By private transport

From the north east of Santiago – in a car take Americo Vespucio towards the south of the city. Come off Vespucio at junction 41 which is signposted Las Torres. Follow the feeder road at the side of Vespucio for about 250m. At the traffic lights turn left passing underneath Vespucio. This is Av. La Florida – follow this road straight until Las Vizcachas where you must keep left.

From the centre of Santiago -You can also begin from the Mapocho River taking Av. Los Leones in a straight line until reaching the Maipo Valley. Los Leones Avenue is located in Providencia, close to downtown. Its name changes at various points from Av. Los Leones, to José Pedro Alessandri, Macúl, Av. La Florida, Camilo Heríquez, Las Vizcachas and finally, Camino El Volcán.

From Las Vizcachas sector San Jose de Maipo – Once you are in Las Vizcachas the road takes you into what is the zone of the Cajon del Maipo – you will pass through La Obra, Las Vertientes, El Canelo, El Manzano, Guayacan, San Jose de Maipo, El Toyo, El Melocoton, San Alfonso, El Almendro, El Ingenio y San Gabriel. In San Gabriel you will pass through a police barrier and 500m further on, the tarmac road finishes. By the dirt road you will pass by El Volcan (approx. 7km) and 12km further on you will come to our first signpost that states that the Refugio is 1.5km further on. In km 76 you will come to a road rising to your right and our second sign post – turn up here, follow the road and our final signpost signals 200m to the refugio.

Public Transport, taxis and private services.

Private Transport Service from a hotel in Santiago or the International Airport to the Refugio Lo Valdés. Maximum 4 passengers, please ask for rates (let us know your requirements).

Group Transport Service from a hotel in Santiago or the International Airport to the Refugio Lo Valdés. Maximum 12 passengers, please ask for rates by calling (02) 851-5408 or (09-9) 442-6523.

Group Transport Service from a hotel in Santiago or the International Airport to the Refugio Lo Valdés. Maximum 12 passenger, please consult Mr. Reto Stöckli for prices by calling (02) 212-4665 or (09-8) 411-5539. He speaks Spanish, French, English and German.

Tourismontaña (external company recommended but not associated with Refugio Lo Valdés) offers transport to the area every Saturday and Sunday a 7am, leaving from the corner of Av. Providencia and Av. Bustamante (beside the CTC tower) and returning to Santiago a 5:30 from the Refugio. They charge $7.000 round trip to the Refugio. Group transport may also be arranged during the week. You must make reservations by telephone calling (02) 850-0555. Please confirm prices and schedule with them directly.

Metro/Metrobus offers transportation options every day of the year. You will have to make the necessary changes depending on your point of destination. For example, if you get off the Metro at Bellavista de la Florida Metro Station (Green Line), you can take the # 72 METROBUS from the bus terminal (below the mall) to San José or San Gabriel. The transportation alternative from San José is to take a taxi to Refugio Lo Valdés for appox. $20.000. From San Gabriel, you can test your luck by hichhiking and asking for a ride from the trucks that work in the mine (during the week) and from private autos during the weekend. It is also possible to arrange transportation through the Refugio, but this must be arranged with anticipation by email and has a separate cost depending on the season and number of passengers.