Introduction
San Alfonso: 65km (40 miles) E of Santiago
Cajón de Maipo is part huaso (a cowboy from the Central Valley), part artists' colony, part small-town charm tucked into a valley in the foothills of the Andes. From Santiago, it's less than 1 hour to the heart of the Cajón, the reason so many city denizens come to exchange the city smog and cement for the area's rugged, pastoral setting of towering peaks, freshly scented forest slopes, and the roar of the Maipo River as it descends along its route to the sea. If you have a day and would like to get a feel for the Andes and its rugged beauty, I highly recommend a visit here.
The highlight of this area is El Morado National Park, which offers ideal opportunities for day hiking, but it is certainly not a requisite destination. Cajón de Maipo boasts a wide array of outdoor activities, such as rafting, horseback riding, hiking, climbing, and more, but it also offers a chance to linger over a hearty lunch or picnic, stroll around the...
more local info
-
check rates-
Cascada de las Animas
This tourism center is run by the Astorga-Moreno family, who own a monster swath of land outside San Alfonso. Within their complex are 80 campground...
-
-
check rates
-
La Bella Durmiente
Located at the end of a steep dirt road, these cabañas seem as if they've jumped out of the tale Sleeping Beauty, which is what the name means...
-
