Booking Wolf
Cajón del Maipo and Embalse El Yeso Full-Day Tour with Traditional Folk Picnic
day_trips

Cajón del Maipo and Embalse El Yeso Full-Day Tour with Traditional Folk Picnic

by MTO Tour Chile

9 hours
$37.71$41.90 on ViatorSave 10%/person
From
$37.71$41.90 on ViatorSave 10%per person

Choose from 1 available option

9 hours
Starting time
Friday 11 September 2026
Language
Free cancellation until 10 Sept 2026.
$75.42$83.80Save 10%
2 guests × $37.71
All taxes and fees included

How do you want to book?

Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.

Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$83.80

Overview

This full-day tour runs about 9 to 10 hours from Santiago in an air-conditioned minivan. The guide provides live commentary en route, sharing stories about the Andes and local customs as you travel toward San José de Maipo, passing several mountain villages along the way. You will stop at Cajón del Maipo canyon for about 30 minutes to see the upper Maipo River basin and learn about the area’s rivers and small towns. Later, visit Embalse El Yeso reservoir, situated over 2,000 meters above sea level, where you have around two hours to enjoy the landscape and eat a picnic that includes cheeses, olives, salami, wine, and juice. The itinerary also passes through several small towns such as La Obra, El Canelo, El Manzano, San Gabriel, and others, each with its own history and local products. Along the tour, you will have chances to photograph baby goats and native wildlife, taste fresh goat cheese, artisanal honey, and traditional alfajores, and interact with Chilean folk traditions including live dance and games. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide (who may also speak other languages), entrance to the folk traditional session, and transport by air-conditioned minivan. The visit to Embalse El Yeso is coordinated with Parque Cordillera for safety but park entrance fees are not covered. You return to Santiago around 6:00 PM.

Highlights

Visit Cajón del Maipo canyon and surrounding mountain villages
Stop at Embalse El Yeso reservoir with about two hours at the site
Enjoy a traditional picnic with cheeses, salami, wine, and juices
See baby goats and taste fresh goat cheese and honey
Attend a live folk dance session with entrance included
Travel in an air-conditioned minivan with live guide commentary

What's included

Visit to Embalse del Yeso with Cordillera Park (optional park, no entrance fee included)
Picnic with snacks including cheeses, olives, salami, wine, and juices
English-speaking tour guide (service can be multilingual)
Entrance to traditional folk session
Live commentary during transport
Transport in air-conditioned minivan
Tasting of fresh goat cheese
Opportunity to photograph baby goats and native wildlife
Participation in traditional Chilean games and dances
Hotel pickup and drop-off

What's not included

Gratuities

Itinerary

1

Cajon del Maipo

Cajón del Maipo is a canyon in the southeastern Andes of the Santiago Metropolitan Region. It includes the upper Maipo River basin with several rivers like El Volcán, Yeso, and Colorado, plus smaller streams such as San Gabriel and Manzanito. The main town in the area is San José de Maipo, which is the capital of the local commune.

30 min

2

Embalse El Yeso

El Yeso Reservoir is located over 2,000 meters above sea level, with a capacity of 250,000,000 cubic meters and a depth of 55 meters. Its emerald green waters are surrounded by large mountains. Visitors can practice water sports such as windsurfing and sport fishing. The picnic is enjoyed at this location.

120 min

3

La Obra

La Obra is the first town on route G-25. It began in 1802 during the construction of the San Carlos canal, which draws water from the Maipo River.

4

El Canelo

El Canelo is named after the sacred Mapuche tree found in the area’s wetlands. From here, Purgatory Hill rises to 2,466 meters. The town also offers local wines and spirits.

5

El Manzano

El Manzano is the fourth town in Cajón del Maipo. The area features native plants like boldos, thorns, and quillayes.

6

Unnamed Town (1941)

This town dates back to 1941 after the subdivision of an old farm. Visitors find typical products like almonds, honey, nuts, and quartz crystals sold along the roadside.

7

Unnamed Town with Local Architecture

This town is known for its peaceful natural setting and notable local architecture. It also offers wines and spirits from the region.

8

San Gabriel

San Gabriel grew from livestock and quarry activities. Rocky slopes nearby have the rare "Cypress of the Cordillera" conifer. The town also features a local attraction called “Los rodados de San Gabriel.”

9

Unnamed Pasture Locality

This locality was established to provide natural grazing pastures for animals coming down from the mountains. It offers scenic landscapes and access to nature.

10

Casa Chocolate Tienda Boutique

Casa Chocolate is a popular and frequently photographed spot in Cajón del Maipo.

20 min

11

Santiago

The tour starts and ends in Santiago city.

Languages

Portuguese (guide)English (guide)Spanish (guide)

Cancellation policy

  • Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.

Additional info

1–15 travelers per booking
Mobile ticket
Service animals are welcome
Infants travel on an adult's lap
Not advised during pregnancy
Suitable for all fitness levels
Participants must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic drinks
The guide may speak multiple languages
The operator is not responsible for events beyond their control such as illness, strikes, weather, natural disasters, or riots
Pickup times may vary depending on mountain conditions that day
Total
$75.42Save 10% vs Viator