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Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego Tours and Travel Packages

The history of this Argentine city dates back to 1869, when Mr. Stirling, an Anglican pastor, landed on its coasts with the mission to convert the natives to Christianity. The place was called "Ooshooia" or "Ouchouaya" by the natives, which means "The bay that penetrates towards the west" in Yamana tongue. Eventually it became the southernmost city of the world. Ushuaia was officially founded on October 12, 1884, and is now the capital of the Province of Tierra del Fuego and South Atlantic Islands.

In 1902, as a solution to the confinement of criminals in those days, and in order to populate the area and establish the possession of these remote lands, the Southern Jail of the Republic (Argentina) was transferred from San Juan de Salvamento to Ushuaia. Thanks to the work done by the prisoners the city quickly grew. Electric power was incorporated very early, the post arrived soon, and roads were built with their labor. But, additionally they provided the first basic services to the community such as first aid, carpentry, shoemaking. The jail, which was shut down in 1942, is a Maritime Museum today and is one of the main attractions of the city. But, of course, Ushuaia is much more than that. It is a large and modern city on the border of the Beagle Channel, surrounded by forests made up of Lenga, Ñires, and other species, and has a mountain chain with everlasting ice and snow as a backdrop.

Sample Itinerary

DAY 01 Ushuaia
Arrival in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Meet & greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Balance of the day at leisure to explore the area on own. We suggest visiting: the interesting museums such as, The End of the World Museum and the Presidium.
Accommodation: Hosteria Los Fuegos / Hosteria Alto Andino / Los Yamanas Hotel
Meals: None

DAY 02 Ushuaia
Tierra del Fuego National Park contains a summary of the landscapes in Patagonia: Sea, mountains and forest. Morning meet the guide in the lobby of the hotel. This will be a full day to visit this incredible National Park, one of the nicest in Argentina. Upon arrival in the park, we start a 7 km trek (3.5 hour walk) on a safe but uneven terrain with some slopes on the way, to a wonderful scenic point overlooking Lake Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, Rivers Ovando and Lapataia and Lapataia bay. Hiking through this beech forest we will be able to look for the Magellanic woodpecker, largest in South America, Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean Condors.

We have lunch by the lake (Lago Roca) and in the afternoon we paddle in the National Park. After an instructive view in Lago Roca, kayak Ovando River, which flows, into the Green Lake, one of the most beautiful views of the Park. During this easy- downstream ride, we will enjoy the crystal-clear, quite waters of Ovando River. We will run into Laguna Verde, one of the most wonderful spots in this part of the Park. As we go on, we will be amazed by the beauty of the scenery. Approaching Lapataia Bay, we may encounter sea birds flying over, looking curiously at us: sea petrels, albatross, and steamer ducks, among others.
Lapataia Bay is our final destination. After we disembark, we just relax and enjoy the early, southern sunset behind the mountains. We are at the end of the southernmost reaches of the Panamerican Road, at the end of the world.
We drive back to Ushuaia and hotel. This paddling is very easy and great fun! It is ideal for families and group of friends!

IMPORTANT NOTE: For those passengers that do not wish to paddle, we suggest a fun navigation on a zodiac boat to cross part of the Beagle Channel and reach Isla Redonda** This extension operates from November till Easter Holidays ONLY
This will include an embarkation on an 18 people zodiac boat and head towards Isla Redonda for lunch (pasta specialties) and afternoon short walk on the island. On the way back to Lapataia Bay, we will be able to watch cormorants and sea lions, albatross and petrels. Upon arrival we will hike an old trail to Laguna Verde, where we will board our vehicle back to Ushuaia. Finally transfer back to the hotel accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 03 Ushuaia
Morning pick up for full day visit Harberton Ranch, with a navigation to observe The penguin colony at Martillo Island. This excursion is the perfect introduction to Tierra del Fuego, its history, its magnificent natural history and traditions.

We start from Ushuaia driving east towards Estancia Harberton. This estancia belongs to the descendants of the first British Missionaries to reach the area - Rev. Thomas Bridges- and was managed for many years by Ms Natalie Goodall, a foremost naturalist in the area. We visit the estancia and then board a small boat to navigate to Gable Island (the largest in the Beagle Channel) where we stop for lunch. Our base will be a cabin that dates from the beginning of the 19th century, a picturesque shelter adapted to receive visitors preserving its original charm.

After lunch we follow a 2,30 hs hike (between 3- 7 km hike depending upon the passengers physical condition) in the island to try to reach the opposite coast on the Beagle Channel to see the Gables, a rock formation by the coast and then resume our navigation to the Penguin rookery at MARTILLO ISLAND, the domain of the Magellan Penguin and some few Gentoo Penguins. The unique location of this island (close to the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean waters merge) allows for an incredible variety of rich subaquatic life, making it an amazing spot for birdwatching (petrels, skuas, cormorants, sea gulls and albatross). Once in a while some king penguins have been seen there too.
Return to Harberton and back to Ushuaia.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The HARBERTON excursion operates from NOVEMBER till EASTER HOLIDAYS only. In the event of bookings for October this excursion will be replaced by another one in the same area but including canoes instead of navigation and the Penguin rookery will not be included.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 04 Ushuaia
Morning at leisure to enjoy the city on own before the transfer to the airport to fly out.
Meals: Breakfast

** A note about hotels recommended:

HOSTERIA LOS FUEGOS - STD - www.hosterialosfuegos.com
This is a very unique hosteria. Located in the southern beech forest and outside Ushuaia, it offers an exquisite service. Rooms are medium size but very well furnised and very confortable; service is attentive to details and welcoming; food is very good. For those looking for a very special and unforgettable experience in the far end of the World.

ALTO ANDINO USHUAIA - www.altoandinohotel.com
A modern hotel located in town with a convenient access to the restaurants and the pier. Nice comfortable rooms; good service

HOTEL LOS YAMANAS - www.hotelyamanas.com.ar
A hotel located on the way to the National Park with very ample yet simple rooms, but very comfortable and with a nice view over the Beagle Channel and access to a small beach

**TECHNICAL NOTES

FLIGHTS: Daily flights from Buenos Aires, Trelew & El Calafate
AR operates 2-3 daily flights except to Trelew which is only ONE
LA (Lan Argentina) operates regular flights 3-4 days a week which change seasonally

CRUISES
Antarctica Cruises depart from Ushuaia on an 10 day cruise in average.
Cruceros Australis operates 2 cruises out of Ushuaia to Punta Arenas.
Departure days are: Wednesdays & Saturdays.

BUSES
There are various connections possible but they take quite a long way to Punta Arenas (a daily bus service via Rio Grande where pax need to change buses). Normally a 12+ hour drive to El Calafate a mandatory night is required to connect buses between Ushuaia & Rio Gallegos & then R Gallegos to El Calafate.

2011-2012 rates per person in US$:

The rates include:
* Transfers and tours in seat in basis (to be shared with other passengers - maximum 15 people)
Assistance of bilingual mountain guides
* 2 lunches as described on the itinerary without beverages

The rates do not include:
* Airline tickets, airport taxes and local taxes
* Personal expenses and extras
* Tips for baggage handling and optional tips for guides/ drivers
* Meals (except the ones mentioned) and beverages

Season: Oct to April
Minimum / Maximum: 2 / 16 pax
Departures: Daily (we also have winter options such as dog sledging and snow shoe expeditions)

Ushuaia Escapade

Day 1 Ushuaia airport – Ushuaia
Welcome at the local airport and transfer to Ushuaia, the southernmost city of the world. On route we show you the most interesting locations in town. As an optional for today, you can visit the Navy Museum and the former Presidium of town.
Lodging in Hosteria Double or Single room with private bathroom
Meals we provide: None

Day 2 Beagle Channel boat trip
Morning at leisure, you have time to visit Ushuaia historic downtown. Just after noon we pick you at the hotel to transfer to the Port and get on boar to our boat trip in the legendary Beagle Channel. We visit Alicia Islan where we will watch a colony of Sea Lions, the Island of Birds where we can see Cormorants and the Light House Les Eclaireurs built by 1919. We get back to the port in the afternoon while we watch the Darwin range to the West and the Andes above Ushuaia.
Lodging in Hosteria Double or Single room with private bathroom
Meals we provide: Breakfast

Day 3 Tierra del Fuego National Park - Ushuaia airport
After breakfast we drive to Tierra del Fuego National Park . From here we get beautiful views of Lake Roca . We also have the chance to know the many flowers, birds and mammals that live in the Park. Also traces of the originary Yamana culture which inhabited the Island . Eventually we visit Lapataia Bay where the Panamerican route and the Route 3 ( Atlantic Coastal Route ) ends. In the afternoon we transfer to Ushuaia International Airport where this program ends.
Meals we provide: Breakfast

2011-2012 price per person in US$: $374 for single, $286 double with English-speaking guide. High season supplement of $14 for departures Nov 11-Jan 31

Included:
Incoming Services
2 nights in Hosteria double o single room with breakfast.
Bilingual (Spanish English) guide during all excursions.
Beagle Channel boat trip
Excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park
Transfer Ushuaia airport to Hotel / Hotel to Ushuaia airport.
We combine regular and private transfer in our tours.

Not Included: Air tickets nor airport taxes , National Park fees , Medical and life insurance , Tips , Drinks
Optional excursions , Services not detailed in the program

Other Adventure Options

Trekking the Southern Summits - 3days/2 nights, moderate

Day one starts with a transfer to the beginning of the trail, at the mouth of the Cañadón de la Oveja (Sheep ravine). We hike along a trail in the woods and climb to the vegetation limit to continue along a guanaco trail. This trail will let us appreciate the high altitude ecosystems. We then arrive at the campsite on the shore of Laguna del Caminante (Hiker's lake) at about 5 p.m. Our equipment will already be at this camp, where we spend the night.

Day two will challenge us with a hike to Cerro Falso Tonelli (False Tonelli Mountain). Starting after breakfast, we cross Laguna Superior (Superior Lake) and then the Falso Tonelli glacier. We climb steep, stony ground to the summit which we will reach at about 1 p.m. Spare time for lunch and relax while enjoying an incredible view of the Beagle channel and the Darwin range, always covered by snow. After an hour rest we start back down and spend the night at the campsite.

On day three we start the return to Ushuaia right after breakfast, walking through the immense, millenary forests of Andorra valley. We'll arrive back in Ushuaia in the late afternoon.

Price: US$442 per person, min. of 2