Review your itinerary. Determine if you will be visiting penguin rockeries, going to the Falkland Islands or going deeper in Antarctica from Ushia.These are your cold weather destinations, and can be visited only during their summer, which is our winter. Also take note of the warmer destinations, which might include Santiago, Buenos Aries and Montevideo, Uruguay. Some of these cruises also include an extension to Brazil and the Iguassu Falls, which are warm and wet.
Check the weather forecast. For the colder destinations, how cold will it really be? Is an unusually snowstorm expected? Same for the warmer destinations. Is a swimsuit in order as well, or shorts and sandals? Or would a small sweater, jeans and sneakers be more appropriate? Since you will be packing for two climates, its best to get as close to the mark as possible to prevent over or under packing.
Pack for cold weather. This includes packing a warm jacket or parka, long pants or warm leggings, a hat, gloves, warm socks and hiking boots (for when you go to see the penguins, since it can be a trek). This will see you through penguin rockeries, the southern islands such as the Falklands and places near Tierra del Fuego national park, all very cool destinations even during their summer months. This will also be helpful if you take any excursions flying over Antarctica. You may never leave the plane, but it will be cold!
Pack for warm or wet weather. This includes packing jeans and T-shirts, possibly shorts and sandals, sunglasses and sunscreen. This will be helpful in the big cities that are farther north and warmer. If you are going to Iguassu Falls in Brazil, make sure you take a light waterproof parka, because it will be warm and wet from the falls.
Leave room in your luggage for shopping. You might want to purchase alpaca products to help keep you warm as well, and those can be found all over the southern part of South America.
