Puma Encounter

EcoCamp Patagonia Extension

Trip Length: 1 Day / 1 Night
Group Size: 1-4
Difficulty: Moderate
From: 710 USD
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Play hide and seek with the king of Patagonia, the puma! Catch him with your camera lens on this EcoCamp extension.

Designed for nature lovers, this program explores Torres del Paine's terrain with an experienced tracker. Discover and photograph stunning landscapes, sunrises, and native flora and fauna. Experience moments of stillness as you observe the park's puma, Patagonia's elusive big cat.

Puma Encounter: face-to-face with the Patagonia puma.

Highlights

Highlights

  • Team up with an expert fauna tracker to catch remarkable moments in nature.

  • Spend a cozy night in one of EcoCamp's Domes.

  • Snap photos of fauna: puma, huemul deer, fox, lesser rhea, and guanaco.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tracking (AM: 5:30-12:00, PM: 16:00-20:30)

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Who's ready to spot some wildlife? After having a briefing with our guide the evening before at EcoCamp, the exploration will begin picking you up from EcoCamp early in the morning to make your way to the observation areas inside Torres del Paine National Park and it's surroundings*.

Here you will search for the pumas in their resting and transit areas as your guide explains puma behavior, as well as other intriguing facts about the local fauna you’ll encounter. Afterward, you will have a break in between both tracking sessions on which you can have lunch. The day ends with a tasty dinner back at the EcoCamp and an overnight stay in one of EcoCamp's Domes.

*Please be aware that pumas, with their elusive nature, can make tracking and observation a challenging adventure at times. While sightings cannot be guaranteed, rest assured that our highly experienced team will employ their extensive skills and knowledge to maximize the chances of witnessing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Overnight at EcoCamp's Domes.

pumas playing

Day 2: Transfer out

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

After breakfast, you will be picked up from EcoCamp for your transfer to Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas or El Calafate.

*Transfer out is only included when booking this Ecocamp Extension along with our Ecocamp programs. For transfer options please contact your Travel Experience Designer.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch.

Guanacos Torres del Paine-1

 

Included

Included

  • English speaking specialist wildlife guide.
  • Maximum group size: 4 people.
  • 1 Night accommodation at an EcoCamp Dome.
  • Meals as indicated: 2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 1 Box Lunch, 2 Dinners.
  • All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary.

Not included

  • Flight tickets and Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee.
  • Transportation between Ecocamp and Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas or El Calafate. (This is included ONLY with EcoCamp programs and not their Extensions, like this one). You need to have a previously hired program at EcoCamp.
  • Mandatory travel insurance and voluntary tipping of guides and staff.
  • Soft drinks/snacks not included at EcoCamp; bring cash for extras or souvenirs.
  • Additional personal items, photography equipment, binoculars (bring your own!).

Accommodation

EcoCamp Patagonia

Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with views of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first sustainable lodge south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants.

EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome
(Heating & Private bathroom, 28m²/300ft²)

Suite Dome - INSIDE - Webp

Suite domes were designed to further our goal of providing comfort in a natural setting with minimal environmental impact, and also maintain the hotel’s familiar and cozy vibe. The domes have comfortable double or twin beds, a wood stove and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.

EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome Loft
(2 floors, Heating & Private bathroom, 37m²/398ft²)

Suite Dome Loft.webp

Suite dome lofts are two-storey domes which fit up to four people and have comfortable double or twin beds both up and downstairs. These domes, ideal for families or groups of friends, come with a wood stove, a private terrace and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet.

EcoCamp Patagonia Superior Dome
(Heating & Private bathroom, 23m²/250ft²)

Superior Dome Interior

Spacious, comfortable and equipped with private bathrooms, Superior Domes are the optimum choice for trekkers wanting that bit more space and comfort at the end of a long day’s walk. Each Superior Dome has comfortable queen-size or twin beds, a propane heater, skylight windows and a private bathroom with a sophisticated composting toilet

EcoCamp Patagonia Standard Dome
(Shared bathroom, 10m²/108ft²)

Standard Dome Twin

EcoCamp Standard domes were the world's first lodge accommodation in geodesic shape. They are resistant to the strong Patagonian winds, and come equipped with two single beds (doubles on request), cozy fleece blankets and feather quilts. There are windows in the ceiling for stargazing. Standard domes include shared bathrooms which are large, comfortable and gender divided.

Facts

Departures

Regular departures are available on request from September to May.

What is an EcoCamp extension?

EcoCamp Extensions are excursions you can book in addition to our regular EcoCamp programs, to enhance your experience in Patagonia. These tours can take place before or after your main program, but we recommend doing them afterward to maximize your arrival experience at EcoCamp with your fellow trekking or Safari group members. Transport in and out of the park is not included as these services are covered by your regular program with EcoCamp. If you wish to book an EcoCamp Extension without any other EcoCamp program please contact us so we can give you a quote.

Minimum age

The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.

Starting / finishing point 

The trip starts at EcoCamp and finishes in either Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales or El Calafate.

Physical demands

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.

Group Size

Minimum 1 & Maximum 6 people.

Transport

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 day, transportation will be in comfortable 4x4 vehicles that can fit up to 4 passengers.
 

Weather

The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and even snow. Even in summer (December to March) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfall. Summer’s average temperature is 11ºC (52ºF), ranging between 2 to 24ºC (35 to 75ºF).

What you need to bring

 

Travelers need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. We recommend the following:
  • A day backpack. (30 liters - to carry a camera, glasses, raincoat, etc).
  • Water-resistant trekking or hiking boots.
  • Extra shoes for evenings or in case others get wet.
  • Waterproof jacket.
  • 2 pairs of wool socks.
  • Fleece jacket or sweater.
  • Shorts or comfortable loose pants.
  • Sun protection. (glasses, hat, lip balm and screen).
  • Cash for buying extra drinks, snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine National Park.
  • Optional: Capilene underwear for the upper and lower body.
Are you wondering about photography equipment? We got you! take a look at our What to bring to Patagonia for Photographers.
 

Itinerary modifications

We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.

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We are a Chilean owned adventure tour operator, based in Santiago de Chile, operating adventure tours in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia.

Destinations | Chile

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