Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego – Mountains, Pampas & Sea

Today, we will visit one of Ushuaias classics in the best possible way: in a small group and against the crowds.

Throughout the excursion we are closely in touch with nature and the tranquility that it conveys. We stroll along the principal and most important trails in the National Park, which are of low difficulty.

In half a day we would´ve walked enough to have a special and unique impression of the fuegian ecosystem. Our well trained guides will pass on to you all of their experience and passion for this surroundings giving away a once in a lifetime experience. Lapataia Bay, Roca Lake and Ensenada Bay will be the southern spots we will introduce you to during this unforgettable excursion.

Optional: those who like enjoying the nature in a more relaxed way, have the option of getting a 7 km (1 hour) ride on board of the End of the World Train. The southernmost (and former prisoner’s train) rail-way in the world, recreates its historic journey.

In the afternoon, we’ll go on a navigation along the Beagle Channel, on a Yacht up to 25 people, visiting the light house, sea lion island, bird island and walking on Bridges Island. Along the trip we share a snack, which includes tea, warm chocolate, coffee, biscuits and, of course, the typical Argentinian Mate.

Ushuaia tourism-Tierra del Fuego-Argentina.

Excursion to the Escondido and Fagnano Lakes, 4×4 circuits, trekking through the forest, lunch at a shelter, and a light canoeing experience on Escondido Lake.

We’ll steer towards the north part of the island -in our Land Rover Defender, as we drive along National Road N3. We will pass by a number of renowned ski centers, amongst them the famous Cerro Castor. Once on the other side of the Andean Cordillera, the off road adventure begins.

We will cross the muddiest areas until we reach the coast of the breathtaking Fagnano Lake. After refreshing our energy, we will carry on with the adventure as we trek into an exclusive area of the forest. The trekking will lead us right to the coast of Escondido Lake where, in our shelter, we will taste a gourmet barbecue seasoned with the pleasant company of a red wine.

After lunch, the water will relax our senses as we paddle across Escondido Lake in a canoe, before heading back towards Ushuaia city with our expert guides.

Transfer back to the Lodge.

Ushuaia tourism-Tierra del Fuego-Argentina.

Sail, catch your own crab, and cook it in a family house in a picturesque village by the sea.

We depart from Ushuaia in the morning. After the intersection with the “J” route, we take a gravel road through a dense native forest, seeing as well the rare ecosystem represented by the turbales. As we reach the coast, we head east and start walking into the woods to a tumbling waterfall coming from the Lasifashaj River’s Valley. After one-hour hike and a coffee break, we get back in our vehicle and head to Puerto Almanza, the southernmost fishing port in Argentina, located on the coast of the Beagle Channel near the mouth of the Almanza River.

From there, we take another gravel road and drive 15 kilometers more until reaching a lovely small fishermen village. Nearly everyone in this village is dedicated to specialized fishing, catching crab, centollones, mussels, cholgas and other typical mollusks.  Its friendly inhabitants give us the chance of sharing some incredible time with them, and to board on their boats rowing offshore up to find a good spot to fish. We stop, cast the nests and wait… Back in the village with some crabs, we share stories with them and plan the meal, preparing the crab in a Patagonian style, gathering the spices directly from the garden, and cooking together one of the best gourmet dishes ever!

Ushuaia tourism-Tierra del Fuego-Argentina.

Today we will visit a lighthouse in a lonely cape, a mysterious sunken ship, an authentic estancia, and some other icons and unknown stories of Tierra del Fuego.

We depart from Ushuaia early in the morning, heading north along the National Route 3, crossing the Andean Cordillera through the Garibaldi Pass (a spectacular panoramic point!). Then, after the Lake Escondido hypnotizes us with its views, we will observe how the ecosystem gradually transforms from the woods to the steppe, a vast region known for breeding the best lambs in the world.

We continue our way up north, passing by Tolhuin (a village in the heart of the island, with a Bakery full of delicious stuff), and at a certain point we make a turn to the east, through a gravel road,  in direction to the Atlantic Ocean and the San Pablo Cape.  Upon our arrival, we hike up to an isolated mountain, home to an abandoned lighthouse: an extraordinary solitary scene.  We will see also The Desdemona, an abandoned ship for almost 40 years ago which invites us to sail through time.

Afterwards we will visit the Estancia Rolito, a lovely ranch that keeps the spirit of a family business based on sheep farming tradition, and  the first ranch to open its gates to rural tourism. We make a pause in order to enjoy a delicious tea with home-made cakes, cookies and marmalades. We return then to Ushuaia, with our souls full of memories of Tierra del Fuego.

Ushuaia tourism-Tierra del Fuego-Argentina.

In the morning, we will head in direction to the oldest ranch in Tierra del Fuego – Harberton Ranch, from where we will take a zodiac to the Maritllo Island, right in the middle of the Beagle Channel. There we will find a colony of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins.  These amazing animals gather every season (from november till march), sharing the area with other kinds of birds.

After a walk of around an hour in the Island, observing the penguins, we will return to the ranch and then go back to Ushuaia.

Transfer to the airport in the late afternoon.

Ushuaia tourism-Tierra del Fuego-Argentina.

If you liked this itinerary, you may also like the Ushuaia-Punta Arenas Cruise.

If you are interested in Patagonia, we invite you to check out our other Patagonia Tours.

We invite you to see our Argentina Tours, where you can experience the true Argentine culture.