The cheapest Cajón del Maipo tour from Santiago is the small-group one, from CLP 38,000 per person; the classic El Yeso reservoir tour starts at CLP 77,722 on Civitatis in English and the Valle de Colina hot springs tour at CLP 65,000, according to Civitatis on 7 November 2026. One key fact before booking: that same day the official El Yeso park page said the reservoir area remains closed because route G-455 is shut from kilometre 21.7.
This guide helps you decide what to book. To explore the valley at a slower pace, read things to do in Cajón del Maipo; to go on your own, see our guide to Embalse El Yeso: how to get there.
Cajón del Maipo tours from Santiago compared
All of them pick you up at hotels in Santiago, stop for breakfast (at your own cost) in San José de Maipo and bring you back after 9 to 10.5 hours.
Cajón del Maipo small-group tour
The cheapest, in a small group (up to 15 people), with a picnic included and 459 reviews; it goes up to El Yeso when conditions allow.
- 9-10 h
- Pickup, minibus, guide and picnic; max. 15 people
- Free cancellation: up to 24 h before
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Cajón del Maipo & El Yeso reservoir
The most-reviewed tour (724); with the road closed, the listing offers a walk of about 25 minutes to the reservoir if the weather allows.
- 9.5-10.5 h
- Pickup, bus or minibus, guide and snacks
- Free cancellation: up to 3 days before
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Colina hot springs + El Yeso
Colina hot springs and El Yeso in one day, with hot springs entry and picnic: the best rated (9 out of 10).
- 10 h
- Pickup, minibus, guide, hot springs entry and picnic
- Free cancellation: up to 48 h before
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| Tour | Duration | Includes | Free cancellation | From | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cajón del Maipo small-group tour | 9-10 h | Pickup, minibus, guide and picnic; max. 15 people | Up to 24 h before | CLP 38,000 | Book ↗ |
| Cajón del Maipo + Chilean fiesta | 10 h | Pickup, minibus, guide, picnic and folk show | Up to 10 h before | CLP 50,000 | Book ↗ |
| Cajón del Maipo & El Yeso reservoir | 9.5-10.5 h | Pickup, bus or minibus, guide and snacks | Up to 3 days before | CLP 77,722 | Book ↗ |
| Valle de Colina hot springs (Spanish page) | 9 h | Pickup, guide and hot springs entry | Up to 9 h before | CLP 65,000 | |
| Colina hot springs + El Yeso (Spanish page) | 10 h | Pickup, minibus, guide, hot springs entry and picnic | Up to 48 h before | CLP 88,022 |
Source: each tour page on Civitatis, checked on 7 November 2026. "From" price per person in Chilean pesos. The El Yeso tour costs CLP 60,000 on the Spanish-language page; the two hot springs tours only have a Spanish page.
| Cajón del Maipo small-group tour | 9-10 | Pickup, minibus, guide, picnic; max. 15 people | 38,000 | 8.3 | 459 |
| Cajón del Maipo + Chilean fiesta | 10 | Pickup, minibus, guide, picnic and folk show | 50,000 | No data | No data |
| Cajón del Maipo & El Yeso reservoir | 9,5-10,5 | Pickup, bus or minibus, guide, snacks | 77,722 | 8.2 | 724 |
| Valle de Colina hot springs | 9 | Pickup, guide, hot springs entry | 65,000 | 8.3 | 43 |
| Colina hot springs + El Yeso | 10 | Pickup, minibus, guide, hot springs entry, picnic | 88,022 | 9.0 | 21 |
View the data as a table
| Santiago | Start | |
| Puente Alto | Start | |
| San José de Maipo | Camino al Volcán (G-25) | |
| San Gabriel | Camino al Volcán (G-25) | |
| Baños Morales | Camino al Volcán (G-25) | |
| El Morado Natural Monument | Camino al Volcán (G-25) | |
| Valle de Colina hot springs | Camino al Volcán (G-25) | |
| Laguna Negra | El Yeso road (G-455) | |
| El Yeso Reservoir | El Yeso road (G-455) |
Which Cajón del Maipo tour to choose
Small group: the cheapest, with a picnic
It travels by minibus with up to 15 people, stops by the Maipo River, goes up to El Yeso reservoir if conditions allow and ends with a picnic of cheese, olives, salami, wine and juice. It has 459 reviews and a score of 8.3 out of 10; lunch is at your own cost at a local restaurant.
El Yeso reservoir: the classic, with a winter plan B
It is the most reviewed tour (724, score 8.2). It stops at the San José de Maipo square, the Tinoco tunnel (from outside), the Yeso River viewpoint for about 20 minutes and the reservoir, and returns via the Casa del Chocolate. The listing warns that when vehicle access is closed they walk about 25 minutes to the reservoir if weather allows, and suggests the Valle de Colina tour as an alternative.
Valle de Colina hot springs: pools on a volcano's slope
These are open-air terraced pools below San José volcano, with water from 25 °C in the lower pools to 70 °C in the upper ones, according to the listing. The tour leaves three hours at the springs and includes entry. The version that adds El Yeso leaves one to one and a half hours at the Colina springs, adds a picnic and has the best score (9 out of 10), though with only 21 reviews.
Chilean fiesta: a taste of folklore
It adds a picnic and about two and a half hours of traditional music, dances and games at the Serranía Maipo camp. The listing has no reviews yet.
- 1 Apr 2026Annual vehicle closure beginsBan from April to August (Res. 5,615 of 2018)
- 31 Aug 2026Extended through SeptemberResolution 5,275
- 9 Oct 2026Extended through OctoberRes. 5,655: snow build-up, unstable slopes and rockfall
- 21 Oct 2026Precautionary closure due to a stormSan Gabriel (G-25) too
- 7 Nov 2026The reservoir area is still closedThe park runs in winter mode, certified guides only
The road to El Yeso reservoir: why it is still closed
Route G-455 to the reservoir closes to vehicles every year from kilometre 21.7 (Las Cáscaras). In 2026 the closure began on 1 April and was extended twice: to September and then to October, under Resolution 5,655 of the Transport Secretariat, published in the Official Gazette on 9 October, citing heavy snow on the upper slopes, unstable embankments and recurring rockfall. On 21 October there was also a precautionary closure due to a storm.
As of 7 November 2026, the El Yeso park page still said the reservoir area is closed and that the park runs in "winter mode", only with certified guides or tour operators, towards Laguna del Encañado and Laguna Negra. Before paying, ask the operator which point the tour will reach.
Official entrance fees in Cajón del Maipo
The Civitatis tours do not charge extra fees, and the hot springs tours already include entry. If you go on your own, these are the current fees:
| Place | Visitor | Fee | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Yeso Reservoir Natural Park | General adult | CLP 3,450 | Thursday to Monday, 8:00-18:00; last entry 11:00 |
| El Yeso Reservoir Natural Park | Seniors (60+) and children aged 2-14 | CLP 2,300 | Same |
| El Morado Natural Monument (CONAF) | Foreign adult | CLP 9,300 | Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30-17:30 (October to March) |
| El Morado Natural Monument (CONAF) | Foreigner aged 13-17 | CLP 5,000 | Same |
| El Morado Natural Monument (CONAF) | Chilean adult | CLP 4,500 | Same |
Sources: Asociación Parque Cordillera and CONAF's Pases Parques, checked on 7 November 2026. El Yeso prices include a service charge. CONAF requires footwear suitable for walking on snow to enter El Morado. For an outing closer to Santiago, see our guide to Cascada de las Ánimas.
View the data as a table
| El Yeso Reservoir Park | 3,450 CLP |
| El Morado, foreigner | 9,300 CLP |
| El Morado, Chilean | 4,500 CLP |
Tips for your Cajón del Maipo tour
- Season: spring and summer are best; in 2026 vehicle access to El Yeso was closed from April to October, and roads close without notice on rainy or alert days.
- Weather: it is cold in the mountains even when Santiago is hot. Bring layers, a windbreaker, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- What to bring: swimwear and a towel for the hot springs; cash for breakfast, lunch and the Casa del Chocolate.
- Motion sickness: the listing warns of a bumpy road; sit at the front if you get carsick.
- Rafting: if you want to add it on your own, first check what to ask of an adventure tour operator.
- More tours from Santiago: we compare wine and city tours in our guide to Santiago wine tours; to drive, see the requirements to rent a car in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Cajón del Maipo tour?
From CLP 38,000 per person for the small-group tour, CLP 77,722 for the El Yeso tour (CLP 60,000 on the Spanish page) and CLP 65,000 for the Valle de Colina hot springs with entry included, according to Civitatis on 7 November 2026.
Is El Yeso reservoir open?
As of 7 November 2026, the official park page said the reservoir area remains closed because route G-455 is shut at kilometre 21.7, and that entry is only possible with certified guides towards Laguna Negra.
How long is a Cajón del Maipo tour?
Between 9 and 10.5 hours, with hotel pickup and drop-off in Santiago.
How much is the El Yeso entrance fee?
CLP 3,450 per adult and CLP 2,300 for seniors and children aged 2 to 14, service charge included.
