Pumas

of Patagonia

New Expedition: May 2027

In the heart of the Patagonian steppe, lies the domain of the Americas’ ghost cat – the puma.

Where the towering peaks of Torres del Paine meet the hilly moraines of bygone glaciers, one of the greatest conservation successes of our time is unfolding. Through this photography experience, you can be a part of it.

On estancias that once cleared pumas and other species to make room for livestock, ecotourism has paved the way for a re-wildling of this remarkable ecosystem.

Over the past decade, ranchers, conservationists, and ecotourism operators have restored the conditions for pumas to become an asset to the local communities – rather than the agrarian threat of the past.

Wild pumas and their prey – guanacos –  thrive on these estancias in numbers unseen anywhere else on the planet. With these high densities of cats and a lack of negative experiences with people, it is now possible to glimpse into the world of the puma up-close (within just a few meters!) and on foot in a manner that is safe and ethical.

With the aid of one of Patagonia’s most skilled tracking teams, we will have the rare opportunity to photograph these ghost cats of the Patagonian Andes. Most similar itineraries consist of just 3-5 days of Puma tracking, but this workshop gives a full week to ensure you come away with the award-quality photographs you've dreamed of. For most, this is a once in a lifetime experience, and though pumas are likely to be seen each day, the best images require time in the field.

Final pricing TBD – estimated $13,495 USD per person (single occupancy)

  • Shared double occupancy accommodations available for a discount

  • Final pricing will be disclosed before accepting deposits.

Limited to just 5 guests

Fitness Requirements: Moderate - High

  • Puma tracking may require keeping up with a traveling cat for 6-7 miles per day at a brisk pace on off-trail, hilly terrain in order to be in positions for the best photographs. Other times we may need to wait in cold or windy conditions while a cat is sleeping.

  • Though we aim to make our trips as accessible as possible, due to the higher physical demands of this trip and its necessity to ensure the full group’s safety and quality of experience, bookings are not guaranteed until a physical readiness interview has been completed.

Deposit: $3000 USD due to reserve after being cleared for the physical requirements.

Request additional info and booking by pressing the “Open Form” button below.

A mountain lion walking through tall grass with a dark sky in the background.
A mountain lion walking through grassy terrain with snow-capped mountains in the background.

Pricing Details:

What’s included:

  • Single occupancy lodging in Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales & Cerro Castillo

  • Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners

  • 7 days of access to a private estancia where pumas are most likely to be seen

  • 1 day of landscape photography in Torres del Paine National Park

  • A visit to a rookery of Andean Condors

  • A team of 3 of Patagonia’s most skilled puma guides and spotters

  • All transportation after arrival to Punta Arenas

  • Place-based photography instruction & editing lessons in Adobe Lightroom

  • Carbon offsets & donations to local indigenous organizations

Not Included:

  • Airfare

  • Alcoholic Beverages

  • Gratuities

Why go with us in May?

We pride ourselves in ensuring each of our expeditions are timed perfectly for your best chance at those dream images, and this trip is no different. If you ask most puma guides which season is their favorite, there is one answer that comes back more than any other: May.

Why is this? Late May in Patagonia marks the beginning of southern hemisphere winter and with it, many of the challenges of other seasons fade. Though pumas can be seen year-round, recent changes in the migrations of guanacos (their primary prey) have led to a dispersal of the puma population during the summer through early autumn months. This also coincides with the most crowded months in the region, leading to days filled with more tour groups, fewer puma sightings, and more extreme winds.

Come May, the guanacos and pumas return to a more concentrated area, making sightings more likely and the chances of having to share a sighting with another group unlikely. As winter begins to settle into the landscape, the weather also begins to stabilize, reducing the chances of high winds. Though temperatures are cooler than in early autumn, the lower wind-chill makes a big difference in how extreme the weather feels.

AND as icing on the cake, late May brings the possibility of early winter snow which blankets the Patagonian steppe and makes for dramatic and unique images from this special corner of the world.

Itinerary

  • Day 0

    Arrive to Punta Arenas and transfer to Puerto Natales

    Welcome dinner in Puerto Natales

    Lodging in Puerto Natales

  • Day 1

    Meet our tracking team

    Transfer to Cerro Castillo

    Visit to Condor Rookery

    Lodging in Cerro Castillo

  • Day 2-8

    Among the Pumas! We will spend each morning and evening in the field, photographing Pumas and other wildlife of the Patagonian Steppe.

    Lodging in Cerro Castillo

  • Day 9

    Spend a morning photographing the iconic landscape of Torres del Paine National Park

    Transfer to Punta Arenas

    Lodging in Punta Arenas

  • Day 10

    Depart Punta Arenas on your journey home.

Reservations are now open!

Request additional details and booking by filling out the following form.