Cajón del Maipo day trip: Embalse El Yeso & folk picnic

Turquoise reservoir, mountain villages, and a traditional Chilean picnic in the Andes

A full-day guided tour from Santiago into Cajón del Maipo canyon, traveling by air-conditioned minivan to Embalse El Yeso reservoir and rural Andean villages where you taste local goat cheese, photograph baby goats, watch live folk dance, and share an included picnic with wine.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Andes adventure and picnic

• Depart from Santiago city
• Travel toward San José de Maipo
• Pass mountain villages and towns
• Coffee stop by the Maipo River
• Visit Embalse El Yeso reservoir
• Take in the mountain views at the reservoir
• Photograph baby goats and wildlife
• Taste fresh goat cheese
• Browse local crafts
• Meet locals in traditional attire
• Watch live folk dance
• Enjoy included picnic with wine toast
• Drive back to Santiago

The experience

Your morning starts with hotel pickup in Santiago and a drive toward San José de Maipo, the main town in Cajón del Maipo. As the minivan climbs into the canyon, your guide shares stories about the mountain villages you pass (La Obra, El Canelo, El Manzano, San Gabriel), each with its own history tied to the Maipo River and the Andes. The route follows the G-25 road deeper into the canyon, where the landscape shifts from suburban sprawl to narrow valley walls and river gorges.

The centerpiece is Embalse El Yeso, a reservoir sitting above 2,000 meters elevation with emerald-green water ringed by dramatic peaks. This is where the included picnic happens: cheeses, charcuterie, olives, snacks, juice and a wine toast, all set against the water and mountains. Before or after, you'll meet locals in traditional Chilean attire who demonstrate folk dances and games, offer fresh goat cheese to taste, and let you photograph baby goats and native wildlife. Casa Chocolate, one of the canyon's most photographed spots, is also on the route.

The drive back to Santiago takes the afternoon, with your guide continuing to point out the villages and geological features of the canyon. The minivan is air-conditioned throughout, and the pace is set by the guide. You're not navigating or figuring out where to eat. The only thing you arrange is showing up at your hotel at pickup time.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Santiago.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• English-speaking guide (Spanish and Portuguese available).
• entry to the folk tradition session with live dance and local interaction.
• visit to Embalse El Yeso.
• fresh goat cheese tasting.
• picnic with cheeses, charcuterie, olives, snacks, juice and wine toast.
• photography of baby goats and native wildlife.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MTO Tour Chile

Is this one for you?If you have a free day in Santiago, this tour fills it with the high Andes without requiring a rental car. The guide handles the route, the park coordination, and the cultural stops. You show up at your hotel and return with the day arranged.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

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.

What is Embalse El Yeso and why is it the main stop on this tour?

Embalse El Yeso is a large reservoir at over 2,000 meters elevation in the high Andes, fed by the Yeso River. Its emerald-green water and dramatic mountain backdrop make it the visual centerpiece of the day, and it's where the included picnic takes place.

What does the folk tradition session involve?

You'll meet locals dressed in traditional Chilean attire who perform live folk dances and teach traditional games. This happens in the canyon, where you can also taste fresh goat cheese, browse local crafts, and photograph baby goats and native wildlife. Entry to this cultural session is included.