Cajon del Maipo: El Yeso Reservoir, Spa & Chilean Lunch Day Trip

Summary

El Yeso’s turquoise water, San José de Maipo’s chocolate, mountain spa lunch

You’ll taste artisan chocolate in San José de Maipo, share brunch overlooking El Yeso Reservoir’s wild blue water, then soak in mountain hot pools after a Chilean lunch with pisco sour. This day trip leaves you feeling both small beneath the Andes and oddly at home among strangers.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I forgot my swim cap. Not the best start for a day in Cajon del Maipo, but our guide Carolina just grinned and waved it off (“We’ve got extras, don’t worry!”). We started in San José de Maipo’s main square where old men played cards under the jacarandas and the church bells sounded kind of out of place against all that mountain silence. Carolina pointed out the church’s stonework — apparently it’s a National Monument, though I mostly remember the way the sunlight hit the faded blue doors. There was this tiny café called Addiction del Maipo where we stopped for chocolate. The smell inside was so rich I almost forgot to listen as they explained how they make it by hand. Tried to pronounce one of the local sweets — failed spectacularly. The owner laughed and handed me an extra piece “for effort.”

The drive up to El Yeso Reservoir felt like we were climbing into another world — switchbacks, dust on the windows, snow patches clinging to rocks even though it was late spring. When we finally stopped, that first look at the turquoise water just sort of made everyone go quiet for a second (even Carolina). We had brunch right there: bread still warm from someone’s oven in town, sharp cheese, fruit that tasted like actual sun. It sounds dramatic but I really did just sit there chewing and staring at those mountains thinking: how is this only two hours from Santiago? The wind was cold enough to sting your ears if you forgot your hat (which I also did).

Later at the River Sanctuary spa — after a glass of pisco sour that went straight to my head — I floated in one of their hot pools watching clouds move across the peaks. There were families from Santiago chatting quietly and a couple from Brazil who kept taking selfies with their wine glasses half-submerged. Lunch was slow and noisy in that good way; plates of pastel de choclo and grilled meat passed around while someone told a story about falling into an icy stream last winter. By then I’d stopped worrying about forgetting things or saying words wrong. Just felt grateful to be warm, full, and somewhere so far from my usual routine.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Andes nature and relax at spa

• Visit San José de Maipo main square
• See Church of San José National Monument
• Visit Addiction del Maipo cafeteria
• Learn artisan chocolate making
• Travel to El Yeso Reservoir
• Walk and enjoy outdoor brunch
• Go to Sanctuary of the River
• Enjoy welcome Pisco Sour
• Have Chilean cuisine lunch
• Relax in pools, spa, and hot tubs

Top questions

How long is the Cajon del Maipo day trip from Santiago?

The tour lasts a full day including round-trip transfers from Santiago.

Is lunch included on this El Yeso Reservoir tour?

Yes, a Chilean lunch with pisco sour is included at the River Sanctuary spa.

Are swimming caps required at the spa pools?

Yes, wearing a swim cap is mandatory in all swimming pools.

What is included in this Cajon del Maipo tour?

The tour includes pickup/drop-off, bilingual guide, brunch at El Yeso Reservoir, entry to spa/pools, wine or pisco sour, and lunch.

Is this day trip suitable for children?

Yes, infants can join with prams/strollers and must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Do I need to bring anything special for this tour?

You should bring your swimsuit and swimming cap for the pools; extras may be available if you forget.

How high is El Yeso Reservoir above sea level?

The reservoir sits at approximately 2,500 meters elevation in the Andes.

Does this tour visit any historical sites?

Yes, it stops at San José de Maipo’s main square and historic church (National Monument).

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transfers from Santiago with a bilingual guide leading each stop: artisan chocolate tasting in San José de Maipo; outdoor brunch overlooking El Yeso Reservoir; entry to River Sanctuary spa with access to temperate indoor/outdoor pools; welcome glass of wine or pisco sour; hearty Chilean lunch; plus all pool tickets before returning comfortably back to your starting point.