Puma Tracking in Patagonia

Your Patagonian puma tracking adventure starts in Punta Arenas, where you'll be met and driven to your lodge, with its unusual geodesic dome accommodation in a spectacular setting. After meeting your guide and other guests and enjoying lunch together you set out to explore the flora and fauna of Torres del Paine National Park. The scenery is stunning, ranging from grassy plateaus to snow-capped mountains; it's a taste of what's to come.

The precise itinerary varies according to local conditions and is determined by the guides locally, but the day-by-day description given is typical of the areas and activities that are included on this memorable trip. Early starts are the norm, making the most of each day. Depending on the weather and reports from the trackers out in the field, the activities for each day will vary, but there is a general programme which they will endeavour to follow. You'll be accompanied by a wildlife trackers and guides. Together you'll visit some of the well-known landmarks of the park such as Los Cuernos. The lakes, waterfalls and jagged peaks present themselves for photographs. Your afternoon excursion will most likely end at a spot where you can watch the sky change colour as the sun sets over the mountains.

Laguna Amarga is where you will head with the dedicated puma tracking team. The trackers are incredibly knowledgeable about puma and their habits so your chances of finding and observing them are increased. Listen for tell-tale alarm calls from the guanaco or birds of prey circling over a kill. Keep your eyes peeled and you may see a lone male, or, maybe a female with cubs. Then it's back to the lodge, hopefully armed with photographs and memories of your first puma sighting.

Other areas that you can visit on this trip include the Grey Glacier. At 6 kilometres wide, this is an impressive landmark and its vivid blue hue lends itself perfectly to spectacular photographs. Laguna Azul is known for sightings of the Andean fox, and other species you might see are nandu (Darwin's rhea), guanaco and, if you look upwards, the Andean condor can sometimes be seen soaring the thermals.

Your last day is a mirror image of your first. Rise early, and you'll be able to head into the park in search of pumas for one last time. After lunch at the lodge, bid everyone farewell, and you'll be taken back to Punta Arenas for your onward travel.