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Amazing Places To Visit When You’re In Ushuaia
At “The End of the World” sits Ushuaia, an easy going resort town surrounded by scenic mountains and glaciers. It is a common jumping off point for Antarctic tours but before heading to the South Pole be sure to take at least 3-4 days to see all that Ushuaia and the surrounding area has to offer. Ushuaia is known for its breathtaking landscapes from the celebrated Tierra Del Fuego National Park, the chillingly beautiful Beagle Channel and its penguin dominated Isla Martillo, as well as numerous azure glaciers and lakes. You shouldn’t be surprised to find dog sledding or skiing at Ushuaia’s pristine resorts too. With so much to do we’ve listed the top 6 things we recommend doing in Ushuaia to finesse your travel plans.
Just outside Ushuaia is Tierra del Fuego National Park, known for dramatically diverse scenery ranging from colossal glaciers to cascading waterfalls. This “Land of Fire” is the microcosm of Patagonia -rugged, beautiful and largely untouched by man. Take a day to see the bays by traversing the coastal path Senda Costera or hike through beech forests where red and gray foxes dart in the underbrush on the way to the vivid Laguna Esmeralda. Lake Roca is an atmospheric alternative that doubles as a great place to do birdwatching where the Andes divide Chile and Argentina. If you are lucky you might also be able to spot wild guanaco among the sub Antarctic flora or legendary Andean condors flying high on their wingspans just shy of 10 feet. You can’t say you’ve been to Ushuaia if you haven’t visited Tierra Del Fuego National Park
Hike to Laguna Esmeralda to experience the divinity of nature where a lake of many hues and singular beauty reflects perfectly the snow capped mountains guarding it. Found within Tierra Del Fuego, this relatively flat hike takes a half day maximum round trip and is enjoyed by hikers old and young. Gear up in your galoshes as the majority of this hike is through peat bog and damp mist-shrouded beech forest. When hiking in Tierra del Fuego it’s always good to come prepared with sunscreen and a lot of water. Once you’ve reached the final hill you’ll be met with views of the serene hanging glacier Ojo del Albino across the glacial lake waters of Esmeralda. Common advice is to take a moment to absorb the tranquility and peace of this lakeside. Before heading out make sure to snap some pictures as a higher sought after photo opportunity in Tierra Del Fuego is unlikely to be found.
3. Martial Glacier
The trail to Martial Glacier is a steep but fairly short climb on which you will be rewarded by the smiling faces of locals that frequent the trail as well as panoramic views from the top. It is easily the most popular hike in Ushuaia due to its year round, easy access and low difficulty. On a clear day you can see for hundreds of kilometers; this is the place for the best aerial view of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel with its islands. If you opt to take the chairlift up you’ll also be offered some of the best city views on the way up to Martial Glacier. Something special about Martial Glacier itself is though it’s small it is the biggest water source for the town of Ushuaia. You can refill your bottles in the crystal clear streams trickling down the mountainside for the way back. Headed down you’ll still have something to look forward to since the teahouse at the bottom of the trail is an excellent place to reward yourself with tea and cake after your trek
Ushuaia faces out towards a crystal channel of spectacular fjords known as Beagle Channel. Tours along this channel weave in and out of sparkling icebergs whilst spotting seabirds gliding above and marine animals diving below. The icy route is the same that the ancient Yamana tribespeople canoed down -past the five timeless glaciers that gives the channel the nickname “Glacier Alley”. While cruising the pristine fjord keep an eye out for the iconic “The Lighthouse at the End of the World” and its candy cane stripes. In these waters teeming with rare marine life it wouldn’t be unusual to see wildlife such as endemic dolphins, seals and humpback whales. A particularly popular sight on the tour is the bickering and barking sea lion colony on the densely populated Isla de los Lobos. Relax in the surreal natural beauty of this strait that realizes the lifelong dreams of countless tourists from around the world.
5. Isla Martillo
From October to April, the boisterous penguin colony on Isla Martillo is one of the best locations in Patagonia to get close and personal with everyone’s favorite flightless birds. Located in the Beagle Channel, the island is just a short, picturesque boat ride away from the renowned Estancia Haberton. The inhabitants of the island are thousands of Gentoo and Magellanic penguins whose numbers are steadily growing each year. Among other things they can be observed nesting in borrows and on the island’s rocky ridges, waddling in and out of the water foraging for food, and porpoising the waters nearby. Keep an eye out for the occasional Emperor penguin that can be seen here having wandered up from Antarctica. On Isla Martillo great photographs are taken from spectacularly close as the penguins, generally unbothered by humans, sometimes approach within a few feet. After spending an hour and a half walking among the penguin rookeries on Martillo, it’ll be no surprise that seeing wild penguins in their natural habitat are the biggest wildlife draw to Tierra Del Fuego. It is worth mentioning the whale museum at the estancia is a great way to warm up afterwards as well as gain a better understanding of marine life from the knowledgeable and dedicated staff .
6. Lago Fagnano and Lago Escondido (Hidden Lake)- by 4×4
Among the glaciated valleys, deciduous and beech forests North of Ushuaia can be found Lake Fagnano and its smaller counterpart Escondido Lake. The impressive Lake Fagnano, also known as Lake Cami, is one of the largest lakes in the world. Lake Escondido, aptly named “hidden” is much smaller but equally photogenic against the magical Andes backdrop. The valley is frankly a gorgeous place to be astonished by the beauty of Tierra Del Fuego. For those who aren’t trekkers we recommend taking a 4×4 to explore the hidden spots in the woods. Make a stop at either of the lakes to walk across the multi colored pebbled shoreline and enjoy the sound of crashing waves. Additionally take time to stop at the popular roadside lookouts over the valley to take in all the natural beauty of the area
7. Depart for Antarctica!
If you’ve come this far don’t miss an opportunity to meet the 7th continent. Wind your Ushuaia visit down by enjoying Argentinian wine and reminiscing over your time, seemingly too short, spent here. After socializing one last time with the locals over a steaming cup of maté, bundle up and try to contain your excitement for your voyage to Antarctica. The polar world of magnificent whale breeches, monumental ice bergs, and mysterious ice covered terrain awaits. Check our: Antarctica Cruises
Ushuaia is too often mislabeled solely as a departure point to Antarctica but in actuality has a wealth of adventures and wildlife experiences to offer. We offer a variety of Ushuaia Tour Packages and are happy to help you plan your trip. Whether you are looking for scenic hiking to glaciers in Tierra Del Fuego or taking in the mesmerizing views of Beagle Channel. We hope you enjoyed our post. Please do subscribe to our mailing list for more posts like this!
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