Highlights of Tierra del Fuego

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia; Boat trip; Hotel Alto Andino

On arrival in Ushuaia you'll be met by a driver and taken to your hotel.

In the afternoon, your boat will be waiting for you and a small group of other travellers at the local port, ready to explore the Beagle Channel. Capacity is usually 18 passengers for this photogenic outing. You'll begin in the direction of Alice Island to see the colony of sea lions, continuing on to the Birds Island where the king and imperial cormorants inhabit. Observe the rock cormorants on the cliffs nearby, then see both sea lions and fur seals at the Sea Lions Island.

During the voyage, enjoy tea, hot chocolate, coffee, biscuits and, of course, typical Argentinian maté. Finally, you'll reach Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, which was established in 1919 and is a real symbol of Ushuaia. Going back, you will disembark on Bridges Island for a short hike which promises discovery of abundant flora and the fauna. On this island you can also see archaeological remains of the Yamanas, the aborigines who lived here many years ago.

After the boat trip you'll be driven back to the Hotel Alto Andino.

Accommodation: Hotel Alto Andino

Days 2 and 3: Choose your own adventures:

Choose one of the following adventures per day (two in total):

1 – Harberton, penguins and trek (private tour only)

After breakfast at your hotel you will be picked up and head northeast towards Harberton. Following National Route 3, the journey will border Lasifashaj's river valley, almost to the mouth of the Beagle Channel in Brown Bay, before arriving at Estancia Harberton. This was founded in 1886 by the Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges. It is a family-run sheep shearing farm, where the friendly manager, one of the founder's great-grandsons, is eager to share the fascinating history of the estancia's wool activity with you.

Your next visit of the day will involve several more new friends, as you make your way to Martillo Island by zodiac boat and meet the huge colony of magellanic and gentoo penguins there. Walking alongside these gracious seabirds, you will learn about their life and the ways of conservation from the expert local guide accompanying you.

We'll return to the estancia and then head to Cambaceres Bay to trek along the River Lasifashaj to a gushing waterfall which cascades from the narrowing of the river's valley.

You return to Ushuaia at around 6pm.

This excursion may vary, subject to availability of crossing to Pinguinera.

The crossing to the penguin colony is undertaken in semi-rigid boats, shared with other passengers.

Includes a picnic lunch, crossing to the penguin colony and entrance to Harberton.

Accommodation: Hotel Alto Andino

2 – Walking with penguins and Beagle Channel Navigation (group tour)

Leaving from the dock in Ushuaia by boat, we head for Birds Island, inhabited by king and imperial cormorants. Nearby we'll see rock cormorants on the cliffs. Next up, we visit Sea Lions Island for sea lions and fur seals before finding Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, built in 1919 and the symbol of Ushuaia.

We'll disembark near Estancia Harberton and then sail 15mins on to Martillo Island in a semi-rigid boat. Here we'll walk for an hour with the gentoo and magellanic penguins, always accompanied by a guide. The rookery comprises about 1000 nests and is one of the three magellanic penguin rookeries in Tierra del Fuego. There is also a small colony of nine breeding pairs of gentoo penguins – the only one in South America. Other birds on the island include skúas, petrels, cormorants, vultures and South American terns.

You return to Ushuaia at around 3pm on a small bus (1hr journey time).

This excursion may be run in reverse, heading to Estancia Harberton by road, visiting the penguin colony and returning to Ushuaia by boat.

Does not include transfers to the pier, nor drinks/meals.

Does not include port tax or entrance fee to Estancia Harberton.

Accommodation: Hotel Alto Andino

3 – Beagle Foodie Experience (small group tour)

You'll leave Ushuaia at 9am for the Beagle Channel. Around 90 minutes into the drive you'll stop at Laguna Victoria for a snack.

Around 11:30am you'll pass through Puerto Almanza, the main port for crab fishing, and continue a little further down the coast to reach the house of one of the most well-known fisherwomen in the area.

She'll be waiting to guide you, step by step, through a true gastronomic experience. The incredible five-course lunch could include trout, sea bass and crab, all cooked by her and her partner in their kitchen.

From here you can see Puerto Williams from afar and, if you're lucky, see whales in the bay.

You'll leave the house at 2:30pm and arrive back in Ushuaia around 4pm.

Maximum group size is six people.

Includes snack, lunch, wine and water.

Lunch is shared with other people in your group. Ask about the option of exclusivity at lunch.

Accommodation: Hotel Alto Andino

4 – Off-road adventure (small group tour)

Start the excursion heading to the north of the island on National Route 3 where we'll see the most popular ski resort in the area, Cerro Castor. Cross the Andes and then start the real 4x4 adventure in a Land Rover Defender. Huge paths of mud and water will be passed before reaching the imposing coast of Lake Fagnano. At this point, we can simply soak in the breathtaking scenery and relax by the lake.

Following a brief stop, we'll begin to forge your trail into the wilderness, taking the vehicles well and truly off trail. As we enter the forest, the 4x4s will be left behind as we hike through a secluded area, reaching Lake Escondido where there’s a small shelter. Ahead of our arrival, the lodge staff will have cooked a delicious Argentinean style asado (barbecue) for you, accompanied with Malbec wine.

After a filling lunch, the group will be divided into pairs to venture out in canoes to explore the lake. Providing conditions allow, you will paddle along the shores of Lake Escondido.

You return to Ushuaia at around 5pm.

Maximum group size is 6 passengers

The order of activities may vary according to the guide's criteria.

Lunch includes salami and cheese, typical Argentine BBQ with choripán and steak with salad, dessert, wine and water.

Accommodation: Hotel Alto Andino

5 - Estancia Rolito and Cape San Pablo (small group tour)

We leave Ushuaia very early in the morning following National Route 3, crossing the Andes via the Garibaldi Pass at 450m. Around 60km, we encounter Lake Escondido in the middle of high rocky walls and the landscape changes from woods to steppe.

We'll visit Estancia Rolito, a family-run sheep ranch and the first to open its gates to rural tourism, and stop for tea with homemade cakes. We'll also have time to walk around the beautiful ancient lenga forest here.

Leaving here, we continue our journey towards the Atlantic Ocean to Cape San Pablo. At this point we'll trek to the summit of an isolated mountain with an abandoned lighthouse. From here we can see the wreck of the Desdemona which ran aground in 1983.

After exploring the shipwreck we'll visit some local fishermen who'll invite us to enjoy a homemade fish lunch at their house.  

You return to Ushuaia at around 6.30pm.

Today we will drive approximately 240 miles.

Maximum group size is 6 passengers

This excursion may suffer variations due to weather conditions.

Lunch and drinks included.

Accommodation: Hotel Alto Andino

Day 4: Hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park

This is a small group tour. You will set off on National Route 3 from Ushuaia and stop at a panoramic point in the Beagle Channel. Arriving at Tierra del Fuego National Park you will begin the trek to Acigami Lake, Pipo River and Ensenada Bay. The walk is around 4.5km and will take you through mystic forests and to various viewpoints of the Beagle Channel and Lapataia Bay (woody bay); giving you a real feel for the surrounding mountain ranges.

After you are dropped back at your hotel, enjoy the last few sights and sounds of Ushuaia before catching your transfer back to the airport or bus station at a time of your choice.

Maximum group size is 6 passengers

Meals: Breakfast

Note: Entrance fee to the national park included