September in Patagonia and in EcoCamp

“Which month is the best to visit Patagonia? You probably already Googled it. Most articles will probably say summer or early autumn, but you have only the opportunity to travel in September! So, how is September in Patagonia, and what is happening that month of interesting things?

This article will help you answer these questions.

September weather in Torres del Paine

We are focusing on Torres del Paine National Park and providing you with the historically accurate average temperature for September. This will help you plan your trip with confidence, knowing what to expect from the weather.

Average daylight hours are 11 hours, with sunrise starting at 8 am and sunset at 19.40. In September, the days a little by little getting longer and longer in minutes.  Weatherwise is considered a cold and breezy month, with a 37% chance of rain and temperatures around 40°Farhenheit/5°Celsius at its highest and 29°F/-3°C at its lowest. 

It is important to note that Torres del Paine has many microclimates. In some areas, it rains more than others; some areas are windier than others, etc. Hiking up in the mountains and valleys is obviously colder, and in September, there might be days with a lot of snow when doing the Base of the Towers. 

You can see how the weather was in September 2024, where the highest temperature reached 51.8°F/11°C and the lowest temperature was 37.4°F/3°C during the day.

September is a chilly month with cold temperatures. But no worries—we have the perfect packing list, so you know exactly what to pack for your Patagonia adventure.

What to do inside the national park, Torres del Paine 

The national park is open all year round, but during the low season, some activities run less frequently, like the boat rides. In the in-season, the ferry to the Grey Glacier sails every day, but in September, it only sails on specific days of the week. The same goes for the boat, which takes people to the Paine Grande Refugio to do the French Valley hike. 

Our Wildlife Safari program offers different daily options, and our experienced guides also recommend which activities are the best according to weather conditions and availability. 

All the viewpoints, shorter hikes, and the Base of the Towers hike can be done normally. For safety reasons, during the low season, hikes must be done with a certified guide. See some of these pictures taken in 2023 from the Base of the Towers hike! This is why September is when you need to bring your best hiking boots and maybe crampons (we can help you find where to rent if you don't have any). 

September still marks the transition from winter to spring, and the beauty of the snow-covered mountains is still present. You might even have snow on the ground, making a beautiful contrast for wildlife photos! 

What is happening in Torres del Paine in September 

In September, many events are happening in Magallanes and around the National Park, the most significant being running events. The Patagonian International Marathon, which takes place on September 6th, attracts hundreds of people worldwide. The classic race distances are 42km (marathon), 21km (half-marathon), and 10km. Registration is still open if you would like to participate. 

At EcoCamp, we have designed the perfect Marathon program and handle all the logistics. We are opening on September 6th, the same day as the event, and we will bring you directly from the event to EcoCamp, where you can relax and enjoy a well-deserved dinner. You can choose between different activities from our Wildlife Safari program in the following days.

On the 27th of September, another running event takes place, the Ultra Paine, which is a trail running event. You can choose between 7K, 14K, 21K, 35K, and 80 Kilometers, running through breathtaking landscapes. We have designed a similar program for this trail running event, taking care of all logistics, and giving you days to enjoy the national park. 

The celebration of Chile’s National Day

Chile's Independence Day, known as "Fiestas Patrias" or "Dieciocho" (Eighteenth), is celebrated on September 18th. It marks the anniversary of Chile's independence from Spanish rule and is, by many, considered more important than any other event in Chile, even bigger than Christmas. This event is celebrated for almost a week despite being just one date.

This is why September is an exciting month to visit Chile. You will get to experience, see, and taste Chilean culture and witness how Chileans celebrate their independence with parties, traditional dances, great food, and happiness! In EcoCamp, we also celebrate the day, and who knows—maybe you will learn to dance our traditional dance, “cueca.” 

Puma Watching in September

You might already know that Torres del Paine National Park is the best place to look for pumas in the world. Pumas do not migrate, so this is an all-year-round activity. 

For photographers, taking wildlife is better in the off-season months when the days are shorter and the light is less harsh than in the summer months. For puma trackers, the search is also often easier in the off-season for the same reasons mentioned, but also because the puma is more active when cold, making it easier to spot them. When summer is warm and windy, the pumas tend to be less active and hide in the shadows or caves. 

EcoCamp is located in an area where the most significant concentration of pumas is found and where it is the easiest to spot them. If you are interested in puma spotting, we have a puma-watching program where our expert guides take you on an exciting puma search inside and around the national park to find the elusive puma. 

The low season has fewer people and more magic

September is still the low season in Patagonia, especially in the region of Magallanes. Some places, like hotels and restaurants, are still not opening because most visitors arrive from October onward. This means fewer people inside the national park, which is usually more crowded during the summer months, especially on the highlight trails like the Base of the Towers, French Valley, and the Grey Glacier. 

Exploring the national park with fewer people feels like a more intimate experience; it's more silent and magical. On the trails, you will only see a few people, giving you more privacy at the viewpoints. 

EcoCamp in September

As mentioned, September can still be quite chilling, and in EcoCamp, expect temperatures below zero in the early morning. Therefore, it is essential to bring warm clothes, good hiking shoes, and, for chilly nights, a good pair of pajamas. All our domes have heaters, so you can feel warm during the night. In our Superior domes, we have both a heater and a charming wooden stove. 

Would you be interested in experiencing EcoCamp and Patagonia in September? Send us an e-mail, and we will help plan your next adventure! Reservations@cascada.travel