Turquoise glacial waters carved by the Andes, two hours from Santiago's edge
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 12 experiences from 47 reviewed
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10 hr
Journey deep into the Andes to discover turquoise lakes, mountain villages, and authentic Chilean culture
Reserve
10 hr
Journey through stunning Andean landscapes to a turquoise mountain reservoir with alpine picnic
Reserve
10 hr
Escape to turquoise mountain lakes, rustic mountain villages, and Andean peaks on this full-day adventure.
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
Every Cajon Del Maipo tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | Duration | Rating | Pickup | Skip-the-line | Guide | Small group | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Guided Experience Most popular
Cajón del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso: Andes Day Trip with Folk Traditions
|
10 hr | ★ 4.3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €37 | Book → |
|
Guided Experience
Andes Mountain Adventure: El Yeso Reservoir & Alpaca Picnic
|
10 hr | ★ 4.5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €31 | Book → |
|
Guided Experience
Cajón del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso Day Trip with Andean Picnic
|
10 hr | ★ 4.4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €30 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
They complement each other; most visitors who prioritize Andean mountain landscapes select El Yeso Reservoir, while those seeking raw volcanic warmth prefer Termas del Plomo cajon del maipo tours tours.
| Feature | Top pick El Yeso Reservoir | Termas del Plomo |
|---|---|---|
Primary Appeal |
Reservoir scenery and high peaks | |
Accessibility |
Accessible via gravel roads | |
Physical Demand |
Low; scenic walking only | |
Geothermal Features |
None | |
Best For |
Photography and mountain vistas | |
Activities |
Sightseeing and mountain tours | |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Choose El Yeso Reservoir for expansive water views and ease of access, or book cajon del maipo tours tickets for Termas del Plomo if you prioritize bathing in natural mineral pools over passive sightseeing cajon del maipo tours tour.
Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.
Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.
Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
Mild temperatures make this period popular for photography.
Clear skies provide excellent visibility but require sun protection.
Fewer crowds and stable weather assist with logistics.
Often restricted due to snow; check local park status.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Weather changes rapidly in the Andes, impacting visibility at the reservoir.
The 3,450 CLP conservation fee should be paid in local cash.
Keep the site clean by taking all waste back with you.
Gas stations are limited past San José de Maipo.
Maintain safety by avoiding steep or unstable slopes near the water.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
A historic tunnel known for its local legends.
A nearby settlement offering vistas of the Andes range.
Natural hot springs located deeper in the valley.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Operators for cajon del maipo tours typically require 24-hour notice for full refunds. The 3,450 CLP conservation fee per person is often non-refundable if park access has been pre-purchased.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Convenient base for mountain exploration
Close to nature for early risers
Ideal for those starting their tours in the city
El Yeso Reservoir holds 253 million cubic meters of glacial meltwater behind a 1967 embankment dam built to supply Santiago's growing eastern suburbs. The turquoise lake sits at 2,500 meters elevation in the Cajón del Maipo canyon, a drainage carved by the Maipo River through sedimentary folds of the Andes Cordillera.
Engineers designed the dam to regulate seasonal flow from snowpack above 4,000 meters, but the reservoir's chromatic intensity — caused by suspended rock flour ground by upstream glaciers — has made it one of Chile's most photographed alpine sites.
The canyon itself extends 90 kilometers southeast from the Santiago metropolitan fringe, passing through San José de Maipo, the valley's administrative center founded in 1792 as a colonial mining outpost. Copper and silver extraction defined the region until the mid-20th century, when hydroelectric projects and Santiago's expansion shifted the economy toward tourism and weekend recreation. Today the Cajón del Maipo corridor supports thermal springs at Baños Morales, the El Morado Natural Monument glacier system, and a network of mountain refuges serving technical climbers bound for peaks above 5,000 meters.
Cajón del Maipo tours from Santiago typically follow Ruta G-25 through the Maipo River gorge, ascending from 600 to 2,500 meters over 70 kilometers of switchback road. The drive crosses eleven ecological zones, from Mediterranean scrubland to high-altitude steppe where guanacos graze on bunchgrass slopes. The reservoir access road — Ruta G-455 — branches east from San Gabriel and climbs 14 kilometers through scree fields and snowmelt channels to reach the dam viewpoint. Tour operators run daily departures year-round, though winter months (June through August) require tire chains above 1,800 meters.
The reservoir's buffer zone is managed by the Asociación Parque Cordillera, a conservation collective that levies a 3,450 CLP entrance fee to fund trail maintenance and ranger patrols. The park opens daily from 08:00 to 18:00, with early arrivals recommended to secure parking at the shoreline overlook before midday crowds arrive. The turquoise intensity peaks in late spring (November through December) when glacial melt rates are highest and suspended sediment concentrations reach their annual maximum. Visitors who extend beyond the reservoir can access the El Morado glacier cirque, 22 kilometers further into the cordillera, or descend to the Baños Colina hot springs, where 50-degree Celsius water pools beneath vertical canyon walls.
"The turquoise intensity peaks in late spring when glacial melt rates reach their annual maximum."
There are very limited facilities at the reservoir, so plan accordingly before departure.
Last-minute availability for cajon del maipo tours tickets depends on operator space; check online portals early.
The terrain is rugged and not suitable for wheelchair access.
Wear layers and sturdy hiking shoes as mountain weather changes rapidly during cajon del maipo tours.
No, pets are not permitted at the El Yeso Reservoir for wildlife safety.
No, you must bring all food and water with you for your cajon del maipo tours.
Operators usually require 24 hours notice for cancellations regarding your cajon del maipo tours booking.
