Arrival at Punta Arenas airport and private transfer to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Patagonia. Upon arrival, enjoy an Austral-style lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, a briefing session takes place, covering the program’s objectives, daily logistics, safety guidelines, and principles of ethical wildlife observation.
Dinner at the hotel and overnight rest.
*Flying into Puerto Natales is also an available option.
Overnight at Hotel Costaustralis – Superior Room with Sea View (subject to availability)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Over three consecutive days, the program focuses on specialized tracking of the Patagonian puma, accompanied by expert guides and a local tracking team. Each day starts early to take advantage of optimal light conditions and peak wildlife activity.
Explorations combine vehicle-based searches and gentle walks, allowing participants to interpret tracks, movement patterns, and behavior of both pumas and their natural prey. Winter provides ideal tracking conditions, with open landscapes, fewer visitors, and clearer signs on snow or damp ground.
A box lunch is enjoyed in the field each day, with a return to Puerto Natales in the afternoon. Evenings offer time to rest and reflect on the day’s experiences.
Overnight at Hotel Costaustralis – Superior Room with Sea View (subject to availability)
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner.
This day is dedicated to a broader exploration of the park, providing an excellent opportunity to observe other iconic species and discover additional scenic areas of Torres del Paine.
It is an ideal chance to spot wildlife that may not have been seen during the tracking days, such as guanacos, foxes, rheas, Andean condors, and a variety of bird species, while also enjoying the striking beauty of the park in winter: partially frozen lakes, snow-covered peaks, and a calm, pristine atmosphere.
The day combines scenic drives, viewpoint stops, and short walks, with a box lunch during the excursion. Return to Puerto Natales in the late afternoon.
Farewell dinner and final night at the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Costaustralis – Superior Room with Sea View (subject to availability)
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner.
Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on flight schedule, a box lunch is provided for the journey. Private transfer from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport, marking the end of this winter Patagonia experience.
Depending on your travelling conditions and times, we recommend spending the night in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales.
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch.
Located on the shores of the Última Esperanza Fjord, Hotel Costaustralis offers a warm and comfortable stay in the heart of Puerto Natales. Its waterfront location provides beautiful views of the fjord, Patagonian channels, and the ever-changing southern light.
For this program, guests stay in Superior Sea View Rooms, spacious and bright accommodations ideal for relaxing after full days exploring Torres del Paine National Park. The rooms feature large windows, private bathrooms, heating, and a cozy atmosphere that blends comfort with Patagonian character.
The hotel also features a restaurant, bar, and inviting common areas, making it an excellent base to balance adventure, relaxation, and local cuisine during a winter experience in Patagonia.
Regular departures are available on fixed dates from May to September.
Fixed Dates Winter 2026
If any of the closed dates suit you, just let us know, and we'll find a spot for you!
For other dates during winter or spring season, just contact us!.
The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.
The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales. All flights should ideally arrive before 9:30 AM on the first day. All onward flights should ideally leave after 8 PM on the last day.
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.
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.
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!
If possible, please bring clothes of neutral colors like brown, black, gray, camouflage, etc. to blend in with the environment. Sometimes we will have to walk, and sometimes we will stand still for hours, observing/photographing a puma: considerate walking shoes and warm clothes for all kinds of weather.
Are you wondering about photography equipment? We got you! take a look at our What to bring to Patagonia for Photographers.
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.
Searching Availability...
Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia
