This guide is for you if you want to see the Andes up close from Santiago without a hard walk. It covers the month to choose, what the road is like, what you can and cannot do at the El Yeso reservoir, and what to pack for a day that starts in the city and ends high in the mountains.
Which months work
The Cajón del Maipo is the valley of the Maipo river, south-east of Santiago, and El Yeso sits near its upper end. The season shapes the day more than anything else.
- Spring, September to November: the snow melts, the rivers run high and the valley flowers.
- Summer, December to March: the peak season, and the road is at its busiest.
- Autumn, April to June: quieter, with fewer visitors and cool days.
- Winter, July and August: the valley becomes a place for snow, and the road needs more care.
In winter the road to El Yeso is often closed because of snow and the risk of landslides, and the authorities can close it as a precaution. Chains become compulsory on some stretches. If the road is shut on your date, we stay lower in the valley, and we tell you before you set off.
Weekends and public holidays bring much more traffic into the valley. If you can, go on a weekday.
The reservoir, and why you see it from above
El Yeso is the main water reserve for Santiago, fed by the Yeso and Maipo rivers. It came into use in 1964 and holds about 250 million cubic metres. Sources put it at somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 metres above sea level, high enough for snow on the peaks around it for much of the year.
Because it supplies the city's water, access to the shore is restricted to the public for safety. You see the lake from the road above it, and that is the part of the day to plan for: a walk along the road, photographs from a few places, and time to stand and look. Do not try to climb down to the water. You may also see culpeo foxes; do not feed them, and take all your rubbish back with you.
How the day fits together
You are collected at 07:00 and climb south-east out of the city along the river. The first stop, at about 08:15, is San José de Maipo, the main village of the valley and the place to have a coffee. Its church was declared a National Monument in 1992, and its architecture belongs to the late 18th century. The village has the valley's main services, including pharmacies, cash machines and small supermarkets, so it is the place to buy anything you have forgotten.
You reach El Yeso at around 10:00. The last stretch is gravel and slow. On the way down you stop at viewpoints over the river, and lunch is in one of the villages along the Cajón at about 12:45. Lunch is not included. You head back towards Santiago at 14:15 and reach your hotel at about 16:00.
The car is yours for the day, so you can stop where you like on the way down and change the order if you want more time at the lake.
On your own or with a driver
Public transport goes part of the way. You can take Metro Line 4 to Las Mercedes and then a bus up the valley, but buses only reach San José de Maipo or Baños Morales. There is no public transport to the reservoir.
Driving yourself is possible, but think about it carefully. The official tourism site describes the final stretch as mountain road and gravel, suited to a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Fuel is scarce once you leave San José de Maipo, and mobile data can drop out in the deeper parts of the valley. In winter you must carry chains. A driver who knows the road takes those worries away, and you can look at the mountains instead of the bends. The price depends on the size of your group; see it on the tour page.
What to bring
It is much colder and brighter up there than in the city, even in summer, and the wind is the part people forget.
- Warm, windproof layers, a hat and gloves, whatever the month.
- Sunglasses and sun cream.
- Water and a snack for the morning; lunch comes later in the valley.
- Local cash for coffee and small purchases. San José de Maipo has cash machines if you run short.
Who it suits
It suits people who want mountain scenery without a hike. No walking is needed beyond short strolls. It suits families too, as long as the children are fine with a long day in the car.
Think twice if anyone in your group gets car sick on winding roads, since much of the day is a mountain drive, partly on gravel. And if you would rather taste wine than look at a lake, our Concha y Toro wine tour to Pirque, at the foot of the Andes, is a shorter day. Our guide to day trips from Santiago compares all five.
Questions people ask
Can we add the hot springs?
There are thermal baths further up the valley. One set, the Termas del Plomo, is at about 2,800 metres, inside the Valle del Yeso, and is best visited in spring and summer, since snow can cut the access. Ask us and we will plan a longer day.
Is El Yeso the same as the Andes at Portillo?
No. Portillo is north-east of Santiago, on the road towards Argentina, with a ski resort beside its lake. If you want the highest scenery and do not mind a longer drive, look at our Portillo and Laguna del Inca day.
Can we cancel?
Yes, up to 24 hours before pick-up, with a full refund. See our cancellation page.
Booking the day
Pick a weekday between September and June if you can, and pack for cold even if Santiago is hot. The timings, pick-up areas and what is included are on the Cajón del Maipo and El Yeso private day trip page, where you choose the size of your group and book.
