FIRE AND ADVENTURE

 

There are culinary journeys, and then there are pilgrimages. The winter expedition Satopia Travel is offering with Francis Mallmann belongs firmly in the latter category. This is not a cooking trip in the traditional sense. It is an immersion into landscape, ritual, and fire, guided by one of the world’s most elemental chefs, in a setting so remote and poetic it feels almost mythic.

For years, Mallmann has drawn devotees to his Patagonian outposts, his reputation burnished by his spellbinding appearance on Chef’s Table and, more recently, by the opening of La Boca. But this July 18 to 28, 2026 journey marks something entirely new. For the first time, Mallmann opens his private island in the depths of Patagonian winter, when snow softens the landscape, silence deepens, and fire becomes not just a cooking method but a source of warmth, light, and communion.

The journey begins in Buenos Aires, where guests settle into the grand elegance of the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, a fitting overture of marble halls, manicured gardens, and hushed sophistication. From there, the route turns south, crossing into Patagonia’s frozen expanse, where lakes glaze over and forests stand still beneath snow-laden branches. The final approach to La Isla feels cinematic, a passage into another rhythm of life, where time is measured by daylight, embers, and shared meals.

 

 

At the heart of the experience are five full days with Mallmann himself, cooking side by side in the snow. Fires crackle against white landscapes as lamb, fish, and vegetables are coaxed into perfection over open flames. Mallmann speaks as much in poetry as instruction, weaving philosophy, memory, and instinct into every dish. Guests learn not only how to cook, but how to listen, to wait, and to trust the elements. It is here, in this rare intimacy, that transformations happen. One past guest discovered such a profound connection to fire cooking that he later became a chef at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, a testament to the depth of these encounters.

Evenings unfold with a quiet magic. Dinners are served outdoors beside glowing fires under star-strewn skies, the snow reflecting firelight like scattered diamonds. Days are balanced with movement through the winter landscape, from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to contemplative forest walks guided by experts who know these lands intimately. A wood-fired sauna steams against the cold air, followed by an outdoor hot tub where muscles soften and conversation drifts slowly, unhurried by the outside world.

 

 

The intimacy of the journey is part of its power. With just eight to ten guests hosted at the cozy La Soplada lodge, the atmosphere is familial rather than formal, refined yet deeply human. Luxury here is not about excess but about access, to a legendary chef, to an untouched season, and to a way of living that feels increasingly rare.

For travelers seeking something even more bespoke, Satopia Travel also offers Private Experiences Argentina, a 10-night journey available upon request, designed to explore the country’s cultural and culinary soul with complete flexibility and discretion. A Private Experiences Patagonia itinerary, spanning seven nights and also available upon request, allows guests to dive deeper into the region’s wild beauty through a fully tailored lens, ideal for those who wish to extend their time at the edge of the world.

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