Place to visit
Atacama Refuge, Argentina: what it is and when to go
Atacama Refuge is a mountain hut in Argentina, at 5,250 m above sea level. Interests: Mountains and Hiking. The best time to visit is January to March, a short season because of the altitude. In December there are 13 h 42 of daylight, and in June, 10 h 18. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Mountain hut · Mountains, Hiking
- Where
- Argentina
- Elevation
- 5,250 m
- Best time
- January to March.
- Nearest airport
- MDZ Mendoza, 643 km as the crow flies
- Beds
- 3
- Coordinates
- -27.05977, -68.54761
What it is and where
Atacama Refuge is a mountain hut in Argentina, at 5,250 m above sea level.
Its coordinates are -27.05977, -68.54761; the nearest main airport is Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport (MDZ, Mendoza), 643 km as the crow flies. How to get around Argentina (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
- Beds
- 3
It is one of the Mountains and Hiking places in Argentina. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Atacama Refuge is January to March, and the season is short because it sits at 5,250 m: above 1,800 m there is snow until June and it returns in October.
- JanBest time13:32
- FebBest time12:55
- MarBest time12:12
- AprPossible11:21
- MayBetter not10:40
- JunBetter not10:18
- JulBetter not10:27
- AugBetter not11:02
- SepBetter not11:51
- OctBetter not12:40
- NovBetter not13:22
- DecPossible13:42
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In December there are 13 h 42 of daylight, and in June, 10 h 18. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
| What you come for | Best time | Possible |
|---|---|---|
| Mountains | January to March | April and December |
| Hiking | January to March | April and December |
It is not the same trip whatever you come for: Atacama Refuge has a different season depending on what you want to do here, and Kokai puts it in the right month for you.
When to go to Argentina in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to Argentina
To enter Argentina there are 8 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Book Patagonia's refuges and transfers”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Argentina checklist. Currency: Argentine peso (ARS); plugs: Type C and I · 220 V · 50 Hz (you need an adapter for the three flat-pin plug); emergencies: 911 for everything · 101 police · 107 ambulance.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Tejos RefugeMountains · Hiking3.2 km
- Ojos del SaladoHighest volcano in the world5.6 km
- Cerro El MuertoMountain in Argentina6.3 km
- Cerro MedusaMountain in Argentina9.9 km
- Ata volcanoMountain in Chile/Argentina13 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Argentina guide.
More in Argentina: Mountains
- Aconcagua: highest mountain in both the Southern and the Western Hemispheres (6967 m)
- Fitz Roy: mountain of Chile - argentina
- Tupungato: Volcanic dome in the Andes
- Cerro Torre: mountain in Southern Patagonia in South America
- Mercedario: andean mountain in Argentina
- Maipo: mountain in Chile
Every Argentina place under Mountains, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Atacama Refuge?
It is a mountain hut in Argentina.
When is the best time to visit Atacama Refuge?
January to March, and it is worth checking carefully: at 5,250 m the season is shorter than lower down. In December there are 13 h 42 of daylight, and in June, 10 h 18.
How do you get to Atacama Refuge?
The nearest main airport is Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport (MDZ), 643 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Argentina is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Argentina map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Tejos Refuge, Ojos del Salado, Cerro El Muerto. The rest is in the Argentina guide.
Keep reading
- Mountains507 places for mountains in Argentina, from Aconcagua to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: October to April. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- ArgentinaBefore travelling to Argentina: 8 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. No visa is needed for tourism for up to 90 days, and the old reciprocity fee has gone…
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.