Join award-winning wildlife photographer Mark Carwardine on an unforgettable journey to track and photograph Patagonia’s most iconic predator, the puma.
Few wildlife experiences are more rewarding than walking alongside a wild puma in the vast landscapes of Patagonia. Over six full days, this dedicated photography tour focuses on tracking these elusive and charismatic big cats, giving us the time and flexibility to make the most of every photographic opportunity.
The landscapes surrounding Torres del Paine support an impressive diversity of wildlife, and are renowned for holding one of the highest densities of pumas anywhere in their range. Expert local trackers help us locate and follow individual cats each day, giving us an excellent chance of spending extended time observing them and building a varied and compelling portfolio of images.
With photographic guidance throughout, we make the most of the light, behaviour and rugged settings of each encounter, from intimate close-up portraits to wider compositions that highlight these majestic big cats within their dramatic Patagonian habitat.
While atmospheric puma photography is our primary focus, they're far from the only highlight. Guanaco, South American grey and culpeo foxes, Andean condors, and many other wildlife add variety to the experience, and we also dedicate a full day to photographing the spectacular peaks and reflections of Torres del Paine. With some of South America’s most charismatic wildlife set against naturally photogenic scenery, this is a specialist photography tour offering exceptional subjects and an unforgettable environment in which to capture them.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK, Fly to Santiago
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Day 2:
Arrive in Santiago
On arrival in Santiago, we're met and transferred to our accommodation, where we can spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the city.
Accommodation: The Singular Hotel Santiago, 1-night
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Day 3:
Fly to Punta Arenas & Transfer to Cerro Castillo
This morning, we head back to Santiago Airport to catch our flight south to Punta Arenas.
After arriving in Punta Arenas, we transfer to our accommodation in Cerro Castillo on the edge of the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. We aim to arrive with time to settle in before enjoying dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Hosteria El Pionero, 8-nights
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Days 4-9
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Puma Tracking & Photography
We spend six full days focused on photographing pumas - Patagonia’s most iconic cat - and, with the support of highly skilled local trackers, we maximise our chances of creating a diverse and cinematic portfolio of images.
Our time is centred on Estancia Laguna Amarga; this private reserve bordering Torres del Paine is renowned for its exceptionally high concentration of pumas, and widely regarded as the premier location in the world for photographing them. Many of the cats here are remarkably relaxed around people, giving us outstanding opportunities for close-range portraits in addition to wider, more atmospheric compositions that place them within their dramatic natural settings.
The estancia also supports large numbers of guanaco, the puma’s principal prey. With many days in the field and luck on our side, we may even witness a hunt, but even without this, the guanaco provide superb photographic subjects in their own right. Between puma encounters, we should enjoy ample chances to capture these striking Patagonian specialists, alongside a variety of other wildlife that add to the experience.
Throughout the tour, Mark Carwardine’s photographic guidance ensures we make the most of every sighting, every shift in light and every backdrop.
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Day 10:
Photography in Torres Del Paine National Park
Today gives us the chance to explore the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park, focusing on photographing some of the region’s other wildlife. We hope for opportunities to capture species such as South American grey fox and Andean condor, among others, and it promises to be an exciting day with the potential for new photographic subjects around every hillside.
Between wildlife encounters, we can also turn our attention to the park’s dramatic scenery. With its towering peaks, sheer granite walls and crystal clear lakes, Torres del Paine offers unforgettable landscape photography and a striking contrast to our puma focused sessions.
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Day 11:
Return to Santiago
This morning, we’re transferred back to Punta Arenas, stopping for any final wildlife sightings we may have en route. From Punta Arenas, we fly back to Santiago and head to our airport hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport, 1-night
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Day 12:
Depart Santiago & Fly to the UK
This morning, we return to the airport to take our flight back to the UK, arriving the following day.
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Day 13:
Arrive UK
Please note: This trip requires participants to have a reasonable level of fitness, as we follow pumas on foot after they've been located by our vehicles. These walks could take a couple of hours and cover approximately three to five kilometres, or potentially longer on rare occasions. For further guidance, please contact our team.
