Patagonia what to see and what to do month by month
Patagonia is great, a vast area that offers a wide variety of attractions and activitites to enjoy. But what´s the best season to visit Patagonia? Well, you can say that summer season is great, but for what? is that a good to watch whales? What about penguins? What´s the snow season? Is too crowded to visit Patagonia in December and January? Well, I will try to help you to discover what´s the best time for you to visit Patagonia, depending the weather, the activitiets you want to do and what you want to see in this amazing area of South America.
Perito Moreno Glacier in the Map
Patagonia in January:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during January?
January is a great time to enjoy outdoor activitites in the southern Patagonia. Trekking activities in El Chalten and Torres del Paine with an excellent weather and also large days. Daylights and sunshine are the highest in the year, and places are full of international travellers visiting Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine, El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif, and also Bariloche and the Lakes District where outdoor and adventure activities can be practised during that period: rafing, paragliding, horseback riding, kayaking, rappel, canopy and of course trekking. In Ushuaia is a great time to enjoy Tierra del Fuego National Park, navigate the Beagle Channel and see the penguins in Martillo Island which is very crowded of these animals. Great time for the Carretera Austral from Balmaceda, to enjoy this amazing place in Chile. It´s a perfect time to embark in a cruise to southern fjords and glaciers in Patagonia and disembark to the incredible Cape Horn. Cruises to Antarctica available during January. So, January is a green for Patagonia
Patagonia in February:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during February?
During February, the sun is still shining in the sky and it´s perfect for trekking, rafting, horseback riding and other adventure activities in the southern portion of Patagnia. Daylght and sunshine is fantastyic so the month is excellent for trekkings in El Chalten, visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate, Ushuaia and the end of the world and Torres del Paine National Park. There are cruises available going to the Antarctica (last cruises in the year) and to the mythical Cape Horn and southern fjords in Patagonia. In the lakes district, it´s Puerto Varas in Chile and Bariloche in Argentina, the weather is excellent for outdoor and adventure activities that can be practised during that period: rafing, paragliding, horseback riding, kayaking, rappel, canopy and of course trekking. Penguins are still in the colonies of Tierra del Fuego Island (Beagle Channel) and Peninsula Valdes and Punta Tombo. You also can see sea lions and elephant seals, and a great variety of birds. It´s an excellent time to drive along the Carretera Austral in the Aysen area in Chile and visit the Marble Cathedral.
Patagonia in March:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during March?
First portion of March is the last period of the high season in Patagonia. There are amazing cruises to Cape Horn and southern channels. Price are a bit lower during second part of March, it´s the beginning of the shoulder season. Ushuaia, Torres de Paine and El Calafate offers an excellent weather, so it´s a good time to visit the southern portion of Patagonia. These are the last days of the summer, so last chance to enjoy amazing trekkings in the Fitz Roy Massif from El Chalten and also in Torres del Paine. In the Lakes District, days are a bit shorter now, but weather is still good for outdoor activities. In Peninsula Valdes, penguins started to leave the colonies, but you still can see them in Punta Tombo, Estancia San Lorenzo and also in the Beagle Channel.
Patagonia in April:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during April?
Fall is here, so daylight and sunshine is lower now, but you still can enjoy outdoor activities in Ushuaia, El Calafate, Torres del Paine and El Chalten, with lower rates and less crowds. Threes became yellow and red and it´s a show of nature in Ushuaia, Bariloche and the Lakes District, where some rains can start. No whales, no penguins in Peninsula Valdes, you can see some sea lions and sea elephants, but it´s not the best season. There are some cruises to Cape Horn and Southern Fjords in Patagonia during the first days of April at promotional prices. Last chance!
Patagonia in May:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during May?
May be the worst month to visit Patagonia. It´s a rainy season in Bariloche, you can expect up to 20 days of rain during May in this area. Weather is cold for outdoor activitites in Ushuaia, El Calafate, El Chalten and Torres del Paine. Some activities and excursions does not operate. No cruises in southern Patagonia. You can see a low number of sea lions, and will not see whales, or penguins in Peninsula Valdes during May. It´s definitely the low season
Patagonia in June:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during June?
Cold for adventure and outdoor activities in all Patagonia. It´s the beginning of the snow season in Ushuaia, may be in Bariloche and the ski resorts in Chile, but last years snow is delayed and not appeard until July. First whales arrives to the Peninsula Valdes in middle June. No cruises in southern Patagonia. It´s still low season.
Patagonia in July:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during July?
Low season for El Calafate and Perito Moreno, Torres del Paine and El Chalten. These are the shorter days in the year and daylight and sunshine, and of course the weather are not good for outdoor activities and the trekkings you can do in these areas. But it´s snow season and great for ski in Cerro Catedral and Cerro Bayo in Bariloche, the ski resorts in the chilean side, and also in Ushuaia where you can practise alpine ski and also other winter sport like dog sledding or nordic ski. It´s winter holiday in Argentina, some some destination can be crowded. In Peninsula Valdes, you find whales arriving to the area of Puerto Madryn.
Patagonia in August:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during August?
Still too cold for outdoor activities in Southern Patagonia, but still snow season to enjoy winter sports in Ushuaia, Bariloche, San Martin de los Andes, and the ski resorts in the chilean Patagonia. Whales and carves are amazing in Puerto Madryn area. They can be seen from the coast in Doradillo Beach and it´s an amazing show of nature. No penguins, but you can see some sea lions too. Still no cruises to Antarctica or southern fjords and glaciers in Patagonia.
Patagonia in September:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during September?
First part of september is still cold for southern Patagonia. You can enjoy the snow season in Ushuaia which is fantastic. May be you can find some snow in Bariloche, and whales are the highlight in Peninsula Valdes area. First penguins arrive to the area. In the second part of September, spring starts and the shoulder season is welcome in the southern portion in Patagonia. Less crowded and with cheaper rates, you can enjoy some cruises to Cape Horn and southern fjords in Patagonia, and first trekkers arrives to enjoy the Fitz Roy Massif, Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine National Park.
Patagonia in October:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during October?
It´s the beginning of the high season in Southern Patagonia. The days are longer now and temperatures higher, so outdoor activities can be practiced in Ushuaia, El Calafate, El Chalten and Torres del Paine. One of the favourite months for the international tourism. You can find whales in Peninsula Valdes, where you can enjoy a whale watching activity. You also can see penguins! In Ushuaia, you can navigate the Beagle Channel, visit Tierra del Fuego National Park. Cruises to Cape Horn and southern channels are available. From El Calafate, the Perito Moreno Glacier is a highlight and you can walk over the ice of the glacier in the famous minitrekking. Enjoy trails to the Fitz Roy Mount and also Torres del Paine National Park to access Base de las Torres. In Bariloche, weather is great for adventure activities.
Patagonia in November:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during November?
Another excellent month to visit Patagonia. In November, the days are longer and temperatures higher, so it´s perfect for outdoor activities in Ushuaia, El Calafate, El Chalten and Torres del Paine. Still can see whales in Peninsula Valdes, penguins, sea lions, elephant seals and birds. Enjoy trails to the Fitz Roy Mount and also Torres del Paine National Park. From El Calafate, visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, and in Bariloche, weather is great for adventure activities.
Patagonia in December:
what to see and what to do in Patagonia during December?
Summer season is perfect for trekking activities in Torres del Paine, El Chalten and Fitz Roy Massif, and to visit the glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park and of course the Perito Moreno Glacier. Ushuaia and the end of the world offers the longest days, with an excellent daylight and sunshine for outdoor activitites, like visiting the Tierra del Fuego National Park or navigate the Beagle Channel. Cruises to Cape Horn and southern channels are available, and first cruises to the white continent of Antarctica leave Ushuaia during december. Last chance to see whales in Peninsula Valdes, with sea lions, elephant seals, birds and more and more penguins in the colonies of Punta Tombo and San Lorenzo. Also in Martillo Island in the Beagle Channel. Great time for Bariloche and the Lakes District, to enjoy the lakes, forests, mountains, and the national parks in general, and to practice the outdoor activies you can enjoy in the area. We´re in the heart of the high season in Patagonia.
Tours to visit Patagonia
We have many, because Patagonia area is a must-see when you visit Argentina and Chile. One of my favorite tours is the Visiting Patagonia, a great itinerary from Buenos Aires and including Peninsula Valdes, Ushuaia and of course El Calafate and glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park.
Another great tours to visit the glaciers in Patagonia are:
We have a complete list of tours including Patagonia. Take a look to our complete list of tours to visit Argentina and Chile and enjoy the incredible region of Patagonia!
