Sc. 01
Hosted by Francis Mallmann
Five days of fire-cooking, hiking and adventure on his private island, with his presence guaranteed.
This is an 11-day dining experience of open-fire Argentinian cooking, surrounded by the elements and the spectacular landscape of Patagonia, in the company of the master chef himself.
A few times a year, Francis Mallmann opens his island home, la soplada, to host guests for a magical stay. An experience led by Latin America's most celebrated chef, in one of the most remote corners of Patagonia, and guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It begins with two days in Buenos Aires, then a flight south, an overnight in Comodoro Rivadavia, a seven-hour road-trip and a one-hour boat ride across a remote lake, to the beautiful island owned by Francis Mallmann. Hailed by many as an adventure like no other, and absolutely worth the experience.
"You don't grow on a secure path. In order to grow and to improve, you have to be there a bit at the edge of uncertainty."
Without a doubt, Mallmann is South America's most famous chef, featured on numerous international programmes and on the Netflix original series Chef's Table, focusing on his life and his open-fire cooking techniques.
After a career built on fine-dining French cuisine, he went back to his roots in the mid-'90s, learning the local techniques of his childhood home in Patagonia and bringing them to the high-end food scene. His approach comes down to one-syllable words: smoke, fire, air, stone, salt, rain, meat, wine.
A few times a year he opens his island home to guests. It is here in Patagonia that he connected with his roots and mastered the traditional Gaucho open-fire cooking, surrounded by the great outdoors and the majestic Andes.
Five days of fire-cooking, hiking and adventure on his private island, with his presence guaranteed.
An experience by road and boat across diverse, breathtaking landscape to one of the most secluded islands in the world.
A one-hour boat ride across a stunning cold lake brings you to the exclusive island owned by the chef.
Francis welcomes you to his lodge, nestled against a spectacular backdrop of rugged mountains.
A rustic lodge of six guest rooms, each with a private en-suite and magnificent views.
A daily fire-cooking lesson over custom-made fire pits, for five days, with Francis himself.
A tiny island you could walk around in less than an hour, spectacular in every season.
Outdoor days with an English-speaking mountain guide, alongside your host.
The charter south across Patagonia, six nights on La Isla with the chef, and the return. Your designer confirms timings around the group departure.
Patagonia is a land of vast horizons, pure air and dramatic natural beauty. From Comodoro Rivadavia, a private charter crosses the wild Patagonian landscape to Lago La Plata, where an hour-long boat ride over the lake brings you to La Isla, Francis Mallmann’s private island. Remote, elemental and deeply peaceful.
Francis welcomes you to his lodge on the 15-acre island of La Isla, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Andes. Rooms in the rustic, cosy cabin lodges are prepared by Francis and his team, on an island powered by the sun, with limited Wi-Fi and every reason to disconnect.
Time with South America’s most famous chef, of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, whose cooking comes down to one-syllable words: smoke, fire, air, stone, salt, rain, meat, wine. After a career built on French cuisine, Francis returned to the techniques of his childhood Patagonia and brought them to the world.
Every day, a unique outdoor dining experience — on a lakeshore, in the forest, beside the fire — with front-row fire-side chats and techniques, hands-on masterclasses, and menus that are never repeated, crafted from what the land, water and season offer.
There are no fixed itineraries at La Isla — in Patagonia it’s always about the weather. Forest hikes, lake excursions and open-fire cooking outdoors give way to slower hours in the quincho, by the fire, or in the wood-fired sauna and hot tub.
Sunshine, rain, wind and snow can all arrive in a single day at 1,000 metres. Layer up for boat rides and hikes, then return to the fire. The island days draw together around a final open-fire dinner with Francis and his team.
Bid farewell to La Isla and the hospitality of Francis Mallmann and his team. The boat ride returns you across the lake, where your private charter is ready for the flight back to Comodoro Rivadavia and your onward travel.
One price, one designer. From Buenos Aires to the island and back, flights, transfers, every night and every fire dinner are held for you, so nothing is left to arrange on the ground.
Satopia group departures are hosted in April and October each year, with the occasional winter wonderland trip in between. Private experiences can be requested any time, subject to the availability of Francis Mallmann and his team. The chart shows the average daytime high by month, with the best months to go marked.
Crisp days and turning leaves, the lake still and mirror-bright.
Deep quiet and white peaks, the season Mallmann filmed. Dramatic, cold and unforgettable.
Longer light and returning green as the season opens. The October departures.
There are so many details, because it's such a fragile thing to cook with fire. People think it's a beastly thing, a manly thing, but it's not. It's extremely fragile.
Whether on a frozen lake, in a forest or on a shore surrounded by the landscapes of Patagonia, the chef creates unique outdoor dining experiences for his guests.
The island is tiny, and you could walk around in less than an hour. This is where Mallmann filmed his Netflix episode of Chef's Table. La Soplada, translating to "blown away", is the main house, built as a set for his series on open-fire cooking, and ultimately made its home on La Isla. The lodge holds just six rooms, taken in exclusive use for your group.
Set among the trees with a private balcony, a quiet corner of the island, the mountains held in full view from the moment you wake.
In the heart of La Soplada, steps from the fire and the water, wrapped in the lodge's warmth and the quiet of the lake.
The room from the Chef's Table shoot, a private entrance and a magnificent view over the water, exactly as it was on screen.
Words cannot express how grateful we are to have found you and Satopia. Our experience is one we will forever remember and cherish.
Jason • Satopia Community Guest
For up to 10 guests, on a first-booked basis. Complete the form and we'll email to confirm your booking. A refundable $500 deposit per person secures your application.
Arrive at Buenos Aires International, Ezeiza (EZE) no later than 2–3pm on day one. Domestic flights within Argentina are organised for you.
It's genuinely remote, close to the Chilean border. You fly from Buenos Aires to Comodoro Rivadavia, then a transfer of around seven hours by road — parts off-road through Patagonian pastures — brings you to a mountain lake, followed by a one-hour boat across to the island. Every leg is arranged for you, and a private charter flight to the lakeshore can also be arranged.
Yes. Guests experience a daily fire-cooking lesson over custom-made fire pits for five days with Francis Mallmann, with his presence guaranteed throughout your time on the island.
Active. Expect daily physical activity, long hikes, light-to-medium outdoor activities and active walking, plus the road and boat trip to reach the retreat. Hailed as an adventure like no other, and not for the faint-hearted.
Indoor: two double guest rooms, two double/twin and one single, all with private en-suite; a glass-enclosed portico lounge with lake views; a hot-stone, wood-fire sauna; a library and inviting common areas; a dining room and open-fire quincho; complimentary refreshments and daily housekeeping.
Outdoor: an expansive wooden deck over the lake; an outdoor hot tub with panoramic vistas; Mallmann's "Anywhere Bar" for aperitifs; forest walking trails; a wood-burning oven for fire cooking; and mountains, lake and endless skies all around.
A group of 8–10 guests, priced per person on double occupancy. It suits curious travellers and food lovers looking to disconnect in one of the world's most remote and beautiful corners.
A group departure runs 19–29 April 2027 (applications open). The 6–16 October 2026 departure is closed. Private experiences in Argentina (10 nights) and Patagonia (7 nights) are available on request.
Yes. Private hosted experiences are available on request for two or more guests, tailored end to end by your Satopia experience designer. Select "Private Hosted Experience" in the application below.
Our experiences are designed with sustainable and responsible travel principles in mind, the need for careful planning and management as tourism grows.
Our ImpactDiscover how travel can help restore and preserve nature. By choosing sustainable options, you contribute to vital conservation efforts.
Explore Nature RestorationB Corp Certification signifies verified performance, accountability and transparency across a company's entire social and environmental impact.
About B Corp