Table of Contents
Climate
Weather in Patagonia is very unpredictable, as is the case in many mountainous regions with varied terrain. It is not uncommon to experience sunshine, wind, rain, and even snow on a single day, even if traveling during the summer months (December to February). To experience and enjoy this natural paradise to the fullest, come well prepared.
The key is to add layers of clothing for cold weather (i.e. on glaciers and in the mountains) and remove layers if the day gets warmer or your body temperature rises when hiking.
The wind in Patagonia is part of the experience—as much a part of the landscape as the
granite or the glaciers. It comes from the west, off the Southern Ocean, channeled by the
Andes into something with force and personality. It is the most important factor in
deciding what to pack. Everything else in Patagonia is manageable.
Northern Patagonia (the Lake District areas of Chile and Argentina) receives more rain than the deep south (e.g. Torres del Paine, El Calafate), but rain can occur anywhere.
The Clothing System: Layers = Comfort
The dress code at lodges and hotels in Patagonia? Simple: don’t get cold. At even the finest lodges, guests dress for warmth and comfort, rather than formality.
Dress in layers, allowing you to add or remove clothing for comfort as conditions change throughout the day. It’s common to be bundled up in the early morning, strip down to a light shirt during a mid-day hike, and cover up again in the afternoon and evening. You’ll want to bring a daypack to carry any unworn layers.
Not all lodges have on-site laundry facilities. Laundry service may not be available, or it may take several days. Lightweight synthetics or merino wool are among your best clothing options.
Avoid heavy cotton fabrics, such as denim. Consider that wind and rain are possible on any day.
Outerwear
This is perhaps the most important section on your packing list. It is very important that your entire body remains dry during wet conditions. This includes your legs and your feet. You want to make sure you have a waterproof / windproof jacket and pants, with decent breathability, so that your entire body remains dry in case of a light drizzle, heavier rain, and high wind.
- Gloves (rain and windproof; light pair and a cold-weather pair)
- Buff or scarf
- Fleece or wool beanie and a hat to keep the sun off your face
- Soft-shell jacket or parka (rain and windproof)
- Synthetic windproof fleece (as outerwear or a layer beneath your shell)
- Soft-shell hiking pants (rain and windproof)
- If you’ll be hiking and riding, consider bringing a pair of gaiters (lower leg coverings to keep debris out of your footwear)
- Polarized sunglasses and a cleaning cloth. Consider bringing a leash for your glasses. Alternatively or in addition, for destinations in windy southern Patagonia, you may prefer ski goggles.
- Day pack (the size of a school backpack, sufficient to carry a water bottle, excess layers of clothing, sun protection, snacks, and a camera)
Under Layers and Other Clothing
Patagonian lodges are not formal. No one dresses for dinner in the way that European you might experience at a European mountain lodge.
- Synthetic or merino wool under layers (top and bottom)
- Synthetic or merino wool tees
- Casual, comfortable clothing (shirts and pants) for your time at the lodge or hotel. If you enjoy sprucing up for dinner, a merino or cashmere sweater may be just right.
- If you’re traveling during Austral summer (December to February), you may want to bring a pair of hiking shorts.
- Swimwear for pool, hot-tub, and mountain lakes.
- 3-4 pairs of wool socks — merino, mid-weight, multiple pairs. Budget one fresh pair per hiking day plus two or three for evenings. Wet socks in cold wind are not a minor inconvenience.
The Pants
Patagonia hiking requires pants that can get wet, dry quickly, and move with you on steep terrain. Softshell pants — stretchy, slightly wind-resistant, quick-drying — are the standard choice for the trails of Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares. They work in light rain and are comfortable enough for lodge evenings. For heavy rain, a pair of waterproof shell pants in your pack adds meaningful protection without adding much weight to your daypack.
Do not bring denim or other cotton pants. Denim is heavy, dries slowly, and offers no insulation when wet. The same applies to chinos, linen, or anything cotton below the waist. If you wear it to the office, leave it at home.
Footwear: The Most Important Decision
You will be hiking on a wet, rooted, sometimes muddy trail. You will cross streams on stepping stones and scramble over granite. The right footwear? Generally speaking, that would be waterproof leather or waterproof synthetic hiking shoes or light boots with ankle support and an aggressive rubber sole.
Heavy hiking boots are not necessary unless you are carrying your own gear for a multi-day trek. We’ve hiked the W segments in Torres del Paine and the trails to Cerro Torre and Laguna de los Tres in El Chaltén in trail running shoes. Approach shoes can work for most trails if the soles have chunky, grippy tread. Mud is common.
Whichever shoes you choose, break them in for at least three weeks before departure. Blisters on the trail, five miles from the lodge, are the wrong kind of challenge.
- A pair of lightweight trail shoes for lodge use and rest days, and a pair of waterproof gaiters. Gaiters attach to your shoes and seal the gap between the top of your shoes and the bottom of your pants. They are lightweight and very helpful in keeping out thorns and stones—Patagonia has plenty of both hazards.
- Wool socks — merino, mid-weight, multiple pairs. Budget one fresh pair per hiking day plus two or three for evenings. Wet socks in cold wind are not a minor inconvenience.
- Bring a small stock of adhesive moleskin and bandages with you on the trail. Your guide will also have some of these items. If you start to notice a hotspot, stop and take care of it before it gets worse.
Protection from the Elements
In Patagonia, sun protection is essential. The ozone layer is thinner at southern latitudes, and the horizontal light of the Austral summer produces UV exposure that catches travelers off guard. SPF 50 sunscreen, a brimmed sun hat, and UV-blocking lip balm should be part of your kit for every outing.
Eye protection matters equally. Glacier glasses — wraparound frames with UV400 lenses — protect against both direct sun and the reflection off snow, ice, and water. If you wear prescription glasses, clip-on UV shades or prescription glacier glasses are worth the investment.
For your hands: a thin liner glove for active hiking when you need dexterity, and a heavier waterproof over-glove or mitten for the windy exposed sections. The wind will find your hands quickly. Prepare accordingly.
Personal Care
- Toiletries
- Waterproof sunblock (SPF 50 or higher) and zinc facial sunblock (e.g. Tizo)
- SPF-rated lip balm
- Insect repellent and Benadryl cream or pump spray. Biting flies and mosquitoes are present in some locations. High winds keep them away in the Deep South.
- Prescription medications and eyewear
- Hair ties
- Dramamine or other methods to combat car sickness (discuss with your doctor)
- Vitamins
- Travel-size packets of antihistamine, anti-diarrheal, antacid, laxative, and pain/fever medication
- A small tube of 1% hydrocortisone cream
- Band-Aids, athletic tape, and anti-bacterial cream for blisters and abrasions
Identification & Payment Methods
- Passport. Lock the original in the hotel or lodge safe. Keep a photocopy or digital photo of your passport with you.
- Credit and ATM cards. ATM’s are available in most airports and cities. However, these empty quickly on weekends. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and hotels. Remember to confirm your travel dates and destinations with your card issuers before you leave the USA.
Other Items
- A copy of your travel itinerary and related contact information
- A book or two
- A headlamp or small flashlight (optional)
- Your phone and charger. Most carriers offer cell coverage in the port towns. You’ll want the camera, and maybe a few downloaded movies or playlists.
- Electrical adapters, power converters, and a small multi-socket surge protector / power strip.
- Telescopic walking poles (if you have difficulty walking)
- Binoculars
- A few Ziploc-type re-sealable plastic bags of various sizes
- Some of your favorite prepackaged snacks, such as protein bars. Avoid snacks that are individually wrapped (such as gum or hard candies) that create “micro-trash” that could end up blowing into lakes and rivers.
- Water bottle (durable and re-fillable; although most lodges and hotels provide a water bottle or have bottles for purchase)
Recording Your Memories
- Camera, data cards or film, batteries (spare batteries are recommended), data storage devices, and battery chargers. Remember any cables or card readers you might need to transfer files.
- A 300 mm zoom is sufficient for most wildlife encounters here.
- Sketchbook / journal and pens / pencils
- A waterproof camera (e.g. GoPro with floating leash handle and waterproof housing) for kayaking
- Drones are allowed, outside of national parks. However, rain and high winds will limit your flying.
