Reasons to go
- Let Ushuaia be your base for days of hiking, kayaking, and even four-wheeled drive adventures
- Go trekking in the wild and remote mountains
- Bird-watch in the beautiful Tierra del Fuego national park
- Explore the Magellan Straits and Beagle Channel on an adventure cruise
- Venture into Chilean Tierra del Fuego and sail to Cape Horn
- Stay at a secluded lodge near Puerto Williams and explore Isla Navarino
Reasons to go to Tierra del Fuego
Cape Horn
Cape Horn marks the very end of the world as we know it - the next stop is the alien, polar world of the Antarctic. The Cape is the most rugged part of the windswept lands of Tierra del Fuego and can be visited in four different ways:
- On an adventure cruise
- From the air - by plane
- As part of a sailing trip
- By kayak
Ushuaia
Gentle Hiking
From the outskirts of Ushuaia, there are several day-hikes, which aren't too strenuous and will take you to spectacular vistas of the surrounding wild landscapes, including glaciers.
Multi-day Hiking
Explore the rugged windswept ranges and alpine moors of the Argentine Fuegian Andes on the Montes Martial or Sierra Valdivieso Circuits. Expect strong winds and summer snowfall
Birdwatching
If you're into birding (or are looking for a new relaxing activity), going out into Tierra del Fuego National Park with a specialist bird-watching guide gives you the opportunity to spot some of the incredible native birds.
Chilean Tierra del Fuego (Isla Navarino)
On the southern side of the Beagle Channel, in Chilean Tierra del Fuego, is a large island: Isla Navarino.
Lakutaia Lodge
This lodge is in a great location on Isla Navarino and offers a fantastic range of excursions, which include sailing on the Beagle Channel and even flying over Cape Horn.
Dientes de Navarino
The Dientes de Navarino (or 'Navarino Teeth'), located on Navarino Island, are peaks which get their get name from the jaw full of teeth which they resemble. Although perhaps one of the less well known places for trekking, there are many hikes available to see the teeth and you don't require a permit to visit them. You're likely to see guanacos (belonging to the llama family), blue lakes and verdant forests.
Beagle Channel Boat Trips
Ushuaia lies on the shore of the Beagle Channel, named after Darwin's ship which sailed up here almost 200 years ago. Taking a boat trip from Ushuaia allows you to explore this vast stretch of water and see Tierra del Fuego from another dramatic perspective.
Four-wheeled Drive Adventures
Jump in a four-wheeled drive with a guide to explore Tierra del Fuego, and see a large part of the region without undertaking long treks.
Swoop Says
Our Top Tierra del Fuego Trips
More about Tierra del Fuego
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What Our Customers Think
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The remoteness of Tierra del Fuego was incredible, we didn't see another boat for 3 days. We saw a lot of wildlife - penguins, dolphins, seals, albatross, condors.
Peter January 2017
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Many thanks for making my unforgettable experience in Tierra del Fuego possible. The land is one of a kind; the only regret I have that I was not able to go for more days!
Christian December 2015
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The catamaran trip east down the Beagle Channel was a spellbinding introduction to the region; dramatically beautiful with wind-whipped blue sea flanked by snow-capped rugged mountains; island hopping to view sea birds, penguins, seals etc very rewarding.
Michael, UK November 2016
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We flew down to Isla Navarino which was fabulous. Lakutaia Lodge was a great base with an amazing location overlooking the Beagle channel. We took a boat trip around to Wulaia Bay which was fascinating.
Neil February 2016
How to get to Tierra del Fuego
From Buenos Aires & Abroad
There are 4 or 5 flights per day from Buenos Aires (AEP) to Ushuaia (USH), and the flight time is approximately 3 hours 40 minutes.
From El Calafate & Argentina
There are daily flights from El Calafate (FTE) (the nearest city to Glaciar Perito Moreno & Mount Fitz Roy) to Ushuaia, which take around 1 hour 15 minutes. If you're coming from Peninsula Valdes, there are flights from Trelew. From elsewhere in Argentina, flights go via Buenos Aires.
From Torres del Paine & Chile
The only flights from Chile to Argentina go between their two capitals (Santiago and Buenos Aires), so if you're coming from Torres del Paine or anywhere else in Chilean Patagonia, you need a different way to get to Ushuaia. From Torres del Paine, this is usually via the nearest city, Punta Arenas. Punta Arenas is the nearest large town to Torres del Paine, so it's most likely you'll come via here.
Cross the border overland and fly from Calafate
El Calafate lies in Argentina, but it is possible to travel overland from some parts of Chile, such as Torres del Paine and Punta Arenas, by either public bus or private transfer. From El Calafate, there are regular flights down to Ushuaia.
From Punta Arenas to Ushuaia
- Fly - DAP Airlines run flights twice weekly on a Wednesday and Saturday.
- Bus - There is a public bus which departs Punta Arenas in Chile nearly every day, taking you across the border and down to Ushuaia. The journey time is approximately 11 hours - it's better than it sounds!
- Ferry - Taking the ferry between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia allows you to see some of the fjords, glaciers, and wildlife of Tierra del Fuego along the way. The ferry takes approximately 24 hours.
- Cruise - By far the most enjoyable way to travel from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia is to take an adventure cruise. By day you'll experience thrilling excursions on small zodiac boats, exploring the Magellan Straits and getting up close to penguin colonies and hanging glaciers, and by night you'll return to a comfortable cabin aboard an ice-strengthened vessel.
Where to Stay in Tierra del Fuego
Arakur Hotel
The Arakur is set in its own nature reserve, has panoramic views over the Beagle Channel and features luxurious and comfortable rooms.
Lakutaia Lodge
A cosy lodge located just 2.5 miles outside Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. It serves as the perfect base to explore the surrounding mountains, fjords and channels.
Classic Ushuaia Trip
4 Days £559
Venture to the southernmost extremes of the American continent by boat and on foot. Marvel at the historic Beagle Channel. Visit a bustling penguin colony, and enjoy spotting barking sea lions and diverse birdlife all around you in this wildlife haven at the end of the world.
This is the classic way to experience Ushuaia and is one of our most popular trips. You can combine this with ‘Classics’ in other parts of Chile and Argentina to tailor your 2-3 week holiday.
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Ready to plan your Patagonia adventure?
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.