Cordillera Province brings together a range of travel experiences: high-mountain landscapes at El Morado Natural Monument, thermal pools in San José de Maipo, and wine tourism and trails in Pirque. To help plan your trip, start by choosing your main focus. Depending on whether you are interested in mountain scenery, thermal waters, wine or local culture, different places and visitor conditions will be relevant.

High Mountains and Thermal Waters in San José de Maipo

El Morado Natural Monument is located in San José de Maipo and is a high-mountain unit above 1,750 m above sea level. Its landscape takes the form of a U-shaped mountain basin, created by the movement and deposition of glacial moraines. Viewpoints and hiking trails make the area especially appealing to nature lovers and hikers. Trail availability may change with the weather; check conditions with CONAF before your visit.

The thermal pools also offer different experiences. Baños Colina, also known as Termas del Valle de Colina, consists of natural thermal pools in San José de Maipo. Baños Morales is a settlement in the same municipality with thermal-water pools rich in mineral salts. Baños Morales is visited seasonally; check the visitor conditions before planning your trip. This lets you choose between the two places based on your interests: the natural shape of the pools at Baños Colina or the mineral content of the water at Baños Morales.

San José de Maipo is the municipal capital. Its picturesque architecture preserves the classical style that has shaped the town as it is today. On weekends and public holidays, visitors can find typical local handicrafts; the participation of individual vendors may vary.

From Santiago, you can reach San José de Maipo via Route G-25, also known as Camino al Volcán, by public bus or private vehicle. Travel times and road conditions vary. Therefore, check the bus schedule and current road conditions before setting out.

Wine, Trails and Nature in Pirque

In Pirque, you can learn about winemaking and related traditions at nationally and internationally recognized wineries, as well as taste a variety of wines. Dates and tasting options vary by winery; check them before your visit. The wine experiences offer a different focus from the mountain landscapes of Pirque, which can be explored on foot, on horseback or by bicycle.

Río Clarillo National Park in Pirque is suitable for hiking, and birdwatching is also possible there. Sightings are not guaranteed, and you should check current admission conditions with CONAF. In Pirque, you can therefore choose between different interests: wine and its traditions, exploring the mountain landscape, and observing nature.

The Wider Setting: Metropolitan Region

The landscape of the broader Metropolitan Region travel destination extends beyond the places mentioned above. Cajón del Maipo is a valley shaped by the Andes and traversed by the Río Maipo. The turquoise Embalse El Yeso reservoir, at an altitude of 2,500 meters, is also located in Cajón del Maipo. These landscape features offer a broader view of the Metropolitan Region and complement the specific visitor experiences in San José de Maipo and Pirque.

Discover more destinations: Pirque, San José de Maipo, Puente Alto, Chacabuco Province, Melipilla Province, Santiago Province, Talagante Province, Maipo.

Go to the broader travel overview: Metropolitan Region.