Patagonia Puma Tracking Wildlife Discovery Adventure

EcoCamp Patagonia Stay
Trip Length: 6 Days
Group Size: 1-6
Difficulty
From:
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Let's set out on the wildest Patagonia adventure! It's time to track and photograph the king of Torres del Paine: the puma.

Embark on an 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 in EcoCamp’s revolutionary domes, this trip is a must for wildlife and nature enthusiasts alike!

 

Highlights

Highlights

  • Embark on daily excursions around Torres del Paine, led by professional wildlife experts.
  • Look for native fauna, such as pumas, foxes, ñandú and guanacos.
  • Spend cozy nights in EcoCamp Suite Domes, Patagonia's top eco-friendly accommodation.
  • Explore the park in a small group, allowing for a personal and intimate experience in nature.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - The Patagonian Adventure Starts

Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales

Welcome to the end of the world! We'll start our adventure from the Punta Arenas* airport, taking a transfer to Puerto Natales, where we will meet the tracking team and a hearty lunch awaits us**. The road to Ecocamp through Laguna Amarga will give you plenty of opportunities to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked horizon. Once you arrive to EcoCamp, a small talk and briefing along with the tracking team and guides will take place. Afterwards, an observation activity on the Torres del Paine lookouts will take place.

*Flying into Puerto Natales is also an available option.
** Lunch can be either at Puerto Natales or Ecocamp.

Please Note: During winter, accommodation will be at Hotel Lago Grey or a similar alternative.

Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia, Suite Domes

Winter: Overnight at Hotel Lago Grey or similar.

Days 2, 3, 4, 5: Wildlife exploration and observation

Torres del Paine National Park

We’ll start each day early, observing the sunrise from new locations while enjoying hot coffee and breakfast on the go. Our puma tracking team, who will let us know the location of the park's most elusive animals, are already hard at work. 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. We will make an early excursion, then return for lunch and have some rest at EcoCamp and then an we will embark on the afternoon excursion. After enjoying the iconic Patagonian sunset over the Paine massif, we’ll return to EcoCamp for dinner and well-earned rest.

On day 5 we will focus on the other inhabitants of the Park to meet the companions of the puma in this ecosystem.

Please note: In the event of bad weather, alternative activities will be planned. Example: scenic waterfall Paine Grande or Laguna Azul.

Important note: During winter, lunch will be replaced by a box lunch since the daylight hours are less. The rest of the itinerary will be the same, having the previous consideration in mind.

Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia, Suite Domes.

Winter: Overnight at Hotel Lago Grey or similar.

Day 6: Departure

Torres del Paine National Park

We'll start the day with the sunrise and some incredible photo opportunities in the Laguna Azul & Cascada Paine sector. After that we will head to Ecocamp to have a hearty breakfast served amongst your fellow wildlife lovers in the Community Dome (Box lunch can be taken to the AM excursion too), after that, you'll embark with the group on the last ride together and head to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas Airport. Adios Patagonia!

Depending on your travelling conditions and times, we recommend spending the night in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales.

Accommodation

EcoCamp Patagonia

Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with views of the majestic granite Towers. It is the region’s first sustainable lodge south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, offering unique upscale camping in domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants.

EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome
(Heating & Private bathroom, 28m²/300ft²)

Suite Dome - INSIDE - Webp

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.

EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome Loft
(2 floors, Heating & Private bathroom, 37m²/398ft²)

Suite Dome Loft.webp

Suite dome lofts are two-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.

EcoCamp Patagonia Superior Dome
(Heating & Private bathroom, 23m²/250ft²)

Superior Dome Interior

Spacious, comfortable and equipped with private bathrooms, Superior Domes are the optimum choice for trekkers wanting that bit more space and comfort at the end of a long day’s walk. Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater, skylight windows and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet

EcoCamp Patagonia Standard Dome
(Shared bathroom, 10m²/108ft²)

Standard Dome Twin

EcoCamp Standard domes were the world's first lodge accommodation in geodesic shape. They are resistant to the strong Patagonian winds, and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request), cozy fleece blankets and feather quilts. There are windows in the ceiling for stargazing. Standard domes include shared bathrooms which are large, comfortable and gender divided.

Included

Included

  • English speaking specialist guide with a maximum group size of only 5 travelers.
  • Accommodation at EcoCamp’s Suite Domes.
  • All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Park entrance fees for Torres del Paine National Park.
  • Estancia entrance fees for puma tracking days.
  • Meals:
    Day 1: Lunch or box lunch and dinner
    Day 2: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    Day 3: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    Day 4: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    Day 5: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    Day 6: Breakfast and box lunch.

Not included

  • Flight tickets.
  • Insurance (appropriate insurance is mandatory for this trip).
  • Voluntary tipping to guides and staff.
  • Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at the EcoCamp. Bringing cash to buy extra drinks, snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine National Park is recommended.
  • Personal items.
  • Photography equipment and binoculars - please bring your own!.

Facts

Departures

Regular departures on fixed dates as specified below.

Fixed Dates 2023-2024

  • June 20 to 25, 2023 (winter).
  • July 11 to 16, 2023 (winter).
  • August 22, 2023 (winter).
  • September 19 to 24, 2023. (Check with Sales).
  • October 20 to 25, 2023. (Check with Sales).
  • December 9 to 14, 2023.
  • January 20 to 25, 2024.
  • February 5 to 10, 2024.

For other dates during winter or spring season, just contact us!.

Minimum age

The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.

Starting / finishing point 

The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales. All flights should arrive before 9:30 AM on the first day. All onward flights should leave after 8 PM on the last day.

Physical demands

This trip does not demand a high level of physical fitness to perform well, but you need to consider that tracking wild animals can involve spending several hours outdoors either taking short walks or waiting in specific spots until the sightings occur. All trails visited in the programs are under 1,000m / 3,000ft high so travelers don’t need to worry about altitude.

Transport

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

For the puma tracking days, transportation will be in comfortable 4x4 vehicles that can fit up to 3 passengers.

 

Weather

The Patagonian Andes are exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. In addition, the strong marine influence and the Southern Patagonia Icefield make the weather hard to predict.

The temperature in winter ranges between -2ºC (28ºF) and 6ºC (43ºF). June, July, and August are the wettest months in Torres del Paine and sub-zero temperatures are common. Nevertheless, the wind is relatively mild in winter. 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 to need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. We recommend the following:

  • A day backpack. (30 liters - to carry a camera, glasses, raincoat, etc).
  • Water-resistant trekking or hiking boots.
  • Extra shoes for evenings or in case others get wet.
  • Waterproof jacket.
  • 2 pairs of wool socks.
  • Fleece jacket or sweater.
  • Shorts or comfortable loose pants.
  • Sun protection. (glasses, hat, lip balm and screen).
  • Cash for buying extra drinks, snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine National Park.
  • Optional: Capilene underwear for the upper and lower body.

Are you wondering about photography equipment? We got you! take a look at our What to bring to Patagonia for Photographers.

Itinerary modifications

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

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We are a Chilean owned adventure tour operator, based in Santiago de Chile, operating adventure tours in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Our base prices are in Chilean Pesos (CLP), but we charge prices in USD based on the exchange rate valid on the day of payment.

Destinations | Chile

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