El Morado Natural Monument is one of the best-known treks near Santiago. The trail climbs gently up the valley, through lenga trees and native highland grasses, to Laguna El Morado at 2,400 meters (today the trek only reaches the lagoon because of landslides on the rest of the route to the glacier).
It’s a protected area managed by CONAF (Chile’s National Forest Corporation), about 93 km from Santiago, in the hamlet of Baños Morales, with 3,009 hectares of Andean flora and fauna: the mountain olivillo (franjel), an endangered species, stands out, along with birds like the yal, the cometocino and the chirihué.
One of the most characteristic mountain areas of Cajón del Maipo and of greatest tourist interest, thanks to its rich natural architecture, its diverse wildlife and flora and the interesting activities that can be done here. Its Andean flora is made up of at least 300 species, both native and exotic. Other common species are hierba blanca, hierba del paño, siete camisas, guindillo and cola de zorro.
The park also has a rich wildlife, with mammals such as the cururo and Noé’s silky mouse, and birds such as the yal, the cometocino, the golden chirihué, the black goldfinch, the Andean goldfinch, the tenca, the thrush, the Chilean swallow, the dormilona fraile, the giant hummingbird, the Andean hummingbird, the Andean doves, the perdicita and the perdicita cojón. In aquatic environments you can find the piuquén (or guayata) and the juarjual duck.
The trailhead is Baños Morales, a tiny hamlet with rustic volcanic hot springs that doubles as the return stop: after the hike (about 10:00 to 13:30, with the climb to the lagoon taking about 2 hours), there’s time to soak in the warm water before heading back down to Santiago.
After crossing the bridge over the Morales River, on arriving at Baños Morales, you will find the CONAF ranger station. The first section of the hike reaches the Aguas Panimávidas sector (2.8 km), takes approximately 1 hour and is uphill but quite friendly. At this stop you can see the permanent mineral water springs. Continuing the hike, after covering 5 km (approx. 2 hours) you will reach Laguna El Morado, at 2,400 meters above sea level. From here you can see Cerro Morado to the north and Cerro San Francisco and its glacier (also called San Francisco Glacier) to the northwest.
Baños Morales is about 93 km from Santiago, roughly 2.5 hours by road along the G-25, known as the “Camino al Volcán”, which goes through San José de Maipo (about 50 km from the capital) before continuing up the valley. The hamlet sits at around 1,800 m and is the gateway to El Morado Natural Monument.
On this tour you don’t drive that road: we pick you up at your hotel or home in Santiago at about 07:00 and reach Baños Morales around 09:30, ready to start walking at 10:00. If you would rather go on your own, the Cajón del Maipo guide covers the distances, the Metrobús 72 from La Florida and what to check before leaving, since the road can close in bad weather.
After the bridge over the Morales River you reach the CONAF ranger station, and from there the trail climbs gradually up the valley. About 2.8 km in (around 1 hour) are the mineral springs of Aguas Panimávidas, and at 5 km (about 2 hours) you come to Laguna El Morado, 2,400 m above sea level, with Cerro Morado to the north and Cerro San Francisco and its glacier to the northwest.
Today the hike ends at the lagoon because of the landslides on the rest of the route. The park is open to day visitors only and walkers must stay on the trail: there is no camping or fire, and drones, bikes, pets and alcohol are not allowed. The Natural Monument entrance is included in the tour. In winter, snow can limit access or call for snowshoes. For the history of the protected area, its wildlife and the monthly temperatures, see the guide.
In summer (October to March) the trail is open and the weather is drier and easier for hiking to the lagoon. In winter (May to September) snow covers much of the route and, because of the risk of avalanches, access is usually limited or requires technical equipment such as snowshoes.
To buy each passenger’s park ticket, the following information is required: name, date of birth, ID or passport number, and country and address of origin.
Important: the schedule may vary depending on the options chosen and your preferences.
Cajón del Maipo is a natural area with a quite diverse and special climate. Tours may be modified, or some of the points described may not be reached, when road or weather conditions do not allow it. This will be evaluated by the guide based on his or her experience.
07:00
Hotel pickup
09:30
Arrival at Baños Morales
10:00
Start of the trek
11:30
Stop at Aguas Panimávidas, mineral water springs
12:00
Stop at Laguna El Morado, where the packed lunch is eaten
13:00
End of the trek at San Francisco Glacier (currently only Laguna El Morado can be reached because of landslides on the rest of the route)
13:30
Return
15:20
Arrival at the Baños Morales hot springs (option available from October to February)
15:30
Relaxing soak in the natural pools of Baños Morales
16:30
Return to Santiago
Adult price per person. The more people travel together, the lower the price per person.
| Travelers | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $265.000 |
| 2 people | $170.000 |
| 3 people | $125.000 |
| 4 people | $105.000 |
| 5 or more people | $99.000 |
It is about 5 km (roughly 2 hours) to Laguna El Morado, with a gradual climb up the valley; with the stop at the lagoon and the return, the hike runs from about 10:00 to 13:30. Today the trek cannot continue to the glacier because of landslides on the rest of the route.
It's suitable for everyone: the trail climbs gently up the valley, with no technical sections. A basic level of fitness is recommended for the altitude.
Rustic pools of volcanic thermal water, next to the hamlet of Baños Morales, where we soak on the way back from the hike (available from October to February).
The price depends on the group size: from $99,000 CLP per person (groups of 5 or more). It includes round-trip transportation, a hiking guide and the Natural Monument entrance.
More plans on the same theme, shared or private.
Private Cajón del MaipoFrom $109.000 per personA horseback ride through the hills of the Maipo Valley with a local arriero guide (no riding experience needed.)
Price for groups of 5 or more.
Private Cajón del MaipoFrom $80.000 per personA private full-day trip to the El Yeso reservoir, with transportation and a guide exclusive to your group.
Price for groups of 5 or more.
Private Cajón del MaipoFrom $99.000 per personNatural hot spring pools at the end of the mountain road, on a private tour with exclusive transportation and guide.
Price for groups of 5 or more.
From
$99.000
Price for groups of 5 or more.
