Pumas in Winter

with Justin Black

July 31 - August 7, 2025 Expedition

6 Participants. From $12,345
2 Remaining: Register

Overview

Pumas, wild and up close, with the snowy sublime landscape of Torres del Paine as your backdrop

Pumas are secretive survivors, adapting to a tremendously diverse range of environments across the largest geographic range of any native terrestrial mammal in the Western hemisphere, spanning 23 countries from southern Alaska down to the southern tip of Chile. Also known as Mountain Lions or Cougars (all are Puma concolor), they sometimes thrive in surprisingly close proximity to humans, but rarely permit themselves to be seen, much less photographed up close and eye-to-eye. So, you might wonder what our secret is to reliably and safely getting close to and photographing wild pumas on this Patagonian expedition.

To find out for yourself, make pictures you never imagined were possible, and learn a great deal about puma behavior in the process, join Justin Black on a 65-square-kilometer private ranch, Estancia Laguna Amarga. A healthy and growing population of wild pumas roams free there, moving at will between the ranch and park. About a dozen adult pumas are present on the estancia at any one time, and several cubs of various ages are typically present as well, making this perhaps the densest concentration of wild pumas anywhere in their expansive range. We have mastered the art of successfully tracking these apex predators through this landscape of rolling hills beneath the Paine range.

contiguous with and with panoramic views over one of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth: Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, covered with a blanket of snow. Ironically, winter temperatures here are only about 20-degrees cooler than the height of summer (expect highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s – 30s Fahrenheit), it’s less windy, and less likely to rain. Winter is actually a surprisingly pleasant time at Torres del Paine, though visitation plummets and most park accommodations are closed.

From our very comfortable accommodations in nearby Cerro Castillo, we will make excursions each day to observe and photograph many of these amazing cats at distances that can be surprisingly close. With the help of our top notch Puma guides, prior Visionary Wild puma groups have enjoyed numerous close-up encounters, including individuals that have calmly approached within twenty feet or so of the group on more than one occasion. We also commonly have sightings of mothers and cubs, two adults interacting, active hunting, and more. The simple fact is that the opportunities here are unrivaled anywhere in the Americas.

Please watch the videos below (made close-up with an iPhone) for a first-hand glimpse of what we experience in Pumaland:

Although we consider this expedition to be one of our more strenuous ones, you can expect to have extremely comfortable hotel nights to prepare you for more activity in the days ahead. At &lt;a href=”http://www.hotelcabodehornos.com/en/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”&gt;Hotel &lt;span class=”il”&gt;Cabo&lt;/span&gt; de &lt;span class=”il”&gt;Hornos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt; in Punta Arenas, we will stay in sea view rooms of this highly-rated, modern hotel. All rooms boast deep soaking tubs, free WiFi, 24-hour room service, and luxurious bedding. At &lt;a href=”http://www.lastorres.com/en/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”&gt;Hotel Las Torres&lt;/a&gt; near Pumaland, we will stay at their Ciprés rooms, which are newly renovated, spacious, with large windows to enjoy the scenery. Each one has been decorated with special elements of the area, such as looms and ethnic masks with furniture made by artisans from Patagonia.Outside of the park borders, we are able to seek out and respectfully approach the Pumas, without the hinderance of recent National Park restrictions regarding walking off trail. Follow in the path of these powerful animals and capture their incredible behavior on camera.&lt;strong&gt; ITINERARY&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;March 28 – Arrival day in Punta Arenas: &lt;/strong&gt;Land at Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ), where our representative meets you and takes you to your hotel. Overnight in Punta Arenas at &lt;a href=”http://www.hotelcabodehornos.com/en/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”&gt;Hotel &lt;span class=”il”&gt;Cabo&lt;/span&gt; de &lt;span class=”il”&gt;Hornos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. (D)&lt;strong&gt;March 29 – Leave Punta Arenas for Pumaland: &lt;/strong&gt;After breakfast, your guide will be meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Torres del Paine, arriving via Refugio Laguna Amarga. The Puma search begins in the afternoon; join the trackers who will have been out from pre-dawn looking for Pumas for you. Overnight at &lt;a href=”http://www.lastorres.com/en/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”&gt;Hotel Las Torres&lt;/a&gt;. (B, L, D)&lt;strong&gt;March 30-April 4 – Pumas: &lt;/strong&gt;Spend several hours each day searching for and tracking pumas in Pumaland. We will have breakfast before the morning session, lunch between sessions and then dinner after the late afternoon pumas tracking session. Overnight at &lt;a href=”http://www.lastorres.com/en/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”&gt;Hotel Las Torres&lt;/a&gt;. (B, L, D)&lt;strong&gt;April 5&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; – Condors and return to Puntas Arenas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;: &lt;/strong&gt;After breakfast, we will drive for approximately four hours south to an exciting new location: the “Cerro Palomares” Condor Roost Cliff at the private, 20,000-acre “Estancia Olga Teresa” Ranch. At dusk we will drive approximately one hour back to Punta Arenas for our farewell dinner. Overnight in Punta Arenas at &lt;a href=”http://www.hotelcabodehornos.com/en/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”&gt;Hotel &lt;span class=”il”&gt;Cabo&lt;/span&gt; de &lt;span class=”il”&gt;Hornos&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. (B, L, D)&lt;strong&gt;April 6&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; – Departure day: &lt;/strong&gt;Wake up for breakfast at the hotel, and then our driver will be transfer you to the airport. Check out of the hotel is at noon. (B)&lt;em&gt;PLEASE NOTE:&lt;/em&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;VISA: No visa is required for stays less than 90 days.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;TRAVEL INSURANCE: We always strongly recommend arranging travel insurance. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;a href=”http://www.travelguard.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”&gt;Travelguard.com&lt;/a&gt; is excellent.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;i&gt;FLIGHTS: No flights are included. Please contact us if you would like recommendations regarding flights to and from Punta Arenas, Chile (airport code: PUQ)&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;GRATUITIES: Baseline tips are included. Our local guides, driver, and lodging staff work very hard to make our experience in Chile be the best it can be, and Visionary Wild budgets for a healthy group tip in recognition of their services. Guests are encouraged to tip additionally if they would like to recognize exceptional service.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;CAMERA EQUIPMENT: Participants will carry their camera body and lens; a tripod is optional. Porters are available to assist with carrying equipment; please inquire for further details.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Though we will use 4WD vehicles to drive within about 200-300 meters of puma sightings, and may sometimes see pumas from our vehicles, venturing out on foot yields the best opportunities. Throughout the itinerary, we expect to walk up to one mile each day in hilly, snowy (perhaps up to a foot deep, but most likely less), uneven terrain. We do recommend that participants are fit enough to do short hikes with your camera gear.

On the way back to Punta Arenas, we are including a special day to visit the private “Cerro Palomares” Condor Roost Cliff where Andean Condors fly. From convenient perches, we will photograph scores of “below-horizon fly-bys” of Andean Condors, the world’s heaviest flying creature. The roost cliff normally has 60-90 Andean Condors on it in the late afternoon as they fly back and forth below the horizon, offering the world’s most spectacular photo opportunities for this impressive bird.

PLEASE NOTE:

VISA: No visa is required for stays less than 90 days in the case of citizens of the USA and many other developed nations.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: We always strongly recommend arranging travel insurance. Visit squaremouth.com to search for competing quotes.
FLIGHTS: No flights are included. Please contact us if you would like recommendations regarding flights to and from Punta Arenas, Chile (airport code: PUQ)
GRATUITIES: Our local guides, driver, and lodging staff work very hard to make our experience in Chile be the best it can be. Guests are encouraged to bring approximately $300 in USD or the equivalent in Chilean Pesos to recognize their attentive service.

Itinerary

July 31, 2025. Day 1. Arrival in Punta Arenas

You will be met on arrival at the airport in Punta Arenas, Chile (PUQ) for transfer to our group’s hotel, which we will meet to go out for our first group dinner. Overnight at Hotel Cabo de Hornos.

August 1. Day 2, Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine

Transfer from Punta Arenas to our hotel on the east side of Torres del Paine National Park. Lunch. Afternoon guided pumas excursion. Dinner. ON Ovejero Patagonico at Cerro Castillo.

August 2. Day 3. Torres del Paine

Breakfast. AM puma excursion, supported by our expert puma guides and 4WD drivers. Lunch. PM puma excursion. Dinner. Overnight Hosteria Ovejero Patagonico.

August 3. Day 4. Torres del Paine

Breakfast. AM puma excursion. Lunch. PM puma excursion. Dinner. Overnight Hosteria Ovejero Patagonico.

August 4. Day 5. Torres del Paine

Breakfast. AM puma excursion. Lunch. PM puma excursion. Dinner. Overnight Hosteria Ovejero Patagonico.

August 5. Day 6. Torres del Paine

Breakfast. AM puma excursion. Lunch. PM puma excursion. Dinner. Overnight Hosteria Ovejero Patagonico.

August 6. Day 7. Torres del Paine – Punta Arenas

Breakfast. Transfer to Estancia Olga Teresa for condor photography, followed by lunch. Transfer to Punta Arenas. Dinner at the hotel. ON Hotel Cabo de Hornos

August 7, 2025. Day 8. Punta Arenas

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for departure.

Instructors

Gallery

Pricing

Single Occupancy $12,995 (Limited)

Full $12,995

Double Occupancy $12,345 (Limited)

Full $12,345

Single-Occupancy: $12,995.00

Double-Occupancy: $12,345.00 (per person)

Group size limited to six guests.

Package includes:

Instruction and guidance throughout by Justin Black
Excursions as noted in above itinerary for wildlife photography
English-speaking naturalist guide
Accommodations in Punta Arenas and Cerro Castillo as noted in the itinerary
R/T transportation from Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine National Park – Punta Arenas
4WD transport to the top of Palomares Hill to view condors from the top.
4WD vehicles for puma and condor excursions
Two trackers searching out pumas each day in their own, dedicated 4WD vehicles
Daily entrance fee for puma tracking on the private Estancia Laguna Amarga
Entrance fees for viewing condors from top of Palomares Hill at Estancia Olga Teresa
All meals and snacks
Non-alcoholic beverages throughout, plus wine, beer, and cocktails (Pisco sour, anyone?) with dinner

All prices are per person.

PRICING AND OCCUPANCY

This workshop is priced for single-occupancy, with pro-rated double occupancy rates for couples or participants who have made arrangements to share a room with another participant. We are not able to pair individual travelers into double-occupancy accommodation.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

30% deposit due at time of registration
30% payment due January 2, 2025
40% final payment due April 2, 2025

A 60% deposit is due for registrations after January 2, 2025. Contact us if you would like to discuss alternate payment arrangements for the deposit.

Click here to review our terms and conditions, including payment, cancellation and refund policies.

Highlights

The best opportunity anywhere in the world to photograph pumas, wild, free, and up close in their natural habitat, with the incredibly dramatic scenery of Torres Del Paine National Park as the backdrop. This is not game farm photography.
Priority on maximizing time in the field with the big cats.
Attentive guidance and expert photographic instruction throughout by Justin Black
Expert support by an English-speaking professional biologist and local puma trackers
Best available accommodations throughout
Wild Andean condor photography en route back to Punta Arenas
Fine dining, including fine Chilean wine, beer, or cocktails with dinner.

Accommodations

Comfortable hotel nights will prepare you for the next day’s activities. At Hotel Cabo de Hornos in Punta Arenas, we will stay in sea view rooms of this highly-rated, modern hotel on the town square and close to restaurants and the waterfront. All rooms boast deep soaking tubs, free WiFi, 24-hour room service, and luxurious bedding. Our accommodation for our puma photography will be at Ovejero Patagonico, a little gem of a hotel built within the last ten years, and the only one close to our operating area that is open in the winter. The hotel is modern, clean and well kept, with spacious rooms, large beds, bathrooms with stone floor and walls, glass shower enclosures. The decor is quite unique, a mix of modern, rustic and antiques, very well presented. The common lounge area is very comfortable, with a small bar. The restaurant is a crowd pleaser.

Travel

Fly into Puntas Arenas, Chile, (PUQ) to be met for ground transfer to our group's hotel for the first night.

Ground transportation is provided throughout the workshop, including 4WD vehicles to approach locations of puma sightings as closely as possible.

Walks will typically be up to a mile each day on hilly, uneven ground, split up between two field sessions. We do recommend that you are in decent physical fitness for a more pleasant photographic experience.

Weather is variable, with highs between 35-45ºF and lows between 25-35ºF at this time of year. We will likely experience a mix of conditions from sunny to partly cloudy to overcast, with wind varying by local microclimate. Rain is unlikely, but snowfall is possible from time to time.

Expectations

Daily Puma Sightings: On past visits, we have enjoyed puma encounters close enough for meaningful photography during every excursion. In the context of wildlife photography, that is incredibly impressive.
Our Puma scouts are in the field full-time. They know the local cats and their habits very well. The trackers we work with spend most days of most months of the year searching for Pumas, whereas other guides leading groups in the area do so for only a few days or perhaps a few weeks at a time.

Our scouts are the only ones equipped with infrared scope. This specialized piece of equipment allows for effective tracking of Pumas in total darkness, which translates into more puma time for our participants, who thus start to enjoy the first “Puma-of-the-day” as soon as the pre-dawn light becomes strong enough for photography.

No other guides maintain a Puma ID guide of the individual pumas in the area. Pumas are much harder to ID than are Jaguars or Leopards, but very detailed photos of facial scars, ear nicks, and body scars allow us to identify each adult uniquely. This is an ongoing work in progress, and the photos taken by our guests allow us to perfect our ID guide, doing what amounts to “citizen science”.

Our activities are supervised by an internationally recognized PhD conservation biologist, so the whole operation is underpinned by cutting-edge science and conservation techniques.

Creating a local incentive to protect pumas: In order to ensure the protection and the proper, sustainable appreciation of the Pumas at Torres del Paine, our guides worked with professional biologists to develop a robust set of rules for viewing pumas. By observing these rules under the guidance of your expert puma tracker, you will be contributing to the conservation of these cats and their habitat. You will also be enhancing the puma sighting for yourself and for your fellow guests.

Pumas in Winter

Overview

Pumas, wild and up close, with the snowy sublime landscape of Torres del Paine as your backdrop

Itinerary

Instructors

Justin Black

Gallery

Pricing

Single Occupancy $12,995 (Limited)

Double Occupancy $12,345 (Limited)

Highlights

Accommodations

Travel

Expectations

Pumas in Winter

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