Excursions, travel in Argentina, Tierra del Fuego, Travel South America

Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego

Jacqueline Berkery

By | June 18, 2010

Lake and mountain landscape in Tierra del Fuego

Ever wanted to visit the end of the world? Well, Ushuaia might be the closest you can get! Check out our guide to the town and region of Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world, located on the Beagle Channel at the tip of Argentina. This sleepy Patagonian town is quaint and friendly, maintaining an almost untouched feel to it– though, of course, it sees millions of tourists every year.There are several activities to keep you occupied in Ushuaia for a few days, whether you want to bum around town or get out into the wilderness.

Tierra de Fuego National Park

Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is a must-see if you visit Ushuaia. Among several ways to access the park is El Tren del Fin del Mundo, which was used way back in the day by Ushuaia prisoners who worked in the forests. The ride on the whole is unexciting but still worth doing, if for no other reason than to say you took the Train to the End of the World. There are also city buses that will take you to the park, or you can hire a taxi to drop you off and pick you up at the end of your excursion.

Planning a trip to the park requires making a few decisions: Do you want to camp? Do you want to hike? Do you prefer to see all that the park has to offer from the comforts of a minivan with a multilingual tour guide? There are several options, so you’ll want to investigate each before heading over there.

Hiking

Although the majority of the Tierra de Fuego national park is inaccessible to the public, luckily, there is still plenty of snowcapped peaks, turquoise lakes, and lush forest that can be explored. There are various trails that range from easy hour-long hikes to more strenuous treks. The Cerro Guanaco trail will have you scaling up steep inclines of loose rocks and bog, but the payoff is worth is. Sweeping 360 views of the Darwin Mountains and Beagle channel await those who can tough it out.

Camping

For those who would like to spend more than a day exploring the vast trails and wildlife in Tierra del Fuego, there are campgrounds that allow visitors to camp for up to 48 hours. Do keep in mind that there aren’t places to rent camping equipment or buy food within the park. Those who plan to camp should come fully prepared with gear and provisions.

Guided van tour

Many companies offer two options; a transfer to and from the park, or the transfer plus a guided van tour in the park. The benefits of the guided tour include being able to cover more ground in less time and having a knowledgable guide who will teach you about the local flora and fauna and who is available to answer any questions.

Ushuaia wildlife

This area is also known for its Magellanic penguin colonies. Though the largest colonies are located a bit north along the Strait of Magellan, there are some in the region that reach the thousands. If you’d like to see these little tuxedo-wearing guys waddle around a bit, you have a few options. Your best bet is to do the “Walk with the Penguins” tour, which is pretty accurate in name– you literally walk, hang, chill, lay down, do whatever with the penguins. If you’re pressed for time and/or cash, you can take a boat tour that gets you close to the shore, but doesn’t allow you to disembark. Definitely not as fun, but still an option.

If you’re not into well-dressed birds, fear not… there’s a tour for you, too. A Beagle Channel boat tour will take you the the Isla de Los Lobos, where hundreds of sea lions lounge lazily for your photo-taking pleasure. On these tours you also can visit the Ushuaia historic lighthouse, as well as the sea birds island.

Where to stay

If you spend some time in Ushuaia you won’t find a shortage of high quality accommodation options both in town and tucked further out in the surrounding hills. Los Yamanas is a luxury hotel situated in a privileged location right on the banks of Beagle Channel. Complete with comfortable rooms, stunning views, and an inviting sauna and spa, this is a great place to come back to after a day of exploring. For a more budget-conscious option, check out Galeazzi – Basily B&B. This cozy family-run bed and breakfast is located just 5 blocks from the city center and won’t break the bank.

Ushuaia is also a popular departure point for many trips to Antarctica, though it’ll cost you a pretty penny.

Heading North?

El Calafate is the closest town to the spectacular Los Glaciares National Park, home to one of the top can’t miss sighs in Patagonia, the stunning Perito Moreno glacier.

One of the most famous national park in the world, Torres del Pain is known for turquoise lakes, jagged peaks, and un-paralleled trekking.

The lake district in northern Patagonia, which includes both Bariloche, and El Bolsón, is home to ancient forests, picturesque alpine architecture, and crystal clear glacial lakes.

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