago.
Highlights: Native sclerophyllous forest trails · River pools and shaded picnic areas · Birdlife and foothill views · Easy escape close to Santiago
Valparaiso and Vina del Mar
A hill-top port city, UNESCO-listed, with street art, funiculars and Vina del Mar's gardens and beaches nearby.
Highlights: Street art and colourful houses on Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion · Historic funicular lifts (ascensores) · Plaza Sotomayor and the port · Gardens, beaches and promenades of Vina del Mar
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Half-day winery tours from CLP 80,000-100,000 (~USD 86-107); Cajon del Maipo and mountain tours CLP 40,000-90,000 (~USD 43-96)
- Private
- Private driver from CLP 80,000-150,000 (~USD 86-160) per half day; arranged through hotels or via DiDi/Uber Black
- Public
- Metro Line 4 to Las Mercedes for the Cajon del Maipo; Pajaritos and Alameda terminals for coaches to the coast and Melipilla; check red.cl and turbus.cl for timetables
- Rental
- Car rental CLP 30,000-60,000 per day (~USD 32-64); needed for most winery and mountain destinations outside tours
Multi-day tours from Metropolitana de Santiago
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from Metropolitana de SantiagoWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Winery visits are by reservation only; book at least a day ahead through each winery's website
Cajon del Maipo roads and El Yeso can close for snow or landslides from May to October; check with Carabineros (phone 133) or the San Jose de Maipo municipal office
Ski roads to Farellones are one-way up in the morning and down in the evening on busy days; leave Santiago before 8:00
Altitude at Embalse El Yeso and Banos Morales is 2,000-2,500 m: carry water, sun protection and warm layers year-round
For Valparaiso, buy return tickets on a weekday and avoid Sunday evening when coaches fill up
Mobile signal is patchy in the Cajon del Maipo: download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before leaving