Is summer the best time to visit Patagonia, or is there any specific month that has anything special about it? Which month should you choose if you want to do the W trek? Or do puma-watching? And what can you do if you visit Torres del Paine in winter?
When going to Patagonia, whether the Chilean or Argentinean site, there are some things to consider when choosing your travel month. We have another blog post going into more detail about which time is the best to visit Torres del Paine National Park, with more focus on the weather. In this blog, we will explain about what to expect in each season and which activities you can do in Torres del Paine, depending on your interest.
Summer lasts from December to February and is the warmest month. There is plenty of daylight (up to 17 hours in December), and temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). Strong winds are common, and we can have days with wind gusts of more than 120 km/hour (75 mi/hour). Strong winds can affect some activities, like boat rides, and some viewpoints will close for safety.
Summer is peak tourist season and the best time for hiking and outdoor activities.
Expect some places to be more crowded, especially the W trek's typical and iconic treks, such as the Base of the Towers, French Valley, and the Grey area.
From December, everything is happening: The trees are green, the flowers are blooming, and everything looks beautiful and alive. All the migratory animals are present, and this is when the wildlife gets their offspring, which adds cuteness to the overall experience! Seeing the chulengos (baby guanacos) playing around and the ducklings following their parents is just adorable!
So are you into wildlife observation - and especially birdwatching - summer will always be the best time! This is also the time when the different penguins migrate to their nesting areas, so if you want to see the Magellan penguin or the second biggest penguin, the King Penguin, summer is the best time. Do you want to add some cultural experiences as well? Visiting a Patagonian estancia is also best during summer when you can learn more about sheep farming and try a lamb barbecue.
In this area of the world, the days are long during summer. For hiking, it makes it ideal because you do not have to worry about getting to the campsites before it turns dark. The weather is also better, it is warmer.
All hotels and activities operate, and traveling to Patagonia is easier due to the greater frequency of airline travel from the bigger cities. The airline frequency usually lowers during winter, and some airlines do not operate during winter or only on certain days of the week.
Autumn in Patagonia is from March to May. The days are getting shorter, and we get cooler temperatures ranging from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F). Some mornings, it can be temperatures below 0°C. This is a beautiful time of the year when the trees start to change to yellow, red, and orange. March and April used to be shoulder seasons with fewer people, but these two months are increasingly more popular in Torres del Paine National Park. Expect there to be a lot of people during March and the first two weeks of April. From mid-April, the number of visitors decreases significantly.
Autumn can be stunning with all its colors, but the weather is also unpredictable, so come prepared for all kinds of weather. Some days can be cold but sunny, and other days can be cold with snow in the mountains, rain on the ground, and wind.
Most activities are still operating until the end of April - then hotels and activities start to close. The Paine O circuit ends in March, and the last W hikes are in April. If you are planning on doing multi-day hiking in Torres del Paine, look into the last days of the different campsites so you do not miss out on the experience. One program that operates the whole season is the Wildlife Safari all-inclusive in-house program at EcoCamp.
Winter in Patagonia lasts from June to August, and the coldest months are between -5°C and 8°C (23°F to 46°F). Winter in Patagonia is wild and beautiful, but there are fewer options since it is low season in Torres del Paine National Park. Many hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies are closed—typically from May to September. Heavy snowfall during winter can cause some logistical issues inside the national park, so be prepared for changes in plans and flexibility.
Despite fewer options, winter is magical! Snow-covered mountains, fresh air, and less wind make for great photography. The snow also makes a great contrast. Wildlife observation is also great. With less traffic and people, wildlife becomes more visible. Guanacos, in particular, gather in groups of hundreds during winter, which is impressive. Pumas are also often easier to spot during winter. Just remember that some migratory animals are not present during the winter months.
Hiking in Patagonia and Torres del Paine is for people with experience and the right hiking clothing. Let us give you eight reasons why winter is the most epic time for hiking. Most trails in Torres del Paine are open during winter, but some, like the Base of the Towers and French Valley, require a certified guide.
Some popular activities you can do in Torres del Paine National Park are the W Winter Trek and Winter Puma-Watching. We also have a program where you can choose between different activities each day while staying inside the national park; we call it "Torres del Paine Untouched Winter."
EcoCamp Patagonia closes from May to August for various reasons. Since we depend on the flowing water in the nearby river to create electricity and the sun for the solar panels, we would have issues generating enough energy to keep the hotel running as eco-friendly as possible. The low temperatures also affect the water pipes, and in some areas during winter, buildings are without water for days. We also use winter to maintain the hotel, fix things, or add new features.
You can always contact our sales team, and they can advise you on the best way to do the activities you wish to do. Just always remember that Patagonia is a place where you can have all four seasons in one day; the weather can be very unpredictable. Be prepared with the right clothing, but also mentally. Here, the weather is the one that is in charge. This is also the beauty of Patagonia - it is still wild, even in the weather!