On this 4 day adventure you will experince the mystical and gorgeous wilds of Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America, exploring the town of Ushuaia, boating on the Beagle Channel, and hiking through the deep forests of Tierra del Fuego National Park on this not-to-be-missed adventure!
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Today we start our adventure at the very end of the world, in Ushuaia! The world’s southernmost city is located in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego on the shores of the Beagle Channel, with the snow-peaked Martial Mountains spanning the horizon. The small port city of Ushuaia was a prison colony until the mid 20th century and today is the capital of Tierra del Fuego. The name Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) was given to the region by the Portuguese sailor Hernando de Magallanes, who saw the indigenous group Ona making fires on the coast while he was sailing through the Magellan Strait in 1520.
Our welcome guide will be waiting for us at the airport to take us to our hotel. Once check-in is complete, we will receive a short briefing about the trip itinerary.
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
After breakfast, we’re off to Gable Island, a must-see for those seeking magic at the world’s end. This full-day excursion whisks passengers out into the very middle of the Beagle Channel. Once we arrive at the Lasiphashaj River, decked out in the rubber boots and life-jackets provided, we will start our adventure in canoes, paddling down the river that leads to the sea. Along our way we are likely to encounter a wide variety of seabirds and often sea lions, who enjoy sunbathing on the little islands which we will come across on our way down to the Harberton Ranch. After a short stop on terra firma, we take a motor boat out into the Channel towards Martillo Island, where we will have the opportunity to see breeding penguins. The boat will then transport us to Gable Island, where there will be snacks, good wine and a delicious meal waiting. This beautiful island is home to pristine wildlife and a rich history, which we will discover as we walk, sail and explore. Following a nice, hot cup of coffee, we will start a hike across the island, crossing over beaver dams and plunging into the forest to reach the shore of the Beagle Channel, and it is from here that we will catch a boat and start our return to Ushuaia. Throughout the day, our guide will talk us through all the different bird and plant species, as well as the history of the first civilization on this mystical island. With vast, open landscapes and buffeting winds, there’s a real end-of-the-world sensation!
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
We start our day by driving to the nearby western end of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, one of the most frequently visited places around Ushuaia. Whilst there is no particular way that the Park should be approached, there is no doubt that it will only reveal its secrets to those willing to pay enough attention to its many wonders! Once we have arrived, we will trek several hours along either the Pampa Alta Path or the Coastal Path, passing by one of the Park’s most beautiful stretches of shore, which is simply blooming with native vegetation. Our guide will explain and point out the typical flora of the region, including the lenga beech, ñire trees, cohiue flowers, orchids, canelo and notro trees. At about 12:30pm, we will arrive at Lake Roca and board a zodiac boat, sailing along the famous Beagle Channel to Redonda Island, a national reserve. Here we will eat a tasty lunch in an island hut, complemented by a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. There will be free time to explore the Island and observe the Magellan Cormorants too, which nest in the rocky walls. After a briefing on paddling technique, we will then canoe down rivers and cross lagoons to reach the famously serene Lapataia Bay, before arriving back in Ushuaia for a relaxing evening at about 4:30 pm.
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Half-Day Beagle Channel Navigation
Today we will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Patagonia Explorer Stand, located on the tourist pier.
In 1833 Charles Darwin sailed the Beagle Channel and discover something great. Today it is your turn: become another explorer of this channel, primitively named Onashaga Channel since the Onas where its first sailers.
You will embark on a 3-hour long boat trip along the famous Channel. You will gain panoramas of Ushuaia Bay, where the city lies proudly crowned by the Martial Glacier. Unearth the diverse marine wildlife, such as cormorants (flying birds, closely related to penguins) and fur seals which frolic their time away on Alicia Island.
Argentina standing at your left and Chile at your right, you will sail this natural border till reaching the iconic Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, the ancient guard of the bay.
On your way back, you will stop at Bridges Island to walk a wildlife interpretative path, hear about Yaman’s history (the native inhabitants) and see the largest shelly deposits of the region. During the excursion, you can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate with cookies or try the Mate (strong green tea) the favorite Argentine drink.
Once we get back to the port, you will have a transfer back to your hotel.
Type of service: Shared
Duration: 3/4 hours
Included: Transportation mentioned above and bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
Not included: Port tax (2 dollars)
Note: Departure time is at 10 AM and 3 PM from Patagonia Explorer Stand, located in the tourist pier.
Transfer Ushuaia Hotel / Ushuaia Airport
At the appropriate time, you will be transferred from your hotel to Ushuaia airport to take your flight.
Type of service: Private
Included: Transportation
The trip starts on day 1 at Ushuaia Airport and finishes on day 4 at the same point.
In Ushuaia, the transport is normally in minivans that seat from 8 to 14 people.
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, the strong marine influence and the effect of the Southern Patagonia Icefield make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and even snow. Even in summer (December to March), you should come prepared to find strong cold winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfall. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºC max, 2ºC min).
This trip doesn’t demand physical activity other than walking a maximum of two consecutive hours over rather a flat terrain with as many stops as necessary to fit with the rhythm of the group.
Passengers need to be prepared for summer and winter altogether and consider at least two changes of clothes. Some essential equipment is a one day backpack (10 liters, to carry a camera, glasses, raincoat, etc), trekking or hiking boots, extra shoes for evenings or in case the others get wet, waterproof jacket, two pairs of wool socks, fleece jacket or sweater, shorts or comfortable loose pants, sun protection (glasses, hat, lip balm and screen) and optional Capilene underwear for the upper and lower body.
The weather in Tierra del Fuego can be difficult to deal with at times. We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
