Patagonia with Gregory Gourdet

Day 1: Buenos Aires

¡Bienvenidos! Our adventure begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s mesmerizing capital. The city’s barrios are essentially separate villages, and this afternoon we’re embarking with Gregory Gourdet on a tasting tour of Palermo, a stylish neighborhood known for its chic bars and trendy eateries. As we wind through leafy plazas and cobbled alleyways, we’ll sample the best of the city’s local delicacies—including Argentina’s trademark gelato and alfajores hand-picked by Gregory.

Dinner tonight is a special treat. We’re in for a bonafide welcome feast at Michelangelo, an award-winning restaurant renowned for its cutting-edge menu and extensive wine list. After savoring a sumptuous spread of regional favorites, we’ll sit back for a mesmerizing performance of Argentina’s iconic tango, executed by two of the city’s best dancers in the birthplace of the famous dance.

Day 2: El Calafate & El Chaltén

This morning we’re bidding adieu to Buenos Aires and flying to El Calafate, the starting point for our journey to El Chaltén. As we cruise along the iconic Ruta 40—Argentina’s longest road—we’ll pass through the majestic Southern Patagonian desert, stopping midway for lunch at the historic overlook La Leona.

From there, it’s a short two and a half hours until we arrive at our hotel, a sprawling estate set against the unforgettable backdrop of Mount Fitz Roy. We’ll have time to get settled and explore the grounds—Willie’s leading an optional trail run, for those feeling brave enough—before reconvening for an afternoon picada handmade by Gregory. It’s the perfect appetizer to dinner tonight, a locally sourced spread we’ll savor from the comfort of our hotel.

Day 3: El Chaltén

This morning we’re ascending the Laguna Torre trailhead, a scenic route that spills out onto spectacular views of Cerro Torre. Possibly the most photogenic (and famous) of Patagonia’s trademark mountainscapes, its towering granite peaks rise in jagged majesty high above a glacial lake. We’ll be on the lookout for Magellan woodpeckers and soaring condors overhead as we hike to the viewpoint, where we’ll pause to breathe in our stunning surroundings before descending 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 our hotel.

Day 3 Hiking

4-5 hours, 4.3 miles, 660′ elevation gain/loss

Day 4: El Chaltén

Our hike this morning starts right from the door of our hotel. We’ll follow the path of the Banco River as we wind through native Lenga forests, the horizon dominated by snow-capped glaciers towering frozen in time. At Poincenot camp, we’ll take a moment to bask in the unforgettable panorama of Mount Fitz Roy before continuing on to our final destination, the Laguna de los Tres.

It’s a steep, rocky ascent to the glacial lake, but the views that await us are more than worth the effort. A spellbinding symphony of jagged peaks, glimmering snow, and cobalt-blue waters, it’s a landscape that mesmerizes, and we’ll pause to drink it all in before gathering for a mountaintop picnic to fuel us for our descent. Back in El Chaltén, we’re toasting to the day’s adventures with an icy cocktail handcrafted by Gregory and starring Calafate’s famed plum-colored gin. From there, the evening is ours to enjoy. Sit back and relax—you’ve earned it.

Day 4 Hiking

8-9 hours, 12.5 miles, 3,000′ elevation gain/loss

Day 5: Lago Argentino to El Calafate

This morning we’re heading back out on Ruta 40 for El Calafate, a small gateway town on the southern shore of Lago Argentino. After our cruise through Patagonia’s trademark landscape of snow-capped peaks and soaring condors, we’ll sit down for an empanada lunch at Mi Rancho, a Calafate favorite renowned for its rustic decor and curated wine list.

Our next stop is Chacra Las Moras, an organic farm and the idyllic backdrop to a hands-on lesson in Patagonian fruit cultivation. During our tour of the grounds, we’ll help Gregory forage for the native red berries that grow wild on the land, then gather for an informal cooking lesson as he prepares them into an eye-catching snack. It’s the ultimate farm-to-fork appetizer before dinner tonight at La Zaina, a cozy local eatery where we’ll sample regional wines alongside seasonal Argentinian specialties.

Day 6: El Calafate & Los Glaciares

This morning we’re off to visit Nibepo Aike, a working estancia tucked within the quiet majesty of Los Glaciares National Park. There, we’ll explore the timeless traditions of gaucho culture and join in on the daily rituals of one of Patagonia’s oldest ranches—including a traditional asado that we’ll savor against the shores of Lago Roca.

Buoyed by our feast of lamb and dulce de leche, we’re setting sail to explore the rugged landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park. Our private boat will drop us first at Playa de las Monedas, where we’ll walk through centuries-old lenga forests that give way to unrivaled panoramas of the Perito Moreno Glacier. From there, we’ll head back to the boat for an even closer glimpse of the 18,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Back in El Calafate, we’ll reminisce on the day’s unforgettable adventures over dinner at Mako, a neighborhood staple known for its just-picked ingredients and elegant regional wines.

Day 7: Torres Del Paine

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 the cozy El Ovejero eatery before continuing on through the high-mountain desert, vying all the while for glimpses of local guanacos and rheas.

In Torres del Paine, we’ll have the afternoon to settle in and luxuriate in the mesmerizing views of our 100-year-old estancia. Those up for a more intensive immersion into the stunning surroundings can join Willie for an optional trail run—he’ll be following the route of the Ultra Paine, Patagonia’s first ever trail-running race which just so happens to cut directly through the hotel grounds.

Later, Gregory’s taking us on his own private tour of the estancia’s gardens and orchards, sharing the finer points of foraging before dinner, a hyperlocal ode to the season’s freshest find: we’re feasting on a spread inspired by traditional pioneer recipes, featuring ingredients from the estancia’s own greenhouse and orchards.

Day 8: Torres Del Paine

Today, we hike again, this time to one of Patagonia’s most famous viewpoints: Mirador Base Las Torres, a captivating panorama of rugged slopes, glacial waters, and snow-capped peaks nestled within the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park. As a kind of savory motivation along the way, we’ll tuck into a trail-side picnic with Gregory and our local guide, then carry on to our breathtaking summit, a triumph of towering granite high above an ancient lagoon.

Back at the estancia, the evening is ours to rest and relax. You’ll find us nursing a glass of Malbec at the hotel’s elegant eatery, where floor-to-ceiling windows create the ultimate backdrop for soaking in Patagonia’s unrivaled sunsets.

Day 8 Hiking

8-9 hours, 13 miles, 2,500′ elevation gain/loss

Day 9: Torres Del Paine

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. Alongside the inhouse bartender, Gregory will guide us through the art of preparing this beloved national cocktail, made from grape brandy and served generously by the pitcher. ¡Salud!

Day 10: Puerto Natales

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. For our farewell dinner, Gregory has curated an impeccable selection of exquisite local ingredients, from Magellanic lamb rump to fresh sweet corn and vibrant green chilis. In true asador style, this epic feast will be cooked over open flames 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 11: Departures

It’s time to say adios to Patagonia, to Gregory Gourdet 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 incredible place.