Tour to Cajón del Maipo: Embalse el Yeso Reservoir

Tour to Cajón del Maipo: excursion to Embalse El Yeso

A unique landscape of towering white peaks reflected in the turquoise waters

Unwind completely in the Andes while enjoying views of El Yeso Reservoir and its turquoise waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains: a 700-meter walk to the reservoir’s overlook, a visit to El Yeso Waterfall, the historic Tínoco Tunnel... And a hearty bowl of artisanal hot chocolate and local dishes to round out the experience. An 8-hour excursion with an expert guide and transportation included.

Your senses will love this experience!

We’ll start our tour very early in the morning so we can enjoy a beautiful start to the day at El Yeso Reservoir. The scenery is unparalleled, with the surrounding mountains always covered in a blanket of snow. It’s the perfect backdrop for capturing the moment with a great photo.

Once we reach the mountain range, we’ll stop in San José de Maipo for breakfast to recharge our energy so we can comfortably hike the 700-meter trail that leads to the overlook, where we’ll admire the sky reflected in the reservoir’s waters.

Next, we’ll head to Salto el Yeso, a 15-meter waterfall with a safe viewing area. We’ll take a break here, and if you’d like, you can enjoy a picnic. Then, we will visit the Tinoco Tunnel, built in 1906, through which a small railway once ran, connecting Puente Alto with the mining town of El Volcán.

We’ll round out our outing with a visit to the unique ice cream and chocolate shop La Casa de Chocolate, known for its exquisite artisanal flavors and the architecture and sculptures that adorn its terrace and gardens.

At the end of the tour, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the local cuisine with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Useful information for this group tour:

Frequency: Daily

Season: Year-round, except under exceptional circumstances.

Duration: Eight hours

Capacity: Minimum 1 person. Maximum 44 people

Difficulty level: Participants must be physically fit enough to handle the altitude (2,800 meters above sea level) and the short but challenging initial hike.

Price of the tour to Cajón del Maipo and El Yeso Reservoir:

Please check the prices for adults and children in the online booking system (below)

A child is defined as a person 12 years of age or younger

Includes:

- Transportation

- An expert local guide who will take you to the best spots to enjoy the views and take great photos.

Does not include:

- Lunch or drinks. You can bring your own or buy sandwiches or empanadas on site.

Itinerary for the Cajón del Maipo and El Yeso Reservoir Tour:

Pickup times for this group tour begin at 6:00 a.m. The exact time will depend on your location and the pickup route for the other passengers.

We pick up from all hotels in Downtown Santiago, Providencia, or Las Condes. If you are not in these areas, you will need to come to one of them or book a private tour.

8:30 AM Stop in the town of San José de Maipo, where participants can buy what they need or have breakfast.

10:00 AM Arrival at El Yeso Reservoir

11:30 AM Visit to El Yeso Waterfall

12:30 PM Visit to the Tinoco Tunnel

1:30 PM Stop at the Casa de Chocolate

2:00 PM Lunch at a restaurant serving traditional Chilean cuisine

3:30 PM Return to Santiago

5:30 PM Arrival at the departure point

Please note:

This tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues, unless the family group skips the visit to the El Yeso Reservoir.

The Cajón del Maipo is a natural area with a quite diverse and unique climate. Tours may be modified, or we may only reach some of the described points if road or weather conditions do not permit otherwise. This will be assessed by the guide based on their experience.