Pricing:
$9,250 per person sharing
Single Supplement: $1,250
Trip Dates:
March 14-23, 2025
Trip Length:
9 nights / 10 days
Trip Details:
The mountain lion/cougar (Puma concolor) is the Americas’ ultimate cat, ranging from the Yukon in the North all the way down to the Southern Andes near the end of the South American continent. Seldom seen in most of its range, this cat is known for its ghost-like qualities.
Uniquely, far down in the Patagonia region of Chile where the great cat is known as a puma, there is a large population that has become visible. Hunting was banned here and the puma found sanctuary in the stunning Torres del Paine National Park. Over generations, sightings increased until reaching a point of becoming very reliable. There can be no guarantee of finding such wide-ranging and elusive cats, but a small handful of expert trackers have mastered the craft and are now finding puma almost daily. A flourishing prey base of guanaco, a llama-like creature, draw puma down the mountains into visible areas. Not only do guanaco attract pumas, but they also call them out, with distinctive alarm calls that are easily picked up by the alert trackers who can then guide us in to view pumas – one of the most exceptional and surprising wildlife viewing opportunities on the planet.
Beyond puma and guanaco, some other wonderful species are also sometimes seen and very relaxed, including hog-nosed skunk, hairy armadillo, Culepo fox, and huemul (a rare deer species).
As a mission-driven safari operator, we used our wildlife biologist expertise to develop an exemplary puma-tracking itinerary led by top guides and trackers. Our 10-day Chile itinerary is dedicated to seeking pumas, observing the Andes’ diversity of life, and delighting in the mountains’ unparalleled views.
View Full Safari Itinerary:
This trip is led by our Director of Conservation, Brooke Mitchell, who is also a conservation biologist and big cat specialist. Together with our Chilean puma-tracking team, we are pleased to offer you this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to potentially see one of the world’s most elusive big cat species.