Travel 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.
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Embark on an exclusive puma tracking expedition in Torres del Paine, Chile, one of the world’s top destinations for observing these elusive big cats in their natural habitat. This Patagonia wildlife tour offers a rare opportunity to explore Estancia Laguna Amarga, a private reserve with one of the highest wild puma densities, ensuring optimal sightings. Led by expert guides, our puma safari in Chile takes you on dawn and dusk excursions to follow pumas as they hunt guanacos, patrol territories, and interact with cubs. Travel through rugged Patagonian landscapes in 4×4 vehicles and on guided treks, maximizing your wildlife encounters. Beyond pumas, witness Andean Condors, guanacos, Patagonian foxes, and Patagonian hog-nosed skunks as you explore this breathtaking region. The journey concludes at Olga Teresa Ranch, home to the largest concentration of Andean Condors, offering unparalleled photography opportunities.
WHY CHOOSE THIS EXPEDITION?
ENHANCE YOUR TRIP
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Itinerary Updated: April 2025
Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
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Nov 12 | Travel to Punta Arenas, Chile or El Calafate, Argentina. | ||
Nov 13 | Arrive in Punta Arenas or El Calafate. If on our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula trip, you will fly directly to El Calafate this day. Transfer to a scenic lodge and meet your guides. | Cabo de Hornos, Punta Arenas or Mirador del Lago, Argentina | D |
Nov 14 | Journey to Torres del Paine via Cerro Castillo. Spot guanacos, Patagonian foxes, and Patagonian hog-nosed skunks and other wildlife while enjoying dramatic landscapes. | El Ovejero, Cerro Castillo | B, L, D |
Nov 15-18 | Four Full Days of Puma Tracking at Laguna Amarga Ranch. Explore private land with expert trackers at dawn and dusk. | El Ovejero, Cerro Castillo | B, L, D |
Nov 19 | Final Morning in Torres del Paine & Andean Condor Viewing. Visit Olga Teresa Ranch to witness condors in flight. | Cabo de Hornos | B, L, D |
Nov 20 | Depart for Home or Continue on our Easter Island Extension. | B | |
Nov 21 | Arrive Home or enjoy Easter Island. |
Nicolás is a skilled wildlife guide and photographer based in Puerto Natales, Chile. A graduate of Canada’s College of the Rockies, his deep knowledge of Patagonian ecosystems is complemented by guiding and expedition experience across Chile, Argentina, Canada, and Central America. Originally from Chile’s Lake District, he brings years of experience leading high-end tours in Torres del Paine National Park. His passion for photography and conservation led to his photographs being featured in educational and promotional materials to raise awareness around wildlife and ecosystem preservation. His combined passion and skill make him an exceptional leader dedicated to conservation and immersive nature experiences.
You may either fly into Punta Arenas or El Calafate depending on cost and convenience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
---|---|---|
Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $500 |
Final | June 8, 2025 | Remaining Balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
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-transferable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
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 40°F (4°C) at night to about 63°F (17°C) during the day, and rain is infrequent.
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.
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Flights you book
Your Puma trekking lodge is well-situated, warm, charming, and welcoming. It is not a luxury resort.
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:
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