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10 hr
Journey into the Andes to explore dramatic mountain scenery, visit a glacial reservoir, and picnic with alpacas.
Reserve
10 hr
Full-day mountain escape with turquoise lake views, rural village encounters, and folk culture immersion
Reserve
10 hr
Explore turquoise mountain lakes, sample artisan cheese, and toast with wine in the Chilean Andes.
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The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on this tour remember — all visible on a single visit.
A 3km trail that allows visitors to cross the massive dam structure and view the turquoise water from above.
A high-altitude viewpoint offering vistas of the nearby glacial lake and rugged mountain peaks.
Observe the vast man-made reservoir that serves as a vital water source for the city of Santiago.
The winding gravel road sections offering dramatic views of the surrounding peaks and steep canyon walls.
Spot native plant life and wildlife species that thrive in this protected 16,000-hectare mountain environment.
Embalse del Yeso trekking offers a scenic, accessible reservoir experience, while the El Morado Glacier trek provides a more challenging, high-altitude alpine journey. Choosing the right embalse del yeso trekking tours depends on whether you prefer a leisurely walk or a strenuous mountain ascent.
| Feature | Top pick Embalse del Yeso | El Morado Glacier |
|---|---|---|
Difficulty level |
Easy | Hard |
Altitude gain |
Low elevation gain | Significant gain to 2,500m |
Scenic focus |
Reservoir and mountain views | Glacier and moraine terrain |
Physical requirement |
Light walking | High endurance required |
Recommended experience level |
Beginner | Advanced hiker |
Terrain type |
Mainly flat paths | Steep rocky trails |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: If you are seeking expansive water vistas with minimal exertion, choose the reservoir, but opt for the glacier hike if you wish to secure embalse del yeso trekking tickets for a more rigorous mountaineering challenge.
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Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for your visit straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Wear multiple thermal layers to adjust to rapid temperature changes. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots are necessary for the gravel paths found during embalse del yeso trekking.
Keep all belongings in a compact daypack. Security checks may occur at the entrance of your embalse del yeso trekking tour to ensure no restricted items are brought into the mountain zone.
Photography is highly encouraged at designated viewpoints. Avoid using drones, as they are strictly regulated near the embalse del yeso trekking site for safety.
The terrain is rugged and steep. Embalse del yeso trekking is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility due to uneven gravel paths.
Families are welcome, though children should be supervised constantly. An embalse del yeso trekking tour is best for school-aged children capable of high-altitude walking.
There are no dining facilities at the reservoir. Bring all food and plenty of water for your embalse del yeso trekking experience as the high altitude increases dehydration.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Reservations for embalse del yeso trekking tickets are subject to official park guidelines. The entrance fee of 3,450 CLP is non-refundable upon entry.
The dam wall holding back Embalse del Yeso was poured in 1964 to regulate Santiago's water supply, but the turquoise sweep behind it — fed by the Yeso and Volcán glaciers — has become the most photographed landmark in the Cajón del Maipo corridor. The reservoir sits at 2,500 metres in a cirque carved by Pleistocene ice, its colour the result of glacial flour suspended in meltwater that refracts short-wavelength light. The access road, Ruta G-455, was constructed for ENEL hydroelectric operations and remains unpaved beyond San Gabriel, climbing through a series of hairpin bends that trace the Río Volcán drainage. Embalse del Yeso trekking routes fan out from the reservoir's southern shore, where marked trails ascend scree slopes toward the moraine ridges overlooking the dam. The most travelled path follows the eastern flank, gaining 300 vertical metres over two kilometres before levelling onto a bench that offers unobstructed views of Volcán San José — a 5,856-metre stratovolcano whose southern face drops directly into the reservoir basin. Spring snowmelt, between October and December, swells the reservoir to capacity, submerging the access tracks that reappear in late summer. Winter trekking is possible but requires crampons above 2,700 metres, where verglas forms on exposed rock. The surrounding terrain is classified as Andean steppe, dominated by coirón grasses and low cushion plants adapted to thin air and high UV exposure. Guanacos, reintroduced to the region in 2014, graze the upper benches in small herds, and Andean condors use the thermal columns above the canyon walls for mid-morning lift. The Valle del Yeso route, which continues east beyond the reservoir toward the Argentine border, was a colonial mule track for silver transport — hence "Yeso," which refers to the gypsum deposits mined intermittently until the 1950s. Day treks from Santiago typically pair the reservoir with stops at Termas Colinas, a cluster of natural hot springs at 1,800 metres where lithium-rich water emerges at 38 degrees Celsius, and the village of San José de Maipo, where family-run comedores serve pastel de choclo and empanadas de pino. The round trip from the capital covers 180 kilometres and requires a 4x4 for the final unpaved section, which remains closed during heavy snowfall between June and August. Access is regulated by the Asociación Parque Cordillera, which monitors vehicle entry to limit erosion on the approach road.
"The turquoise sweep behind the dam wall has become the most photographed landmark in the Cajón del Maipo corridor."
A step-by-step walkthrough of the visit — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You leave Santiago before sunrise, heading southeast on Ruta G-25 as the city gives way to terraced vineyards and the first Andean foothills. By San José de Maipo, the road narrows and the canyon deepens; your guide stops at a roadside bakery for sopaipillas and black tea. The unpaved section begins at San Gabriel, where the Río Volcán runs milky with glacial silt. The final approach to Embalse del Yeso is a series of switchbacks carved into the canyon wall, each bend revealing more of the reservoir's turquoise expanse. You park on the southern shore, where the trail begins as a gravel track before turning to scree. The first climb is steep — 200 metres in thirty minutes — but the altitude is immediately apparent in your breathing. At the ridgeline, Volcán San José fills the eastern horizon, its summit pyramid streaked with permanent snow. Most embalse del yeso trekking tours pause here for a picnic: cheese, cured meats, and Chilean wine spread on a wool blanket. Condors circle overhead, their wingtips splayed against the thermal currents. The descent retraces your route, stopping at Termas Colinas on the return — a set of stone pools where you soak in mineral water while the canyon walls turn amber in the late afternoon light.
The park is open daily from 08:00–18:00. Please ensure you plan your embalse del yeso trekking accordingly within these hours.
Yes, the general admission fee is 3,450 CLP per person. This fee applies to all visitors accessing the embalse del yeso trekking area.
We recommend arriving during the best arrival window of 08:00–11:00 to avoid crowds. Arriving before the daily entry cutoff is vital for your embalse del yeso trekking tour.
Bring plenty of water, high-SPF sunscreen, and layers of warm clothing. Proper gear is essential for any successful embalse del yeso trekking trip.
Families are welcome, but please monitor children closely due to the high elevation and steep terrain. Many embalse del yeso trekking tours cater to families with older children.
Yes, you may take photos from the designated viewpoints. Always remain on marked paths during your embalse del yeso trekking visit.
There are no food vendors on-site. You must pack your own lunch and water before starting your embalse del yeso trekking excursion.
You can reach the site via Route G-455 in San José de Maipo. Most travelers book guided transport for a safer embalse del yeso trekking experience.
The best time is between October and March for clear weather. This window is ideal for high-altitude activities like embalse del yeso trekking.