Embalse del Yeso tour: Andes glacier, mountain wine tasting

Nine hours in the high Andes, from glacier to wine glass

A nine-hour guided tour from Santiago into Cajón del Maipo reaches Embalse del Yeso, a reservoir set high in the Andes, with stops at a waterfall, a tunnel carved through rock, and a millennia-old glacier. Hotel pickup is included, and the guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. Gourmet sandwich, appetizers and a glass of Chilean wine round out the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Andes and Cajón del Maipo

• Visit Embalse del Yeso dam
• Walk through waterfall and tunnel
• See millenarian glacier
• Explore San Jose de Maipo town
• Taste appetizers and Chilean wine

The Experience

Nine hours means you leave Santiago in the morning and return by evening, which is the window that lets you reach the reservoir and the glacier without rushing the drive or the stops. The route climbs into Cajón del Maipo and passes through San Jose de Maipo, the main town of the valley, before the road narrows and the altitude rises. A bilingual guide leads the group and points out the waterfall and the tunnel—both are part of the landscape you move through, not detours—and the glacier sits at the end of the drive, where the road ends and the high Andes open up.

The wine and appetizers come partway through, so you taste them in the company of the group and the mountain air rather than at a table in the city. A gourmet sandwich and water round out what the operator provides; you bring a camera and the readiness to disconnect from the city pace. The guide handles the route and the timing, so the day holds together without anyone navigating or deciding where to stop next.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Santiago.
• a bilingual guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• gourmet sandwich and appetizers.
• one glass of Chilean wine.
• and water throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by AndoAndes

Is this one for you?Most day tours from Santiago stick to the lower valleys and return by mid-afternoon. This one climbs to the glacier and the reservoir itself, which is why the nine hours exist—the altitude and the distance are what make the Andes views and the millennia-old ice possible, and the wine comes at the end of the climb, not as a substitute for it.

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Top questions

How long is the drive from Santiago to Embalse del Yeso?

The full tour runs nine hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, which includes the drive, the stops at the waterfall, tunnel and glacier, and the wine and appetizer break. The reservoir itself sits high enough that the climb takes most of the morning.

What is Embalse del Yeso?

Embalse del Yeso is a dam and reservoir in the high Andes within Cajón del Maipo, about an hour's drive from Santiago. It is one of the most photographed spots in the mountain range and marks the end of the road; the glacier and the views of the peaks are what draw the tour there.

Is the wine included, and can I skip it?

A glass of Chilean wine and appetizers are part of the tour and included in the price. If you have specific dietary requirements or prefer not to drink, let the operator know at booking and they will arrange an alternative.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most of the day is spent in the vehicle or at viewpoints; there is no climbing or strenuous hiking required.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide is bilingual and speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese, so you can choose the language when you book.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in most weather; the high altitude means conditions can change quickly. Bring layers and rain gear. If conditions become unsafe, the operator will adjust the route or reschedule.