PUMAS OF PATAGONIA – SPECIAL 4X4 TRIP
October 04 to 11, 2020
Wild Pumas with 4×4 vehicles assist
Pumas in South Patagonia is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences you can have anywhere. However, it does require some level of fitness to hike up hills to get the shots. So on this very special trip for just four lucky photographers we will have the assistance of two comfortable 4×4 vehicles, so that we can more easily access higher areas and beautiful valleys on difficult to reach parts of the estancia, areas that are extremelly productive for Pumas. This has three important advantages:
1 – We reach these higher areas without the need to hike so much all the way from the main roads. We might still need to hike a little, but mostly to get a better position to photograph. The “big hike” is done with the car.
2 – We reach these areas much quicker, thus earlier in the morning, when Pumas are more active and light is at its very best (although light is good in Patagonia all day long).
3 – Because we are only 4 photographers this usually means that we are able to get a little closer to the cats than on a bigger group, thus making more intimate photographs.
Please note that even on this tour occasionally we may still need to hike to areas that the car can’t reach, however, by experience, I can tell you that most Pumas are seen in and around this big area we can reach with the 4×4’s.
Like our other Puma trips, we do this in and around breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park, in southern Chile. We have the assistance of an extremelly talented Puma tracker, working on his own vehicle. Our rate of success is very high and rarely there is a day we don’t photograph at least one Puma.
This time of the year, the end of Autumm, we may already see some snow and so there is a chance of getting shots of Pumas on the snow. Weather is usually less windy than at other times of the year. All hotels inside the park will be closed except one, Hosteria Pehoe, where we stay in this trip, magically located at one of the most beautiful locations in the park, with amazing views to the mountains and Lake Pehoe.
Other wildlife found on this tour includes the abundant Guanaco, Gray and Culpeo Foxes, South Andean Deer, Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk and some birds like White-tufted and Great Grebes, varied duck species, Black-necked Swan, Andean Condor, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Magellanic Woodpecker, etc.
- Date: Originally was May 27 to June 03, 2020, postponed due to Covid-19 to October 04 to 11, 2020
- USD 8.290
- Single room: USD 478
- Payment through wire-transfer or credit card
- Max of 4 guests (FULL)
Oct 04: Your guide and host will meet you at the airport or hotel in the morning in Punta Arenas, South Chile. We recommend you arrive the day before and stay at a hotel in the city, we will be happy to arrange this for you upon request. Drive to Hosteria Pehoe in Torres del Paine (06:00 hrs). We stop at the scenic town of Puerto Natales for a coffee and some photos, plus a couple other spots. Arrival at the hotel and rest of the afternoon there. The landscape alone will keep you very entertained, but there are some wildlife around the hotel too, like Culpeo Foxes. Dinner at the hotel.
Oct 05 to 10: Six full days of Puma search. A typical day at this time of the year starts before sunrise, around 08:30. If our tracker finds a puma we go straight to it with the 4x4s. We will have two 4x4s so that we put two photographers per car.
At this time of the year we do not return to the hotel for lunch, instead we have a packed lunch for each guest.
While our main goal on this trip is always going to be Pumas, there will be a lot of other incredible photo opportunities, like the amazing landscape, the groups of Guanacos, varied birds like grebes and swans, Andean Condors, foxes, etc. Some people may be afraid of approaching these wild cats by foot, but rest assured that we know when it can be dangerous and when it is ok to approach. We would never approach a cat that is showing signs of stress. Our puma tracker is extremelly experienced with these cats.
Oct 11: Drive back to Punta Arenas after breakfast. We stop at a private estancia on the way where we go to a cliff to photograph flying Andean Condors, as they fly at eye level or even below us. We should arrive at Punta Arenas in early evening.
- Double occupancy accomodation at Hosteria Pehoe in superior rooms (single rooms may be available)
- All meals during the itinerary (breakfast, packed lunch and dinner)
- Drinks on the field
- Ground transportation within the itinerary on two comfortable 4×4’s
- Local guide and puma tracker
- Photography tutoring
- Park entrance fees
NOT included
- International and domestic air tickets
- Tips
- Laundry
- Hotel in Punta Arenas (if needed/desired)
- Ground transfers in Punta Arenas (if needed/desired)
- Travel and cancellation insurance *
* Please note that for this trip specifically we do offer a deposit refund in case the trip does not reach the minimum number of participants. The refund is only offered in that situation and covers only the deposit paid to us, NOT other related costs like air tickets.
Accomodations included on the tour price are for double occupancy rooms. Single rooms are usually available, but to guarantee them we advise to book early. Rooms throughout the trip are equipped with gas heaters and private bathrooms. Wi-fi is available on the main lodge area and dining room. During this tour we stay at the Hosteria Pehoe, inside Torres del Paine National Park.
