The Best of Tierra del Fuego

Day 1: Transfer from Ushuaia Airport to Ushuaia

You will be met at Ushuaia Airport and take a private transfer to Los Cauquenes Resort in Ushuaia.

Accommodation: Los Cauquenes Resort

Day 2: Lapataia Expedition by boat

Today's excursion is an exciting roadtrip and boat journey through this truly stunning region.

The excursion will start with you being picked up from your hotel and driven west, out of Ushuaia, along the Ruta 3 highway and into the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Your first stop will be Zaratiegui Bay, from where you'll have greta views of the Beagle Channel and several islands just off the coast - Round Island and Hoste Island. Behind you will be the Andes Mountains.

Located on the quay at Zaratiegui Bay is the southernmost post office in the world, should you fancy sending a postcard back home.

From here you'll continue by road to Acigami Lake, surrounded by dense and lush forest, with a mountain backdrop. This emerald-green lake straddles the border between Argentina and Chile and is popular with hikers.

The road journey will end at Lapataia Bay, where the Pan-American Highway also terminates. You'll see a plaque here showing the distance all the way north to Alaska.

In the bay, you'll board the Akawaia for a navigation along the Beagle Channel towards Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. Along the way you'll learn about the local flora and fauna. On the islets around the lighthouse you'll be able to observe cormorant colonies and sea lions.

There will be no more than 18 passengers on the Akawaia - it's an exclusive small boat, unlike the larger boats you see based in Ushuaia. A light gourmet lunch will be served on board.

The boat will then head for Ushuaia where you'll disembark and be driven back to your hotel.

Length of excursion: 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, light lunch

Accommodation: Los Cauquenes Resort

Day 3: Laguna Esmeralda hike

The private excursion today starts early this morning, after you have breakfasted at your hotel. The early start time will be confirmed with your guide and will enable you to beat the crowds on the trail. You'll be driven to the trailhead, about 30 minutes to the northwest of Ushuaia on Ruta 3. 

From here, it will take about two hours on foot to reach Laguna Esmeralda, hiking through the mountain valley. You'll be walking through subantarctic forest, peat valleys and past beaver dams. The further along the trail you get, the more impressive the scenery becomes, until you reach the lagoon itself, impressively nestled between mountains.

You'll have time to stop here, soak up the view and admire the emerald waters from which the lake takes its name. You'll also have lunch here, with a hot drink, before retracing your steps, back to your waiting vehicle.

The excursion takes around six hours, so once you arrive back in Ushuaia you'll still have plenty of time in the afternoon to relax at your hotel. Alternatively, you might like to explore this quaint city and visit one of the many restaurants, cafés and museums. You will find a regular, complimentary shuttle service at your hotel which will take guests to and from the downtown area.

Hike: 6 miles/9.5km, 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: Los Cauquenes Resort

Day 4: Beagle Foodie Experience; Penguin viewing

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll take a private excursion out of Ushuaia, driving about two hours to the small fishing hamlet of Puerto Almanza - the main port for crab fishing on the Beagle Channel. On the way you'll stop for photos, guided explanations of the area, and a short snack break at a lakeside location. You'll then drive a little further down the coast to reach the house of Diana - 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 Diana 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 in the early afternoon and head to the nearby penguin colony on Isla Martillo by small boat. You'll join guests coming from Ushuaia on this one-hour cruise, and you'll get up close to the beach to see both Magellanic and Gentoo penguins from the boat.

You'll then return to Puerto Almanza and take your private vehicle back to Ushuaia, arriving in the evening.

Please note that the boat trip is subject to weather conditions and may take place before lunch, depending on the times of the tides.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch (wine included)

Accommodation: Los Cauquenes Resort

Day 5: Transfer from Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport

This morning, after breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel and take a private transfer to Ushuaia Airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast