Cajón del Maipo — Day Trip

Cajón del Maipo — The Andes at Your Doorstep

Just 45 minutes southeast of Santiago begins another world: The Cajón del Maipo is a deep Andean gorge through which the Río Maipo rushes, surrounded by 4,000-meter peaks, vineyards, and hot springs. For Santiaguinos, the Cajón is the number one recreation area — for hiking, rafting, horseback riding, or simply for lunch in a rustic parrilla with an Andean view.

Highlights

• Embalse El Yeso: A reservoir at 2,500 m altitude with unreal turquoise water, framed by snow-capped Andean peaks. Perfect photo opportunity, especially in autumn (March–May) when the poplars glow golden. 90 min. from Santiago, last stretch gravel road
• Baños Morales: Hot springs at 1,900 m amidst the mountains. Rustic stone pools where you can bathe with an Andean view. Entrance: 5,000 CLP
• Rafting on the Río Maipo: Whitewater Class III–IV through the gorge. Half-day tours from 25,000 CLP, bookable directly from Santiago
• Monumento Natural El Morado: Day hike to the glacier lake Laguna de Morales (4h round trip) with views of the San Francisco glacier. CONAF entrance: 5,000 CLP
• Wine tasting in Pirque: At the entrance of the Cajón lies the Maipo Valley — winery Concha y Toro and smaller boutique wineries offer tastings

Dining in the Cajón

Along Ruta G-25, parrillas (grill restaurants) and empanada stands line up. The empanadas in the Cajón are considered the best in the region — freshly baked in a clay oven, huge, and for 3,000–5,000 CLP. The restaurant Cascada de las Ánimas combines outdoor adventures (canopy, horseback riding) with a lunch buffet in a nature park.