Patagonia Nature Photo Adventure Tour, Puma tracking in Torres del Paine

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Introduction

The ultimate nature adventure: tracking the king of Torres del Paine, the puma.

Embark on a purr-fectly epic adventure with our wildlife tracking professionals to track and observe Torres del Paine’s top predator, the Patagonian puma, in its natural habitat. Paired with cozy nights at the EcoCamp domes and getting up close and personal with spectacular flora and fauna, this trip is a must for wildlife and nature enthusiasts alike! Tracking the Puma with photographer James Kao! As seen in The Telegraph: Chile: on the trail of the elusive puma!

Highlights

Professional wildlife experts
Puma, fox, ñandú & guanaco sightings
Team of puma & fauna trackers ensuring real wildlife sightings
Stunning natural surroundings
5 nights in EcoCamp Suite Domes
Limited groups of up to 5 people for optimum personalization

Brief Itinerary

Days 1-6: Patagonia Puma Tracking - Wildlife Discovery Adventure: Excursions Torres del Paine

Sample Itinerary (actual Itinerary will depend on Puma tracking team, group & weather):

Day 1: Travel from Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales (1/2 day), start your Torres del Paine NP (1/2 day)
Day 2: Puma tracking* at Laguna Amarga
Day 3: Andean condor and ñandu tracking
Day 4: Laguna Azul. Fox, guanaco, and another wildlife tracking
Day 5: Flora observation at Los Cuernos
Day 6: (1/2 day) Puma tracking - Leave Torres del Paine NP

Puma Tracking Video

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - The Patagonian Adventure Starts

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

Your day will begin at Punta Arenas Airport.* From the airport, you will be taken to EcoCamp Patagonia, where a hearty lunch will be provided in our Community Domes. The first activity of your Patagonian adventure will then begin at midday with a leisurely tour of the National Park, giving you plenty of opportunities to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon.

Days 2, 3, 4 & 5, Wildlife Exploration and Observation

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

We start off each day early, observing the sunrise from distinct locations while enjoying hot coffee and breakfast on the go. Our puma/cougar tracking team, already hard at work, will be in radio contact to let us know how they’re doing. Throughout the trip, they will be letting us know the location of the park's most elusive animals including the Andean puma (mountain lion) so that we can head to the sites where they are as soon as they're spotted. For photography buffs, the wildlife and landscapes we'll see over the next few days offer prime targets for taking pictures.

We will usually begin our wildlife exploration close to EcoCamp, in the park’s eastern sector, making the most of the beautiful morning light and animal activity. We enjoy around six hours of wildlife observation, studying and taking pictures of the park’s native flora & fauna, before heading back to EcoCamp for lunch and relaxation time.

In the afternoons, after the peak sun hours with little animal movement, we head out again, this time to the park’s western sector where we enjoy all the beautiful landscapes and flora & fauna. We visit landmark places such as Grey Glacier and other striking natural monuments. Our guide takes us through the different habitats and ecosystems in the area, introducing us to the unique and colorful wildlife of Torres del Paine and teaching us the methodology for responsible wildlife observation. After enjoying the iconic Patagonian sunset over the Paine massif we return to EcoCamp for dinner and well-earned rest.

N.B. In the event of bad weather alternative activities will be planned, for example to scenic waterfall Paine Grande or Laguna Azul.

Day 6 Departure

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

Your last day will begin just as all your other activity-packed days will begin: with an early, hearty breakfast served amongst your fellow wildlife lovers in our Community Domes. From there, you will embark on a short day of activities before regrouping at EcoCamp for a well-deserved lunch. You will then be taken to Punta Arenas airport, where you will arrive late in the evening.

(Depending on travel conditions, we advise you to make sleeping arrangements for your final day in Punta Arenas)

Our Puma Team

Roberto Donoso - Profesional Wildlife Guide, birder & Tracker
Marcial Urbina - Professional photographer, puma guide, and tracker
Anna Pastukhova - Professional Tracker and Nature Guide

Patagonia Puma Tracking - Wildlife Discovery Adventure - Activity Chart
Data / Day	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6
	Arrival Travel from Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales or Calafate to Torres del Paine NP	Sample Itinerary Actual Itinerary will depend on tracking team, group & weather!				Departure to Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales or Calafate from Torres del Paine NP
Activity	Introduction to flora and fauna	Flora observation & exploration	Condor & Ñandu tracking and observation	Fox, guanaco, and wildlife observation	Puma tracking	Puma tracking
Place	near EcoCamp	Los Cuernos	Grey Lake	Laguna Azul	Laguna Amarga	near EcoCamp
appx. Activity Time	3h	7h	7h	7h	7h	3h
max Altitude Point	under 300m / 980ft

Accommodation

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Accommodations
EcoCamp Patagonia

Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with views of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first sustainable lodge south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants. Children from 6 to 12 years receive a 50% discount if staying with their parents in the same dome (advisable 6 years minimum age). Discount will be applied after the online inquiry. Check out the kids' guide to EcoCamp!

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Accommodations

EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome

(Heating & Private bathroom, 28m²/300ft²)

Suite domes were designed to further our goal of providing comfort in a natural setting with minimal environmental impact, and also maintain the hotel’s familiar and cozy vibe. The domes have comfortable double or twin beds, a wood stove and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet. Stargaze through the ceiling windows while falling asleep, after enjoying a spectacular sunset from your private terrace.

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Accommodations

EcoCamp's Suite Dome Lofts

(2 floors, Heating & Private bathroom, 37m²/398ft²)

Suite dome lofts aretwo-storey domes which fit up to four people and have comfortable double or twin beds both up and downstairs. These domes, ideal for families or groups of friends, come with a wood stove, a private terrace and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet. Stargaze through the ceiling windows while falling asleep, after enjoying a spectacular sunset from your private terrace.

Map

Prices & Facts

Rates

Rates valid from November 2020 to April 2021

*Price shown on the website is based on a 4 people group staying in a suite dome (double)

Departures

Regular departures on fixed dates as specified below

Fixed Dates

November 20 to 25, 2020
January 10 to 15, 2021
April 19 to 24, 2021

>> Do you want a private departure for this trip? We can do it, please send us an e-mail to

Starting / Finishing Point

The trip starts with pick-ups and ends with drop-offs in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales. All flights should arrive before 09.30 hs. on day one.

All onward flights should leave after 20 hs. on day six.

If you like to start or end your trip in El Calafate / Argentina, please ask your travel expert.

Physical Demands

The Easy trip options do not demand extensive physical activity, other than walking a maximum of two consecutive hours over fairly flat terrain. We stop as many times as necessary depending on the rhythm of the group. Travelers doing the active excursions will find them more energetic and to enjoy these more active treks it is essential to be in shape before arriving. All trails visited in the programs are under 1,000m / 3,000ft high so passengers don’t need to worry about altitude.

Participants should be 15 years of age or older.

Included

English speaking specialist wildlife guide. Max group size only 5 travelers!
Accommodation EcoCamp’s Suite Domes
Meals as indicated Day1 L, D - Day2 B, L, D - Day3 B, L, D - Day4 B, L, D - Day5 B, L, D - Day B, L
All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary
Park fees for Torres del Paine National Park

Not Included

Flight tickets
Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
Voluntary tipping of guides and staff
Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at the EcoCamp. Bringing US$ in cash for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine NP is suggested
Items of personal nature
Photo equipment, binoculars - please bring your own.

Itinerary Modifications

The weather in Patagonia can be difficult to deal with at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.

Transport

In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transport is in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people. Pick up / Drop off times shown in the Weekly Transfer Board are approximate and will be confirmed locally by our operations team. An exclusive toll-free emergency number will be available for anyone needing additional support while they are in Chile.

Weather

The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. In addition, the strong marine influence and the effect of the Southern Patagonia Icefield make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and even snow. Even in summer (December to March), you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130km/hr) and rainfall. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min). However, just as quickly as the weather turns nasty, it can become lovely and sunny. So come prepared for all types of weather!

What you need to bring

Passengers need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. Essential equipment includes:

One day backpack (30 liters - to carry a camera, glasses, raincoat, etc)
Trekking or hiking boots
Extra shoes for evenings or in case others get wet
Waterproof jacket
Two pairs of woolen socks
Fleece jacket or sweater
Shorts or comfortable loose pants
Sun protection (glasses, hat, lip balm, and screen) and
Optional Capilene underwear for the upper and lower body
US$ in cash for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine NP.

Testimonials

Your Travel Expert

Meet our Experience Designers Team

Want to craft your own Adventure Tour? We're here to help you!

Our Experience Designers team customizes itineraries according to your needs! Just let us know which trips you want... we'll make it happen!

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If you need advice with any aspect of your tour or the booking process, please contact us either by phone or E-Mail:

E-mail: reservations@cascada.travel

US/CA free call: 1-888-232-3813	UK free call: 0-800-051-7095
Germany free call: 0-800-892-1291	France free call: 0-805-080-589
Brasil free call: 0-800-892-1291	Worldwide: 0056-2-2923-5950

Cascada's travel experts are locals based in Santiago de Chile who have traveled extensively throughout Chile and neighboring Argentina and Bolivia. They have all the local information and homegrown tips on the best activities, where to do them and when! All of them have lived in Santiago, Patagonia or different parts of Chile and the world, and have returned to their beloved Chilean capital city to share their insider tips with you.

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Patagonia Puma Tracking - Wildlife Discovery Adventure