In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need for your trip to Patagonia during the winter season, which for many, is the best time to visit. For those who prefer less crowded trails, or appreciate wildlife, and seek a more extreme and adventurous experience, this information will be very useful to survive and, of course, enjoy a unique adventure.
1. How is the weather in winter?
From May to August is when temperatures reach their lowest point, with average maximums around 7ºC and minimums dropping to as low as -4ºC. However, if there’s one thing that’s variable, it’s the weather in the area. On some days, extreme temperatures of 15ºC have been reported, and even as low as -15ºC. The wind in this area is famous for its strength and consistency; but, during winter, it disappears, so the sensation of cold decreases slightly.
The likelihood of snow is high, but typically above 1000 meters. In lower areas, snowfall is becoming increasingly rare due to climate change, but there’s always the possibility of experiencing a snowstorm. That’s where the more extreme side of the adventure lies!
Daylight in Patagonia lasts only a few hours during winter; sunrise during this time is “late,” after 9 AM, and sunset is nearly at 5 PM, giving just over 7 hours of daylight. The positive aspect is that to catch the sunrise, you don’t have to wake up too early. making it easier to witness this truly beautiful landscape—a sight we recommend experiencing at least once in your lifetime.
2. What clothes should I take to Patagonia?
The best tip to fully enjoy the experience is “The 3 Layers”: a T-shirt, a fleece, and most importantly, a good windbreaker, ideally waterproof. Trekking boots and poles are essential to prevent falls on the trails. Your safety is paramount, which is why we provide crampons as well.
Caution! The combination of snow and sun can be dangerous, so sunglasses with UV filters and sunscreen are indispensable. To combat the cold, a hat, gloves, and gaiters are ideal.
3. Why is winter the best season to come to Patagonia?
Now, to reach the southernmost part of our country, the airline Sky offers direct flights from the capital, Santiago, to Puerto Natales, the closest city to Torres del Paine National Park, and also to Punta Arenas, the second southernmost city in Chile, all year round.
Traveling to Patagonia in winter is a locals’ best-kept secret. Because prices drop, there are fewer tourists, and several species of wildlife can be spotted, which are not often seen as frequently during high seasons.
Pumas, foxes, huemuls, ñandús, and guanacos are part of the wildlife that inhabits the area. During winter and autumn, they need to search for food and take advantage of the calmness of these months to descend from the mountains and come out of the forests. The white color of the snow makes it easier to observe the animals, which is more common during the peak months.
If your plan is to hike the W circuit and visit Torres del Paine, you must do it with a certified guide. It’s mandatory! They know the conditions and are prepared to handle any risks during your adventure.
We invite you to take part in our winter programs that will make you live a unique and wild experience. The first one is the Winter W Trek, which lasts for five days; you’ll explore Torres del Paine National Park while resting in our selection of accommodations.
The other option is to discover and experience the adventure in the National Park in various ways: horseback riding in Patagonia, hiking, and seeing the Grey Glacier. You’ll also have the chance to observe wildlife, among other activities, all over five days.
And as a final piece of advice, in Patagonia, “mate,” an infusion made from yerba mate leaves, is a classic. You’ll see many people with their thermos and mate. It’s very easy to share and sparks conversations, so if a local offers to share mate with you, accept it! It’s delicious and perfect for keeping warm.
For your stay in Puerto Natales, we have some must-visit spots to enhance your Patagonia experience even further. Bars, cafes, and restaurants that will fascinate you—I assure you!
If you have any questions or need more info, just shoot us an email at info@chilenativo.com We’re here to help with anything you need!
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
SY Joyce Kan2023-03-07Amazing trip! We joined the Torres Del Paine 7 day O trek tour - note that this tour is not a complete O Trek but skipping the part from Camp Frances to Las Torres, which worked in our favour as our holiday is limited and we won’t miss much. Our guide, Debbie was knowledgeable and amicable, and very passionate about hiking. Unfortunately I fell sick during the hike and wished to leave a day earlier than planned. Debbie and Chile Nativo quickly rearranged transportation for us and was very helpful. Throughout the whole process Chile Nativo was very responsive. We had a memorable journey and I would highly recommend Chile Nativo.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Jim Garvin2023-03-02Fantastic experience! We were booked with Chile Nativo via Swoop and had a wonderful experience. Our guides, Tim & Lucile, were awesome. We really enjoyed their company. They were very knowledgeable about the region (the history, animals, landscape, etc). Highly recommend.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Olivia Evans2023-02-15I booked the independent, self-guided Torres Del Paine trek with Chile Nativo’s help and was so glad I did. When I looked to book on my own, everything was all reserved in Torres Del Paine and Chile Nativo was the only agency that could help me find a spot still. To still be able to go on the trip when I wanted to go, to not have to spend so much time planning all the logistics, to get a local’s recommendations on the best way to do the trek…but STILL get to do the trek on my own was amazing and worth every penny. In particular Paolina at the agency was incredibly helpful. I would recommend this agency to anyone looking to hike in Torres del Paine.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Chiloe Natural (chiloenatural)2023-02-10Serious, professional, and friendly Tour Agency in Puerto Natales that will cater your needs in Patagonia and Torres del Paine.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Kevin Jobst2023-01-27Hiking in Torres with Pepa is like walking with your smartest and wisest friend. She has an incredible depth of knowledge in everything from mycology to government, from geology to history. She is fiercely passionate about conservation and our planet and has dedicated her life to making our world a better place. Our two porters Filipe and Bastian were both incredibly strong and highly professional. Always in the know on where to set up the tent, they picked the best spot in every site we were at. Also, they were an absolute blast to hang out with after the long days hiking. I cannot recommend this particular team highly enough and if you are passionate about the environment, making the world a better place, learning everything there is to know about glaciers, mushrooms, Patagonia, the history of Chile, magma intrusions and edible berries request them by name. Thank you to all three of you for making our experience so special and I hope our paths cross again.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Brad Smith2023-01-15Our Torres Del Paine Plus trip was fantastic! A great crew of newly-made friends, guided by Izabella “La Professora”, on a journey beyond expectations. What a great time, a balance of hiking and touring. DO NOT miss the pumas!!! I will definitely go with the Chile Nativo team again, and thanks to Nestor & Juan too!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Senga Simpson2023-01-09Excellent service. Thank you VickyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Lukas Winegarner2022-11-28Camilo is ledged! Chile Nativo is extremely experienced and knowledgeable - I would highly recommend booking directly through them. We were a group of 8 doing the O 7 day hike and everything was great! Thanks to Camilo & Tomas and all of our porters!
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