El Manzano Caves Hiking: Limestone Formations Andes

Walk through sculpted limestone passages formed by wind and water over millions of years.

A private hiking tour from Santiago to El Manzano Caves in the Maipo Valley, where you trek through eroded limestone rock formations and narrow passageways shaped by water, wind and ice. The guide picks you up at your hotel, drives about an hour and a half to the trailhead, and leads you through the caves with trekking poles and binoculars included. Lunch is eaten inside one of the caves while you look out at the Andes. The full experience takes nine hours and requires a moderate level of fitness.

The experience

Nine hours from your Santiago hotel gets you into the Maipo Valley and through El Manzano's limestone caves: a landscape carved by millions of years of erosion into narrow passageways and sculptural rock formations. Your private guide picks you up and drives about an hour and a half to the trailhead at the southeast edge of the city, where the Andes rise on all sides. As you climb through winding paths, you move from evergreen forest and high limestone cliffs into the caves themselves, where the rock narrows and the formations become more intricate.

Trekking poles and binoculars come with you. The poles help on steep sections and the binoculars let you see detail in the rock faces and any wildlife in the high forest. Lunch happens inside one of the caves (two sandwiches, cereal bars, nuts, chocolate or cookies, two fruits and 1.6 liters of water) eaten while you sit with the Andean scenery in front of you. The guide speaks English or Spanish and can explain how water and wind shaped the limestone over time.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Santiago hotel and back.
• trekking poles, binoculars and a first aid kit.
• lunch with two sandwiches, cereal bars, nuts, chocolate or cookies, two fruits and 1.6 liters of water.
• a private guide speaking English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to15h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Coigue Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want to hike at your own pace with a single guide and no other hikers, and you have the fitness for a full day of climbing through steep terrain and cave passages.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

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 long does the drive from Santiago take to reach El Manzano Caves?

The drive from your hotel to the trailhead at El Manzano sector takes about an hour and a half, heading toward the Maipo Valley on the southeast side of the city.

What do I need to bring for the hike?

Bring personal clothing suited to hiking in the mountains. The tour provides trekking poles, binoculars, a first aid kit, and all lunch items. Water is included in the lunch pack.

Where do we eat lunch during the hike?

Lunch is eaten inside one of the caves, so you sit surrounded by the rock formations while you look out at the Andean scenery.

Is this hike suitable for someone with no hiking experience?

You need at least a moderate level of physical fitness for this nine-hour trek. The guide can adjust the pace, but the terrain includes steep sections and narrow cave passages.