Cajon de Maipo Melosas tour: Andes rock formations

A rock formation inside the Andes that rivals the Grand Canyon.

A full-day tour from Santiago to Cajon de Maipo, 70 kilometers into the Andes, visiting Melosas (a rock formation comparable to the Grand Canyon), and the Yeso and Maipo Rivers. The tour includes a guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese; hotel pickup; and a picnic with cheese, salami and wine at the end. Moderate fitness is needed. The El Yeso Dam stop depends on government access, usually closed April through September.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cajon de Maipo and Melosas

• Visit Hans & Gretel style house
• Walk through Tinoco Tunnel
• See Melosas rock formation
• Enjoy picnic with local foods

The experience

You leave Santiago and drive into Cajon de Maipo, a region where the Andes open into canyons and river valleys. The tour stops at a Hans & Gretel-style house full of chocolates, then moves through the Tinoco Tunnel: a passage carved through the mountain where, from inside in complete darkness, you can only see the light at the far end. The tunnel's isolation and the sound of water draining inside the mountain create a moment of quiet reflection before you emerge.

The centerpiece is Melosas, a rock formation at 2,500 meters above sea level that the operator compares to the Grand Canyon. You see the Yeso and Maipo Rivers cutting through the landscape, and if the government has the El Yeso Dam open (it closes most years between April and September for safety), that becomes an additional stop. The terrain shifts with the season (snow-covered peaks in winter, sunny and windswept in summer), but the scale of the formation stays constant.

At the end of the tour, you sit down to a picnic with cheeses, salami, wine and other options. The whole experience runs seven to nine hours. A guide who speaks your language leads the group, and you're picked up from your hotel in Santiago, so no need to arrange your own transport to the trailhead.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Santiago.
• guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• picnic with cheese, salami and wine.
• wine tasting.
• beverages.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00 and 07:35

Book up to14h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Full Tour

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup from Santiago means you don't need a rental car or a ride to the trailhead. You're collected and returned, which works if you're staying in the city without transport or arriving on your first day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is Cajon de Maipo from Santiago?

Cajon de Maipo is 70 kilometers from Santiago, reached by vehicle during the tour.

What is Melosas and why is it worth seeing?

Melosas is a rock formation inside the Andes at 2,500 meters elevation that the operator compares in scale to the Grand Canyon, offering views across the mountain landscape.

Is the El Yeso Dam always included in the tour?

El Yeso Dam is an additional stop when the government permits access. It is usually closed April through September due to safety measures, so it may not be part of your tour depending on the season and current conditions.

What does the picnic at the end include?

The picnic includes cheese, salami, wine and other options, served at the conclusion of the tour.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from my hotel?

No. Hotel pickup from Santiago is included, and a guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese leads the group throughout the day.