Pumas of Torres del Paine

Day 1: Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park; Hotel Overjero Patagonico

After meeting your guide at your hotel or the airport in either Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, you'll take a transfer by private vehicle to Torres del Paine National Park. During our journey to the park, we will look for guanaco, southern grey fox, and Patagonian skunk while also enjoying our first views of the Southern beech (Nothofagus) forest. While visiting the valleys we will be given a geological explanation of the origins of Torres del Paine, one of the finest sights in Patagonia.

We'll drive to the village of Cerro Castillo where Hotel El Ovejero is located.

Duration of transfer: Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, 3hrs; Puerto Natales to Cerro Castillo, 45mins

Meals: Picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel El Ovejero

Days 2 to 5: Puma tracking at Amarga Lagoon; Hotel El Overjero

There will be a busy schedule of dawn 'til dusk searches for pumas in this area. We'll inspect the immediate surroundings of our hotel, as well as the known puma hunting grounds in the east of the park. The area bounded by the north coast of Lake Sarmiento Lake, Amarga Lagoon and Azul Lagoon is well-known for having one of the largest populations of pumas in the wild.

February through to April is a particularly good time to spot them as the females are actively hunting to provide food for their growing cubs. At this time of year, they are not active just by night, but also during the twilight hours. To see a female puma and her large cubs against this stunning mountain backdrop is one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles. In the company of your guide and puma tracker, you will attempt to spot puma family groups at a respectful distance with the help of binoculars and spotting scopes.

On day 5 we'll explore Torres del Paine National Park to look for other mammals such as the local Andean deer or huemul, Patagonian hog-nosed skunk and the Patagonian Hairy Armadillo.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel El Ovejero

Day 6: Transfer to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales

During the morning we'll continue exploring different areas of the park including Azul Lagoon, on the eastern side of the park, from where we'll have fantastic views. This will be a fitting finale to this part of your adventure.

Later, you'll take a transfer to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales where the trip ends. We can arrange your transfer to El Calafate, southern Argentina if needed.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch