Cajón del Maipo Tour: El Morado Natural Monument trekking + Baños Morales natural pools.
Hiking of 5 - 6 hours to the El Morado Natural Monument + Private transportation + Baños Morales natural pools + Options: à la carte lunch - Asado.
Enjoy a healthy day of mountaineering and medicinal baths
A walk of about 5 hours to the San Francisco glacier, where you will enjoy beautiful landscapes, river sources, endemic flora and fauna, and the El Morado lagoon. This beautiful circuit takes place in the El Morado Natural Monument, a space protected by the National Forestry Corporation.
One of the most characteristic mountainous areas of Cajón del Maipo and of greatest tourist interest due to its rich natural architecture, its diverse flora and fauna, and the interesting activities that can be carried out here. This area protected and administered by CONAF (National Forestry Corporation), is located 93 km from Santiago in the town of Baños Morales and has an area of 3,009 hectares, in which its Andean flora is made up of at least 300 species between native and exotic, where the olivillo de la cordillera or franjel stands out, an endangered species that lives in the Andean sclerophyllous scrub. Other common species are the white grass, cloth grass, seven shirts, chilli pepper and fox tail.
The Park also has a rich wildlife with mammals such as the cururo and Noah's silky mouse, and birds such as the yal, the cometocino, the golden chirihue, the black goldfinch, the Andean goldfinch, the tench, the thrush, the Chilean swallow , the friar sleepyhead, the giant hummingbird, the Andean hummingbird, the Andean doves, the partridge and the cojon partridge.
In aquatic environments there is the piuquén or guayata and the juarjual duck. It is recommended to visit this extraordinary place between the months of October and March, since due to its unfavorable weather conditions (degrees below zero and snow up to 2.8 meters high) the park is closed the rest of the year.
After crossing the bridge over the Morales river, arriving at Baños Morales, there is the CONAF nursery. The first section of the walk reaches the Aguas Panimávidas sector (2.8 km), it lasts approximately 1 hour and is uphill but quite friendly. In this stop you will be able to observe the permanent sources of mineral waters. Continuing the walk and after traveling 5 km (approx. 2 hours) you will find the Laguna El Morado, located at 2,400 masl. From here you can see Cerro Morado to the north and Cerro San Francisco and its glacier (also called Glacier San Francisco) to the northwest.
If you are not tired yet, you can continue walking 1 km along a path of wild flowers, ice in the middle of summer, stones and rocks until you reach the foot of the San Francisco glacier and observe closely listening to the sound of the flow of the El Morado river and in the absolute tranquility that the landscape transmits.
Practical information of the private tour
Prices:
Private transport.
From one (1) to five (5) people: 186,000 CLP or $258 USD. It does not influence the price if it is a single person or 2, 3, 4 or 5 people in the group. The price for the whole group is 186,000 CLP or $258 USD
Additional person $22,000 CLP or 30 USD
Example: 5 + 1 = 186,000 + 22,000 = 208,000 CLP
Example: 5 + 1 = $30 + $258 = $289 USD
Trekking with an expert mountaineering guide and entrance to the park: 32,000 CLP or an additional 45 USD per person
Optional: Access to the medicinal mineral water pools of Baños Morales: an additional USD 16,000 or USD 22 per person
Season: all year. Except exceptional circumstances.
Duration: eight hours
Capacity: minimum 1 people. Maximum 44 people
Degree of difficulty: physical conditions suitable for the height of the place (2800 masl)
Itinerary:
08:00 a.m. Pick up at the Hotel
10:00 a.m. Arrival at Baños Morales
10:30 a.m. Beginning of the trekking
11:30 am Detention in Aguas de Panimávidas tributaries of mineral waters
12:00 am Detention in Laguna el Morado, place where the snack is consumed
13:00 pm You will arrive at the end of the San Francisco Glacier trekking
1:30 p.m. Return
15:20 pm Arrival at the Baños Morales Hot Springs
15:30 pm Upon return you will enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural pools of Baños Morales
16:30 pm Return to Santiago
Important: The schedule may vary depending on the options chosen and the preferences of the client
Prices of Additional features.
A la carte lunch in a typical restaurant: $15,000 CLP or $21 USD per person
Country barbecue: $17,000 CLP or $21 USD per person
Camping night (tent and stove): $29,000 or $40 USD Per person
Return transfer to Santiago or airport $76,000 or $105 USD up to 5 people.
El Cajón del Maipo is a natural area with a quite diverse and special climate. The tours can be modified or you can't reach any of the points described when the road or weather conditions do not allow it. This will be evaluated by the guide according to his experience. In the event that any of the attractions is omitted, a refund of 20% of the amount paid for the tour will be made.