I am traveling to Chile at the beginning of June and am trying to decide between going to the Atacama and Torres Del Paine (sadly don't have time for both).
I'm slightly more interested in Torres Del Paine, but I don't want to get all the way down there and not be able to see much because of the weather.
Has anyone been to Torres Del Paine (Chile) in the winter?
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Chris
Couple things to consider if you're going in June. The days will be at their shortest so you'll only have about 8 hours of sunlight. Depending on where you stay, getting to and from the park can take a while limiting how much time. Weather is also very unpredictable in that part of the world. It can be warm and sunny one minute and the next it'll be cold, rainy, or snowing--even in their summer months.
In June it will be very cold and the wind will make it very unpleasant to be outside for any period of time if you're not used to living and being out in cold and windy weather. And when they say it can get really windy, they're not joking.
We were repeatedly warned to be careful with how windy it is... so much so that it can literally blow cars off the road or rip the door off the car if you park it the wrong direction and don't hold on when opening the doors. Now imagine it's near freezing with gale force winds blowing.
Finally, most of the roads within the park are not paved (or at least they weren't when we visited years ago).
If it snows or the weather is not good, I can't begin to imagine being able to drive around on some of those roads unless you're in a suitable offroad vehicle and/or they plow the roads regularly which I doubt.
In June it will be very cold and the wind will make it very unpleasant to be outside for any period of time if you're not used to living and being out in cold and windy weather. And when they say it can get really windy, they're not joking.
We were repeatedly warned to be careful with how windy it is... so much so that it can literally blow cars off the road or rip the door off the car if you park it the wrong direction and don't hold on when opening the doors. Now imagine it's near freezing with gale force winds blowing.
Finally, most of the roads within the park are not paved (or at least they weren't when we visited years ago).
If it snows or the weather is not good, I can't begin to imagine being able to drive around on some of those roads unless you're in a suitable offroad vehicle and/or they plow the roads regularly which I doubt.
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Laura
I have not been there in Winter, but can tell you that even in the middle of their summer, the weather can dictate your activities and make it difficult to see and do the amazing activities. The locals definitely indicate that there is very little tourist activity during June July and august due to the weather.
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Dave
I haven't been there in winter but thought I will respond as one is yet to come. If lower temperatures and shorter days don't bother you, you should be fine. Based on what I have read, winter shouldn't stop you from seeing the area. Winter also has the added benefits of off-season travel.
Also, depends on whether you will be driving or taking tours - if taking tours, I would make sure they will have enough bookings to run the tours.
I was in TDP in mid-March (2020, when the world started to shut down).
I didn't drive and joined tours. I have not been to the Atacama but if I do go there someday, I would also add Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia to the same trip. If weighing between the two, you can see if adding the salt flats changes your mind about the Atacama.
You can drive through the entire salt flats in winter, which may not be possible any other time of the year.
Also, depends on whether you will be driving or taking tours - if taking tours, I would make sure they will have enough bookings to run the tours.
I was in TDP in mid-March (2020, when the world started to shut down).
I didn't drive and joined tours. I have not been to the Atacama but if I do go there someday, I would also add Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia to the same trip. If weighing between the two, you can see if adding the salt flats changes your mind about the Atacama.
You can drive through the entire salt flats in winter, which may not be possible any other time of the year.