Painter’s Palette Andes Hike from Santiago

El Pintor (“The Painter”) is a colorful Andean summit rising over 4,000 m (13,123 ft) above sea level. With moderate technical difficulty, this hike rewards those who reach it with sweeping views of deep valleys and towering Andean peaks.

The ascent begins at La Parva Ski Resort. The first section leads to Laguna Piuquenes (3,599 m / 11,482 ft), a lagoon shaped like an eye. After a short rest, the trail climbs another 200 m (656 ft) to the ridge of Falsa Parva. From here, a nearly flat two-hour traverse across a rocky high-altitude landscape brings us to the final push toward the summit of El Pintor.

At the top, the thin mountain air combines with breathtaking panoramic views of some of the Andes’ highest summits. Peaks such as Marmolejo, Piuquenes, and Tupungato stretch into the distance, while the imposing El Plomo (5,550 m / 17,795 ft) dominates the northern horizon with its majestic hanging glaciers.

⚠️ Important Note: This is a high-mountain hike that requires good physical and mental condition. Due to altitude, participants may experience symptoms of altitude sickness such as nausea or fatigue caused by reduced oxygen levels.