Patagonia Puma Quest
April 19-24, 2026
Chile’s Southern Patagonia is often called the last frontier of the Americas — a dramatic land of wind, wilderness, and sweeping landscapes. April, when autumn colors set Torres del Paine ablaze, is one of the best times of year to be here. The season’s crisp light and golden hues make for spectacular photography and create prime conditions for wildlife viewing.
At the heart of this expedition are Patagonia’s most iconic residents — pumas. We’ll dedicate three full days to tracking these elusive cats in prime habitat. Here, in one of the few places on Earth where pumas thrive in high numbers, our chances of observing their behavior are unmatched. Guanacos, the cats’ preferred prey, roam the open steppe, while condors soar overhead. Get ready for autumn magic in Patagonia!
CONSERVATION IMPACT
Rewilding Chile is a nonprofit committed to the conservation and restoration of Chilean Patagonia’s ecosystems. Building on the legacy of Douglas and Kristine Tompkins, the organization works to protect biodiversity, combat climate change, and support thriving wild landscapes. Since the early 1990s, Rewilding Chile has focused on rewilding initiatives, the creation of national and marine parks, and community-based conservation efforts along the Route of Parks. A conservation donation to support Rewilding Chile’s mission will be made on behalf of all trip participants.
Matias Ballerina, Originally from Santiago, capital city of Chile, Matías came to live and work in South Patagonia 12 years ago. Ever since he was a young boy he has been a nature enthusiast. He worked for 6 years at El Colorado, a ski resort nestled in the heart of the central Chilean Andes, where he was in charge of the designing and developing the terrain park. In 2004 he decided to move south and settle in Punta Arenas , where he can work as a guide while still enjoying nature and the outdoors, as well as working on his skills as a birder, after developing an avid interest in birdwatching. He has had the privilege of visiting King George Island in Antarctica, guiding touristic flights and excursions to that remote island, part of the South Shetlands. Between 2008 and 2013 he worked with an American company as a local guide and program director in Buenos Aires, Brazil and the Chilean Lake District, as well as both Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia.
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Sun, April 19): Arrival to Punta Arenas
Afternoon arrival to Punta Arenas where we’ll meet our local guide and begin our Patagonian adventure in this European-style city on the shores of the Strait of Magellan. This evening, get to know fellow travelers during our Welcome Dinner and trip briefing. Suggested arrival time: 3 pm or earlier.
Accommodations: Hotel Almasur
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 (Mon, April 20): Punta Arenas to Cerro Castillo
After a relaxed morning in Punta Arenas, we’ll set out toward Cerro Castillo, a small Patagonian town framed by dramatic landscapes and open steppe. En route, keep an eye out for wildlife and sweeping vistas that signal the start of our time in the wild.
Accommodations: Hotel Ovejero Patagónico
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We’ll depart at dawn to be among the first visitors entering Torres del Paine, maximizing our chances to spot wildlife during the early hours when pumas are most active. Guided by our expert puma tracker, we’ll visit known hunting grounds while also taking in the park’s iconic jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and open grasslands. We’ll spend the entire day in the field, making the most of Patagonia’s incredible biodiversity.
Accommodations: Hotel Ovejero Patagónico
Meals: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, and Dinner
Days 4–5 (Wed, April 22 – Thurs, April 23): Puma Tracking on a Private Estancia
Spend two full days exploring a private estancia bordering Torres del Paine, one of the best places in the world to encounter wild pumas. With special access and our expert tracker, we’ll venture into sweeping Patagonian landscapes in search of these elusive cats. Along the way, expect sightings of guanacos, condors, foxes, and more — all part of the intricate web that sustains Patagonia’s apex predator. This experience offers an unparalleled connection to the untamed heart of Patagonia.
Accommodations: Hotel Ovejero Patagónico
Meals: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, and Dinner
We’ll depart early and journey back toward Punta Arenas, stopping en route at a spectacular cliffside roost for Andean condors. Watching dozens — sometimes hundreds — of these massive birds take advantage of thermal currents is an awe-inspiring sight. We’ll arrive back in Punta Arenas in time for our Farewell Dinner, where we’ll share highlights from our Patagonian adventure. Suggested departure: 10 pm or later. Additional nights in Punta Arenas can be arranged if desired.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DETAILS
Price: $6000* per person based on two people sharing double occupancy accommodations. If you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations, add $195**.
Includes: accommodations; all meals starting with dinner on Day 1 through dinner on Day 6; private ground transportation; Expedition Leader; daily guided wildlife viewing; 3 days with puma tracker – 1 at Torres del Paine and 2 at the estancia; and entrance fees. A donation to support local conservation efforts will be made on behalf of all participants.
Excludes: flights; passport/visa fees; mandatory travel insurance policy with emergency medical evacuation benefit; pre- and post- hotel stays; gratuities; activities not listed; personal expenses.
*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees, if applicable will be assessed at time of payment.
**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a double occupancy room, but we aren’t able to find a suitable roommate for you, the private room surcharge will apply.
Level of Difficulty – Moderate: Our puma tracker will patrol puma corridors by vehicle and on foot. Based on this information, we’ll plan short hikes of up to 2–3 miles. Inside the national park, we must stay on designated roads or trails. At the estancia, we’ll have the flexibility to walk off-trail in search of pumas. These are moderate walks requiring a basic level of fitness to keep up with the group. Terrain is generally not too demanding, with elevations typically below 1,000 ft, though some elevation gains are possible when tracking pumas. Weather conditions can also make outings feel more challenging.
Pumas are most active at night, dawn, and dusk, so our days will center on searching for them during these peak times. If we spend time in the field midday, our focus will shift to other wildlife encounters to minimize disturbance to resting cats.