Planning a trip to Patagonia? Buckle up—with its unique wildlife, technicolor lakes, and rugged mountains, it’s seriously STUNNING and has some of the most unique opportunities for outdoor adventure in the world! It’s also known for something a bit less fun—incredibly dynamic and unpredictable weather, which can make packing for this special corner of the planet a bit difficult.
Not to worry, though—my husband, Justin, and I just wrapped up spending two months hiking and adventuring all over Patagonia, figuring out exactly what you should bring with you—and what you can leave at home. Accordingly, here’s our Patagonia packing list, with everything you need to make the most of your time in this jaw-dropping land of ancient glaciers and stunning fjords.
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What to pack for Patagonia
There’s no right or wrong timeframe to explore Patagonia—some travelers spend five days here, while others might spend months working their way across the its 738,000 square miles of mountains, alpine lakes, and valleys.
This packing list is going to be written for travelers spending a week in Patagonia, so, if you’re spending more or less time there, you may have to adjust some of the quantities of items accordingly.
That being said, even if you’re spending a long period of time in Patagonia, I’d suggest packing enough clothes for about a week and just doing laundry during your stay—unlike pretty much everything else here, laundry services are quite affordable (like, $7 USD to wash, dry, and fold a week’s worth of two people’s clothing) and it beats lugging around an entire month’s worth of stuff!
Clothing
1. Puffer coat
Patagonia is the southernmost tip of South America, so, perhaps unsurprisingly, it gets cold here! Bring a nice warm jacket, preferably with a hood, to keep you nice and toasty, which is especially necessary at higher elevations and in the early mornings and evenings.
Here’s the one I use and here’s Justin’s jacket.
2. Rainjacket
They’re not lying when they say that the weather in Patagonia is unpredictable. We went on a number of hikes where the weather was bright and sunny one minute and, the next, pouring down rain. Accordingly, you should have a wind-proof rainjacket with you pretty much everywhere you go in Patagonia.
Here’s the one I use and here’s the one that Justin uses.
3. Base layers x3
The key to packing for Patagonia is layers—because the weather changes so often, you’ll want to as well!
Base layers keep you nice and cozy on those warm Patagonian days—here’s an option for men and here’s an option for women.
4. T-shirts or tank tops x4
You’ll want a breathable, moisture-wicking layer that you can use when you’re climbing up the side of Mount Fitz Roy.
Here’s an option for men and here’s an option for women (I have this shirt in two colors—it’s SO flattering!).
5. Hiking pants x3
I’d suggest bringing along a couple of pairs of abrasion-resistant pants that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. A lot of the trails in Patagonia get super muddy, meaning you might be after hiking them as well!
Here’s an option for men and here’s an option for women.
6. Athletic shorts
Justin and I visited Patagonia from January through February, some of the warmest months here, and there were only a few times that it was warm enough to bust out the shorts—but, when it was, we were super glad to have them!
Justin basically lives (and hikes and camps!) in these shorts and I have this pair.
7. Beanie
8. Rainpants
If you’re just doing day hikes, this might be overkill, but, if you plan on doing any multi-day hikes, like the W Trek or the Huemul Circuit, it likely will be hard for you to dry off any pants you’re wearing if you happen to get caught in a downpour (which, I can say from personal experience, can definitely happen). Accordingly, it can be helpful to bring along rainpants to slap on if it starts raining—here’s the pair Justin used in South America and here’s mine.
8. Underwear x7
9. Sports bras x2
For the ladies, obviously.
10. Hiking socks x7
11. Pajamas
13. Hiking boots
Most of the trails in Patagonia are rocky and uneven, with sections that are super steep or muddy. So I’d strongly recommend coming prepared with real hiking boots (and not sneakers) for additional traction and support. And being waterproof is a must!
Here’s the pair that Justin hiked all over South America with and here’s the pair that I swear by.
14. Hiking sandals
These are great to shuffle around your hotel in or, if you plan on doing any multi-day hikes, around your campsites. Justin and I have a cult-like love for our Tevas (his and hers).
15. Baseball hat
16. Waterproof gloves (optional)
I’d say these are only super necessary if you’re visiting during the cooler months (April through October) or plan on doing any sunrise or sunset hikes. But if you plan on doing either of those, it’s a good idea to pack some gloves along (here’s an option for men and women).
I did sunrise along the Mirador Base las Torres hike in Torres del Paine and literally couldn’t operate the buttons on my camera, because my hands were so frickin’ cold!
17. Swimsuit (optional)
Some of the more upscale hotels around Patagonia, like Explora near Torres del Paine National Park or Xelena Hotel in El Calafate, have hot tubs and heated indoor pools that might be the perfect way to reset those aching muscles after a long day hiking. So, check your hotels’ amenities and pack accordingly!
Gear
Whether you plan on doing just a few easier day hikes or doing challenging multi-day hikes, like the O Trek, there’s some basic gear that ALL travelers to Patagonia should include on their packing list.
However, if you are planning on doing backpacking trips here, you should evaluate whether you want to bring your own gear from home or rent it while you’re in Patagonia.
If you can swing it, I’d strongly recommend bringing your own gear from home—shopping around for pricing and the quality of gear takes time and rentals can be shockingly expensive, especially in super remote towns, like El Chaltén, Argentina.
We couldn’t bring our backpacking gear from home (we traveled around South America for seven months with a 45L backpack each—it definitely would be hard to squeeze our tent and sleeping bags in there, too!) and had to forgo going on a backpacking trip we had planned on in El Chaltén, because we couldn’t stomach the rental fees.
Accordingly, I’m going to break down this portion of the packing list into two sections:
- Hiking gear, which almost ever traveler to Patagonia will need, whether you’re doing short or multi-day treks, and
- Multi-day backpacking gear, which applies to travelers that plan on bringing their camping gear with them to Patagonia.
Hiking gear
1. Backpack
The size of backpack you’ll need will depend on whether you’re going on dayhikes or doing longer hikes, like the 8 day O Trek (and, even then, it will depend on whether you plan on staying at a provided fully equipped campsite or bringing all your own gear!).
If you’re going on dayhikes, I’d suggest bringing along one of these packable backpacks. We used them for a bunch of day hikes around South America—they’re definitely not the MOST comfortable, but they fold down to practically nothing and are more than sufficient for a day out on the trail.
For multi-day hikes, a good hiking backpack in the 50-75L range should give you enough space to pack away your camping equipment and food, plus offer supports (like hip and chest straps) to make carrying all that weight comfy! I’ve had this hiking backpack for years (here’s the male equivalent) and LOVE it—it usually feels like I’m carrying hardly anything on my back!
2. Trekking poles
These are a MUST in Patagonia!
If you plan on doing several hikes in Patagonia, I’d suggest bringing them with you (or buying them in Patagonia), as opposed to renting them for every single trail, as they’ll definitely add up! Just remember that you can’t bring them in carry-ons!
3. Refillable water bottle
Unlike some places in South America, you can drink the tap water in Patagonia (at least, you could when we visited—I’d suggest confirming with your hotel!).
4. Rechargeable headlamp
Necessary for sunrise or sunset hikes
5. Quick-drying towel (optional)
If you plan on hiking the W Trek or other multiday hut-to-hut hikes in Patagonia, you’ll be happy to hear that most refugios have hot showers available—but no towels!
6. Sunglasses
Multi-day backpacking gear
1. Tent
Here’s the two person tent that we’ve used (and loved) for years.
2. Tent anchor pegs
Many of the campsites around Patagonia, including the ones in Torres del Paine National Park, have tent platforms. These little clips make it easier to tie down your tent on the platform.
3. Sleeping bag
It should be rated to at least 5° Celsius or lower.
4. Sleeping pad
It should be rated with an R-value of 4.0 or higher.
5. Backpacking pillow
We bought these camping pillows last year and brought them with us to South America. They are GAME CHANGERS. We used them ALL the time—on uncomfortable buses, plane rides, and, yes, even while backpacking.
6. Backpacker meals
As far as I can tell, it’s exceedingly rare to find backpacker meals in the small towns around Patagonia, other than a few flavors of ramen cups and powdered soup that the supermarkets carry.
So, even if you plan on renting a lot of your gear, I’d strongly recommend bringing along any backpacker meals you might need. I always look forward to eating this one and this one on the trail.
7. Instant coffee or tea
8. Campstove
If your only backpacking plans in Patagonia are in Torres del Paine National Park and you usually just need your campstove to heat up water to rehydrate food, good news! The vast majority of the refugios (to my knowledge, all but for Refugio Grey) offer instant hot water. So you don’t need to bring your camp stove!
However, if you plan on completing other multi-day backpacking trips, like the Nahuel Huapi Traverse in Bariloche, most other campgrounds or refugios do not have instant hot water, so I’d suggest bringing along a camp stove burner and picking up some propane and a lighter once you’re in Patagonia.
9. Lightweight camping sporks
10. Backpacking trowel
To dig any catholes you might need for pooping in the backcountry.
If you only plan on doing a multi-day hike in Torres del Paine, there’s enough bathrooms around the park for most people to not have to go #2 out in the woods and, accordingly, not need a backpacking trowel.
If you plan on doing other multi-day hikes, though (or are just a frequent pooper), you might want to consider bringing a trowel with you in case there aren’t sufficient bathrooms around when you’re on the trail. Additionally, some of the bathrooms we encountered in Patagonia were absolutely HEINOUS (I’m looking at you, vault toilet in Campamento Poincenot along the Laguna de los Tres trail in El Chaltén), so it’s not a terrible idea to come prepared for the worst.
You should also pack toilet paper and large Ziploc baggies to carry out any inorganic waste (like toilet paper) with you and follow the Leave No Trace guidelines for properly digging and using catholes.
Toiletries
1. Sunscreen
2. Soap and shampoo
Most hotels in Patagonia will provide these, but cheaper hostels and refugios will not.
3. Bugspray
4. Deodorant
5. Toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss
6. Any medications you might need
Including over the counter medications, like ibuprofen, to help your sore muscles after all that hiking!
Miscellaneous
1. Cash
Most places in Patagonia accept credit cards (usually with a small service fee). However, there’s a handful of instances where you will need cash, like for the shuttle to get to the W Trek or Mirador Base la Torres trailhead, or taxis in some of the smaller towns.
I just wouldn’t recommend taking out TOO much money—you’ll only need cash in a handful of instances!
2. Credit card
3. Passport
Also, when you enter Chile, you’ll be given a Tourist Card—be sure not to lose this! Many accommodations (and potentially other businesses) will ask to see it when you check out and can charge you an additional 20% if you don’t have it!
4. Visas
Make sure you don’t need a visa to enter either Argentina or Chile. We traveled with a lovely Australian woman through the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia, who spent the entire three day tour panicking because she didn’t realize she needed a visa to get into Chile, her next destination.
We use the free service Sherpa to figure out whether we need visas for countries we’re traveling to.
5. Eye mask and ear plugs
If you stay in any of the hostel beds in refugios or busy campsites, you’re going to want these!
Electronics
1. Camera
2. Tripod
3. Cell phone
4. Battery pack
Especially if you plan on doing any multi-day hikes.
5. Charging cables
6. Universal travel adapter plug
7. Headphones
8. Dry bag
We used our dry bag a LOT in Patagonia. We threw our expensive electronics in it and then tucked the dry bag into our larger backpacks when we got stuck in the rain (which was often!), as an extra waterproof layer.
And that’s everything you need to include on Patagonia packing list! We hope you have the BEST time in this special corner of the planet—it’s definitely one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been! Do you have any questions about what to bring along? Let us know in the comments below!
