Highlights of Tierra del Fuego

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia; Hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park

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

This afternoon you'll set off on a 4-hour tour along 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 the trip you'll be driven back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Cilene del Fuego (or equivalent), or Los Cauquenes Resort

Days 2 and 3: Choose your own adventures:

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

1 – Harberton, penguins and trek

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.

Note: This excursion may vary, subject to being able to cross to Pinguinera. The crossing to the penguin colony is undertaken in semi-rigid boats. It's only available as a private trip and Estancia Harberton is closed on Tuesdays. 

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

Accommodation: Cilene del Fuego (or equivalent), or Los Cauquenes Resort

2 – Beagle Foodie Experience

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.

Includes snack, lunch, wine and water.

Accommodation: Cilene del Fuego (or equivalent), or Los Cauquenes Resort

3 – Off-road adventure

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, you'll venture out in a canoe to explore the lake. Providing conditions allow, you will paddle along the shores of Lake Escondido.

You return to Ushuaia at around 5pm.

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: Cilene del Fuego (or equivalent), or Los Cauquenes Resort

4 - Estancia Rolito and Cape San Pablo

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.

This excursion may suffer variations due to weather conditions.

Lunch and drinks included.

Accommodation: Cilene del Fuego (or equivalent), or Los Cauquenes Resort

Day 4: Boat trip on the Beagle Channel

This morning your boat will be waiting for you at the local port, ready to explore the Beagle Channel. This is a shared trip on a small boat, capacity 18 passengers. 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 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.

Meals: Breakfast

Note: Entrance fee to the national park included