Argentine Desert
March 8 – 13, 2026
2 Spots Left
Patagonia Pumas
2 Spots Left
At a Glance
Location
Chile
Tuition
$16,995
Dates
March 24 – April 2, 2027
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 7 Guests
Collections
- Signature Collection
Patagonia Pumas Photography Workshop
Photograph Wild Pumas and Dramatic Mountain Landscapes
March 24 – April 2, 2027
- Exclusive access to photograph pumas on a private ranch
- Capture landscapes of Patagoina in the fall season
- All wildlife is un-baited and in its natural environment
Few places in the world offer the combination of wildlife and dramatic scenery found in Chilean Patagonia. In Torres del Paine National Park, sharp granite peaks tower over sweeping grasslands, glacial lakes, and the perfect terrain for photographing South America’s apex predator: the wild puma.
This workshop is designed to give you both rare wildlife encounters and time to slow down and compose Patagonia’s vast, textured landscapes. You’ll spend multiple days tracking and photographing pumas with expert local trackers who intimately know the terrain and the animals. Mornings and evenings are reserved for the best light—golden-hour portraits of pumas on the move, guanacos silhouetted against the mountains, and sweeping views of the Paine Massif catching the day’s first or last light.
Our second base offers a different perspective, with broader views across lakes, glaciers, and valleys. You’ll refine your landscape techniques here—working with filters, long exposures, and focus stacking to maximize detail and atmosphere in your images. Throughout the trip, you’ll also practice rapid adjustments in the field, adapting to Patagonia’s famously fast-changing weather and light.
Hands-on instruction is core to this workshop. We’ll help you anticipate behavior, adjust to light conditions, and create strong compositions, whether you’re photographing tight wildlife portraits or layered mountain scenes. Daily image reviews give you the chance to refine your work and walk away with a well-rounded portfolio that showcases the full story of your time in Patagonia.
Your Pros
Itinerary
About the wildlife: This workshop offers significant opportunities for photographing wildlife, and while we do our best to maximize our wildlife encounters—based on past experiences, local knowledge, and the current conditions—we need to impress upon you that the wildlife really is wild and that we don’t control it.
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
March 24, 2027: Arrival in El Calafate, Welcome Dinner, Adventure Prep
Arrive in El Calafate (FTE), Argentina, and have a group meet and greet at our hotel. Dinner and last-minute preparations for our adventure ahead.
March 25, 2027: Scenic Drive to Chile, Torres del Paine Lodging, Meet Guides
Today, we’ll make the scenic drive from El Calafate, Argentina, to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. We’ll check into our lodging, where we’ll be for the following five nights. Everyone will meet our local Chilean guides and prepare for the next day, where we will head to a private ranch to locate and photograph the pumas. After a great dinner, everyone will have the opportunity to catch up on a good night’s sleep.
March 26–30, 2027: Daily Puma Tracking, Private Jeeps, Photography Workshops
Each day, we’ll venture out in our private jeeps for the day to photograph the pumas. Depending on the conditions, we’ll spend anywhere from one to five hours in the field at a time, fully immersed in the experience.
To enhance your skills, we’ll hold image reviews at our hotel, allowing everyone to gain insights into the techniques needed to capture stunning wildlife images. These discussions will help you refine your approach and elevate your photography throughout this incredible Patagonia adventure.
March 31 – April 1, 2027: Shift to Landscape Focus, Torres del Paine Exploration, Glacier Tours
On this morning, we’ll take a short drive to our new hotel within the Torres del Paine National Park, allowing us to focus more on landscape photography and explore a fresh variety of views and compositions featuring the steep glaciated mountains above lakes and rivers in sunrise and sunset light.
During our stay, we’ll tour a large lake adjacent to a stunning glacier, providing perfect opportunities to capture the serene beauty of the surroundings. We’ll also drive through picturesque mountain roads, where you can photograph grazing guanacos against breathtaking vistas. This shift in location will not only enrich your portfolio but also deepen your appreciation for the diverse landscapes of Patagonia, making for an unforgettable photographic adventure.
After our last sunrise shoot, we’ll pack up and make our way back to Punta Arenas for our final night.
April 2, 2027: Departure Day, Transfer to Punta Arenas, Final Goodbye
Transfer to PUQ airport for flights home anytime.
This Wildlife Photography Experience
Puma density: Conservation efforts, a protected status in the national park, and a plentiful population of guanacos (the pumas' primary prey) have created the highest concentration of wild pumas on Earth in and around Torres del Paine. This makes puma sightings highly probable.
Private ranches (estancias): While pumas are found within Torres del Paine National Park, you will be photographing them on adjacent private lands. This can provide better access and a more intimate experience. You will be with local trackers to locate pumas in the early morning and late afternoon when they are most active.
Trackers and guides: Experienced puma trackers and guides are essential for a successful photography trip. They use their knowledge of the area and the cats' behavior to anticipate movements and position you in the best locations, often on foot.
Habituated animals: The pumas on these private lands are often habituated to the presence of human observers, allowing photographers to get relatively close (sometimes within 30 meters) without disturbing the animals' natural behaviors.
Variety of photographic subjects: Besides pumas, you will also capture images of other Patagonian wildlife, including guanacos, foxes, condors, and rheas, all set against the stunning landscapes
Fitness
Moderate: Walks up to 2 miles.
Flights
Arrive at Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE), El Calafate, Santa Cruz before 3:00 PM on March 24, 2027. Depart at Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ), Punta Arenas, Chile anytime on April 2, 2027. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Scheduled airport transfers.
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $1,500 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to El Calafate, Santa Cruz and from Punta Arenas, Chile.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $1,500 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $7,495 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $6,000 is due by July 1, 2026.
- The balance is due not later than November 1, 2026.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll have the opportunity to photograph a variety of wildlife, including pumas, guanacos, foxes, condors, and rheas, all set against the stunning landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park.
You'll practice techniques such as tracking wildlife, working with golden-hour light, and composing both wildlife portraits and expansive landscapes. You'll also refine skills like using filters, long exposures, and focus stacking to capture detailed and atmospheric images.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. You can receive a full refund if you cancel more than 150 days before the start date. For cancellations between 150 and 91 days, you'll receive a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition. Between 90 and 61 days, refunds are for payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are available within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you receive a 100% refund of payments made. All refunds are issued by the same payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.
The workshop has a maximum capacity of 7 participants, ensuring personalized attention and a more intimate experience with the instructors and local guides.
Yes, medical evacuation insurance and travel medical insurance are required for this trip. While trip cancellation insurance is optional, it is recommended to protect your investment.
A moderate fitness level is required, as you will be walking up to 2 miles at a time, often in varied terrain while tracking wildlife.
For landscape photography, bring wide-angle lenses (14–35mm) for sweeping vistas and filters for long exposures. For wildlife, telephoto lenses (200mm or longer) are recommended to capture detailed images of pumas and other animals from a distance.
