Planning your Patagonia holidays: 3 essentials

Planning for Patagonia holidays this year? Congratulations. You’ve picked the destination of a lifetime and you won’t be disappointed. Patagonia is a beautiful part of the world and there’s no good reason that you won’t have a great time – unless you fail to plan, of course. Ensure that your Patagonia holidays are a success with this handy guide of essentials to keep in mind.

What to know when planning your Patagonia holidays

Holidays are meant to be enjoyable, and Patagonia holidays are no different. Whether you are going whale watching or hiking in El Chalten, there are some golden rules to keep in mind. First-timers and seasoned Patagonia holidaymakers alike would do well to memorise the following tips!

1. Patagonia holidays are seasonal (but not in the way you think)

Most holiday destinations are seasonal to some extent. Go to the Costa del Sol in December and things will be quiet, to say the least. Visit Bordeaux wine country during harvest time and you’ll be lucky to get any appointments. Patagonia holidays have their own seasonality considerations, but the good news is that you can visit Patagonia all year round. Understand the particularities of each season and you’ll have no trouble whatsoever.

• Spring runs from September to November when the weather is temperate. Prices are lower and there aren’t as many tourists around.
• Summer is December to February and is the most attractive time of year for tourists. Prices are higher and there’ll be quite a few people around. If you don’t like crowds, maybe pick another season.
• Fall runs from March to May. Like Spring, tourist numbers are lower, though the weather is warmer.
• Winter is June to August, and not all tourist attractions are operating. It’s a great time for skiing, snowboarding and other similar activities.

2. Patagonia covers two countries

This is an obvious one, but don’t overlook it. Patagonia holidays, whether of the package holiday variety or self-guided, may invariably cover both Chile and Argentina. Unlike that trip to the Costa del Sol or southwest France, this means that you’ll need to plan for visiting two separate countries. Among the other considerations to keep in mind here:

• Ensure that you have the legal right to visit both countries before travelling. You don’t want to be stopped at either border for visa issues, right?
• Remember that these are two distinct countries, each with its own culture and identity. Treat each with the respect it deserves!
• Language can be an issue, and Chilean Spanish often differs from what is spoken on the Argentinian side. Brush up on your phrases or keep Google Translate on standby!

3. Pack the right clothes

Patagonia holidays tend to appeal to the more adventurous traveller. Between its hiking trails and the opportunity to watch rare wildlife, you’ll spend much of your trip exposed to the elements. Patagonia is a great untouched land, and its terrain can be tricky to navigate. It can also get really cold – or really hot, for that matter – at the drop of a hat. It’s absolutely vital, then, that you pack the right clothes.