Matias BallariniTravel to Punta Arenas, Chile or El Calafate, Argentina.
Nov 12
You may either fly into Punta Arenas or El Calafate depending on cost and convenience.
Imperial Predators of Torres Del Paine, Chile
Pumas
November 12 to 21, 2025
Cost: $7800
Leader: Matias Ballarini
Group Size: 8
Days: 10
Safari Overview
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Track sleek and stealthy pumas at the exclusive Estancia Laguna Amarga with private access to premier wildlife territories famed for hosting one of the densest wild puma populations. Navigate rugged terrains in 4X4’s and take guided walks at a leisurely pace, ensuring an unforgettable experience. The itinerary aligns with peak puma activity at dawn and dusk, maximizing chances to witness these imperial predators. Beyond pumas, encounter guanacos, Andean deer, Patagonian hog-nosed skunks, and elusive foxes. Complete your journey with privileged access to another private estancia: Olga Teresa Ranch. You will have the unique opportunity to view the largest concentration of Andean Condors. This intimate expedition, set against the stunning backdrop of the towering peaks of Torres del Paine, promises a profound connection with nature’s untamed beauty.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Discover the scenery and wildlife Torres del Paine is famous for: the Paine Massif, guanacos, and more.
- Spend 4 days puma trekking with private access at Laguna Amarga Ranch.
- See massive, soaring Andean Condors at Olga Teresa Ranch.
SAFARI OPTIONS
- Begin your journey early on our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula trip from October 23 to November 14.
- Continue on our Easter Island Extension from November 20 to 25.
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
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Itinerary Updated: October 2024
Print Trip Safari Options
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12 | Travel to Punta Arenas, Chile or El Calafate, Argentina. | ||
| Nov 13 | Arrive in Punta Arenas or in El Calafate. If on our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula trip, you will fly directly to El Calafate this day. | Cabo de Hornos, Punta Arenas or Mirador del Lago, Argentina | D |
| Nov 14 | Transfer to Cerro Castillo and begin exploring Torres del Paine | El Ovejero, Cerro Castillo | B, L, D |
| Nov 15-18 | Spend 4 days puma trekking at Laguna Amarga Ranch. | El Ovejero, Cerro Castillo | B, L, D |
| Nov 19 | Spend a last morning in Torres del Paine and visit Andean Condors at the Olga Teresa Ranch on the way to Punta Arenas. | Cabo de Hornos | B, L, D |
| Nov 20 | Continue on our Easter Island Extension or depart for home. | B | |
| Nov 21 | Arrive home or enjoy Easter Island. |
Our Trip Leaders
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Matias Ballarini
Originally from Santiago, Matias moved to Patagonia in 2004 and now lives in Punta Arenas so he can spend more time enjoying nature and the outdoors. He has guided trips to King George Island, Buenos Aires, Brazil, the Chilean Lake District, and Patagonia. He works with nonprofit organizations that help conserve the local environment and ecosystems. Because he loves to expand his knowledge of biodiversity, photography, environmental interpretation, and conservation, you may find him in a course offered by the local universities.
Detailed Itinerary
A glimpse into our journey
Arrive in Punta Arenas or El Calafate.
Nov 13
If arriving from our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula trip, you will take a direct flight to El Calafate. There are no direct flights from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas. Our local agent will transfer you from the airport to the hotel. If you would like to arrive earlier, we can arrange divergent airport transfers and extra nights.
Transfer to Cerro Castillo and begin exploring Torres del Paine along the way.
Nov 14
During your journey to the park, you will look for guanaco, southern grey fox, and Patagonian skunk while enjoying your first views of southern beech (Nothofagus) forest. While visiting the valleys, you will be given a geological interpretation of the origins of the dramatic backdrop of Torres del Paine, one of the finest natural spectacles in Patagonia.
Spend 4 days puma trekking at Laguna Amarga Ranch.
Nov 15-18
You will explore the puma hunting grounds located on the eastern flank of the park and throughout the property of Estancia Laguna Amarga, where exclusive access and a strong rapport with the owners provide a unique advantage. This area, encompassing the northern coast of Sarmiento Lake, Laguna Amarga, and Laguna Azul, is renowned for its dense puma population, one of the largest concentrations in the wild.
With the aid of a rugged 4×4 vehicle, you will navigate the ranch, although the adventure also includes easy to moderate walks, demanding a basic level of fitness to keep pace. The terrain, while generally manageable, may present altitude variations between 50-250m (160-1,000ft), but the group will proceed at a leisurely and steady rate. The highest elevation reached during this journey will be 300m (1,000ft) above sea level.
Pumas are most active at night, early in the mornings, and late in the evenings. Thus, the itinerary is designed around these peak times, allowing observation of these magnificent creatures as they patrol their territory, hunt guanacos and other prey, interact with their offspring, or travel between hunting grounds and dens. Each day will feature two sessions: a morning session and an evening session, each approximately 4 hours long. Midday puma watching will be avoided to prevent disturbing the animals during their critical resting and recuperating periods after a night of hunting.
Spend the morning in Torres del Paine and visit Andean Condors at the Olga Teresa Ranch.
Nov 19
After a final morning enjoying Torres del Paine, you’ll spend the afternoon at Olga Teresa Ranch which boasts the world’s largest concentration of Andean Condor roosts. The steep cliffs host as many as 100 birds with excellent access for viewing and photography, and you’ll have a chance to climb to the top of Cerro Palomares, a 700-foot-high hill to view the condors. Olga Teresa Ranch is a protected space for these beautiful birds, as well as an important research site.
Continue on our Easter Island Extension or depart for home.
Nov 20
Arrive home or enjoy Easter Island!
Nov 21
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Accommodations
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $7,800 |
| Single Supplement | $539 |
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will try to find a roommate for you, but if we cannot pair you with a roommate, we may charge you a single supplement. Single rooms cost extra and are subject to availability.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $500 |
| Final | May 1, 2025 | Remaining Balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person, which can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferrable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- All leaders, transport, park entry fees, landing fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
- Accommodations (double occupancy) for the nights of November 13 through November 19.
- Meals from dinner on November 13 through breakfast on November 20.
- Transfers on November 13 and November 20 between your hotel and the airport.
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees. Round-trip airfare is approximately $1100 to $1200 between the US and Punta Arenas, depending on origin. If you fly into El Calafate and out of Punta Arenas, your cost may be a bit higher. If traveling from our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula trip, the flight from Ushuaia to El Calafate is approximately $150.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights.
- Gratuities – tipping is always discretionary. However, we will add a gratuity of $180 per participant ($30 per participant per day for November 14 to 19 with our local guides) to your final payment.
- Emergency evacuation insurance and trip cancellation insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
Torres del Paine is known for its unpredictable weather conditions, so be prepared for wind, warm sun, and sudden cold. The average temperatures in Torres del Paine in November range from the 40°F (4°C) at night to about 63°F (17°C) during the day, and rain is infrequent.
Fitness Level
This trip involves long days in the field, so come with good energy levels for easy to moderate walks and bumpy jeep rides! Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Punta Arenas (PUQ) or El Calafate (FTE) by 5:00pm on November 13. If you are arriving from our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula trip, arrive in El Calafate (FTE) by 5:00pm on November 13.
- Depart from Punta Arenas (PUQ) after 12:00am on November 20. If you are continuing on our Easter Island Extension, see the Flights section in its itinerary for departure information.
FAQ
Accommodations
Your Puma trekking lodge is well-situated, warm, charming, and welcoming. It is not a luxury resort.
Motion Sickness
Transportation
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.