This Patagonia Packing List will help you to prepare for your outdoor adventure in one of the most stunning regions of South America.
I created this list based on my Patagonia trekking experiences in Chile as well as Argentina in the following regions: Torres del Paine, Los Glaciares, Carretera Austral, Esquel and Bariloche.
Before you go to Patagonia make sure to check out my Backpacking in South America section where you'll find loads of free guides, like trekking guides for Torres del Paine. I spent more than 7 months in South America, this list is an extension of my South America Packing List.
1) Backpack & Bags
Let's start with the essentials – a good trekking backpack is needed to carry all your stuff around. For this you should get one which is comfortable, adjustable to your body, spacious and durable.
- Trekking Backpack – e.g. 50l internal frame backpacks are great for multiple day hikes, for big tours the Osprey Aether 70 or Deuter AirContact are good choices
- Hiking Daypack, if you plan short hikes ([CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]like these on Amazon[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]like these on Amazon[/CBC])
- Drybag – keeps your technical equipment dry ([CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]overview on amazon[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]overview on amazon[/CBC])
- backpack straps – to attach mattress/sleeping bag on the outside of your backpack
- ZipLocs, helps you organizing
2) Clothes
Compared to city trips you need to pack more functional clothes due to the weather conditions which can change very quick in this region. Moreover you should invest into some good outdoor clothes which are comfortable but also easy to handle. I plan for only a few days, after or in between I wash my clothes – this ensures to pack lightweight.
- 4x underwear
- 2x socks
- 3x T-Shirts (mid layer) – I recommend using breathable [CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]sport shirts[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]sport shirts[/CBC]
- 1x Hiking Pants, with the option to turn into a short pant ([CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]like this one from Columbia[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]overview on Amazon[/CBC])
- 1x Rain Pants (optional)
- 1x Fleece Jacket (mid layer) – highly recommended for colder parts and the evenings!
- 1x breathable, waterproof Jacket as shell layer ([CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]overview on Amazon[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]overview on Amazon[/CBC]) or a light Rain jacket (my choice is a bright orange one from Marmot)
- 1x Scarf – for cold and windy parts
- 1x Hat/Beanie
Consider: I focused on the summer season, for winter you should add at least one layer and exchange shirts for warmer clothes! Take some spare dry clothes for the campsite (which you never use anywhere else than in dry surroundings!) .
3) Toiletries
As you are out in the nature most of the time we keep it simple here – when you're back to civilization you'll have all amenities in your Hotel or you can buy your favorite products in the next shop 😉
- 1x toothbrush and toothpaste
- 1-2x soap (lightweight, easy to handle) – simply the best when you're in the nature
- 1x basic skin cream
- 1x sunscreen
- 1x roll of toilet paper
- 1x micro fiber towel, dries super fast, lightweight and small
4) Trekking Gear
If you don't go trekking in Patagonia you'll miss out on something great – therefore following some items on this Patagonia Packing list for trekking adventures.
- 1x Sun glasses
- 1x SteriPen to ensure to drink clean water (it purifies water using UV light – very handy!)
- 1x good Hiking Boots, preferably waterproof ([CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]see top rated hiking boots on Amazon[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]see top rated hiking boots on Amazon[/CBC])
- foldable drinking bottle, saves space and weight ([CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]e.g. this one from Vapur[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]e.g. this one from Vapur[/CBC])
- optional: Hiking poles, not needed but they can be helpful ([CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]e.g. top rated models on Amazon[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]e.g. top rated models on Amazon[/CBC])
5) Camping Gear & Cooking
Camping in Patagonia means to be prepared for rough weather conditions – your tent should be durable, due to the strong winds I recommend using one with aluminum poles as other materials tend to break more easily!
- 1x tent – [CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]the tents from MSR are high quality and come with aluminum poles, another cool option is this ultralight tent where you use your hiking poles![/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]the tents from MSR are high quality and come with aluminum poles[/CBC]
- 1x mat/sleeping pad – to protect from hard and cold underground
- 1x sleeping bag – preferably small, lightweight but still warm (even in patagonian summer I recommend getting a sleeping bag which goes to -5°C/23F)
- 1x pair of flip-flop – to use in the camp after a long day in your hiking boots ([CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]e.g. Havaianas[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]e.g. Havaianas[/CBC])
- 1x headlamp – you will need it in the night!
- 1x rope – always comes in handy e.g. for hanging clothes, fix things or secure the tent in strong winds
- 1x Stove – preferably for gas cans
- 2x gas cans – buy them in the town/village at the spot (Puerto Natales, Calafate, El Chalten, Bariloche, Punta Arenas)
- 1x camping pot or foldable pot (genius!) – you'll use it for everything: preparing meals and cooking water
- 1x camping mug
- 1x plate, fork, spoon
- 1x swedish fireknife – with integrated fire starter (awesome!)
- 2x lighter & matches (as fallback option)
6) Food
Basically it’s very individual what to take for a multi-day hike. My main focus was to pack as light as possible because food will be the heaviest part on the Patagonia Packing List and with this in your Backpack.
- Breakfast: porridge & dry fruits, tea bags / instant coffee
- Lunch: cereal bars, nuts, dry fruits & Snickers
- Dinner: rice / pasta plus sauce powder, salami and cheese to add flavor
- Chocolate & Candies
- a small plastic bottle of alcohol (evening and for celebrations) 😉
- another option is to take lightweight freeze dried meals! (hard to find in Patagonia and more expensive there!)
7) Tools & Gadgets
All items here are optional – I used them on different treks and found them to be useful for my needs.
- Multi Tool – to fix stuff or for preparing your meal ([CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]e.g. this Leatherman[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]e.g. this Leatherman[/CBC])
- 1x PowerBank to keep you phone & camera charged
- GoPro – best waterproof camera for outdoors
- [CBC show=”n” country=”uk”]GorillaPod – small, lightweight tripod to use with your camera[/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”]GorillaPod – small, lightweight tripod to use with your camera[/CBC]
- optional: Solar-charger
8) Maps & Guide Books
If you want to come well prepared you'll find more information in my Backpacking in South America guides – for everything else the following are great resources for Patagonia:
Backpacking in Chile: my Chile Travel Guide
This is a clear and concise book based on my experience from 6 months traveling through Chile.
It includes travel guides for each region of Chile as well as a complete trekking guide for Torres del Paine, plus route itineraries. Checklists are included to help make sure you don’t forget anything.
This guide is designed to save you a lot of time & will make your trip much easier. Download it now or buy the paperback and take it with you!
Click here to learn more >>
Backpacking in Argentina: my Argentina Travel Guide
This is a clear and concise 100 page eBook based on my experience from 3 months traveling through Argentina.
The book includes travel guides for the several regions of Argentina as well as a tiny trekking guide for El Chaltén and Ushuaia. Checklists are included to help make sure you don’t forget anything.
This eBook is designed to save you a lot of time & make your trip much easier. Download it now and take it with you!
more information >>
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]
Torres del Paine Trekking Map (waterproof)
I used this map to prepare my itinerary in Torres del Paine, Chile. As it is a waterproof map it is also great to use it on the trek!
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]buy it on Amazon >>
El Chaltén Trekking Map (Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre)
If you plan to hike around the argentinean trekking capital El Chaltén this is the right map to buy. It even covers the border crossing to get to the starting point of the chilean Carretera Austral in the north!
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]buy it on Amazon >>
Trekking Patagonia, Lonely Planet
This is a must if you plan to hike a few times in Patagonia as this guide has itineraries for several parts of Patagonia and even for Tierra del Fuego. It's a good resource for the popular spots like Torres del Paine and Chaltén as well as the lesser known parts. Highly recommended!
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]buy it on Amazon >>
Chile & Easter Island, Lonely Planet
The Lonely Planet for Chile covers also Patagonia and lines out the most popular things to do, comes with small maps of the covered cities/villages and gives recommendations on restaurants and places to stay.
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]buy it on Amazon >>
Argentina, Lonely Planet
The travel guide for Argentina covers also Patagonia and lines out the most popular things to do, comes with small maps of the covered cities/villages and gives recommendations on restaurants and places to stay.
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]buy it on Amazon >>
9) Insurance
I highly recommend to get a good travel insurance as in almost every case your current health insurance won’t work abroad. Take a look into the packages offered by SafetyWing.
Do you like this Patagonia Packing List? Share it!
I have a question! I’m planning a similar trip to yours, and I was wondering if you acquired all of this gear after you went to South America, and if not, how were you able to fit it all in a small backpack, as the ones you recommend on your SA packing guide?
Regards,
Mads
Hey,
I got some of the stuff down in Patagonia but would recommend to buy it before. I used straps to attach my tent, mat and sleeping bag to the backpack. I bought cooking gear down in Chile and ditched it once I left Patagonia (I gave it fellow backpackers who were at the beginning of their Patagonia trip).
Hi Steve – I’m planning my trip to El Calafate and El Chalten in January and I’m considering on buying all my equipment in Germany before heading there. But I was wondering if there’s anything worth considering to rent in there, specially bulky things (like sleeping mat and bag, etc).
Also, any recommendations for the hiking boots? mid or high cut or maybe even good running shoes?
Thanks!
Super advice all over, there is only one thing that you understate. Taking dried or freeeze food in Chile seems to have become merely impossible over the years after increasing border patrol.
Therefore all stuff should be bought in Puerto Natales. We found this out after buying a 100 dollar worth of food.So food food food buy it IN Chile, not before.
Thanks for pointing this out – luckily this doesn’t apply to Argentina. But even in Chile it varies and depends on the ingredients. It is best to check with the authorities before you buy this kind of stuff.
Hi Jalal,
good sleeping bags which are also lightweight will always end up costing a lot of money. For Patagonia I always recommend getting at least a sleeping bag which goes down to -5°C as the comfort zone is different (mostly only until 5-0°C). The max temperature printed on sleeping bags are the “extreme temperature” (which means you wouldn’t feel comfortable but you wouldn’t die).
It always depends on the time of year and where you go. Patagonia is diverse – you can sleep in a valley where it is much warmer or you camp out next to a glacier. If you are limited with your budget you could consider renting a sleeping bag (e.g. Puerto Natales) for that specific hike or staying at refugios.
For a 2 day hike I’d suggest getting sandwiches, müsli bars/nuts and fruits, no need to cook. But in your case you are doing the circuit, it could be nice to cook some warm meal – you can rent cooking gear in Pto. Natales as well.
Hi Steve, I see you’re recommending the hiking pole tent? Do you think it’s feasible with those winds? Did you see anyone using such tent?
Great list but why do you recommend other things you have obviously not taken with you? The tent and the sleeping mat on your picture are from the chilean Brand doite!! Not from this other expensive brand. I would recommend buying everything in Chile. Everything is much cheaper here than in Europe. Regards, Patricia
Hey Patricia, the picture is an old one (from my first trip) – I did take an MSR tent and a proper mat on my other trips and recommend them for a reason. While you can get some stuff cheaper in Chile, prices are so much higher in Argentina for outdoor gear (2-4 times higher than in Europe!), also it is hard to find outdoor shops in Chile if you are not passing through Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales – this is why I recommend buying essentials like tents, sleeping bags etc. beforehand. Remember: this is a packing list for Patagonia, a region which is shared by Argentina & Chile 😉
Hi Steve – thanks for sharing the great write up. I will be doing the W trek in March with some photogrpaher friends – we have the package tent and food deal (but I’m bringing my own nice down bag and extra tent spikes!) How much “cash” did you recommend for the W once you leave Punta-Natales Id imagine no ATM machines. If most our food is covered – I imagine the fees/beer and snack money – and maybe some tips for local service providers?
Also – it looked pretty chilly when you were there – are there any bugs/mosquitos to need spray or too cold and windy in March?
thanks!
Tom in SoCAL USA
AHHHH do you guys want one more photographer friend? I can leave tonight haha