When to go to Torres del Paine

Weather: Winds are at their strongest, averaging around 18km per hour. It can feel warm during the day, especially if you're trekking.

Daylight: Longest day is in December, with hours of sunlight reaching up to 17.

Advantages: Take your time on the trails and enjoy daylight long into the evening. Warm temperatures mean more comfortable hiking even in the strong winds.

Things to consider: The park will be busy, accommodation is likely to be booked up far in advance (even the campsites!) and the trails will be trodden by hundreds of hikers a day. If you're seeking solitude, look out for off-the-beaten-track hikes.

Weather: Temperatures are at their warmest, around 19 degrees during the day but still drop to 7 or 8 at night. The strength of the wind really picks up, be prepared to brace on some of the passes.

Daylight: 17 hours of daylight means long days out exploring, and soaking up the views long into the evening.

Advantages: Warm days and milder nights. All the adventure sport options are available, so you can experience the park at its fullest.

Things to consider: This is peak high season and the park will be busy. Demand for accommodation far outweighs supply, so book far in advance, especially if you're after a room in some of the more exclusive accommodation. Local tourism is also at its highest.

Weather: One of the warmest months of the year, temperatures can creep towards the 20s. If the sun is shining you might find yourself trekking in shorts and a t-shirt, but this is still Patagonia, so you'll need to be prepared with a raincoat and warm layers even on a clear day.

Daylight: 15 hours, so take your time out hiking and enjoy daylight into the evening.

Advantages: One of the best months to avoid the rain, and to see the trees and plants thriving. Wildlife is likely to be out, taking advantage of the warmth and long days.

Things to consider: The park will still be busy, and some of the trails may be a little worse for wear after a busy season. Availability is likely to be low, book far in advance.

Weather: Although the wind is dying down and the temperatures are becoming milder, the weather is still unpredictable. Be prepared for sunshine, rain and wind on your hikes.

Daylight: Days are getting shorter, but with daylight from around 7.30am to 8pm you'll still have a full day of sun (or at least light!) for your hike.

Advantages: With the colours at their most beautiful and the park quieter, this is one of the best times of year to hike the more popular trails. Head out on the W Trek or the O Circuit. 

Things to consider: The crowds only begin to drop off properly at the end of March, so plan to go later in the month if you're looking for solitude on your hikes.

Weather: The air is clear and crisp, and temperatures settle between 3 and 13 degrees. Torrential rain, bright sunshine and buffeting wind can all make an appearance within a matter of hours.

Daylight: With 11 hours of daylight the days do feel shorter, but the long colourful sunsets are a wonder in themselves.

Advantages: Hotels remain open and will have higher availability due to fewer people being in the park, and the trails are significantly quieter.

Things to consider: As april rolls into the low season, services begin to shut down for winter. You may find some transport and accommodation services are reduced. If you're doing the W Trek or the O Circuit Trek you'll need to plan your overnight stops to ensure there's somewhere to spend each night. 

Weather: Temperatures are still cool in October, perfect for hiking. It will be cold at night, and you will have to remember to wrap up warm whilst hiking as gusts of wind can bring sudden chills. The wind is picking up.

Daylight: With around 15 hours of sunlight you can really take advantage of the long days spent out exploring.

Advantages: Wildlife are still emerging after winter, and as the park is still relatively quiet you can really take your time examining blossoming plants, seeking out specific wildlife and soaking up the scenery.

Things to consider: It can still get very cold, especially with the windchill. Wrap up warm with lots of layers. As always, the weather is unpredictable!

Weather: The wind is picks up in November, however that's more than outweighed by the opportunity for higher temperatures, with highs during the day of around 16 degrees. 

Daylight: With up to 16 hours of daylight the park really feels like it's heading into summer.

Advantages: It's still the shoulder season, so rates in hotels will be lower. Activities are in full swing, so you can explore the park by bike, kayak, or on horseback. The fishing season has also started.

Things to consider: The park will begin to get busy towards the end of the month as the high season begins. 

Weather: Temperatures are still decreasing, and nights are especially cool with temperatures touching zero for the first time. One of the highest months for rainfall, chance of snow.

Daylight: With only around 9 hours of sunlight, the days will feel short. There is less opportunity to take your time on the trails.

Advantages: The park is far quieter in May, and is starting to settle into low season. You're likely to have the trails to yourself, to enjoy the flora and fauna at leisure.

Things to consider: Some services may be reduced, and refugios and hotels may be closed. Plan ahead, especially if you are planning a multi-day hike.

Weather: Lowest temperatures of the year, be prepared for it to drop below 0 at night and not climb much above 5 during the day. Luckily, winds are at their lowest, averaging only 4 km per hour.

Daylight: Only 9 hours, so the days will feel short and your time on the trails is limited.

Advantages: Quiet trails, beautiful snowscapes and good changes to see pumas that come down from the mountains to hunt.

Things to consider: Accommodation is limited, and you'll need to be flexible to change your plans if the weather turns.

Weather: Temperatures are still hovering around 0 degrees, and snow is likely. Winds speeds are low, averaging only 4 km per hour.

Daylight: 10 hours of daylight

Advantages: You'll have the park almost to yourself, and the photography opportunities are superb as the mountains are cloaked in snow.

Things to consider: Excursions are limited, and snowstorms may thwart your plans so you'll need to be flexible. Plan ahead to get in and out of the park and also where you'll stay - transport and accommodation are available but limited.

Weather: Snow is likely, and temperatures are unlikely to rise much above 5 degrees. Wrap up warm and make sure you're fully prepared to spend your days out in the snow.

Daylight: The hours of daylight are slowly creeping up, reaching 10 in August.

Advantages: Beautiful snowscapes and good chances of seeing pumas, which come down from the mountains over winter. The park is quiet and you'll feel truly out in the wilderness.

Things to consider: Services are still limited, so do plan ahead for your accommodation and travel. Be prepared for the cold weather and to change plans depending on changing conditions.

Weather: There's a nip in the air in September. On the mountains, you're likely to still be able to see the remnants of winter's snowfall, and temperatures do still plummet at night. Be prepared for rain, snow, sun and wind.

Daylight: Days start to lengthen properly after winter, and by the end of September you'll have 12 hours of daylight.

Advantages: As trails reopen after winter you'll be some of the first people back out on walks that haven't been hiked for a whole season. The park is quiet and is beginning to blossom.

Things to consider: Services in the park are still reduced, so you'll need to plan ahead. Catamarans only operate on certain days, and buses across the border to Argentina can be irregular and slow. Hotels, estancias and refugios begin to reopen mid-month after winter.