For many, travelling to Ushuaia is conquering the end of the world! What is a fact, is that the City of Ushuaia represents the southernmost corner of the world. It is located on the shores of the Beagle Channel, at the southern tip of Tierra del Fuego Island, and surrounded by the Martial Mounts. Its superlative location allows you to enjoy sea, mountains and forests at the same time. Ushuaia name comes from the language of the Yámanas or yaghanes indians, its original inhabitants, and means “bay that penetrates westward". As for "Tierra de Fuego", it means “Land of Fire”. It was the name given to the island when the first European explorers saw fires flicking in the darkness lit by the aboriginal, Yámanas.

It doesn't matter when you come to visit, every time of the year there are infinite tours and options to see the impressive and beautiful scenery! Come prepared for adventure, as this is one of those places which will definitely mark a spot in the top ten! 

In this guide, we focus more on the activities and information of Ushuaia during the Winter period, when our visit took place. However, many of the tours can be done, in the same way, during the summer with only the type of activities changing. 

Ushuaia is located within the Tierra del Fuego province. It is an archipelago separated from continental South America by the Strait of Magellan. It was discovered by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan on his 1520 expedition. Argentine Antarctica falls into the Tierra del Fuego province, and, when in Argentina, it is wise to consider Las Islas Malvinas (or the Falkland Islands in English) as constituting Argentine territory physically, although technically these islands are considered as British overseas territories politically. (During your stay in Ushuaia, you will see many references to these islands).

The town itself of Ushuaia is easy to walk around in an hour or so, it's much of a fishing port, home to many tour agencies, local shops, cafes, restaurants and residential districts. However the town itself also has developed several attractions which are well worth the visit, like the Museum of Historia Fueguina and the Presidio. (The old Prison of Ushuaia). But the true reason to visit, is to admire at the beauty and impressive scenery which is so characteristic of the area. Patagonia offers some of the world’s breathtaking hikes. Some require multiple days of travelling, hiking, camping and exploring. 

✔️Tip: Taking tours are the best way to see the scenery and make the most of your stay. (as there is no local transport which takes you to the highlights to visit). When booking tours in Patagonia always ask for level of difficulty, physical requirements, things to take, health advice, times, duration. Specially those tours which involve overnight stays in campings/outdoors.

Below we focus on the easier, more comfortable tours with a day duration around the area:

• Tierra del Fuego National Park: is the oldest coastal nature reserve in Argentina. Attracting thousands of visitors every year to marvel at the mountain peaks, rivers, lakes, and glaciers, the park is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Argentina nature reserves. Covering an enormous 156,000-acre area from the Beagle Channel to the Chilean border, there are numerous hiking trails where visitors can explore the dramatic landscape, like Senda Costera. However, unfortunately, only a small section of Tierra del Fuego is open to the public; the vast majority of its jagged peaks, glacial valleys and dense Patagonian forest of lenga beech and coihue are inaccessible. However, the parts that can be explored are impressive and merit at least a day’s exploration. 
  
  Buses from Ushuaia to the entrance of the national park, 18 Km from the city, leave every hour, although it is recommended to depart early in the morning if you are planning on hiking in the park. Visitors must pay the entrance fee of 560 Pesos per person, but if you visit in the Winter, the entrance is free from 1/May to 30/September. There is also the Centro de Visitantes Alakush (Visitors Center) which has exhibits about the natural and human history of the park. Tours to the park cost 1500 Pesos and also will visit the "End of the World Train" station (see below) for those who want to take this tourist attraction.

• The End of the World Train: This unique steam train invites you to relive the last 7 km. of the old convicts train history, which left from the prison located in the city of Ushuaia towards the slopes of Mount Susana in order to obtain different materials for construction. On board the train you will hear the story and you will be delighted with the magnificent landscapes, composed by the zigzagging Pipo River, Macarena cascade, tree cemetery and the beautiful forest. You will cross through part of the inaccessible Tierra del Fuego National Park, on board a historic railway with its steam locomotives and elegant large window carriages, all which have been restored from their former original times in the early 1900's. Daily departures from 09.30 depending on the season. Tickets cost 1500 Pesos in "economy" but you can purchase a more comfortable seating with food/drink included for 3000 Pesos. The trips takes 1 hour but doesn't include the entrance to the park. Note, that when taking the tours to the National Park, they stop at this Train Station, with the option to take this trip.

• Beagle Channel by boat Tour: As one of three navigable passages between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Beagle Channel is one of Ushuaia’s most famous attractions. It's a narrow passage, inaccessible for large commercial shipping vessels. but ideal for smaller boats providing tours of the area. A cruise along the channel is highly recommended and will offer you the chance to see Ushuaia, and the arctic wildlife inhabiting the surrounding waters. Tours cost 2000 but can get down to 1700 Pesos with some promos or paying in cash. They include the visit to the Sea Lion Island, the Bird Island and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, which is also called the "end of the world lighthouse", with a trip duration of 3 hours approx return, operating both Summer and Winter seasons at 10.00am and 15 pm.
  
  Additionally, you can see the Penguin rockery at Martillo Island during the Summer season when the penguin colony is at its highest. The trip takes around 9 hours by boat and costs 6000 Pesos per person.

• Martial Glacier: Just a short ride away from the city center, is a glacier you can hike in about half a day. The first hour of the hike can be bypassed with a chairlift that operates seasonally. From there, head up another hour to the first lookout point, but be careful, the trek will involve snow, no matter the time of year. The trek is worth it, providing incredible views of the Beagle Channel and the city of Ushuaia located below. However during the Winter, it might not be possible to reach the Glacier due to the heavy snow and ice conditions. Also, the view of the glacier is limited with so many layers of snow.
• Laguna Esmeralda: Another popular hike in Ushuaia is going to Laguna Esmeralda where you can see the beautiful turquoise waters, while surrounded by mountains. This hike is also an easy half day adventure, but be careful because the trail can be very challenging in the off season with snow and ice. Best advised to do with a tour, they cost 2500 Pesos.
• Lago Escondido and Lago Fagnano: This trip needs of transportation, taking Route N ° 3 north. As you move away from the Beagle Channel, the landscape reveals the Oliva and Cinco Hermanos mountains on the horizon, as well as the Carbajal Valley. Then the road takes you to the Valle de Tierra Mayor that reveals the hills of Bonete, Pelado and Alvear. Upon reaching a height of 500 meters above sea level you can enjoy the most amazing panoramic views of the Lake Escondido and Lake Fagnano at Paso Garibaldi observation deck📍. Taking tours to these lakes is also advised. Tours vary in price from 2200 Pesos to 4500 Pesos with 4x4 vehicles, lunch and other extras that can be included.

• Galería Temática - Historia Fueguina Museum: The premier attraction for museum enthusiasts, “Pequeña Historia Fueguina” is one of the most interesting attractions in Ushuaia. With three floors full of anecdotal information and ancient artifacts, this museum will educate you on the history of the region. The museum costs 390 Pesos, but you can obtain 10% via several leaflets and promos at the Info centre.
• The Military Prison Museum: This museum showcase the history and the development of the city in relation to the prison which once was one of the hardest places to serve a sentence by it's harsh climate and limited escape options. Construction of the "Presidio Nacional" began in 1902 and finished in 1920. The 386 cells were all designed for the occupancy of only one prisoner, but the penitentiary at one point had some 600 inmates. The penitentiary had 30 work sectors, some of them were off the premises. The workshops that were installed catered to the penitentiary´s own needs and also offered some services to the entire city of Ushuaia. Among these services we find the first printing service in the city, along with telephone, electricity, firefighting, etc.Inmates were taken off the premises as a source of manual labour in tasks such as the construction of streets, bridges, buildings and obtaining lumber. This is how, in 1910, the southernmost train in the world came to be built. It was 25 km. long heading towards what is nowadays the National Park.In 1947, with the change in designation from National Territory to a Maritime State, the National Presidency declared the closure of the penitentiary. The installations were transferred to the Marine Ministry. and a Naval Base was established in it in 1950.The penitentiary had 30 work sectors, some of them were off the premises. The workshops that were installed catered to the penitentiary´s own needs and also offered some services to the entire city of Ushuaia. Among these services we find the first printing service in the city, along with telephone, electricity, firefighting, etc.Inmates were taken off the premises as a source of manual labour in tasks such as the construction of streets, bridges, buildings and obtaining lumber. This is how, in 1910, the southernmost train in the world came to be built. It was 25 km. long heading towards what is nowadays the National Park.In 1947, with the change in designation from National Territory to a Maritime State, the National Presidency declared the closure of the penitentiary. The installations were transferred to the Marine Ministry. and a Naval Base was established in it in 1950.
• Therefore, The Maritime Museum of Ushuaia, is also set here, and it actually contains another 2 museums. It is run by a non-profit Civil Association having no funding from national or provincial governments. The Maritime Museum is located in the building of the former Prison of Ushuaia (or Re-offenders Prison of Tierra del Fuego). 

✔️Tip: Although the ticket cost is expensive to visit the Prison, it covers 4 Museums: the Prison Museum itself, the Maritime Museum, the Arctic Museum and the Marine Arts Museum. Tickets are valid for 2 days for 600 Pesos.

• Cerro Castor: is a ski resort on the southern slope of Mount Krund, 26 km from the city of Ushuaia. Its tracks can be used during several months because of the cold weather of the region, generally from mid June till end of October. Here you can sleep the night in an exclusive resort and enjoy full days of skiing and other winter activities. Take the electric chairs to the top, to then ski down! Mostly for semi-professional skiers, but amateurs are welcome also and take lessons. If you don't drive you can arrange transfers from Ushuaia city centre or by tours.