Pumas in Patagonia
June 13 – 22, 2027
Dates:
June 13 - 22, 2027
Your Pros:
Juan Pons & Jaclyn Merica
Tuition:
$12,995 USD
Location:
Torres del Paine NP, Patagonia
Fitness Level:
Moderate to Strenuous
Availability:
3 Seats Available
Dates:
June 13 - 22, 2027
Your Pros:
Juan Pons & Jaclyn Merica
Tuition:
$12,995 USD
Location:
Torres del Paine NP, Patagonia, Chile
Fitness Level:
Moderate to Strenuous
Availability:
3 Seats Available
Patagonia Draped in Snow
Experience the striking beauty of Patagonia draped in pristine snow while scouting one of the most spectacular and elusive species in the world, the Andean puma. This epic wildlife photography adventure explores the scenic estancias bordering Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia.
The region boasts the highest concentration of pumas in the Americas, and, subsequently, the highest probability of sightings, with an estimated 50 to 100 pumas in the area. These cats have some of the most impressive camouflage we’ve ever encountered, and we believe visiting this time of year provides a great canvas for puma encounters. As the temperatures drop and the falling snow blankets the rolling hills, the cats are easier to spot as they move between the boulders and gullies hunting for their favorite food- the guanaco. Other wildlife we may be fortunate to see are rhea, Andean condors, fox, deer, a variety of birds, and more.
Our extensive trip itinerary offers 4 full days photographing pumas with an expert team of trackers, as well as an outing to photograph Andean condors, 2+ dedicated sunrise outings to an iconic location in Patagonia, visits to stunning glacial lakes and cozy warming huts for traditional Patagonian experiences like maté and alfajores, an optional day tour of glaciers by boat in the shadow of one of the most iconic ridgelines on earth, and much more.
Led by a team of professional outdoor photographers and trusted local guides with extensive experience in the region, this workshop will take you to the most picturesque locations to capture the South American cougar and the diverse ecosystem it explores as its habitat.
Throughout the workshop, you will learn how to compose compelling images, work with the weather and lighting conditions to take full advantage of the environment, and master the technical aspects of photography. Whether you’re a beginner photographer or a seasoned pro, our experienced instructors will provide personalized instruction and guidance to help you improve your skills and take your wildlife and landscape photography to the next level.
This workshop offers in-the-field instruction to best hone in your images and streamline your creative visions, as well as post-workshop image reviews and editing sessions to continue practicing skills and techniques learned on the workshop once you’ve returned home.
Sign up now to be prepared to create lasting memories and stunning photographs that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
We believe in order to truly enjoy your experience, and to receive the most out of an adventure photography workshop, we must maintain small group sizes with a very high ratio of instructors to participants. We’ve limited this workshop to a maximum of 7 participants and 2 instructors so everyone has an optimal view from inside our vehicles, as well as easy loading and unloading when wildlife is spotted from the road.
This is a unique educational excursion, and by capping the group size, despite immense interest, our team ensures everyone gets the attention and one-on-one instruction they need to make once in a lifetime images.
Our workshops are distinctive in that they’re fully inclusive– your tuition cost covers all expenses from the moment you arrive to the moment you depart Patagonia. We provide our guests the best possible accommodations, dining options, and unique educational opportunities in the region.
As workshop leaders, we take your trust in our expertise very seriously. We work in tandem with the respective National Park Service of any photo locations, and always operate under the proper insurance, permits, and certifications.
You will be accompanied by Juan Pons and Jaclyn Merica during this workshop. Juan is an accomplished professional wildlife and travel photographer and photographic educator with a deep passion for the outdoors and conservation. Jaclyn has served as Juan’s assistant for the last 5 years, co-leading outdoor workshops in places like Yellowstone, the Himalayas, Botswana, Madagascar, and more.
Our team believes the best way to teach is by demonstrating, and to this end, we will be shooting alongside you, showing you our technique, and sharing our love and knowledge of the wildlife and landscape. However, our priority is always YOU, and assisting you in capturing your best images possible.
The biggest advantage of having a small group is the flexibility they provide for customizing and adjusting our schedule to accommodate both to the unpredictable weather and the interests of the group as a whole. This allows us to cover only those topics that you are all interested in, including:
• Techniques for creating exciting and captivating wildlife images
• Best use of your equipment
• Post-processing demos to enhance the quality of your images
• Image reviews
Our workshops are fairly intensive experiences, and you should not expect this to be a leisurely vacation. Our goal is to capture the best images we can during our time in this remarkable location. This means there will be days we begin very early and return to our lodging very late. However, we will often have breaks and lunch rest hours.
On this workshop, you will fly into Puerto Natales, Chile (Airport code PNT) and fly out of Punta Arenas, Chile (Airport code PUQ). You should expect to receive important instructions from us to secure your flight reservations 6 months prior to the workshop.
Then, about 2-3 months prior to the workshop, you will start hearing from us on a regular basis. We will provide you with a Workshop Participant Info Packet with all relevant details, as well as go over more info regarding the workshop to get you inspired and thinking about the images you want to capture during the workshop. These provided documents will list all recommended clothing, equipment, and even discounts for gear you may want to acquire for this excursion.
Juan and Jaclyn are always available to answer any questions you may have leading up to the excursion- simply call or email and we can help you as best we can.
Additionally, we will schedule a Zoom meeting 6 – 8 weeks prior to the start of our workshop. There, you can meet your fellow workshop participants, ask any questions before traveling, receive insights and recommendations for reference books, and much more.
Tuition for the 2027 workshop is $12,995.00 USD per person. This cost includes private lodging throughout the trip.
If you would like to reserve your spot on this workshop, you can do so with a $5,995.00 USD deposit. The remaining balance of the workshop fee ($7,000.00 USD) is due 6 months prior to the first day of the workshop.
If you are in need of a special payment arrangement, please reach out and we are happy to work with you.
• All lodging
• All meals
• All private ground transportation
• All snacks and water during daily outings
• Non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop
• All permits, fees, and gratuities
• In-the-field instruction
• Image reviews and post-processing sessions
• Creative inspiration and group camaraderie
• An unforgettable experience
• Air travel to and from Puerto Natales/Punta Arenas, Chile
• Any applicable items of a personal nature, such as laundry services and alcoholic beverages
• Travel, Medical, and Trip Cancellation Insurance (highly recommended)
• Anything else specifically not listed as included
• You are responsible for making your own flight arrangements to and from Patagonia. We will assist you with flight arrival times and departures prior to your booking. Please do not book your flight reservations until you receive explicit instructions from our team.
• Deposit is fully refundable until 6 months prior to the start of the workshop, NO REFUNDS are permitted less than 6 months from the start of the workshop.
• Make sure to check the Terms and Conditions for all my workshops.
We highly recommend Travel Insurance from a reputable insurance company. We have partnered with Squaremouth, a website that allows you to compare multiple travel policies from multiple providers to choose the best one for you based on your needs and costs. Check them out here: https://www.squaremouth.com/
When photographing wildlife and nature, the key is to remain flexible and open to adjustments in order to maximize our daily itinerary as needed to observe the behavior of the wildlife and lighting conditions.
An example workshop itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: June 13, 2027
Arrival into Puerto Natales, Chile
Arrive into the beautiful Puerto Natales (Airport code PNT) at any time during this day. All flights will connect you through Santiago, Chile. Our team has coordinated your private pick-up from the airport to our hotel, or will personally receive you at the airport. All hotel reservations have been made for you starting on this day.
Once the entire group has arrived into Puerto Natales, we will enjoy a welcome group dinner at an amazing local restaurant offering Chilean cuisine and get a good night’s rest in preparation for our adventures to come.
Day 2: June 14, 2027
Venturing to Torres del Paine National Park
After an early breakfast, we depart via private vehicle to Torres del Paine National Park, getting up close to one of the most iconic mountain ranges in Patagonia.
The drive provides plenty of photographic opportunities, and we will be sure to take advantage of them. We’ll be on the lookout for local species like guanaco, southern grey fox, swans, flamingoes, rhea, and Patagonian skunk among many others, all while enjoying our first views of the Southern beech forest.
We check into our local, cozy lodging for a 5 night stay, and finish out the day with a group meal at our lodging.
Day 3 – 6: June 15 – 18, 2027
4 Full Days Tracking Pumas in the Wild
We have organized a very comprehensive schedule of outings scouting for pumas for four full days throughout the estancias of the area; we’ve been granted special access to these private properties and have an excellent relationship with the owners. The area we explore is comprised by the northern coast of Sarmiento Lake, Laguna Amarga and Laguna Azul, and is well known for holding one of the largest concentrations of pumas in the wild.
At dawn, our team of puma trackers patrol wildlife corridors by car and on foot, triangulating where the cats are located each day. Using this information, we will plan our up to 3 mile hikes inside the ranch, where we have flexibility and freedom to walk off-trail, scoping out the best vantage point to observe these cougars. These are moderate walks and the group will walk at a reasonable pace, but a degree of physical fitness is required in order to be able to keep up with the group. You must be able to carry your own gear. The topography is not too demanding, we are only at 100-1,600 feet in elevation, and the hills are not too steep.
Pumas are normally quite active at night, early in the mornings, and late in the evenings. Our activities will gravitate around these preferred times by cats, when they are expected to be patrolling their territory, hunting guanacos and other prey, interacting with their offspring, or commuting from their hunting grounds to their dens. We will have two sessions each day, a morning session and an evening session. During the middle of the day, we will not search for pumas in order to avoid disturbance at a critical time, when they are resting, sleeping after a long night hunting. Normally, and depending on the light and condition of the day, we can continue photographing other wildlife in the park, or take some time to rest, charge batteries, download images, and get ready for the evening puma session.
Estancia Laguna Amarga’s model is very efficient in preventing overlapping among different groups of puma enthusiasts, as they limit the number of visitors on a daily basis. We will investigate our own designated areas of the ranch (which will shift every day) and concentrate on individual pumas.
Not only are there amazing wildlife opportunities, but also awesome landscape opportunities. Throughout the day, the granite rockfaces create stunning scenes, and we will make a few stops to take in the beauty.
Instructors and coordinators have packed lunches, snacks, and drinks for any days spent out in the field. Later in the evening, the group will enjoy dinner back at our hotel or inside the park as we track the cougars.
Day 7: June 19, 2027
Exploring A New Area Of The National Park
On Day 7, we set out on a pre-dawn drive to the stunning Lake Pehoe at sunrise (weather dependent). This iconic lakeside viewpoint will be our sunrise location. With luck, the Patagonian winds have calmed in the stillness of winter, offering a reflection of Los Cuernos Del Paine (The Horns) off the blue water.
We will spend our entire day experiencing the raw beauty of this new landscape, which is much cooler and wetter than the arid eastern estancias we’ve spent 5 days in. The region is truly stunning, with magnificent waterfalls and peaceful forests. We will search for owls and other birds during the day.
In the evening, we will check in to our new lodging in a different region of the park, and on the shores of Lago Grey.
Day 8: June 20, 2027
Witnessing Lake Pehoe At Sunrise
On Day 8, we head out early to Lake Pehoe for another sunrise session. We then have the option of a few different hikes, vistas, and other final locations in the national park, or clients can opt to enjoy relaxation time at basecamp with Pisco sours by the fire and amazing conversation with our hosts.
Day 9: June 21, 2027
Journey South To Andean Condors & Punta Arenas
On Day 9, and our final full day together, we have the option to return to Lake Pehoe at first light for one final sunrise attempt. Clients can work on any final creative compositions of the trip.
Mid-morning, we load up our vehicles and drive toward Punta Arenas, our last stop on the trip. Along the way, we will visit the most accessible location in the world to spot and photograph the world’s heaviest flying creature: the famous and majestic Andean Condor.
The ranch we patron protects, researches, and showcases a population of 100 Andean Condors that soar, socialize, and sleep at a 20-meter-tall, vertical rock face that itself is embedded in a steep, 200-meter-high (700-foot-high) hill.
We’ll enjoy one final dinner together in Punta Arenas, with lasting memories and newfound friendships formed during our time together.
Day 10: June 22, 2027
Departure Home
On Day 10, after breakfast in Punta Arenas, guests transfer to the airport (Airport code PUQ) and make their way back home.
