Patagonia with William Dissen

March 15 - 25, 2023 | Sold Out - Join Waitlist Below

Sold Out

Ultimate Patagonia

Epic outdoor adventure alongside explorer and chef William Dissen

March 15 - 25, 2023

Sold out — join the waitlist

11 Days, 10 Nights

Best of Patagonia from Argentina's Los Glaciares to Chile's Torres Del Paine

Price from

$10,000

Per person based on shared accommodations

Questions? Text or call us
+1 (855) 219-8018

SOLD OUT — JOIN THE WAITLIST
We will contact you if and as space becomes available

You crest a rugged glacial peak, surrounded by a jigsaw of snow-capped mountains lording over windswept valleys and cobalt-blue lagoons, and it hits you. You’re in Patagonia, jewel of the Southern Hemisphere. Every inch of the sprawling steppes and deserts, the fairytale forests and fjords feel likes it’s all yours. You’ve tracked graceful pumas, spotted guanacos and rheas, swapped tall tales with gauchos on horseback, foraged for local greens with a master of the arts. Tonight, relaxing in luxury at a century-old estancia, dining on a well-earned feast roasted over an open fire, a glass of local Malbec wine in hand, you watch as the sunset gives way to a dazzling night sky ablaze with the light of a million stars.

With us on this incredible adventure is William Dissen, culinary diplomat (more on that later) and six-time featured chef at James Beard House. He’s faced off and beat Gordon Ramsay on Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, and has earned an elite reputation as one of the top chefs in the U.S. He’s also deeply passionate about sustainability in every aspect, with Fortune magazine twice naming him “Green Chef of the Year.” We can’t wait to experience the inspired landscapes of Patagonia with a chef who’s so deeply passionate about heirloom ingredients and traditional cooking methods. If you crave elevated adventure with a culinary twist, this trip is for you.

Over 11 unforgettable days in Argentina and Chile, we’ll experience Patagonia’s sublime wonders on day hikes past the towering glaciers and meandering rivers of Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine national parks, with our nights spent in sophisticated luxury in some of Patagonia’s most stunning estancia lodgings. Every step of the way is the perfect combination of outdoor adventure and sophisticated Patagonian hospitality, delicious meals and fine wines at our idyllic estancia retreats.

Patagonia Highlights

How We Travel

In style! We sleep each night in some of Patagonia's finest estancia lodges. We carry our own day packs (6-11 pounds). All food is prepared for us and includes chef-led meals and wine pairings.

Activity Level: Moderate

This adventure is for people who maintain good physical fitness and are prepared for the demands of day hikes in remote mountainous areas at higher elevations. On our hiking days, we’ll cover no more than 5 miles a day, over uneven terrain carrying day packs. While guests are not required to participate in all hiking activities, we cannot always guarantee that alternatives will be available.

Who It’s For

If you seek stunning landscapes, locally-sourced gourmet meals and the finest estancia accommodations, this trip is for you. Alongside Chef William Dissen, we’ll hike amidst serene lagoons and snow-capped mountains, through vast forests in lesser-traveled parts of Patagonia.

Why We Love William Dissen

William weaves local ingredients together with his Southern roots into every dish he creates. His passion for locally sourced ingredients has made him a global advocate for sustainability and environmental stewardship. He's also an adventurer at heart: In Patagonia we'll see William in his element as we hike, forage, raft and explore. It doesn’t get better than this.

Culinary Diplomat

William is part of the American Chefs Corps, a joint project between the US State Department and James Beard Foundation. Being a food-focused statesmen brings him out of the kitchen and out into the world to connect around humanity's common ground—food.

Roots to Table

Hailing from the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia, William grew up enjoying the outdoors and especially his grandparents’ farm. Here is where he would watch his grandmother pluck fresh food from the garden for family dinner — a memory that influences him to this day.

Keeping it Local

William owns and is the culinary force behind North Carolina's The Market Place, Billy D’s Fried Chicken, and Haymaker. Each serves up different, always delicious, farm-to-table experiences with locally foraged ingredients a constant on all three menus.

Your Experience

“Patagonia is one of the greatest last frontiers on our planet.”
William Dissen

Los Glaciares & Torres del Paine

“To sit down at a table and break bread, as an adventurer— that's when you get the opportunity to find out who people are.”
William Dissen

Day by Day

Day 1

¡Bienvenidos a la Argentina!

Our Patagonia adventure begins in El Calafate, a small gateway town on the southern shore of Lago Argentino. You’ll be greeted with fresh empanadas at El Calafate airport before we transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll meet up with William for a private tour of Chacra Las Moras organic farm, where we’ll learn about the cultivation techniques required to grow fruits and vegetables in the Patagonian region. 

All that talk about food will surely lead us to our first dinner together—a welcome feast replete with classic Patagonian flavors and local wine pairings at award-winning La Zaina. Tomorrow, we’ll set off for El Chaltén where our outdoor adventures begin.

Day 1 Highlights

  • Arrival in El Calafate
  • Chacra Las Moras farm tour
  • Welcome dinner at La Zaina
  • Stay at Xelena in El Calafate

Day 2

This morning we’ll load up and head out on iconic Ruta 40, Argentina’s longest road, passing through the majestic Southern Patagonian desert as we make our way to El Chaltén. We’ll fortify ourselves with fresh lemon pies and local coffee before making for the Cerro Torre trailhead, where we’ll ascend for spectacular views of Cerro Fitz Roy (11,171′). Possibly the most photogenic (and famous) of Patagonia’s trademark mountainscapes, its towering granite peaks rise in jagged majesty high above a glacial lake. As we hike, we’ll be on the lookout for Magellan woodpeckers and soaring condors overhead. We’ll pause at the viewpoint to (literally) drink it all in, toasting our first trek of the trip with a fruit liqueur crafted by local producers. 

Returning back to Earth, we’ll have a locally sourced dinner at Hostería El Pilar, and don’t be surprised if William whips up a few scratch cocktails to celebrate.

Day 2 Hiking
4-5 hours, 5 miles, 566′ elevation gain/loss

Day 2 Highlights

  • Travel Ruta 40 to El Chaltén
  • Cerro Torre viewpoint hike
  • Views over Fitz Roy Valley and Cerro Torre
  • Stay at Hostería El Pilar

Day 3

Today’s trail leads to Laguna Capri, a picturesque lake with sweeping views of glaciers and the massif of Cerro Fitz Roy. Our loop will take us above the De las Vueltas river valley as we hike through the heart of the Del Salto stream bed. After a moderate hour or two, we’ll encounter the fork to Laguna Capri, ambling down a trail with superb, panoramic lakeside views. After taking in the stunning beauty of the scene, we’ll descend for lunch (and beers!) at a local brewery. 

Next stop is an optional visit to the town’s famed chocolateria. After a few free hours to explore the town, we’ll head back to the hotel for a little siesta. Don’t call it a night because a truly special meal awaits.  At a remote refugio, immersed in the forest with beautiful views of Cerro Fitz Roy, we’ll sit down for a platter of grilled meats over a dancing fire.

Day 3 Hiking
4-5 hours, 5 miles, 1,300′ elevation gain/loss

Day 3 Highlights

  • Morning hike to Laguna Capri
  • Brewery lunch
  • Parrila dinner
  • Stay at Hostería El Pilar

Day 4

After breakfast we head out for our next stop, a stunningly situated estancia and fourth-generation working ranch nestled inside Los Glaciares National Park near El Calafate. Upon arrival, we’ll sit down to lunch and then have the afternoon open to explore the scenic estancia grounds by foot or on horseback, or simply to relax and unwind.

Just make sure you listen for William’s dinner bell as he’ll be preparing our evening meal, featuring select Patagonian meats with a complement of fresh seasonal herbs. 

Day 4 Highlights

  • Transfer to Los Glaciares National Park
  • Estancia farm tour or horse riding
  • Private dinner by William Dissen
  • Stay at Estancia Nibepo Aike

Day 5

After a hearty estancia breakfast, we’ll head out to explore our working ranch and the daily rituals of gaucho culture: everything from sheep shearing to cattle wrangling, depending on the day. Our chores done, we’ll return to the hotel for a breathtaking lunch of lamb, salads and dulce de leche crêpe and ready ourselves for an iconic Patagonian excursion. 

After our meal, we set sail on a private adventure to explore Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. This glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is 19 miles long and covers a staggering 158 square miles. It’s an important part of the South Patagonian Ice Field, which spans both Argentina and Chile, and serves as the third-largest freshwater reserve in the world.

Hear that sound? That’s not thunder—it’s the cracking of those ethereally blue glaciers as they calve into the milky waters of the vast Lake Argentino. We’ll stand in awe before heading back to the ranch for another seasonally inspired dinner.

Day 5 Highlights

  • Gaucho ranch experience
  • Perito Moreno glacier by private boat
  • Dinner with local ingredients
  • Stay at Estancia Nibepo Aike

Day 6

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to Argentina. Today we’re headed across the Chilean border to Torres Del Paine for the next chapter of our Patagonian adventure. We’ll stop for lunch at El Ovejero, right on the border, before continuing through the high-mountain desert, vying for glimpses of guanacos and rheas, Patagonia’s answer to the llama and the ostrich.

We’ll settle in at our 100-year-old estancia, perched on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park, and enjoy a private tour of the grounds before feasting on a dinner inspired by traditional pioneer recipes and featuring ingredients from the estancia’s own greenhouse and orchards.

Day 6 Highlights

  • Transfer from Argentina to Chile
  • Dinner at estancia
  • Stay at Estancia Cerro Guido

Day 7

Today, we hike again. However, in lieu of a burly summit hike, we’ll opt for a series of breathtaking jaunts all over Torres del Paine National Park. We’ll tackle various trailheads and be treated with scintillating views of iconic peaks and alpine waterways too. As a kind of savory motivation, we’ll be treated to an elaborate picnic prepared by Chef William, who’ll show us how to get a gourmet on with nothing but a camping stove and the freshest local ingredients. 

In the evening, after returning to our estancia, Chef William will take us on his own private tour of the estancia’s gardens and orchards, sharing the finer points of foraging before dinner.

Day 7 Highlights

  • Hike Torres del Paine
  • Picnic lunch by William Dissen
  • Foraging and garden walk with Chef William
  • Stay at Estancia Cerro Guido

Day 8

Our morning is devoted to the elusive puma, the largest cat in Patagonia. We’ll meet with professionals who study pumas through the Estancia Cerro Guido Conservation Project, whose mission is to bring traditional cattle-raising methods in line with conservation efforts. Pumas are largely solitary, nocturnal creatures, so spotting them is neither guaranteed nor easy.  That’s why we’ll team up with  professionals who will share their wisdom, insights, and the tricks of the trade. 

Our dinner hour tonight starts off with a crucial rite of passage for any visitor to Chile: a hands-on lesson in how to make the perfect pisco sour, the national cocktail of grape brandy and foamy egg whites that Chilean hosts tend to serve by the pitcher.

And then it’s onto the main event—a traditional asado dinner like the locals have been eating for centuries. ¡Salud!

Day 8 Highlights

  • Puma trailing
  • Pisco demonstration
  • Asado dinner
  • Stay at Estancia Cerro Guido

Day 9

This morning we’ll take a gentle walk along the lakeshore to board our catamaran for Grey Glacier, one of Torres del Paine’s most spectacular. Much like Perito Moreno, Grey Glacier is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the largest extension of continental ice in the world after Antarctica and Greenland, edged with fairytale-like billows of turquoise ice tumbling slowly, over the course of decades, into the waters below. We’ll wend our way past floating icebergs and imposing, 65-foot-high ice walls, followed by a truly special treat.

Our picnic lunch today is a typical picada—bread, cheese, charcuterie, olives, pickles and beer! Need a post-lunch pick-me-up? Our local guides will give us a mate demonstration before we head back to the estancia, with plenty of downtime before we reconvene for dinner.

Day 9 Highlights

  • Boat ride to Grey Glacier
  • Picada lunch
  • Stay at Estancia Cerro Guido

Day 10

This morning we bid a fond farewell to Torres del Paine, and head to the frontier town of Puerto Natales for an afternoon and evening to relax in the sophisticated luxury of our accommodations at The Singular—and maybe take in a spa treatment or massage before reconvening for a private wine tasting.

Feeling revived and refreshed, we’ll sit together one final time. In true asador style, our farewell dinner will be cooked over fire in a space that features breathtaking views of the Señoret channel. Our time in Patagonia has been an unforgettable journey, and this celebration is well and truly earned.

Day 10 Highlights

  • Transfer to Puerto Natales
  • Farewell dinner
  • Stay at The Singular

Day 11

It’s time to say adios to Patagonia, to William Dissen and our fellow travelers. After breakfast, we’ll head to Punta Arenas for our connecting flights, our minds and hearts full of glaciers, pumas, gauchos, and the very special fairytale magic of this place. 

Day 11 Highlights

  • Transfers to Punta Arenas' PUQ Airport

Where We Sleep

Sophisticated luxury and centuries-old traditions—our elegant boutique hotels are a well-deserved chance to rest, relax and reflect on the rugged beauty of Patagonia.

Xelena Hotel

El Calafate

Nestled right along the majestic Lago Argentino, this hotel, with its friendly service, cozy vibe, and hearty breakfasts, is the perfect resting place for new arrivals to Patagonia. Rooms tier downward from the fourth floor and weary travelers can delight in the heated pool as they ponder the serene stillness of the lake below.

Hostería El Pilar

El Chaltén

Stepping into this cozy river-valley lodge, surrounded by pristine forests, is like stepping back in time. Sit in front of the roaring fire, warm your feet in a pair of handmade house slippers, and let the quiet of Patagonia settle into your bones. There’s no Wifi here, and that’s by design. It’s time to unplug with the stars.

Estancia Nibepo Aike

El Calafate

This elegant fourth-generation working ranch is set along the shores of Argentino Lake inside Los Glaciares National Park. Savor the views, and the unique opportunity to experience Patagonian traditions firsthand, from sheep shearing and herding to horseback riding through the estancia grounds. The family's orchards and gardens are abundant; every meal is an ode to farm-to-table ranch cooking.

Estancia Cerro Guido

Torres del Paine

It's a 100-year-old estancia perched on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park. The beautifully restored farmhouses once housed ranch workers; today, the impeccably designed bedrooms, piled high with down comforters, carry the spirit of that storied past. Curl up in one of the three living rooms for a spot of tea, a card game, or a good book with a sweeping horizon-wide view.

The Singular

Puerto Natales

You wouldn't believe that a refurbished cold-storage warehouse could be this inviting. And yet this design-forward property—part of the Chilean National Heritage registry—has all the comforts you'd expect and stunning views, with every room boasting views of the Patagonian fjords.

The trip was fantastic, the terrain was extraordinary, and the guides were exceptional.
Lila R.
The trek route was in some of the most beautiful terrain I have seen.
Richard P.
What a lovely Chilean BBQ with our guides on the final night! It was wonderful and so special.
Colleen G.

Book Patagonia with William Dissen

Number of Travelers

Payment

Reserve your spot today with a $1,500 per-person deposit plus room supplements (if relevant). Full payment is due 180 days prior to your trip departure date. We’ll email you a reminder. If your trip departs in less than 180 days, we’ll collect full payment either 30 days from when we receive your deposit, or 60 days prior to your trip departure date, whichever is sooner. For details read our Deposit FAQs

$10,000

Per person based on shared accommodations

Sold Out

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+1 (855) 219-8018

Questions?

That’s OK, we have answers. Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure Trip Specialist.

  1. What does the price include?

    Ten nights of elegant, boutique hostería and estancia accommodations; all ground and ferry transportation; daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners; expert local guides; wine tastings, experiences, and activities included in itinerary; gratuities for local guides and staff.

  2. What does the price not include?

    Roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; activities not included in the trip itinerary; personal incidentals including room service, laundry, etc; personal gear; gratuity for tour leader.

  3. How difficult is this adventure?

    This is considered a ‘moderate’ adventure accessible for most age levels who maintain good physical fitness and are prepared for the demands of hiking in remote mountainous areas. On our hiking days, we’ll cover no more than 5 miles a day and carry our own day packs. We recommend that participants have a good level of fitness and have at least some hiking experience.

  4. What are the arrival and departure details?

    This adventure begins in El Calafate, Argentina. The closet airport is El Calafate (FTE), which has daily direct flights from Buenos Aires’ international Ezeiza (EZE) and domestic Aeroparque (AEP) airports. We recommend arriving one day early and spending the night in Buenos Aires to avoid travel delays. Our trip ends in Punta Arenas, Chile; on our last day we’ll organize group transfers to Punta Arenas’ PUQ airport to catch onward flights to Chile’s main international airport, Santiago de Chile (SLC).

  5. What are the accommodations on this adventure?

    We sleep in true comfort, spending each night in boutique hostería and estancia accommodations. There is no camping on this adventure.

  6. Who is going on this trip?

    Each departure is limited to 12 people, plus our local and hiking guides and a Modern Adventure trip leader. This trip is recommended for travelers aged 18 and above who are in good health and have some experience with backpacking. You can expect to be joined by a variety of guest including couples, friends traveling together and solo travelers.

  7. What if I am a solo traveler?

    Prices are based on double occupancy. If you are a solo traveler and want to have your own accommodations, a $1,500 supplement will apply at checkout–these spots are very limited due to the type of accommodations on our adventure and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis (see our Terms and Conditions for full details).

  8. What travel documents are needed?

    U.S. citizens staying for less than 90 days do not require a visa to enter Argentina or Chile. The passport must have at validity for the entirety of your stay to be allowed entry. For citizens of other countries, please check with the Chilean or Argentine Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

  9. Do I need Travel Insurance?

    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.

  10. What is the cancellation policy?

    For all departures, you may cancel before November 15, 2022 and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. After November 16, 2022 of travel, there is a 50% cancellation fee; If you cancel on or after January 14, 2023, there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being cancelled (see our Terms and Conditions for full details).

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