Pumas of Patagonia
June 2026
2027 Same dates as 2026
June 1st Santiago Chile
Dynamic and cosmopolitan Santiago is a vital and versatile city. It has become one of Latin America’s most modern cities in recent years. With its many museums, events, theatres, and other entertainment and cultural opportunities, it is not only the political but also the cultural centre of the country. Its central location makes it a great base for visiting other areas: it is possible to ski in the nearby Andes and later be on the beach in the same day. The city’s diversity shines through in its many contrasting neighbourhoods. Set out to explore the city streets and you’ll discover beautiful and original art galleries, design shops and handicraft markets, as well as a great selection of restaurants, bars and cafes.
Welcome to Santiago! Upon arrival at the Santiago airport, you should complete your entry process, clear customs, and collect your luggage to then continue to the arrival area. Right after you exit, your guide will contact and escort you on a private transfer to your hotel.
Enjoy a captivating photographic journey through Santiago, guided by a professional photographer who reveals the city’s most photogenic angles—both iconic and hidden. This enriching half-day experience is designed not only to showcase the visual contrasts of Chile’s capital but also to elevate your photography with expert insights along the way.
Begin the tour descending into the historic heart of Santiago and explore Plaza de Armas, the city’s founding square. Lined with grand, colonial-era buildings and vibrant street life, the plaza is home to the Catedral Metropolitana, an elegant neoclassical structure that dates back to 1748.
Inside, baroque details and spiritual ambiance invite deeper photographic storytelling, while the crypts below echo the legacy of ecclesiastical power. Then proceed to Parque de las Esculturas which is a unique open-air museum located in the Providencia neighborhood of Santiago, Chile. Situated along the northern bank of the Mapocho River, it serves as both a public park and a cultural venue, seamlessly blending art with nature.
Conclude your photo exploration with a visit to Parque Bicentenario, a peaceful oasis along the Mapocho River. Created to commemorate Chile’s bicentennial, the park offers wide paths, native flora, and tranquil lagoons inhabited by flamingos, black-necked swans, and taguas. It’s a favorite spot for locals and photographers alike—an opportunity to reflect, shoot, or simply enjoy the serenity.
June 2nd Santiago- Torres del Paine National Park
Your guide meets you in the lobby of the hotel and escorts you to your waiting vehicle for your direct transfer to Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez airport. Upon arrival at the airport, your guide is on-hand to assist with check-in formalities.
Upon arrival at Puerto Natales Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to the stunning Hotel Lago Grey, located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel’s restaurant with views of the Grey Lake and surrounding mountains. Overnight at Hotel Lago Grey.
June 3rd, Torres del Paine National Park
The day begins in tranquil silence at sunrise from the Serrano River Lookout, where the first light softly illuminates the distant Paine Massif, tinting its peaks in delicate pastels. A gentle mist rises from the river’s surface, casting ethereal reflections of the granite towers above—a perfect moment for long exposures and atmospheric landscapes.
From there, the journey leads deeper into the western reaches of Torres del Paine National Park, with stops at Grey Lake, where luminous blue icebergs drift across glacial waters, and at Weber Bridge, offering sweeping panoramic views and chances for wildlife sightings bathed in the golden hues of late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at Lago Grey
June 4th, 5th, 6th. Laguna Amarga Ranch
Early in the morning, transfer to the Laguna Amarga ranch, where your guide will introduce the Puma Tracking team. The group will divide and search different sectors of the ranch to maximize coverage and increase the chances of spotting a puma as it patrols its territory. Pumas are most active in the early morning hours.
The ranch dedicates approximately 5,000 hectares to wildlife conservation, and years of observation have revealed several “favorite spots” frequently visited by pumas, improving our chances of finding them. However, it’s important to remember that these are wild animals—unfed and untrained—so sightings can never be guaranteed. Over the course of three days, guests will have the opportunity to participate in early-morning outings dedicated to puma tracking. Each day begins with a transfer to the Laguna Amarga ranch, where your guide will introduce the Puma Tracking team and outline the plan for the day. The group will split into smaller teams to explore different sectors of the ranch, maximizing coverage and increasing the chances of spotting a puma as it patrols its territory—most active during the early morning hours.
The ranch allocates approximately 5,000 hectares to wildlife conservation. Years of monitoring have identified several key areas frequently visited by pumas, significantly enhancing the likelihood of an encounter. However, as these are wild, unfed, and untrained animals, sightings can never be guaranteed.
Tracking pumas requires a blend of experience, patience, and luck. The activity typically involves extended periods of driving and stopping to scan the terrain with binoculars, listening for guanaco alarm calls, and observing the behavior of scavenging birds such as condors and Southern Caracaras
Tracking pumas requires a combination of knowledge, patience, and a bit of luck. The experience often involves long periods of driving and stopping to scan the landscape with binoculars, listening for guanaco alarm calls, and watching the movements of scavenging birds like condors and Southern Caracaras.
In the afternoon, continue the journey through Torres del Paine National Park, with scenic stops at the viewpoints of Nordenskjöld Lake and Pehoé Lake.
June 7th
Depart from Hotel Lago Grey in the morning and head toward a traditional Patagonian estancia, where you’ll experience a unique day of local culture, cuisine, and rural heritage.
Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome aperitif of pisco sour, followed by an authentic Magellanic lamb barbecue, cooked over open fire or in a traditional oven. Served buffet-style, you’ll be invited to choose your favorite cuts and even go back for seconds. The feast includes a variety of seasonal salads, roasted potatoes, homemade desserts, country-style bread, pebre, wine, mineral water, and to finish, tea or coffee.
The experience continues with a Chilean huaso and horse demonstration. The Cárdenas family, known for breeding pure Chilean horses, will introduce you to the Chilean corralero, a horse praised worldwide for its agility and strength. You’ll witness traditional attire and horsemanship, as the rider showcases the horse’s skills in managing cattle and navigating the fields.
Next, enjoy a sheepdog demonstration, where trained working dogs expertly respond to whistled commands to guide the flock. This coordination between shepherd and dog is an authentic reflection of Patagonian ranch life.
In the afternoon, visit the “Tierra de Ovejeros” wool workshop, where you’ll observe both traditional and mechanized processes for washing and carding sheep wool. Learn about lanolin and its uses, touch raw wool fleece, and see how this local resource is prepared for export and transformed into high-quality natural insulation.
To conclude the visit, enjoy the warm hospitality of the estancia with time to relax, take photos, and further immerse yourself in the traditions and lifestyle of Chilean Patagonia.
June 8th Torres del Paine National Park - Santiago
After breakfast, depart from Hotel Lago Grey and travel toward Puerto Natales. En route, stop to visit the famous Milodon Cave, a natural monument where the remains of a prehistoric giant sloth were discovered, offering a glimpse into Patagonia’s ancient past.
Following the visit, enjoy a light lunch in Puerto Natales before continuing to the airport for your departure flight.
Upon arrival in Santiago, an Akorn representative will be waiting at the domestic terminal to assist you with the connection to your international flight.
Safari Cost
INCLUSIONS
- Transportation by private vehicle with local English-speaking guide
- Meals as per itinerary described above, B= breakfast, L=lunch, D= dinner
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathrooms
- Excursions and services as per itinerary
- Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing
- Taxes and service charges – hotel taxes and service charges as imposed by the government are included for hotel services specified in the itinerary
EXCLUSIONS
- Air transportation and/or airport taxes, unless specified above Domestic Air $850.00
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Extras at hotels (laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc)
- Any other items not mentioned above
- Maximum permitted luggage on domestic flights: 23 (twenty-three) kilos in hold and 08 (eight) kilos hand luggage.
- At the moment of entering the country it is necessary to declare the entry of the following products:
- Milk, butter, cream and cheese
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Meats of any kind, cold cuts, and sausages
- Seeds, grains, nuts, dried or dehydrated fruits
- Fruit plants, ornamental plants, forest plants or part of them: branches, cuttings, bulbs and others
- Flowers, dried flowers and garden plants. Soil
- Wood or barks
- Insects, snails and others. Bacteria and molds for scientific research. Bees, honey and beeswax
- Animal semen, biological products and veterinarian medicines
- Small animals and pets (dogs, cats, other). Birds
- Alive species, products or sub products from them, or elaborated from wild fauna
*Tipping is customary in Chile, and is at the client discretion.
Easter Island Add on
- Find European history and architecture dating from the founding of Santiago in 1541.
- Appreciate one of Earth’s most unique destinations and a general cultural icon (UNESCO World’s Heritage Site).
- Meet a unique culture in the most isolated place on the face of the earth.
- Marvel with archaeological mysteries with over 600 Moai, human shaped statues 800 years old.
26 May 2026
Arrive Santiago
Cumbres Lastarria
Standard Rooms
27 May 2026 B
Santiago – Easter Island
Taha Tai
Standard Rooms
28 May 2026 B-L
Easter Island
Taha Tai
Standard Rooms
29 May 2026 B-L
Easter Island
Taha Tai
Standard Rooms
30 May 2026 B
Depart Easter Island to Santiago
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Santiago-Easter IslandYour guide meets you in the lobby of the hotel and escorts you to your waiting vehicle for your direct transfer to Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez airport. Upon arrival at the airport, your guide is on-hand to assist with check-in formalities.
Welcome at Easter Island, “Te Pito O Te Henua” (Middle of The World)!
Upon arrival at Mataveri airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.Discovered in 1771 on Easter Sunday (hence its name) the island is more ‘Polynesian’ than South American in character. This 64 square mile island was annexed by Chile in 1888 and is now famous as the world’s largest ‘open air’ museum because of the moai, the large stone statues of which there are well over 800 scattered on the island. Although different theories exist as to how and why these monuments were created, the moai and other elements of the Rapa Nui culture remain a mystery due to the lack of documentation from this period.
This afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel for a unique photography experience at Ahu Tahai, one of Easter Island’s most iconic archaeological sites.
Facing the vast Pacific Ocean, Ahu Tahai offers a perfect setting to capture the changing light and atmosphere as the sun sets behind the ancient moai statues. Your guide will share insights about the site’s history and help you find the best vantage points to photograph the silhouettes of the moai against the golden sky.
As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, enjoy a sunset toast — a perfect way to end the day while appreciating the peaceful and powerful beauty of this sacred place.
After the experience, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.
Thursday, 28 May 2026
Easter IslandThis day is designed for photography enthusiasts eager to capture the island’s most breathtaking landscapes and ancient sites under the best natural light conditions.
Morning: Orongo & Rano Kau Crater
After breakfast, depart for the Rano Kau volcano, one of the most dramatic natural features on the island. The enormous crater, filled with lush vegetation and a serene freshwater lake, offers endless opportunities for creative photography. Continue to the Orongo ceremonial village, where you’ll photograph the stone houses and petroglyphs overlooking the ocean and the islets of Motu Nui and Motu Iti, once central to the Birdman cult.
Afternoon: Ahu Akivi & Puna Pau
In the afternoon, visit Ahu Akivi, famous for its seven standing moai statues that face the ocean—unique on the island and perfectly aligned with the summer solstice. Continue to Puna Pau, the red volcanic rock quarry where the topknots (pukao) of some moai were carved. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of Hanga Roa and the rugged coastline, capturing the play of light and shadow that makes this island so photogenic.
Exploring these sites will give photographers a deep sense of Rapa Nui’s natural beauty and cultural richness.
Important Note:
Professional photographers planning to use the images for commercial or editorial purposes must obtain a special photography permit for filming or shooting inside the National Parks.
The order of excursions may vary according to weather conditions and light qualityFriday, 29 May 2026
Easter Island
Today’s excursion is designed for photographers eager to capture the timeless spirit of Rapa Nui through its most iconic archaeological sites and breathtaking landscapes.
Begin your day exploring Ahu Akahanga, an evocative site where several moai lie toppled and partially buried, offering striking compositions that reflect the passage of time and history. Continue to Rano Raraku, the volcanic crater that served as the quarry and birthplace of nearly all the island’s moai. Scattered across the slopes, more than 300 statues in various stages of carving create one of the most powerful and photogenic scenes on Easter Island.Next, visit Ahu Tongariki, the island’s most impressive platform, featuring fifteen restored moai standing majestically against the Pacific Ocean—an unforgettable setting for wide-angle and landscape photography. The journey continues to La Perouse Bay to photograph Ahu Te Pito Kura, known as the “Navel of the World,” with its enigmatic magnetic stone.
End the day at Anakena Beach, where turquoise waters, white sand, and moai framed by palm trees create a perfect contrast for capturing the island’s softer, more serene side.
Important Note:
Professional photographers planning to use images for commercial or editorial purposes must obtain a special photography permit for filming or shooting inside the National Parks.
The order of excursions may vary depending on weather conditions and lighting.
Taha Tai
Saturday, 30 May 2026
Easter Island
Start your day early with a magical sunrise at Ahu Tongariki, the island’s most iconic site for photographers. As the first light of day breaks behind the 15 majestic moai, you’ll capture one of the most powerful scenes on Easter Island — a moment of light, shadow, and silence that embodies the island’s ancient mystery.
After the sunrise session, return to your hotel for breakfast and some leisure time. Take a relaxed stroll through Hanga Roa village, visit the local craft market, or simply enjoy your final morning surrounded by the Pacific breeze.
Add on Cost
Does not include Domestic Air.
Double
Single PP
INCLUSIONS
- Transportation by private vehicle with local English-speaking guide
- Meals as per itinerary described above, B= breakfast, L=lunch, D= dinner
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathrooms
- Excursions and services as per itinerary
- Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing
- Taxes and service charges – hotel taxes and service charges as imposed by the government are included for hotel services specified in the itinerary
EXCLUSIONS
- Air transportation and/or airport taxes, unless specified above.
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Extras at hotels (laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc)
- Any other items not mentioned above
- Maximum permitted luggage on domestic flights: 23 (twenty-three) kilos in hold and 08 (eight) kilos hand luggage.
- At the moment of entering the country it is necessary to declare the entry of the following products:
- Milk, butter, cream and cheese
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Meats of any kind, cold cuts, and sausages
- Seeds, grains, nuts, dried or dehydrated fruits
- Fruit plants, ornamental plants, forest plants or part of them: branches, cuttings, bulbs and others
- Flowers, dried flowers and garden plants. Soil
- Wood or barks
- Insects, snails and others. Bacteria and molds for scientific research. Bees, honey and beeswax
- Animal semen, biological products and veterinarian medicines
- Small animals and pets (dogs, cats, other). Birds
- Alive species, products or sub products from them, or elaborated from wild fauna