Maipo Valley Full-Day Tour, Santiago

Located about 45 minutes southeast of Chile's capital of Santiago is Cajón del Maipu, a scenic canyon. An excursion here first stops in the fertile San José de Maipo region, with its hills and vineyards. Then it's an ascent into the mountains and the landscapes become even more dramatic as massifs and snow-capped peaks dominate the skyline. That's to say nothing of the sparkling rivers and streams that wind through this paradise.

The next stop is 3,000 meters above sea level (9,843 feet) at the shores of the Embalse de Yeso, a reservoir nestled in the Andes whose glassy surface shines bright turquoise. Here, expert guides will offer insight into the geology of the area as well as the history of the reservoir, a result of damming the Yeso River back in 1964. Lunch will be a picnic near the water accompanied by a selection of top Chilean wine. On the return trip to San José de Maipo, there's a stop at a local restaurant to try a traditional Chilean empanada.