Top Tips for Planning a Patagonia Hiking Trip
HIKING
Planning a trip to Patagonia is exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. I spent two months in 2024 hiking through this wild, stunning region, and I’ve learned a few things that might help make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re camping, trekking, or just exploring the remote corners of Argentina and Chile, here are my top tips for planning your Patagonia adventure!
When to Go and How Long to Stay
Patagonia’s Prime Time
Patagonia’s weather is unpredictable, but generally, the best time to visit is from October to April. Peak season is December to February—it’ll be busier, but you’ll have longer daylight hours. Although the weather is even more unpredictable in Autumn (March and April), in my opinion this is the best time to go. The fall foliage and the early dustings of snow make it even more magical.
In mid-April, a lot of places (including rental stores and cafes) in the hiking town of El Chaltén start to close for the season or limit their stock. Buses out of there cut back to one a day, meaning it can be harder to play it by ear. Ideally, you would want to wrap up your Patagonia trip by then or otherwise be prepared in advance for your transport and bringing your own gear.
Allow Ample Time for Exploration
3 Weeks Minimum for Hiking Highlights: If day-hiking is on the agenda for Patagonia, I would allow for a minimum of three weeks to see the highlights of the region. If you are doing multi-day hikes, I would allow for at least a month. Keep in mind, traveling between towns can be time-consuming.
We traveled to the below places over two months, and I still feel like I need to go back to see more!
Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas: 5 days
Punta Arenas: 2 days (including travel via bus to Puerto Natales)
Puerto Natales: 7 days (2 days prior to the O-Trek, 5 days post trek to recover)
Torres del Paine (O-Trek): 8 days
El Calafate: 5 days (including travel via bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate, and El Calafate to El Chaltén)
El Chaltén: 14 days (3x multi-day hikes)
El Chaltén to Bariloche: 2 Days via bus
Bariloche: 9 days
Nothing beats Patagonia in the Fall! This photo was taken on the Huemul Circuit in El Chaltén.
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Research Your Transportation Options
Patagonia is vast, and getting around can take time. Bus routes are reliable but slow—consider renting a car for more flexibility, especially if you want to reach less accessible areas. Flights can be expensive but convenient if time is short and money is plentiful.
Luxury on the Road
If you do take a bus between places, the buses are quite luxurious, and some even have lie-flat beds! We travelled with Bus Sur, Marga Taqsa, and Andes Mar—all of which were comfortable and of a high standard. Busbud is a popular booking platform; however, it’s often cheaper to book directly on the bus website or in their offices located at each major bus station for each town.
Pack for Border Crossings
If you're traveling between Chile and Argentina, expect multiple border crossings. Keep important documents handy, and make sure to leave any fresh fruits, vegetables, or meats behind—they won't make it through customs!
Rent a Car to Explore More
Consider renting a car for part of your trip to fully explore Patagonia’s remote areas. In El Calafate and Bariloche, Hertz dominates the rental market and often ends up being the most affordable option, even compared to local companies.
How to Get There and Around
This stunning hike near El Calafate is only accessible via car. Search Hidden Glacier Viewpoint on AllTrails for more details! You need permission from the locals to hike here.
Before You Leave
Learn Some Spanish Basics
English isn't widely spoken in rural Patagonia, so having a few basic Spanish phrases can be a big help, especially when arranging transportation or ordering food. Otherwise, Google Translate can be your best friend - download the Spanish language when connected to wifi, and then the app can be used when you are offline.
Book your campsites early
If you're hiking in Torres del Paine or other popular parks, especially in peak season, make sure to book your campsites well in advance. Sometimes, you can get last minute spots a few weeks out, but you need to be flexible with your dates. Read my guide on Planning for the O-Trek here, which explains a bit more about how to book!
Pre-Purchase Your National Parks Pass in Chile
In 2024, the process changed on purchasing National Parks Passes, and now they all need to be pre-purchased via pasesparques.cl. They cannot be purchased in-person. Each park requires a different pass, so these can add up quickly. Budget them accordingly!
** UPDATE: Typical, less than a week after I post this, Argentina decided to introduce fees for their National Parks in El Chaltén! They seem to have been changing in price already over the last week, but as of November 2024 the entrance fee is ARS30,000 per day - approx. AUD$45 (but their currency exchange fluctuates even more than their stance on National Park fees, so check before you go!). For overnight hikes, the second day is 50% of the first. Purchase on the national park website.
Travel Insurance is a Must
Given Patagonia’s rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and remote location, travel insurance (that covers adventure activities) is non-negotiable. Medical care in Patagonia can be limited, especially in remote areas.
Download Maps for Offline Use
Cell service is mostly non-existent in the mountains. Download trail maps from apps like AllTrails or Maps.me before you head out to ensure you don’t stray from the trails and get lost.
The campsites on the O-Trek and W-Trek in Torres del Paine book out months in advance! This was the campsite at Refugio Grey in early April, 2024.
Weather and Packing Essentials
Be Prepared for the Wind
Patagonia is famous for its ferocious winds. Pack a windproof jacket, even if the weather looks good—it can change fast. If you are camping, make sure you have a strong tent and you tie it down well every night.
Layer Up!
The weather in Patagonia can shift drastically in a single day. Bring layers—a good base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer shell are essentials. Hand-warmers also saved me on many occasions when my gloves let me down!
Travel light
While it’s tempting to overpack for the varying conditions, try to keep your gear minimal and lightweight, especially if you're trekking. Trust me, you'll be grateful when you’re halfway up a mountain. I definitely overpacked for the O-Trek! You can rewear your clothes every day you hike - no one will judge you! Just pack deodorant and wet wipes 🙂
Get Your Gear Sorted in Advance
While places like Puerto Natales and El Chaltén have gear rental shops, it’s best to bring your own if possible. If you’re renting, book in advance, especially during peak season.
Cramp-ons Will Be Your Best Friend
Especially in November/March/April when the mountain passes are snowy, and it’s slippery to walk. I had never hiked with cramp-ons before, and they made it a lot less scary going down mountains! These can be rented cheaply from local stores in town (a few dollars a day), and they are also pretty cheap to buy.
Pack Dehydrated Meals
If possible, bring dehydrated meals with you from your home country as they can be quite hard to find in Patagonia, and there aren’t many options available. I wish we had bought more with us, as my pack was extremely heavy for some of our hikes with all our food packed in!
Don’t Forget Your Trekking Poles!
The rugged terrain of Patagonia can be tough on your knees, especially with steep ascents and descents. Trekking poles are a game-changer!
Drink up that Fresh, Clean Water
Water in Patagonia is some of the best you will find in nature! It’s tasty, refreshing, and safe to drink—and most hikes have natural water sources readily available. We just took a couple of 1.5L water bottles with us and they lasted us for each multi-day trek.
The weather in Patagonia is ever-changing! This photo was taken on the O-Trek in Torres del Paine, where we experienced sun, wind, rain, hail and snow all within the 8 days!
On the Trails
Start Early on the Trails
Patagonian weather can be unpredictable, with winds and storms often hitting in the afternoon. Starting your hikes early can help you avoid the worst of it.
No Gas Cooking on the Torres del Paine Trails!
Torres del Paine does not allow you to cook on gas fires outside the refugio areas—meaning lunches on the O-Trek and the W-Trek need to be packed lunches that can be eaten cold (we learnt this the hard way!).
Leave No Trace
Patagonia is pristine, and it’s important to keep it that way. Pack out all trash, stay on marked trails, and respect the environment.
Nothing beats a ham and cheese toastie whilst on the trails! Even though you can't use a gas stove in Torres del Paine, you can use them on the trails on the Argentinian side of Patagonia.
Money and Connectivity
Cash is King
ATMs can be scarce in remote areas, and not all places accept credit cards. However, when hiking in Torres del Paine on the O-Trek, we were surprised to be able to pay by card for food and drinks at the refugios. Still, bring cash for the towns, especially Chilean pesos and Argentine pesos, for things like buses and small shops. USD is accepted in many places, and Argentinian bars, restaurants and shops often exchanges USD at a favorable rate. Read my blog on Money in Argentina here - it can be quite confusing!
Chile for Cheaper Groceries
Grocery shopping is cheaper on the Chilean side than the Argentinian side: Due to Argentinas high tax on imported goods and their ever-fluctuating peso, it drives the prices for a lot of grocery items up - a lot.
Expect Limited Cell Service
Once you're out on the trails or in remote areas, don’t expect great reception. Consider downloading maps offline via AllTrails or similar, and carrying a paper map just in case. In most towns, cell service and internet speeds are great—all bar El Chaltén, which experiences poor connection and frequent power cuts.
El Chaltén’s Many Power Cuts
Not only does it have dodgy cell service and internet, the town also often experiences power cuts, for hours at a time. My advice? Don’t plan on working remotely in this town, or have any important phone calls or meetings!
We experienced many power cuts during our stay in El Chaltén, and only some places have generators.
More Information on Hikes in Patagonia:
More Information on Towns in Patagonia:
