Ghosts of the Andes
Pumas of Patagonia
November 27 to December 5, 2027
Private Trip Available Cost: $8,200
Leader: Scott Davis
Group Size: 8
Days: 9
Safari Overview
Experience a one-of-a-kind puma tracking adventure in Torres del Paine, Chile, widely regarded as one of the best places in the world to observe these elusive big cats in the wild. This Patagonia wildlife journey gives you exclusive access to Estancia Laguna Amarga, a private reserve with one of the highest densities of wild pumas, creating excellent opportunities for sightings. Guided by knowledgeable experts, you’ll set out on dawn and dusk excursions to watch pumas hunt guanacos, patrol their territories, and interact with their cubs, while exploring the rugged Patagonian landscape in 4×4 vehicles and on guided hikes to maximize your chances of encountering wildlife. In addition to pumas, you’ll spot Andean Condors, guanacos, Patagonian foxes, and hog-nosed skunks as you immerse yourself in this stunning region, with the journey concluding at Olga Teresa Ranch, home to the largest gathering of Andean Condors, offering extraordinary opportunities for photography and wildlife observation.
WHY CHOOSE THIS TRIP?
- Exclusive Puma Tracking at Laguna Amarga Ranch: Spend three days with private access to prime puma territory, guided by expert trackers.
- Exceptional Big Cat Photography: Photograph pumas hunting, stalking, and interacting with their cubs in the beautiful golden light of Patagonia.
- 4×4 and Hiking Adventures: Explore the wilderness in off-road vehicles and enjoy moderate hikes to maximize your wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Andean Condor Viewing at Olga Teresa Ranch: See the largest gathering of Andean condors as they soar gracefully above Patagonia’s dramatic cliffs.
- Immersive Patagonia Exploration: Discover the glacial valleys, southern beech forests, and windswept steppes of Torres del Paine.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Patagonia was stunning and the puma tracking exceeded my expectations.” – Nancy Frank |
TRIP MAP
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Itinerary Updated: January 2026
Print Trip
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27 | Travel to Punta Arenas, Chile. | ||
| Nov 28 | Arrive in Punta Arenas. If on our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula trip, you will arrive into Punta Arenas this day. | Hotel Cabo de Hornos, Punta Arenas | |
| Nov 29 | 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 30-Dec 2 | Three 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 |
| Dec 3 | Final Morning in Torres del Paine & Andean Condor Viewing. Visit Olga Teresa Ranch to witness condors in flight. Return to Punta Arenas. | Hotel Cabo de Hornos, Punta Arenas | B, L, D |
| Dec 4 | Depart for Home. | B | |
| Dec 5 | Arrive Home. |
Our Trip Leaders
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Scott Davis
Scott DavisScott, co-owner and co-CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, is an expert wildlife, nature, and travel photographer. Trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, he's explored all seven continents for research and photography. National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, NY Times, and other prestigious publications have featured his inspiring work. Scott's passion for teaching and talent for capturing the essence of his subjects make him a highly sought-after tour leader.
Detailed Itinerary
A glimpse into our journey
Arrive in Punta Arenas.
Nov 28
If arriving from our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula trip, you will be flying from Antarctica into Punta Arenas this day.
Transfer to Cerro Castillo and begin exploring Torres del Paine along the way.
Nov 29
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 3 days puma trekking at Laguna Amarga Ranch.
Nov 30-Dec 2
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.
Dec 3
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.
Depart for home.
Dec 4
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flights home.
Arrive home.
Dec 5
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Accommodations
- Flights
- Conservation
- Conditions
ConservationCost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $8,200 |
| Single Supplement | $600 |
Share the Experience – Earn Travel Credit
Know someone who would love this trip? Refer a friend and you’ll both benefit—you get credit toward a future adventure, and they receive a discount on their first trip with us. See how our Referral Program works ›
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.
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 | June 20, 2027 | 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-transferable. 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 28 through December 3.
- Meals from breakfast on November 29 through breakfast on December 4.
- Transfers on November 28 and December 4 between Hotel Cabo de Hornos and the Punta Arenas 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.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights.
- Gratuities.
- 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 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.
Please wait to book your flights until you receive confirmation from your Coordinator that the minimum number of participants has been met to operate the trip. If you choose to book flights before receiving this confirmation, we strongly recommend purchasing flight cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Punta Arenas (PUQ) anytime on November 28. If you are arriving from our South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula Trip, see the Flights section in its itinerary for arrival information.
- Depart from Punta Arenas (PUQ) anytime on December 4.
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.