El Morado Hanging Glacier
Full day
Santiago
Day tours
Many people think that to see a glacier you have to travel all the way to Patagonia. Surprisingly, just a few hours from Santiago, in the Cajón del Maipo, you can admire one of the most stunning glaciers in central Chile: El Morado Hanging Glacier, a tongue of ice that drops vertically from 4,647 meters above sea level.
This is a small-group experience, with a maximum of 12 people, so the pace adapts to you. The drive from Santiago takes about 2 hours through spectacular Andean scenery, with views of the San José Volcano (5,856 m), ancient rock walls, fossils and Andean condors. Once at Arenas Park, we begin a 9 km round-trip hike to the glacier lake, led by a Sernatur-certified bilingual guide trained as a Wilderness First Responder.
Pickup is available in Providencia, Las Condes and Vitacura. The exact meeting point is confirmed upon booking
Quick Facts
Activity: Hike
Duration: Full day
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: Year-round, weather dependent (snowshoes required in winter)
Hiking length: 9 km (5.5 mi) round trip
Max altitude: 3,260 masl (10,695 ft)
Elevation gain: 660 m (2,165 ft)
What's Included
Small-group experience (max 12 people)
Pickup and drop off in Providencia, Las Condes or Vitacura
Bilingual guide (English & Spanish) — Sernatur certified & WFR
Snowshoes are provided when required by snow conditions.
Park entrance fee
Private 4x4 vehicle from Santiago
Snacks and refreshments after the hike
What's Not Included
Gratuities
Travel insurance
What to Bring
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Lip balm with SPF
Hiking boots or similar
Trekking poles (optional)
Base layer + warm layer + windproof jacket (3-layer clothing system)
Hiking pants or leggings (shorts optional on sunny summer days)
Small backpack
Water (1.5–2 liters per person)
Packed lunch and snacks
Itinerary
07:00-07:30 Hotel pickup
09:30-10:00 The hike starts (Arenas Park entrance)
12:30-13:00 Morado Lagoon and glacier lookout
13:30-14:30 Lunch break and chilling time
14:30-17:00 Back to the hike starting point
17:00-17:30 Refreshments at the parking area (Arenas Valley)
21:00-21:30 Hotel drop off
These timings will depend on the group pace, traffic, and weather conditions.
Price
Solo travelers: $250,000 CLP Groups of 2+: $180,000 CLP per person
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Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start of the tour. Cancellations made within 48 hours are non-refundable. In case of cancellation due to weather or safety conditions, a full refund or rescheduling will be offered.
Important Notes
This experience operates subject to weather and safety conditions. In case of severe weather or high winds, ChileTraverse reserves the right to cancel or modify the experience. A full refund or rescheduling will be offered.
