Andes tour from Santiago: Maipo Valley & El Yeso Reservoir

Drive into the Andes and walk the reservoir shore on your own schedule

A full-day private tour from Santiago travels 62 miles southeast through Maipo Valley to El Yeso Reservoir at 2,500 meters, with hotel pickup, an English or Spanish-speaking guide, and a short walk around the lagoon followed by an outdoor picnic. The route follows the Maipo River through Andes foothills, stops at viewpoints for photographs, and passes through Cajón del Maipo on the return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Cajón del Maipo30m
2. El Yeso Dam15m

Maipo Valley and El Yeso Reservoir tour

• Private hotel pickup in Santiago
• Drive through Maipo Valley and Andes foothills
• Enjoy views of Maipo River and mountains
• Visit Embalse El Yeso lagoon
• Walk 2 km around the lagoon
• Observe wildlife and take photos
• Have a picnic overlooking mountains
• Return with stops at viewpoints and San Jose de Maipo

The experience

You get picked up from your hotel and driven southeast toward the Andes, following the Maipo River as it cuts through the valley. The road climbs gradually, and the Andes foothills come into view across the water. The drive itself is the route: 62 miles of scenery without a schedule to keep or a group to wait for, just your guide, your driver and the landscape unfolding at the pace the road sets.

At El Yeso Reservoir, you walk about 2 kilometers around the lagoon shore. The walk is short enough that moderate fitness is all you need, and it puts you at the water's edge where the mountains frame everything. On clear days, condors and eagles move through the air above the water, and wild foxes sometimes appear in the scrub. After the walk, you sit down to an outdoor picnic with the mountains across the water. The return journey includes stops at viewpoints along Cajón del Maipo so you can photograph the valley from different angles before heading back to Santiago.

The tour runs eight hours door-to-door. Your guide speaks English or Spanish, so the commentary reaches you in whichever language works. Everything is arranged (the vehicle, the timing, the food), so the day holds together without you building it.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Santiago.
• round-trip private vehicle transfer.
• English or Spanish-speaking guide.
• outdoor picnic snack at El Yeso Reservoir.
• stops at viewpoints along Maipo Valley and Cajón del Maipo on the return drive.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Huaso Tours & Bike Rental Santiago

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English or Spanish, so the commentary reaches you clearly whether you are a first-time visitor to the Andes or returning to the region. The private vehicle means the pace is yours. You set how long to spend at each viewpoint and at the lagoon, without a group schedule to follow.

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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. No refund if you cancel.

What is the walk at El Yeso Reservoir like?

The walk at El Yeso Reservoir covers about 2 kilometers (1.3 miles) along the lagoon shore at 2,500 meters elevation. It is a short, moderate-pace walk that puts you at the water's edge with mountain views, and it is where you might spot condors, eagles or wild foxes in their natural habitat before the outdoor picnic.

How far is El Yeso Reservoir from Santiago?

El Yeso Reservoir is 62 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Santiago. The drive follows the Maipo River through Maipo Valley and Cajón del Maipo, climbing gradually into the Andes foothills as you travel.

Does the tour include food?

The tour includes an outdoor picnic snack at El Yeso Reservoir after the walk around the lagoon. Additional food and drinks beyond the picnic are not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price. The driver collects you from your hotel in Santiago and returns you at the end of the day.

How many people can book this tour?

This is a private tour for your group only. A minimum of 2 people per booking is required, and no other travelers join your vehicle or your guide.