Winter in Patagonia
Published: 01 June 2008
May - September
It has been said that Patagonia, the vast, vague territory that encompasses 900,000 square kilometres of Chile and Argentina, is inhospitable from May to September – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry swore the wind made his plane fly backwards.
The reality is quite the reverse. As you move from the Chilean west coast to the east of Argentina, the weather grows increasingly drier and astonishing landscapes are filled with colour.
The iconic Torres del Paine National Park is over 150 miles from the coast, halfway between the Pacific and Atlantic, and has a microclimate with pleasant temperatures in both summer and winter.
May and June see light winds and stunning hues of red, orange and yellow, creating the perfect light for photography. Midwinter (July & August) offers sunny days and snow-capped landscapes. Fewer visitors mean uncrowded trails and greater chances of seeing wildlife. September sees longer days, flowers in full bloom and an abundance of birds. Wildlife includes guanacos, foxes, armadillos and the occasional puma.
Editor: Pete Mathers
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