Offering sole access to one of South America’s most thrilling and visceral wildlife experiences, Laguna Amarga is a private estancia hemmed in on three sides by world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. The estancia’s 17,000 acres of mountains, colourful lakes and steppe grassland, set against the majestic backdrop of Paine’s three towers, are home to some of the continent’s densest concentrations of puma, attracted by thousands of wild guanaco, the pumas’ preferred prey.
"To see a female puma and her cubs resting against a majestic mountain backdrop and big sky is one of South America’s most magical wildlife spectacles."
The puma programme at Laguna Amarga is carefully and safely managed under the guidance of the international wild cat conservation group Panthera. Heading out in a vehicle with your guide, who will be in radio contact with a tracker, you’ll be driven close to a sighting location before continuing off-trail on foot, aided by binoculars and spotting scopes. The pumas are well habituated, and if you move carefully and quietly, you can usually approach to within 50 metres. Sometimes the cats are inquisitive and will approach even closer.
Days typically start early and end late, with a rest during the middle of the day. At these times the puma are most active, patrolling their territory, hunting guanaco, interacting with their offspring or moving between hunting grounds and den. Downtimes allow for rest, a hot lunch to be served in the field and the chance to look for other wildlife. Additional days in the area will allow you to go on hikes and horseback rides, search for fossils or explore the glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Icecap.
While pumas may be observed year-round, the longer daylight hours and milder temperatures of the southern summer make viewing conditions more appealing. Come between February and April, and you’ll have the opportunity to see cubs out with their mothers. To see a female puma and her cubs resting against a majestic mountain backdrop and big sky is one of South America’s most magical wildlife spectacles (and photographic opportunities).
