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:
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 >>
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]
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 >>
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]
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 >>
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]
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 >>
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]
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 >>
[CBC show=”n” country=”uk”][/CBC][CBC show=”y” country=”uk”][/CBC]
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.
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Disclaimer: This post contains Affiliate Links for services and products I’m using on my travels – therefore I can highly recommend using them. By using this links you won’t pay any additional fees but support me to keep this site running!
