Activities

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The Great Outdoors

A Day on the Ranch

For a true Tierra del Fuego experience you should visit one of the ranches in the area. Just as extreme as the location of these lands is the lifestyle of its original inhabitants. It’s worth exploring. The first and oldest farm on Tierra del Fuego is Estancia Viamonte/Haberton and it also is the holds the oldest house on the Argentine part of the island which was built in 1886. The second oldest ranch is at Estancia Remolino and it is equally as beautiful and important to the history of Tierra del Fuego. Those living on the ranches have maintained their old fashioned life style and love to share it with others.

Wildlife Tours

End of the World wildlife is abundant, as are the wildlife tour options. Seasonal trips to the Penguin Rookery and Marillo Island is one of the most popular because on this trip you get to see the Tierra del Fuego favorite…the penguin. You will love this tour and the waddling habits of the happy critters, but don’t forget about the other tours. Tour de los Lobos will take you out to visit the sealions and Tour de los Pajaros takes you to an island where you’ll find huge quantities of different bird species.

For something a little different you can also sign up for one of the Beaver Tours. It may sound a little strange, but many who witness the hard working beavers end the day with a new Tierra del Fuego wildlife favorite. Many times you can see them running around as they work to construct their immaculate dams and a new home for their little beaver families.

National Park

The Tierra del Fuego National Park is a beautiful sight to see and provides endless outdoor adventure opportunities. Mountain biking, horse back riding, kayaking, scuba diving, overlanding, and trekking are just a few of the ways to explore this wild Patagonia land. If you plan on exploring atop a bike or horse, Monte Susana is a highly recommended path with exceptional panarmoic views of Ushuaia, the Peninsula, the Beagle Channel, and the Bridge Islands. And if you are wanting to ride horses but not quite advanced enough to go on a big tour, you can also take horse back riding lessons from a real Argentina gaucho.

Skiing

If you arrive during winter season skiing at Mount Castor should be penciled into the agenda. It has modern ski lifts and one of the best schools in the country.

Tours of a Different Sort

Tren al Fin del Mundo

What once was built by the Ushuaia prisoners back in 1902 to transport lumber, has now become a popular tour route for Patagonia travelers. The Tren al Fin del Mundo is now commonly referred to as the Prisoner’s Train and travels from just outside Ushuaia along the original lumber carrying route to the Tierra del Fuego National Park. It is a great way to see the sights of the area and experience a piece of history.

Cruises

One of the most popular methods to see Tierra del Fuego is aboard the Mare Australis Cruise ship. From September to April there are two different cruise options that will take you from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas, or viceversa. It is a 3 or 4 night cruise that guides you through some of Patagonia’s most remote locations. The surroundings are incredible, the travel is comfortable and the service is outstanding.

On many of the wildlife tours you will cruise through The Beagle Channel but if for some reason the wildlife doesn’t get you out to sea, the incredible views included with this trip should be motivation enough to jump aboard. The Beagle Channel connects the Atlantic to the Pacific and is the ultimate way to see The End of the World.

And if you are feeling truly adventurous why stop at The End of the World when you can continue beyond to the mystical land of ice and snow? Cruise ships travel to Antarctica in the summer months – which is November to March in the southern hemisphere. Getting there is not cheap, nor is it easy, but it is an experience you will never forget. Ships of every shape and size are available depending on your preferences. The bigger the ship, the more than they will provide on board. However the smaller ships also have extra benefits, including extra time to spend wandering around on the glaciers and more privacy. But regardless of the ship you choose, it is important to realize that these cruises will be nothing like the typical cruise ship you may imagine with big buffets, live music, and dancing. What they do offer is a once in a lifetime opportunity to tour the least visited continent which is 99% covered by ice, walk on top of a glacier, and witness the mind-blowing scenery and wildlife that live in these extreme conditions.

Rent a Car Adventures

There are tours available to visit every Tierra del Fuego hot spot; however if renting a car is an option here are some highly recommendable locations that will be even more enjoyable with the freedom to do it at your own pace.

Cabo San Pablo is a beautiful beach side destination that is highly recommended. A drive to Lage Escondido and Lage Fagnano are also amazing drives that will lead you to the most beautiful views of the lakes. You will cross the Garibaldi Pass and the Fuegian Andes mountains where you will find numerous trekking, fishing, and camping options.

Indoor Activities

If you are needing a break from the outdoors, this is a great way to spend the day under a roof. The Museo Maritimo, Maritime Museum, is located in the old Ushuaia prison and displays many collections from Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego’s past. It is full of educational information and is an incredible insight into Argentina’s past.

Another option is to attend the one theatre in town. It is located in downtown Ushuaia and generally has two big screen debuts playing for your viewing pleasure.

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