Private Cajón del Maipo Tour: El Yeso Reservoir from Santiago

You, your family, or your group of friends… All by yourselves! Enjoying the mountains to the fullest.

A unique landscape of towering white peaks reflected in the turquoise waters

The private version of the classic Embalse El Yeso trip: the same turquoise mirror of water at over 2,500 meters above sea level, ringed by Andean peaks, but with a vehicle and guide exclusive to your group, without sharing the day with other passengers. Departure is early from your hotel or address, with a stop in San José de Maipo before climbing into the Andes.

Being a private tour, the itinerary can be adjusted within the day, and optional services can be added at booking, such as the type of lunch or a horseback ride by the reservoir.

Unwind completely in the Andes while enjoying views of Embalse El Yeso and its turquoise waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains: a 700-meter walk to the reservoir’s overlook, a visit to Salto El Yeso, the historic Túnel Tinoco… And a hearty bowl of artisanal hot chocolate and local dishes to round out the experience.

Your senses will love this experience!

We’ll start our tour very early in the morning so we can enjoy a beautiful start to the day at Embalse El Yeso. The scenery is unparalleled, with the surrounding mountains always covered in a blanket of snow. It’s the perfect backdrop for capturing the moment with a great photo.

Once we reach the mountain range, we’ll stop in San José de Maipo for breakfast to recharge our energy so we can comfortably hike the 700-meter trail that leads to the overlook, where we’ll admire the sky reflected in the reservoir’s waters.

Next, we’ll head to Salto El Yeso, a 15-meter waterfall with a safe viewing area. We’ll take a break here, and if you’d like, you can enjoy your own picnic.

Then, we will visit the Túnel Tinoco, built in 1906, through which a small railway once ran, connecting Puente Alto with the mining town of El Volcán.

We’ll round out our outing with a visit to the unique ice cream and chocolate shop La Casa de Chocolate, known for its exquisite artisanal flavors and the architecture and sculptures that adorn its terrace and gardens.

At the end of the tour, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the local cuisine with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Since this is a private tour, we’ll pick you up directly at your home or hotel. There’s no need to make a pickup route to pick up other passengers… Straight to the Cordillera! Once you’ve made your reservation, you can contact the coordinator to adjust your pickup time. However, due to traffic conditions, we recommend leaving early to make the most of the day.

Useful information

This tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues, unless the family group skips the visit to Embalse El Yeso.

The Cajón del Maipo is a natural area with a quite diverse and unique climate. Tours may be modified, or we may only reach some of the described points if road or weather conditions do not permit otherwise. This will be assessed by the guide based on their experience.

Why it’s worth it

It’s the most flexible way to see Embalse El Yeso: the same destination as the group tour, with a guide dedicated only to your group and timing you help coordinate. If you would rather share the day, there is a group version (Embalse El Yeso). As a private tour, the price per person depends on group size: see the price table on this page.