A protocol built together
Since 2025, puma sighting in Torres del Paine follows a protocol built together with the Torres del Paine Municipality, CONAF, Panthera, The Nature Conservancy, Torres del Paine Legacy Fund and SERNATUR, with more than 150 people from tourism and conservation in the area taking part in its development. It isn't a list of restrictions imposed from outside. It's an agreement made by the community itself so the puma is still there for those who come after.
How we take care of every sighting
The rules I follow on every outing, guided or a chance encounter
Distance, always
A minimum of 50 meters, and 100 if the puma is moving, hunting, or a female with cubs. The distance never decreases, it can only increase
Small groups
Maximum 6 people per guide and 12 per sighting point, always leaving a clear escape route for the animal
Hours that respect their rest
Time windows that vary by season, with a midday period always free of activity and no night outings
Accredited guide
Certified training accredited by the Municipality, examined, and equipped with a rangefinder, radio and first-aid kit on every outing
No promises
It's an encounter with a wild animal in its habitat, never a guaranteed show. That's why every visitor signs an informed consent form
No food or contact
No bait, no lures, and no feeding, touching or harassing wildlife. It's one of the most serious violations under the regulations
Silence and no drones
No loud noise, no flash and no drones. The goal is for the animal's behavior to stay unchanged by our presence
Ages 14 and up
Because of the risk of observing a large carnivore, puma sighting tours are only for those 14 and older
A real legal framework
The activity is regulated by the Tourism Law, the Torres del Paine Municipal Tourism Ordinance, and Law No. 21,600 on protected areas. Non-compliance carries concrete penalties, from 1 to 5 UTM depending on severity, applied by the Puerto Natales Local Police Court. It isn't a dead letter, it's what makes this protocol work for everyone operating in the area.
See it for yourself
Official sources from the Torres del Paine Municipality, no middlemen
Protocol and ordinance
The complete official document, with the protocol (in Spanish) and its annexes
View PDFIf you come across a puma on your own
You don't need to be on a tour to run into one. These rules are for any park visitor
On foot
Back away calmly, without running or turning your back on the animal. If you're in a group, stay close together and always leave an escape route
In a vehicle
If you're somewhere stopping isn't allowed, don't stop. If you can pull over in an authorized spot, turn off the engine, don't honk, and avoid getting out
Never
Don't feed it, don't approach for a photo, and don't share the exact location on social media, so as not to draw more people to the same spot
If the puma is at risk
Reporting in time is also part of caring for it
If you see a puma that has been hit by a vehicle, injured, or at risk, notify CONAF. Inside the park you can report it at any of the entrance gates or at the Villa Monzino Administration office. They coordinate with SAG from there.
Reports of mistreatment or non-compliance with the regulations can also be made anonymously, directly to the Torres del Paine Municipality.
I guide with this protocol second nature
That way you can focus on observing, while I take care of the distance, the timing, and the respect for the animal.
ContactCertified guide
Certified in trekking and wildlife observation
2025 Protocol
Same protocol used by the Municipality, CONAF and Panthera
Ethical sighting
The focus is respectful observation of wildlife
Organizations to know
The institutions behind the sighting protocol, in case you want to learn more about their work
