Pumas of Patagonia
June 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 $750.00
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Extras at hotels (laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc)
- Any other items not mentioned above