EL MORADO National Monument is an all-natural national park found in the El Cajon del Maipo region of the Andes mountains. One of biggest interest for tourist, not only for its rich natural arquitecture but also for it’s wild flora and fauna. There are many things to do, outdoor activities including hiking, rock claiming, trekking, horse back ridding, camping as many others.

This zone is protected and managed by CONAF (National Forest Corporation). El Morado is located 93 Kilometers from Santiago in the town of Banos Morales. Its surface is 7436 acres. Its flora has at least 300 species many of them are exotic. There are some of this species in danger of been extinct. The park also has a rich fauna life. There area mammals and birds.

We suggest visiting this awesome place between the months of October to March  since the weather conditions gets really bad (degrees under 32 degrees Fahrenheit and snow 9 feet high) The park is closed the rest of the year.

Arriving to Baños Morales, park your vehicle to start the hike. After you pass on the bridge over the Morales River, you will find the CONAF control spot. You will have paid an entrance fee to get in. The first portion of the hike will take you to the Aguas Panimávidas (2.8 Kilometers). It takes about 1 hour to get there, is up hill although no so bad.

 Here you can see the permanent fountains of mineral waters. Continuing with the hike and after walking 5 Kilometers (about 2 hours) you will find the El Morado lagoon, located 2.400 meters over the sea level. Here you can have picnic (no fire or barbecue). If you decide to stay overnight, you would have a camping area (don’t forget to take the garbage with you). From here you can see to the North the Morado hill, to the Northeast the San Francisco hill, and it glacier (also named San Francisco).
If you are not totally satisfied yet or not too tired, you can keep hiking an extra kilometer, walking for a path of wild flowers, ice in the middle of summer, stones and rocks until you get to the bottom of the San Francisco Glacier, next to the sound of the El Morado river, in the quietness the landscape gives.

Fuentes: Sernatur.

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