Travel, experience, conserve with
Phone:
Jump to main menu

Explore Torres del Paine and Patagonia with wildlife photographer Nick Garbutt in the austral winter for ample opportunities to capture images of puma, Andean condor and unsurpassable landscapes.

Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Cloud lenticular in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Puma in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Patagonian hog-nosed skunk in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.

Torres del Paine is quite simply the best place in the world to see puma. This is a big cat experience like no other because it is so intimate: you see pumas almost as if you are a puma yourself. Here, pumas are tracked on foot. You are in their habitat. You are part of their environment. And when you watch and photograph one, you do so on equal terms. It is an exquisite, visceral thrill beyond compare.

Combine the puma photography with some of the finest landscapes that offer no end of photographic inspiration and a variety of other species including guanaco, Andean condor, Patagonian hog-nosed skunk and Andean grey foxes, and you have a wonderful destination for a photography. This puma photography tour has been carefully designed to maximise opportunities for photographing the superb wildlife and the beautiful scenery.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Depart UK

    Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Santiago, continuing to Punta Arenas in southern Chile.

  2. Day 2: Arrive in Punta Arenas

    On arrival in Punta Arenas, we transfer to our accommodation in city where we spend the night.

    Accommodation: Hotel Boutique Le Yegua Loca, 1-night

  3. Day 3: Visit Estancia Olga Teresa & continue to Torres del Paine

    Today we begin driving northward to Puerto Natales and then onto Cerro Castillo near Torres del Paine National Park, passing through areas of southern beech forest en route looking for guanaco and southern grey fox.

    Accommodation: Estancia El Ovejero, 8-nights

  4. Days 4-10 : Puma tracking & wildlife photography in Torres del Paine

    We spend the next seven days exploring Torres del Paine and the surrounding estancias (which we have special access to) in search of pumas and other Patagonian wildlife.

    These areas are rather reminiscent of rolling Scottish moorlands and also support large populations of guanacos, the pumas’ main prey.  Pumas may be encountered hunting, especially around dawn and dusk, but can be seen at any time. The puma populations in these areas are considerable, and while some individuals are shy and skittish, many are tolerant and reasonably approachable.

    We engage an expert local guide and a specialist tracker to maximise our chances of finding and photographing these sublime felines. Furthermore, the areas we visit are also likely to offer a chance of seeing and photographing other iconic species, like the Andean condor, guanacos, Andean grey foxes and perhaps the Patagonian hog-nosed skunk.   

  5. Days 11-12 : Landscape photography in Torres del Paine

    The opportunities for stunning landscape photography are also abound in Torres del Paine, so for the next two days we change locations in a move towards the park's interior so as to base ourselves in the prime areas to view the stunning massif. The glowing light around dawn and dusk can be spectacular. This is also an area that is regularly very windy, which often results in the formation of numerous lenticular clouds that further augment these opportunities.

    Accommodation: Hotel Lago Grey, 2-nights

  6. Day 13: Return to Punta Arenas via Estancia Olga Teresa & fly to Santiago

    We leave Torres del Paine in the morning to drive back to Punta Arenas, where we catch a domestic flight back to Santiago and spend the night there in a hotel close to the airport.

    Accommodation: Holiday Inn Santiago Airport, 1-night

  7. Day 14: Departure

    Today, we transfer the short distance back to the airport to check-in for our return flights back to the UK.

  8. Day 15: Arrive UK

Key info

  • Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 16 days from £14,995 pp
  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 14 days from £13,995 pp
  • Single supplement: From £850
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • Group Size: 5–8
  • Group Departures:
    Make a booking request or enquire:
    1. , Full Enquire
    2. , Full Enquire

      3. We are currently finalising future dates for this tour. Please contact us for further details.

    3. View All Departure Details
  • Included in the price/package:
    • 2 nights hotel in Punta Arenas
    • 11 nights accommodation in Torres del Paine
    • Most meals
    • Transfers
    • Photographic tuition & services of Nick Garbutt
    • Services of local guide(s) and tracker(s)
    • Park fees
    • Conservation fund contribution

Departures

Choose your preferred departure date below, then make a booking request, or enquire if you would like to ask us a question.

Departure date Group size Duration & price from Single supplement Tour leader(s) Tour status
26 Jun 2027 5–8 16 days: £14,995 (inc. flights) £850 Nick Garbutt Full
** ** Full: If your preferred holiday is full we can add you to our waitlist, or we may be able to offer you a private departure or tailor a holiday to suit your requirements, please contact us for more details
Enquire
1 Jul 2028 5–8 16 days: £16,395 (inc. flights) £950 Nick Garbutt Full
** ** Full: If your preferred holiday is full we can add you to our waitlist, or we may be able to offer you a private departure or tailor a holiday to suit your requirements, please contact us for more details
Enquire

* Sharing: We offer single travellers the option to share with another passenger to avoid single room supplements. M/F indicates male or female share
** Full: If your preferred holiday date is full we can add you to our waitlist, or we may be able to offer you a private departure or tailor a holiday to suit your requirements, please contact us for more details

If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for, please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to tailor a holiday for you according to your own requirements.

Expert leader

Nick Garbutt

Photo of Nick Garbutt

An award-winning photographer and author, with a background in zoology, Nick has forged a career by combining these skills with leading tours and lecturing.

Nick has written and photographed several critically acclaimed books, including: ‘100 Animals to See Before They Die’, ‘Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide’, ‘Wild Borneo’, and ‘Chameleons’. He is a regular contributor to international magazines such as National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Africa Geographic and Geographical.

Nick has twice been a winner in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. In 2000, he won the prestigious Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife. His photographs appear widely in books, calendars and other publications worldwide. He is a Special Lecturer on the MSc course in the Wildlife Photography and Imaging at Nottingham University, where he studied.

View all tours led by Nick

Featured location:

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park

Chilean Patagonia’s premier attraction is a scenic mix of craggy peaks, glacial lakes, icefields and green valleys – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The omnipresent Paine Massif, a magnificent set of rocky spires formed from granite and sedimentary rock, dominates the landscape. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: Magallanes Region
  • Ideal for viewing: Andean condor, South American grey fox, guanaco, puma, South Andean deer
  • Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Puma watching, Rare mammal watching
This trip can be combined with the following extensions:

Santiago City Extension

Discover Santiago, Chile's capital city, a perfect place to enjoy historic architecture combined with contemporary culture, all set against the backdrop of the Andes mountain range. Explore at your own pace or venture beyond the city to experience renowned wine regions or the colourful Pacific coast. Find out more about Santiago City Extension

  • Price (exc. flights): 4 days from £690
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Extension Idea

Easter Island Discovery

This extended, in-depth extension offers a chance to discover the mystery and rugged beauty of Easter Island. Explore the ancient Moai statues, dramatic volcanic landscapes, turquoise beaches, and unique culture of one of the world’s most remote and fascinating destinations. Find out more about Easter Island Discovery

  • Price (exc. flights): 8 days from £1,850
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Extension Idea
Featured accommodation:

Hotel Lago Grey

Hotel Lago Grey

Located on the shores of Lago Grey, this beautifully positioned hotel offers comfortable en suite rooms in a spectacular setting, with excellent views of the park's famous massif and Glacier Grey. The onsite restaurant and bar provide delicious meals and drinks, in a cosy environment with views of the lake. Find Out More about Hotel Lago Grey

Sign Up For E-News

Sign up to get the latest on our holidays, offers and events. We generally send two to three e-newsletters per month.

View a recent e-news
Screenshot of the header area of a recent Wildlife Worldwide e-newsletter.
Sign up for our e-news

Follow us

Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards: Bronze - Favourite Tour Operator for Nature & Wildlife 2024

Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards
Awarded Bronze in Best Travel Company for Wildlife & Nature Holidays 2024

Why us?

Travel

Experience

Conserve

Discover our other holiday experiences

Families Worldwide
Adventure holidays and activity experiences designed for families
Dive Worldwide
Iconic liveaboard and resort based diving adventures
Regal Dive
Worldwide and Red Sea diving holiday specialists
Walks Worldwide
Guided small group and tailor-made walking and trekking holidays
The Travelling Naturalist
Expert led wildlife and birding holidays for small groups of naturalists

Your financial protection is guaranteed by ABTOT and ATOL (number 10544) when you book with us.