Private Mountain Bike Tour to El Yeso Dam from Santiago

Ride from a high-altitude reservoir down through the Andes foothills on gravel and pavement

A private, guided mountain bike tour from Santiago that starts at El Yeso Dam (8,202 feet) and descends 12 miles into Maipo Valley. The day includes hotel pickup at 7:30am, a picnic breakfast at the reservoir, a guided descent on intermediate-to-advanced terrain that adapts to your skill level, and return to your hotel by 3:30pm. Minimum two people per booking. Maximum eight.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cajón del Maipo40m
2. El Yeso Dam1h

Mountain bike tour to El Yeso Reservoir

• Pickup from Santiago hotel at 7:30am
• Drive 62 miles to Andes foothills
• Arrive at El Yeso Dam
• Start 12-mile mountain bike ride
• Picnic breakfast at reservoir
• Bike down to San Gabriel village
• Transfer back to Santiago
• Drop off at hotel around 3:30pm

The experience

The tour begins with pickup from your Santiago hotel at 7:30am for a 62-mile drive into the Andes foothills and Cajón del Maipo. Your guide meets you at El Yeso Dam, which sits above 8,200 feet, where the bikes, helmets and gloves are waiting. From there you pedal 12 miles through the reservoir area before stopping for a picnic breakfast with views of the surrounding mountains.

The real ride starts after breakfast: a descent on mountain bike from the dam down to San Gabriel village. The trail is gravel and pavement, and your guide adjusts the technical difficulty to match the group's ability level. This is intermediate-to-advanced terrain, so you need at least a moderate fitness level and some bike handling skills, but the route is built to work for riders at different levels within that range. You'll be on the bike for several hours, with the guide leading the way and setting the pace.

After the descent, you relax during the transfer back to Santiago, arriving at your hotel around 3:30pm. The whole day runs eight hours from pickup to drop-off. Bikes, helmets and gloves are provided. Your guide speaks English or Spanish.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Santiago hotel.
• round-trip private transfer to Cajón del Maipo and El Yeso Dam.
• mountain bike, helmet and bike gloves.
• picnic breakfast at the reservoir.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (14 to 70 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Huaso Tours & Bike Rental Santiago

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have intermediate-to-advanced bike handling skills and moderate-to-strong fitness: the terrain and elevation demand both, and the guide adapts the route difficulty to your group's level rather than offering an easier alternative.

Traveler reviews

4.92★★★★★★★★★★

13 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What's the elevation and terrain like on the ride down from El Yeso Dam?

El Yeso Dam sits at 8,202 feet in the Andes. The 12-mile descent follows gravel and pavement roads down into Maipo Valley toward San Gabriel village. The trail is intermediate to advanced, and your guide adjusts the technical level to match your group's ability.

Do I need to bring my own mountain bike, or is one included?

A mountain bike, helmet and bike gloves are all included in the tour. You don't need to bring your own or arrange rental separately.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup is at 7:30am. The tour runs eight hours total, with return to your Santiago hotel around 3:30pm.

Is this tour private, or will I be riding with other groups?

This is a private tour for your group only. A minimum of two people is required per booking, and a maximum of eight can join.

What's included in the picnic breakfast at the reservoir?

A picnic breakfast is provided at El Yeso Dam after the initial 12-mile ride, with views of the mountains. Additional food and drinks beyond the picnic are not included.