Ways to Experience Ushuaia
Four distinct landscapes within an hour of town: a glaciated summit, an emerald lake, a forested ridgeline, and the Beagle Channel by boat.
Glaciar Martial
A short but steep trail climbs behind Ushuaia to the remnant Martial Glacier at about 800m. The trail gains 400m through southern beech forest before breaking into open scree with panoramic views over the Beagle Channel and the peaks of Chile across the water. The glacier itself has retreated significantly and is now a small permanent snowfield rather than an active glacier.
Laguna Esmeralda
The most popular day hike from Ushuaia leads through lenga beech forest, across open peat bogs, and up to a vivid glacier-fed lake at 500m. The lake's turquoise colour comes from glacial flour suspended in the water. The trail is boggy in sections and crosses several streams; waterproof boots are essential. The valley narrows in the final kilometre before the lake appears below a small hanging glacier.
Cerro Guanaco
The best viewpoint in Tierra del Fuego National Park demands 970m of vertical gain to its 1031m summit. The trail starts from Lago Roca inside the national park, climbs steeply through beech forest, and emerges onto an exposed rocky ridge with 360-degree views over the park's lakes, channels, and the mountains of Chile. On a clear day the view extends to the Darwin Range and Darwin Sound.
Beagle Channel: Boat to Estancia Harberton
The Beagle Channel cruise east from Ushuaia passes sea lion colonies, cormorant rookeries, and penguin islands before reaching Estancia Harberton, the oldest estancia in Tierra del Fuego founded in 1886 by missionary Thomas Bridges. A visit includes the marine museum, a penguin colony on Martillo Island (the only mainland-accessible Magellanic penguin colony in the world), and the historic farm buildings.
Guided Experiences in Ushuaia
Ushuaia's main draws beyond the national park are Beagle Channel boat trips, penguin colony visits, and the overland route across Tierra del Fuego. Most can be combined in a 2-3 day visit.
Beagle Channel cruise
Half-day boat tour through the Beagle Channel to Isla de los Lobos (sea lions), Isla de los Pajaros, and the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. Wildlife density is high year-round. Most tours run morning and afternoon departures.
Book channel cruise →Guided Tierra del Fuego trekking
Guided day hike inside Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, including the Coastal Trail to Lapataia Bay and the forested approach to Cerro Guanaco. Transport from Ushuaia included.
Book guided hike →Penguin colony at Martillo Island
Boat transfer to Isla Martillo for a guided walk among nesting Magellanic and Gentoo penguins during the October–March breeding season. Small group sizes ensure close wildlife access.
Book penguin tour →Links go to GetYourGuide for real-time availability. Check dates and guide certifications before booking.
Ushuaia announces itself before you land: the approach over the Darwin Range shows you ridges of grey rock and ice falling directly into the Beagle Channel, and the city perches at the bottom of it all looking genuinely improbable. Once you are on the ground the hiking trails spread out in every direction, and most of them are empty before 9am.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
The national park begins 12km west of Ushuaia and covers 63,000 hectares of southern beech forest, Andean peaks, peat bogs, and glacial lakes. It is the southernmost national park in the world and the only one accessible by road in Tierra del Fuego. The park contains the southern terminus of Ruta 3, the highway that starts at the top of Argentina in La Quiaca and ends at a signpost marked "Fin de la Ruta." Day hikes within the park include Cerro Guanaco, the Costera trail along Lago Roca's shore, and a network of shorter loops through the forest.
The southernmost city on Earth. Every trail points back toward the edge of the continent.
Entrance to the park costs around $20 USD for foreign visitors. Most hotels in Ushuaia sell combination tickets with the bus transfer from town (roughly $5 USD each way).
Weather and What to Expect
Non-negotiable. Four seasons in one day is meteorological reality at 54 degrees south.
Summer temps are 5-14°C. Wind chill on exposed ridges like Cerro Guanaco can be violent.
Always carry more than you plan to need. Exposed ridges allow no margin for slow days.
Can fall any time of year, even in summer. Check forecasts but do not rely on them above treeline.
The Town Itself
Ushuaia is a working port town, not a polished resort. Its waterfront has genuine character: commercial fishing boats, naval vessels, and Antarctica-bound expedition ships all use the same harbour. The Museo del Fin del Mundo and the old prison (Presidio de Ushuaia) are both worth a few hours. The main street, San Martin, has good patagonian lamb restaurants and gear shops where you can buy last-minute equipment.
When to go
The austral summer window from November to March is when Ushuaia makes most sense for hiking. December and January offer the longest days (up to 17 hours of light) and the best chance of clear weather, though "best" at 54 degrees south still means wind and occasional snow above 600m. The penguin colony on Martillo Island is accessible only from November through February. Winter (June to August) is for skiing at Cerro Castor, not hiking; most trailheads are under snow and daylight drops to under 7 hours.
How to get there
Ushuaia (USH) is served by daily flights from Buenos Aires (3.5h) via Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM. Also direct from Bariloche and El Calafate in season. Book 2–3 months ahead — summer flights sell out. The airport is a 5-minute taxi ride from the city center ($3–5 USD).
Bus and ferry combination via the Primera Angostura strait crossing — a full day of travel but scenic overland option if you're already in Chilean Patagonia. Cross the border at San Sebastián checkpoint. Several operators run this route.
Ushuaia is the end of the road. There is no overland connection to the rest of Argentina without crossing into Chile. Allow at least 3 nights: one day acclimatizing, one day in Tierra del Fuego NP, one day for Martial Glacier or the Beagle Channel.
Permits and fees
~$20 USD entry fee for foreigners. Paid at the gate — no advance booking required. Covers all day trails including the Lapataia circuit (southernmost road in the world) and Lago Roca campsite.
A guided boat tour is required to visit the Magellanic penguin colony — ~$50–80 USD per person. November through February only. Book in advance through Ushuaia tour operators.
Where to sleep
Hostel · Ushuaia center
Several hostels within a 10-minute walk of the port. Kitchen access, luggage storage, and staff who can book Tierra del Fuego NP transfers and penguin tours.
Hotel · Beagle Channel views
Hotels with views over the Beagle Channel make the most of Ushuaia's dramatic setting. Watching expedition ships depart for Antarctica from your window is worth the extra cost.
Los Cauquenes Resort
5km from the center on the Beagle Channel shore. Spa, panoramic views, and an outstanding wine cellar. The most comfortable option at the end of the world.
Ushuaia in Photos
Tierra del Fuego National Park, the Beagle Channel, and the trails at the end of the world.
Common Questions
Absolutely. The long days are the main attraction: 17 hours of light in December means you can hike until 10pm and the golden hour lasts for two hours. This is also when the penguin colony at Martillo Island is active and the Beagle Channel boat tours run at their fullest schedule. Expect crowds at the most popular spots but rarely on the backcountry trails.
Yes, and this is one of the classic Patagonia itineraries. Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (Chile) is a 12-hour bus or a 1-hour flight, and Torres del Paine is 3 hours north of Punta Arenas. Allow at least 10 to 14 days total to do both justice: 3 to 4 days in Ushuaia and at least 5 to 7 days for the W Trek or O Circuit in Torres del Paine.
For Tierra del Fuego National Park, no advance booking is required. You can purchase the entrance ticket ($20 USD) at the gate or through the bus companies that run transport from Ushuaia. For the Martillo Island penguin walk (part of the Harberton boat tour), advance booking is strongly recommended in January and February as daily visitor numbers are capped.
Glaciar Martial is the logical first hike: it is 10 minutes from downtown Ushuaia by taxi or a 30-minute walk uphill, the trail is short and well-marked, and the view over the Beagle Channel from 800m gives you immediate geographic orientation. If you prefer a longer day, Laguna Esmeralda offers more wilderness and a genuinely impressive destination lake with less vertical than Cerro Guanaco.
By Argentine standards, yes. Ushuaia is a duty-free zone and electronics are cheaper than Buenos Aires, but accommodation, restaurants, and tour prices are significantly higher than the rest of the country due to remoteness. Budget roughly $80 to $120 USD per day for mid-range accommodation, food, and one activity. Cooking your own meals and using public transport to the national park reduces costs considerably.