We often get repeated questions about the puma-watching activity, especially about when is the best time, when to see cubs, and what to bring. We have collected the most commun questions in this blog post, and hopefully it can help to get a better understanding of the activity.
General information
This is some general information about the activity, and the work of our guides and trackers.
Languages spoken by the guides:
English and Spanish
Maximum and minimum age:
There is a minimum age of 18 years. No exceptions. There is no maximum age, but the person needs to be in good health.
Physical conditions:
Unfortunately, we cannot offer our tour for people with mobility issues or mobility disabilities for safety reasons. There can be situations where we have to walk in uneven areas, and it is therefore a requirement that the participants can walk without any difficulties. Depending on the situation, there can be times when the puma is moving, and we have to walk up to 3 km. If the guest doesn’t walk much, they need to be informed that the sightings might be limited.
Transportation:
We have 3 vehicles:
Toyota Hi-Lux 2018, and 2019, 4x4, for a maximum of 3 guests.
Bukhanka, a rustic van for up to 5 guests
Duration of the activities:
The observation time of a puma is a maximum of 3,5 hours in the morning and 3,5 hours in the afternoon. Then there is the searching and transportation time. It is important to know, that the puma is a wild animal, and sometimes it takes a lot of time to find them. This is why we have a puma-tracker that starts the searching earlier to get the most out of the day.
In summer, the search starts with the sunrise hour, around 4.40 and 5.00 am, when the pumas are active and moving. At noon, we will return to give the pumas time to be alone and to have lunch and sleep. In the afternoon, around 4.30 pm, we will start searching for pumas again. Late afternoon and sunset is when the puma starts being active again.
In winter, the days are shorter (sunrise between 9 and 10 am and sunset around 5 and 6 pm) and we will therefore adjust the searching time according to the time of sunrise and sunset. In July, with only 8 hours of light, we will usually stay in the field all day, but not be with the same puma for more than 3 hours.
Puma-watching guide:
We are using guides that are experienced in puma-watching and know the property. They can identify many of the pumas that are living and roaming in this area, and by being able to identify the pumas, they know how to behave around them and how to approach them. This is a big advantage to get the most out of the experience for our guests without stressing the puma. The guide has the final word when it comes to decision-making in different situations like safety, position, and distance.
Puma Tracker:
For all our puma tours, a puma tracker is required. A puma tracker is a person that knows the area we are operating in and is an expert in finding and identifying pumas. The puma tracker will start the day earlier to search the area for puma, informing the guide if he or she finds pumas. This way, we get the most out of the day and the passengers have higher chances of seeing one or more pumas. The area is big, and the pumas are moving a lot and are hard to see, so this is why it is necessary with a puma tracker.
Puma watching guarantees:
The pumas live freely without any fences, and we do not track them with GPS or camera traps. Every day, we start the search from 0, both AM and PM. This is why we do not guarantee sightings, but with a minimum of 3 days, there are high chances of seeing one or more individuals. Each month and season are very defined, and the daylight hours are long during the summer months (up to 17 hours) and short during winter (8 hours), so the schedule depends on which month you choose.
From how far will you be able to see the pumas:
It depends on where the puma is located and whether it is a puma that is more habituated. We have a minimum distance of 50 meters to respect the space of the puma. Each puma is different, so the guide and/or tracker will identify the puma and evaluate how to approach it, the time of observation, and the distance. Sometimes they can be inside rocks, or places where they are difficult to see or approach. We do not interfere with them, and in these situations, we either leave the puma or wait. This is why we recommend photographers have a lens of a minimum of 400 mm or bring binoculars.
Maximum and minimum of guests:
There is no minimum. There is a maximum of 6 people +1 TC for tolerant pumas. If not tolerant, there is a maximum of 10 people, including TC. If the group is big, the guests must take turns at the sighting to respect the maximum number. The guide and tracker will coordinate the sightings together with other groups. Bigger groups are accepted, but not recommended. Bigger groups requiere even more precaution, distance to the pumas, and rotations.
Trip leader:
The trip leader is responsible of the group, but only the authorized guides and trackers can take the final decisions about approach, distance and time spent in the field and with the puma. Unless the Trip leader is authorized to work inside Ea. Laguna Amarga, he or she also pays a daily entrance fee. Only authorized guides and trackers do not pay the entrance fee.
Tax exemption for internationals:
The tax exemtion only applies for accommodation, not for activities. Leona Amarga sells activities, not accommodation. The accommodation in the all-inclusive programs is part of the activity and everybody, nationals as internationals, pay the 19 % taxfor the activity.
Payment method:
We only accept bank transfers. For nationals, the payment has to be in CLP, and for nationals the payment has to be in USD.
Best time to see pumas, cubs and puma in snow
Best time of the year to see pumas:
Pumas do not immigrate, they have their fixed territory all year round. The seasons in Patagonia are very well marked, but in broad terms, we explain that the summer months are dominated by long days, warmer weather, and very strong wind, and winter is dominated by short days, cold weather, ice, and less wind.
The best time is a subjective opinion, but there are some main differences each month.
High season months for puma-watching:
The high-season months for puma-watching is when most people come to see pumas and require bookings with anticipation. These months you will likely see more groups in the field, and there will be more restrictions on how many people on each sighting, and more rotations of search areas.
These months are October, November (spring) March and April (autumn).
October is a month with very changing weather, and often days with strong wind. October and November are when you start to see flowers blossom and the offspring of the wildlife. In November, you will start to see the first baby guanacos (chulengos) appear, an easy target for the puma.
March and April is considered shoulder season for general tourism, but each year, March and April are becoming more and more visited. The autumn colors are beautiful, but the weather in these months can also be very unpredictable: beautiful sunny days to days with heavy rain or wind.
Semi low season for puma-watcing:
December, January, and February: Summer months in Patagonia and high season months for tourism in general. These months have the longest daylight hours, and you will usually have to get up between 4 and 5 in the morning, depending on where you accommodate. Then the search stops around 10 am, and you will return to the field between 4 and 5 pm. The light for photography in these months can be quite strong. The long days, the strong light and wind make these months less attractive for puma-watching, but since it is high season for the general tourism, people who combine various touristic activities, and not only puma-watching, prefer these months.
Low season months for puma-watching:
May, June, July, August, and September: Usually the winter months are low-season for both the general tourism and puma-watching. It has to be mentioned that we do see changes, that more people come in May and July. In the winter months, less hotels are open, and sometimes the weather can be an issue with frozen roads, so-called "black ice".
June and July are also the months with the shortest daylight hour, and you will usually spend most of the day in the field since sunrise starts between 9 and 10 am and sunrise starts around 4-5 pm. These months can be harsh weather-vise. Snow, strong wind, and low temperatures require preparation, and also patience in case the snow is heavy and getting through to the ranch can become difficult.
Best time of the year to see small cubs:
To see the small cubs, we recommend March, April, and May. These are autumn months and the colors are incredible. These months are also high-season months for puma-watching, so they require booking with anticipation. The puma mom usually spends 2 years with her cubs, so at other times of the year, you will also see moms with cubs, but they will be bigger.
For the national park, these months are shoulder season and low season, so there are usually fewer people transiting inside the park, and it's easier to find accommodation.
Best time of the year to see pumas in the snow
The coldest months in Patagonia are between May and September. The weather changes a lot here, and we can have snow for some days, or even just some hours, and then it disappears again. Sometimes the snow is heavy and stays for week, even during the months of spring and autumn. There is the biggest chance of snow in July, but no guarantee.
About our all-inclusive programs
We offer private all-inclusive programs where we organize everything from logistics from and to the airport, accommodation, meals, and the activities. In the menu, you can find more information about each program.
Private programs:
All our all-inclusive programs are private, but there is no exclusivity of the estancia, meaning there might be other groups inside the ranch, and maybe you share a sighting with another group.
Recommendations of days:
To have a high chance of seeing the puma, the minimum stay is 3N4D, our minimum stay for our all-inclusive programs. This gives you 3 days in the field. The more days, the higher the chance to see pumas and a variety of pumas in different locations.
Our most popular program is our "Super Puma Safari", a 6 nights/7 days all-inclusive program, but we have 4 other programs with a minimum of 3 nights, all-inclusive.
Included in the all-inclusive programs:
- Local guide
- puma-tracker
- Entrance to our private reserve
- Transportation within the property
- Lodging at the headquarters of Leona Amarga Expeditions (for a maximum of 2 people) or a nearby hotel if more than 2 people.
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks)
- Transfer from Punta Arenas airport or Puerto Natales airport to Leona Amarga Expedition
What is not included:
- Air tickets,
- Travel insurance,
- Laundry,
- Telephone calls,
- Tipping,
- Alcoholic beverage
- Unscheduled meals
Accommodation:
In the all-inclusive program, we offer accommodation nearby the property. Because of its location, it is easier to manage all logistics during the tour. Furthermore, it is located very close to "Pumaland", the area where we operate during the day, looking for pumas. For a maximum of 2 people, we offer private accommodation at our property, the headquarters of Leona Amarga Expeditions.
Another option is to stay at a hotel in Cerro Castillo village, located approximately 60 km from the estancia. It is a 40-min drive to “Pumaland”. If the guests stay there, we just have to incorporate the extra transportation time - they will have to get up a bit earlier in the morning, etc. The guide will stay with the guest in the same hotel or property but in a separate room.
Recommendation of what to bring:
Recommendations of equipment:
There is a minimum distance of 50 meters, and we, therefore, recommend a large lens from 400 mm and up. For Canon cameras, we recommend a 100-400 mm lens, and for Nikon a 200-500 mm F.6. For Sony, we recommend a 100-400 mm lens or a 200-600 f/5.6-6.3. Also, we recommend a tripod or monopod.
If you do not have camera equipment, we recommend bringing good binoculars.
What to pack (clothes etc.):
The weather in Patagonia can be harsh, and sometimes we will be standing for hours, without moving, in the same spot, without any shelter or protection from the weather. Bring warm basement layers, a warm jacket, a waterproof jacket, and pants. Hat, gloves, trekking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen (minimum 50), water bottle, and a day pack.
If you have difficulties walking or standing for a long time, we recommend to bring a small camping chair and a trekking pole.
Use of drone:
The use of drones is permitted, but only for landscape recordings and only while it is not interfering with or bothering the fauna. It is not permittet around the puma. You need to have a drone pilot license and permission from DGAC to fly a drone inside the property.
Photo credits: Eduardo Hernandez