Cajón del Maipo & Embalse el Yeso from Santiago, Chile | Day Tour

If you’re looking for a quick escape into nature during your visit to Santiago, a day tour through Cajón del Maipo might be just what you’re looking for! This canyon region of the Andes Mountains follows the Maipo River, and is scattered with a few charming small towns within its valley. For the best views, you’ll want to follow the river all the way to its culminating reservoir, the Embalse el Yeso.

Continue reading for an overview of what you can expect on a group day tour from Santiago to Cajón del Maipo, ending at the Embalse el Yeso! Overall, we think this tour is great for those looking for a relaxed, full day out in the surrounding areas of Santiago.

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Drive Through Cajón del Maipo

To start the day tour, the group tour bus will pick you up directly from your accommodation in Santiago and hit the road early. The drive through Cajón del Maipo is about two hours long and involves a handful of backroads, so transportation is definitely one of the perks of visiting the canyons & dam with a guide.

On the drive, you’ll get to enjoy beautiful views of the Chilean mountains and winding Maipo River, pictured above. If it’s nice out, your driver will likely even stop along the way for you to take some nice photos off of the side of the road.

Embalse el Yeso

At the end of the morning drive, the van will stop at the Embalse el Yeso. This reservoir is filled with stunningly blue water surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Here, your group will have a couple hours to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the scenery.

In the group tour, the company offers a buffet styled picnic lunch to participants who are interested. The table is set up along the rock clearings in the side of the mountain next to the reservoir, ensuring a good view of the backdrop.

If you enjoy photography, definitely whip out your best camera for this trip. The views of the water beneath the mountain are beautiful. There are also many rocks to sit on to grab fun photos at the Embalse el Yeso, so be sure to capture the memories while you’re there!

The van will drop you off at the base of the reservoir, and the picnic will be set up near the bus. The views are clear from this stopping point, so if you’d like to remain at this location you can do so without missing out.

There are also flat dirt roads that line the border of the reservoir (the same road your van will drive up on). If interested, you have time to walk further along the trail to get closer views of some of the mountains. There is no elevation gain and the road is well maintained so the walk should be suitable for all experience levels.

San Jose de Maipo

On the return journey back to Santiago, your group will stop in a small town called San Jose de Maipo. Here you will have the option to walk around, explore the town square, and stop for a quick bite! The most popular spot in town is known for its empanadas, but really we just recommend trying any of the local dishes to make the most of your trip.

And that’s a wrap! After your visit in San Jose del Maipo you’ll continue your journey back to Santiago and the tour will drop you off back at your hotel. You should expect to get back to your accommodation in the early evening.

Day Tour from Santiago

Is Cajón del Maipo Worth It?

If you’re wondering whether or not a trip out to Cajón del Maipo and the Embalse el Yeso is worth it, we’d probably ask how much time you have in Santiago. If you’re only in the city for one day, we recommend exploring it – there’s a lot to see! But if you’re there for a few days, or even just two, we’d recommend exploring the surrounding rural areas to enjoy the mountainous nature Chile is so well known for. Cajón del Maipo was definitely just as beautiful in person as it was pictured, so we’d recommend the day trip!

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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.