Ultimate 2-Day Ushuaia Adventure: Best Hiking Trails in Tierra del Fuego
* Most travelers visit Ushuaia primarily as a gateway to Antarctica, but the city itself has a unique charm that often goes unnoticed.
* The typical itinerary includes: 1. Exploring the city streets, 2. Embarking on a boat tour of the Beagle Channel, and 3. Hiking in the stunning Tierra del Fuego National Park.
* Ushuaia exudes a laid-back vibe, though it may not be brimming with traditional tourist attractions.
* The boat tour along the Beagle Channel offers picturesque views of distant mountains, which, while beautiful, might feel less impressive for those heading to Antarctica.
* Hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park, while not as breathtaking as the Moreno Glacier or Mount Fitz Roy in El Calafate and El Chaltén, provides a fantastic warm-up for more challenging treks.
* Food: Dining out can be pricey, but cooking your own meals is a budget-friendly alternative. It’s worth splurging on local specialties like king crab, which are a must-try.
* Accommodation: The compact city centers around San Martin Street, which stretches about 1.5 km. Staying near this main street is convenient, especially for boat tours that depart from the nearby pier.
An Airbnb can be a great choice.
* Supermarket: Supermercado Anonimo, located on the main street, is well-stocked and offers affordable prices, making it a go-to for self-catering.
* I spent 1.5 days and two nights in Ushuaia, and I’m sharing my experience, particularly focusing on Tierra del Fuego, to help you plan your trip.
Day 1️⃣
– Flew from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, checked into my accommodation, visited the tourist center, and strolled through the charming city streets. I also took a city bus tour and purchased tickets for transportation to Tierra del Fuego.
– (If time allows, a visit to the museum, which was once a prison, is highly recommended.
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– In the afternoon, I headed to Tolkeyen Patagonia to book a 3-hour boat tour for the next day. The tour includes a scenic journey along the Beagle Channel, a visit to the lighthouse at the end of the world, and a stop at an isolated island to see seals and seabirds. After some negotiation, I secured the tour for $68, a better deal than other options [it’s wise to compare prices].
There’s also a 5-hour tour available to see penguins, which is slightly more expensive. A walk-in tour was available at 3:30 PM that day.
– I explored the area further and hopped on the 3:30 PM town tour bus, which costs $20 and takes about 1.5 hours to circle the town, providing insights into its history, major attractions, and viewpoints.
– Next, I went to the bus station opposite the YPF gas station to buy tickets for Tierra del Fuego, which I will detail below.
– For dinner, I dined at Salitre Restaurante, where the view and steak were enjoyable. The meal cost over 300 pesos, though it didn’t quite match the quality of La Cabrera in the capital.
Day 2️⃣ and a detailed guide to Tierra del Fuego are in the text in the image.
