There are many beautiful places nearby the capital of Chile to visit and its location makes this city the ideal base for nature lovers who can reach the different natural parks and protected areas that exist in the mountains surrounding the city center.

Surrounded by mountains, the Santiago basin is the scene of numerous valleys, rivers, and glaciers that can be visited on day trips to the city center. “Cajón del Maipo” it is located in a natural basin and in which you can find traditional food and many outdoor activities.

If you are planning to visit Cajón del Maipo during your stay in Santiago, I can recommend you one of the best tours to hike in the beautiful nature of the Andes and enjoy a day hiking with a great company.

Trekking to El Morado Glacier

The mountain reserve El Morado is located in the Cordillera province of the Metropolitan area in the Municipality of San Jose de Maipo. It is managed by the CONAF and has over three thousand acres. The area of “Baños Morales” was created in 1974. Within the natural reserve, you can do outdoor activities from hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and camping.

I was invited to discover the National Park and Natural Monument of El Morado by AndoAndes and I must admit that my experience with them was much better than I expected. Our way to the Cajón del Maipo was in a comfortable minivan and they picked-up everybody at our hotels.

The area where this trek is done is by the end of one of the most visited areas around Santiago and is a very special place because of its geography and its inhabitants who kept alive many of the Chilean traditions.

The base of the glacier El Morado is 3100mt of altitude, the climate allows most of the activities in the months between October to May, where temperatures are friendlier and there is snow thaws with the beginning of the higher temperatures.

The climate in the area is generally warm, with a long dry season. Its average annual temperature is 13ºC and the average rainfall is 600 mm during the year, with humidity above 40% for most of the year. This sector has periods with ice due to its altitude and in the winter months you can find up to 2.8 meters of snow and degrees below 0 ° C.

This park located in the Valle de las Arenas corresponds to the Upper Basin of Río Volcán and is part of the watershed of the Estero Morales where you can see masses of ice as the San Francisco glacier and imposing hills like El Morado and San Francisco.

The geography of the place is characteristic of high mountains and you can see different erosive processes. It is a very important area because it is one of the few exponents that show the process of glaciation of the Andes. In 2007 it was found in the East area of the monument El Morado some strata containing fossil fauna dating back over 150 million years.

The area has a climate where fauna of the mountain has been developed with low diversity and colors. However, there have been found about 86 species of animals including birds, amphibians, and reptiles; about 15 of them are in condition or danger.

Of the nearly 70 species of birds, the most common is the Cometocino, the Juarjual duck, the Piuquén or Guayata, the hummingbird and the Andean mining can be appreciated in this sector. On the highest peaks have been found few nesting raptors and condors, which with good luck can be seen from the valley.

The most characteristic vegetations are low bushes and some perennial herbs. You can find Altoandino and Andean sclerophyllous scrub and Llaretillas.

The Trekking path to El Morado Glacier Natural Monument

The most visited trekking trail in the area is heading to the Laguna Morales and the base of San Francisco Glacier. It is an intense hike cause its length and inclination, but with low difficulty. It is an easy walk for children and adults who are in good physical condition. They are about 8 kilometers that can be completed in four hours at a normal pace.

The first section of the walk is going from the CONAF cab, where everyone has to register to keep track of the safety of those entering the park. Continuing through the valley and after about 1 hour (only going up-hill and that is the most strenuous part of the route ) is reached, Panimávida Waters.

Panimávida Waters are within 2.8km from the access point and are naturally rich in minerals such as sulfate and carbonate cause of its volcanic permanent source of mineral water.

A large amount of iron on this source of water gives them a very peculiar characteristic reddish color and gives the area a unique beauty. I was very surprised (besides the metal taste) that mineral waters have gas naturally!

Laguna Morales is 5km at a height of 2400 meters and will be reached after about 2 hours of walking. Here we made our lunch stop and refuel. AndoAndes worried about every detail and before the walk gave us a big bottle of water and a box with snacks.

We were all surprised by how rich and delicious it was! Nothing more comforting to eat after a long and intense walk than a rich gourmet sandwich.

This is one of the prettiest parts of the trail and you can see the Glacier and Cerro San Francisco at its best, surrounded by a beautiful landscape and friendly birds that come to share your picnic around the lake.

From here you can continue for about one hour and reach the foot of El Morado lagoon and Glacier.

What do you need to know before heading to this Trekking to El Morado Glacier?

• Bring comfortable clothes and shoes. If you have difficulty in climbs or descents having trekking poles can help to make the route more comfortable.
• Do not forget to bring warm clothes even if you go in summer, temperatures can vary greatly during the day, especially in the area closest to the Glacier.
• Throughout Chile, it is very important to wear sunscreen because radiation can be very high and cause skin burns.
• It is a long walk so you must bring water for the journey to avoid dehydration and sunstroke.
• The area is a protected area so it is necessary to register in the office of CONAF at your entrance of the park and it is not allowed to reach with pets.

Hot to get to El Morado Natural Monument

• The area is located at the foothills of Santiago,  93km from the city center at the end of Route G -25 that runs through the Cajon del Maipo.
• After passing through the towns of San Alfonso and San Gabriel is reached the area of Banos Morales where is the access to the park.
• You can reach the park by public transport to Baños Morales through the bus line Metrobus MB -72 that can be taken on the Metrobus Terminal Bellavista de la Florida.
• If you want to go with a group, you can BOOK HERE a full day to El Morado National Park on foot and enjoy the San Francisco Glacier and Morales Glacier pond and spectacular views.

Opening hours of El Morado Glacier Park

Summer season (October to April)
From 08:30 to 13:00 hr, exit until 18:00 hr.
Winter season (May to September)
From 8:30 a 12:30; exit until 17:00 hr.

Price

– Adults: $2.000
– Children : $1.000
– Elderly (women + 60, men +65): Free.