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Enrich your spirit for adventure
exploring Ushuaia, the southernmost city of world.
Engage in overlanding tours in 4x4
vehicles, trekking experiences in exotic and inhabited islands,
canoeing expeditions and much more!
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Read below to learn about our suggested Ushuaia tours
and our useful insider's tips for having the best time in Ushuaia!
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Penguin Island
Duckies
Road to Harberton
Beaver
Tree
Beaver Tree Close-up
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The Odyssey Of Ushuaia’s Discovery: The Gable Expedition
For your adventure spirits we have arranged this ultimate
adventure experience that involves paddling in a inflatable
rubber canoe on the Beagle Channel, a visit to Harberton Estancia,
a motorboat tour to the Penguin Island, and a hiking experience
on the awesome virgin Gable Island. If you are not fond of
water activities like paddling we will take you by vehicle
to Harberton Estancia where you will join the rest of the
group.
The largest island on the Beagle Channel, Gable, features
the full range of elements that compose the classical Patagonian
landscape. Provisional indigenous settlements and an abandoned
sheep shearing barn are the only human vestiges in this now
uninhabited patchwork of beech wood forests and rolling pastures
set in the dramatic backdrop of Andean peaks.
The tour begins early in the morning when you are picked
you up at your hotel. We follow highways “3” and “J” for an
hour and a half until we reach Bahía Brown (Brown Bay).
Once there, we prepare the duckies (modified inflatable kayaks)
and server you hot drinks and snacks. Duckies are
extremely stable boats that will ensure you enjoy a safe fun
ride. Your guide will be a professional paddler who will guide
you and be there for your safety.
In this point you can choose between doing the journey to
Harberton Estancia in a vehicle or paddling in the duckies.
Following the path of the Yamana canoe-men, the first Indian
colony that settled in this region, we’ll start paddling through
a narrow passage of a river, pretty close to the Beagle Channel,
enjoying the beauty of the changing vistas and the local fauna
and flora. You’ll start warming up while our guides teach
you the basic paddling techniques.
When we arrive to the Beagle Channel, we leave the river
and start heading to the Harberton Estancia (ranch), the first
settlement of the founders of Ushuaia. Indeed, the founders
of this region did the same paddling path that you are going
to do. When you arrive to this picturesque estancia you´ll
be able to rest, enjoy the magnificent view and dry yourself.
It’s important for you to know that upi will provide all the
wet gear you´ll need (boots, water proof rain jacket and trouser,
etcétera) so your clothes wont be all wet from the duckie
ride. At this "estancia" youwill meet the
travelers that chose the vehicle ride.
A motorboat waits for us at the dock. We board it and head
to the Penguin’s Island. On this island you will admire a
colony of Magellan penguins. Walking on this island is prohibited
in order to protect the penguin’s natural environment. Our
boat will get close to the island so you can take pictures
of these cute little fellows.
We then head to the mystic Gable Island, a natural, cultural
and historic icon of the foundation of this region. We disembark
on its 15 miles (24 km) of pure magic. We unite at our rural
retreat, light up the rustic salamander and indulge in a Yamana-style
meal. Near the retreat there´s an old sheep shearing
barn no longer in use that you can visit. Once we’ve
had some time to rest and digest we´ll begin our cross-island
trek, through pastures and haunting woods, towards the rugged
southern shore. Steep glacier-ravaged cliffs descending
into the channel greet us on the other side, showing us the
fiercer face of Tierra del Fuego. We stand on the edge with
the wind blowing hard on our faces while down below, wind-swept
and immense, the Beagle Channel stretches itself in all its
splendor. you´ll be surrounded by the elemental wilderness
and curling waves that mark the Ends of the Earth.
Before long we´ll be returning inland and making our way
into the heart of the island to a lagoon harboring a beaver
lodge. Beavers are considered a plague in these regions because
of the damage they do on local flora. In their settlements
you will be able to see chunks of wood and fallen trees which
are the result of the beaver’s work of constructing dams.
Because beavers are excellent swimmers, they need to flood
their habitats in order to protect themselves from preying
species. The interesting fact is that beavers have no natural
predators in this region, so they keep constructing dams and
flooding areas without pause and without real necessity. They
sleep during the day and work all through the night, therefore
if you are lucky we might just encounter one of these magnificent
little hydraulic engineers. The surrounding woods yield a
unique, eerie beauty.
Light-green colored lichens hang long from the bark and branches
of the tangled up tree-tops, while the floor is thick with
white orchids, violets, ferns and wild strawberries.
After a three-hour hike, we´ll return to our retreat, where
we´ll stop for hot drinks and some snacks, and then prepare
for our motorboat ride back to the mainland. We´ll return
to the city as the twilight descends over the Beagle Channel.
Requirements for this tour: the paddling experience is for
people over 12 years of age, in moderately fit physical conditions.
Difficulty: moderate
Length: full day
Guide: shared
English/Spanish speaking guide
Transfer: shared vehicle - approximate
maximum capacity: 16 people
Includes: breakfast + lunch with beverages + snack
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Insider's Tip: This is a great
tour and we strongly suggest you to take the paddling option to Haberton
Estancia even if you have never paddled before (you can also do it in
the tour vehicle if you don't like water sports). Duckies are very stable
rowing boat which guarantee that they won't turn over unless you stand
up and start dancing on them! So, although you will a bit wet (depending
on the wind conditions on the tour day), the boat won't turn over.
Insider's Tip 2: When booking
this or any other paddling tour on the Beagle Channel, make sure you ask
the tour company if the will provide you with rubber boots and waterproof
pants. You definitely want to keep your clothes dry just in case it gets
cold and windy and as you will be seated while rowing, you will get your
trousers, socks and trekking/sport shoes completely wet if the tour company
does not provide you with rubber boots and waterproof pants.
Insider's Tip 3: Try to get a
seat next to the window on the tour vehicle. This way you will be able
to take photos of the fantastic mountains, lakes and landscapes you will
see along the way.
Insider's Tip 4: You can take
your camera also for this tour. If you are careful you can even take it
on the duckies (we did!)or if not you can give it to the vehicle chauffeur
who will take it to the place where the paddling ends. The landscapes
you see on the while paddling are magnificent. Plus, it is great to have
any of the other travelers to take you a photo while rowing in the Beagle
Channel! You will also find great photo opportunities while trekking on
the Gable Island and also while returning to your hotel during late afternoon
you might see beavers (they are active during late afternoon and night
and sleep during the day).
Insider's Tip 5: In any adventure
activity how you dress can make a big difference on whether you have a
great time or not. If you feel uncomfortable, too cold or too hot most
probably your tour experience won't be as good. We suggest for this tour:
1. Take an extra pair of socks and t-shirt to
change clothes after the paddling in the Beagle Channel.
2. A windbreaker jacket and comfortable trekking
pants and shoes are a must for this tour.
3. If you have them, bring a pair of comfortable
and neoprene gloves with you. The water of the Beagle Channel is quite
cold and your hands might get wet while paddling.
4. Bring and wear sunscreen during spring and summer. Your body will
be exposed to the sun during the entire day.
5. It has proved very useful to dress in many layers of clothes to be
better prepared for sudden changes of temperature. Although usually temperature
is stable, the strong Patagonian winds can instantly start and end within
a 60 minutes period, making you very cold if you don’t have your
windbreaker jacket or any proper clothing with you. Moreover, while your
body temperature will rapidly increase while having fun in our outdoor
activities, it will go down as fast when you are relaxing afterwards.
We call this dressing technique the “onion technique” because
it is based on wearing several different layers of clothing that you can
take off and comfortably carry with you, and then put on again.
Insider's Tip 6: These full day
tours should include lunch, and if you are vegetarian you can request
a veggie lunch. You must request this a couple of day in advance before
taking the tour.
Insider's Tip 7: Most
often, transfers are done in air conditioned vehicles that tend to be
a bit too cold. Therefore, a sweater or pullover always comes in handy.
We suggest always carrying one with you, hence avoiding the risk of catching
a cold because of these sudden changes in temperatures.
Need more travel tips and advice? Contact
us
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click
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4x4 Off Road Adventure
at
the Ends of the Earth
Our 4x4 Land Rover Defender will take us to a thrilling
journey where excitement, natural beauty and driving skills
will nourish your spirit of adventure.
We will pick you up at the hotel in the morning. Our journey
starts on the National Road Nº 3 heading northwards. Our guide
will tell us about how hard was to populate this city located
on an island. The harsh weather conditions of this region
made it quite difficult for convincing people to move to Ushuaia.
The argentine government found a fast and “easy” way to begin
populating this region: They set up a maximum security prision!
As we leave the city behind and begin to climb the mountains,
you will enjoy the magnificent views of the valleys around
us. We reach Garibaldi Pass and stop to enjoy a panoramic
view. From this spot you will have an overwhelming view of
the Escondido Lake.
We then take a secondary road which will take us to the
shores of Fagnano Lake. Our “adventure engines” start to roar
as we prepare to enjoy a thrilling 4x4 off-road experience
at the lake’s shore. After the train along the lake, an enchanted
wood welcomes us. In this wonderful natural scenario you will
enjoy breakfast (coffee, tea and sweet cookies). Our off-road
trail varies between lake and wood paths depending on how
high the lake´s water is.
We reach our rustic refuge by the lake and our guide starts
preparing lunch. You have about 40 minutes to walk towards
the lake´s shore or the woods, or both. Lunch is ready! We
start with a snack (cheese, salami and chips) and then enjoy
a delicious steak barbecue with salad. Drinks included are
red and white wine, beer, soft drinks and water. You’ll have
lunch while enjoying very nice views of the woods and the
lake.
You can spend some time after lunch chatting with the other
travelers or walk around to enjoy the landscape views.
At
3:30 PM we will follow another off-road path till we reach the old road Nº
3 that borders Lake Escondido. We head to the
end tip of the Lake where we
will find and stop by Hostería Petrel. Depending on the climatic conditions,
we will venture on a boat trip on the lake or have some free time to walk
while enjoying the beauty of this place. The hosteria offers us the possibility
of buying hot chocolate, coffee, tea and cookies.
At
5:00 PM we will start our journey back to the city of Ushuaia, arriving
around 6:00 PM.
Difficulty:
low
Length:
full day
Transfer:
shared 4x4 Land Rover Defender - approximate
maximum capacity: 8 people per vehicle
Guide: shared
English/Spanish speaking guide
Includes: breakfast + lunch with beverages + snack
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Insider's Tip: This is a great
sightseeing adventure tour and a great opportunity to experience some
adventure 4x4 driving in the wild! This tours can be done all year round.
Try to get a seat next to the window on the 4x4
vehicle (not in the center of the seat). This way you will be able to
take photos of the fantastic mountains, lakes and landscapes you will see
along the way. .
Insider's Tip 2: These full day
tours should include lunch, and if you are vegetarian you can request
a veggie lunch. You must request this a couple of day in advance before
taking the tour.
Need more travel tips and advice? Contact
us
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click
on photos to enlarge
Trek on the coastal path
Our navigation
On the shore
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Hiking and Navigating at
the Ends of the Earth
Great tour for those who want to walk along easy and undemanding
paths and sail on a Zodiac along the Beagle Channel.
Between 9 and 9:30 AM we pick you up at the hotel and take
National Road Nº 3 westwards. We arrive to the National Park,
and after we pay the entrance fee (included), we go to the
coastal path. This 4 and a half mile path (7 kilometer) 3
hours trek is doubtlessly the most beautiful in the Park with
lots of vegetation (High Deciduous Beech, Low Deciduous Beech,
Evergreen Beech, Winters bark, Fire bush, etc.).
We then board an 18 people Zodiac boat and head to a beautiful
bay called Ensenada. We navigate along the Beagle Channel
to the Redonda Island and have a view of Rocky Cormorants
that nest in a rocky wall of the island. We disembark on the
island and have lunch in a refuge, enjoying one of the best
views of this landscape. Lunch is usually home-made pasta
and drinks; included are red wine, sodas and mineral water.
After lunch you have some free time to walk around the
island. This island is a natural reserve and it has only been
opened for tourists a couple of years ago.There are two paths
to walk, 20 minutes each.
We will then head to Lapataia Bay and along this trip we
will see some of the most beautiful seabirds of the Argentinean
South (Albatrosses, Petrels, Snowy Sheath Bills and maybe
also Penguins). We arrive to Lapataia Bay, the end of the
famous Panamerican Road at the Ends of the Earth, pure beauty.
Here we will take our van to go back to Ushuaia, where we´ll
arrive at around 4:30 PM.
Difficulty: low
Length:
full day
Transfer: shared Vehicle
- approximate maximum capacity: 18
people
Guide: shared
English/Spanish speaking guide
Includes: breakfast + lunch with beverages + snack
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Insider's Tip: This tour can
also be booked with an exciting canoe rowing trip experience in the beautiful
rivers inside the National Park instead of the sailing to Redonda Island.
Insider's Tip 2: Try to get a
seat next to the window on the tour vehicle. This way you will be able
to take photos of the fantastic mountains, lakes and landscapes you will
see along the way.
Insider's Tip 3: In any adventure
activity how you dress can make a big difference on whether you have a
great time or not. If you feel uncomfortable, too cold or too hot most
probably your tour experience won't be as good. We suggest for this tour:
1. Take an extra pair of socks and t-shirt to
change clothes after the canoeing experience.
2. A windbreaker jacket and comfortable trekking
pants and shoes are a must for this tour.
3. Bring and wear sunscreen during spring and summer. Your body will
be exposed to the sun during the entire day.
4. It has proved very useful to dress in many layers of clothes to be
better prepared for sudden changes of temperature. Although usually temperature
is stable, the strong Patagonian winds can instantly start and end within
a 60 minutes period, making you very cold if you don’t have your
windbreaker jacket or any proper clothing with you. Moreover, while your
body temperature will rapidly increase while having fun in our outdoor
activities, it will go down as fast when you are relaxing afterwards.
We call this dressing technique the “onion technique” because
it is based on wearing several different layers of clothing that you can
take off and comfortably carry with you, and then put on again.
Insider's Tip 4: These full day
tours should include lunch, and if you are vegetarian you can request
a veggie lunch. You must request this a couple of day in advance before
taking the tour.
Insider's Tip 5: Most
often, tour transfers are done in air conditioned vehicles which tend
to be a bit too cold. Therefore, a sweater or pullover always comes in
handy. We suggest always carrying one with you, hence avoiding the risk
of catching a cold because of these sudden changes in temperatures.
Insider's Tip 6: When
booking any tour in Tierra del Fuego's National Park ask the tour company
if the entrance ticket to the National Park is included in the tour price
so to avoid any unexpected extra fee.
Need more travel tips and advice? Contact
us
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click
on photos to enlarge
Trek on the coastal path
Informative talk
Getting ready
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Hiking and Canoeing at
the Ends of the Earth
Great tour for those who want to
walk along easy and undemanding paths and navigate on inflatable
canoes along the rivers and lagoons of the National Park and
the Beagle Channel. Between 9 and 9:30 am we'll pick
you up at the hotel and take National Road Nº 3 westwards.
We'll arrive to the National Park, and after we pay the entrance
fee (included), we'll go to the coastal path. This 4 and a
half mile path (7 kilometer) 3 hours hiking is doubtlessly
the most beautiful in the Park with lots of vegetation (High
Deciduous Beech, Low Deciduous Beech, Evergreen Beech, Winters
bark, Fire bush, etc).
We finish our walk at Lake Roca
where we have lunch. Then we lay down the canoes and put on
our life vests and waterproof clothes. We will receive a short
informative talk to then begin canoeing down the waters of
Lake Roca, to the Ovando River. The river has crystal clear
waters and this part of the trip is really easy since the
river rides quietly. The Ovando River runs into Laguna Verde,
one of the most beautiful panoramic spots in the National
Park. We keep drifting downstream, watching some of the most
astonishing landscapes in Tierra del Fuego. When close to
Lapataia Bay, you will be able to see petrels, albatrosses,
steamer ducks and sometimes penguins. Lapataia Bay is our
target, the end of the famous Panamerican Road at the Ends
of the Earth, pure beauty.
We disembark, and
after we have a snack we sit and
contemplate the sunset on the Beagle Channel.
Difficulty: low
Length:
full day
Transfer: shared Vehicle
- approximate maximum capacity: 12
people
Guide:
shared English/Spanish speaking guide
Includes: breakfast + lunch with beverages + snack
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Insider's Tip: This tour can
also be booked with an exciting boat ride trip to Redonda Island instead
of the canoeing experience (if you prefer a more relaxed and less demanding
tour).
Insider's Tip 2: Try to get a
seat next to the window on the tour vehicle. This way you will be able
to take photos of the fantastic mountains, lakes and lanscapes you will
see along the way.
Insider's Tip 3: In any adventure
activity how you dress can make a big difference on whether you have a
great time or not. If you feel uncomfortable, too cold or too hot most
probably your tour experience won't be as good. We suggest for this tour:
1. A windbreaker jacket and comfortable trekking
pants and shoes are a must for this tour.
2. Bring and wear sunscreen during spring and summer. Your body will
be exposed to the sun during the entire day.
3. It has proved very useful to dress in many layers of clothes to be
better prepared for sudden changes of temperature. Although usually temperature
is stable, the strong Patagonian winds can instantly start and end within
a 60 minutes period, making you very cold if you don’t have your
windbreaker jacket or any proper clothing with you. Moreover, while your
body temperature will rapidly increase while having fun in our outdoor
activities, it will go down as fast when you are relaxing afterwards.
We call this dressing technique the “onion technique” because
it is based on wearing several different layers of clothing that you can
take off and comfortably carry with you, and then put on again.
Insider's Tip 4: These full day
tours should include lunch, and if you are vegetarian you can request
a veggie lunch. You must request this a couple of day in advance before
taking the tour.
Insider's Tip 5: Most
often, tour transfers are done in air conditioned vehicles which tend
to be a bit too cold. Therefore, a sweater or pullover always comes in
handy. We suggest always carrying one with you, hence avoiding the risk
of catching a cold because of these sudden changes in temperatures.
Insider's Tip 6: When
booking any tour in Tierra del Fuego's National Park ask the tour company
if the entrance ticket to the National Park is included in the tour price
so to avoid any unexpected extra fee.
Need more travel tips and advice? Contact
us
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click
on photos to enlarge
4x4 off road adventure
They build dams and inundate the area creating lakes
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Engineers of Nature: The
Beaver 4x4 Expedition
During the
20th century, various pairs of beavers were brought from Canada
to try to develop the local fur industry in Ushuaia.
The results were unexpected and our furry friends did nothing
but get along with each other extremely well and reproduce
on a large scale. Naturally, beavers built their dams in the
middle of the lakes that they themselves had created, thus
changing the landscape beyond all
recognition.
This
tour takes place in the evening because beavers sleep during
the day. We will access the natural habitat of beavers through
challenging mud tracks and beautiful Ends of the Earth landscapes
on our 4x4 off road vehicles. In this exciting experience
you will learn about these fascinating "engineers of
nature" which skillfully build dams, lakes, shelters,
knocking out trees with their powerful teeth.
Then, you will enjoy a delicious stew beneath an impressive
sunset.
Difficulty:
low
Length:
4 to 5 hours
Transfer:
4x4 vehicle- approximate maximum capacity: 8 people
Guide:
shared English/Spanish speaking guide
Includes:
Appetizer, Lentels stood, desert. Water, sof drinks and red
wine also included.
Beavers use their powerful teeth to knock down trees.
Enjoy a magnificent sunset at the Ends of the Earth
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Insider's Tip: This is a great
tour for wildlife lovers who want to access the natural habitat of beavers
through challenging mud tracks and beautiful Ends of the Earth landscapes
on 4x4 off road vehicles. It can only be done from November to February.
Insider's Tip 2: Bringing
a waterproof windbreaker jacket to protect you from wind and any possible
rain.
Insider's Tip 3: Try to get a
seat next to the window on the tour vehicle. This way you will be able
to take photos on the transfer for the tour.
Need more travel tips and advice? Contact
us
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click
on photos to enlarge
Ushuaia Harbor
Centolla
Bird's Island
Sea Lion's Island
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Navigation
on the Beagle Channel
You will be picked up at the hotel and head for the tourist
wharf of Ushuaia, from where we set sail to navigate the Beagle
Channel. This navigation will take approximately two and a
half hours to complete. You will have to pay a fee of approximately
US$ 1 per passenger when departing. This fee can only be paid
at Ushuaia Port. We navigate around the Islands of the
Birds and the Sea Lions and "Les Eclaireurs lighthouse"
("The Explorers" in French), known as the false
“Ends of the Earth” lighthouse since quite far to the south
there is yet another one. There are some impressive rocky
outcroppings in the middle of the channel which are a continuation
of the mountain chains which surround it.
You´ll also see a large variety of wild species since over
the Birds Island and the Island of the Sea Lion. Throughout
the trip you will see colonies of Imperial and Magellan cormorants,
South American terns and other birds worth observing, be it
because of their size, their flight paterns or their colors:
albatrosses, petrels, skuas, geese, etc.
Tour catamaran description:
Boat Length: approximately 100 feet (30 meters)
Capacity: approximately 150 passengers
Difficulty:
low
Guide:
shared
English/Spanish speaking guide
Transfer: shared boat and private transfer to
port
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Insider's Tip: This navigation
on the Beagle Channel can also be done in a more smaller and exclusive
boat with capacity of 18 travelers (instead of the 150 passengers capacity
of the catamaran tour)- The difference between the trip in the smaller
boat and the ones in bigger vessels is that the smaller you can get closer
to the different attractions, therefore letting you watch these beautiful
southern species in more detail. Also in
the smaller boats, depending on the weather conditions, you will be able
to enjoy a trekking and birdwatching experience on an inhabited island.
However, catamarans are a lot more stable (specially if it is windy),
so it's your best choice if you suffer from sea-sickness.
Insider's Tip 2: Bring
a waterproof windbreaker jacket. Not only will you be protected from water,
but you will also be able to stand on the outer deck of the boats, take
better photos, and enjoy better views of the attractions without freezing
or getting completely soaked. If it rains during your tour, you will definitely
be happy to have your waterproof jacket.
Need more travel tips and advice? Contact
us
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