Explore Ushuaia, Argentina: Day 2 Itinerary for Nature Lovers & Adventurers

The second day’s plan was packed with adventure, featuring a hike to the stunning Emerald Lake and a visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park. The trek to Emerald Lake is an absolute must, but it’s best to save it for a sunny day, ideally during the summer months from December to February. The journey can be quite demanding, and if the weather turns sour, it might feel like a wasted effort.

If the forecast isn’t in your favor, it’s better to focus on exploring Tierra del Fuego. While the area around the post office is picturesque, the rest of the park, in my opinion, is somewhat underwhelming. (For a more detailed look, check out my separate guide to Tierra del Fuego National Park.)

The exchange rate for the second day was 1200 pesos.

1. In the morning, we hit the road at 9 AM, heading to Emerald Lake. After a short 30-minute drive, we arrived at the trailhead, located on the left side of the parking lot. Before setting off, make sure to grab a wooden stick left by previous hikers; it will come in handy as the path can be extremely muddy, especially towards the end, which is mostly gravel.

These sticks, often polished smooth by repeated use, are perfect for support. Gloves are also recommended. Given Ushuaia’s frequent showers, about two-thirds of the trail can be quite muddy, so wear non-slip, dark-colored shoes to avoid getting them dirty. The route is straightforward, and most young people can complete the round trip in about 4 hours.

My wife, who has knee issues, moved at a slower pace, even keeping up with a 3-year-old child (no joke, we met an Argentine family with two kids, one around 2-3 years old, and we often found ourselves trailing behind [embarrassed R]). Our round trip took 5 and a half hours, starting at 9:30 AM and finishing before 3 PM.

From there, we drove straight to Tierra del Fuego.

2. In the afternoon, we explored Tierra del Fuego National Park. We decided against taking the small train, which now costs 50,000 pesos for a round trip and doesn’t run in the afternoon. Additionally, if you want to explore the park, a one-way trip, which takes about an hour, might not be worth it, especially considering the average reviews from other visitors.

Instead, we headed to Restaurante Alakush, arriving at 4 PM, where we grabbed some snacks. Then, we drove north to Mirador Lago Roca, a spot perfect for snapping some photos. Due to our tight schedule, we didn’t make it to the end of Route 3, Bahía Lapataia. We then made our way back to the post office, capturing some beautiful shots along the way, P6, which was the highlight of the park.

At 5 PM, we started our return to the city center, stopping briefly at the scenic Mirador del valle, P7, another breathtaking spot.

Back in the bustling heart of the city, we made our way to the iconic landmark of Ushuaia, Cartel Ushuaia. We snapped some memorable photos and picked up a couple of fridge magnets from the charming old man’s van nearby, each priced at 3000 pesos. With our souvenirs in hand, we returned the rental car, collected our luggage from the hotel, and hopped into a taxi for the ride to the airport. Our flight back to Buenos Aires was scheduled for 19:55.

This two-day adventure from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and back was packed with excitement. The second day, filled with hiking and self-driving, was particularly demanding, especially for the driver. However, a few cans of Red Bull kept us going. We managed to visit all the must-see spots, and the breathtaking scenery made every effort worthwhile.

We were fortunate with the weather; when we set out for Emerald Lake, it was overcast with intermittent showers, and early in the morning, we had the trail almost entirely to ourselves (most Argentinians start their hikes after 10 AM). We stood at the entrance, debating whether to proceed, as the path looked quite muddy.

But as we ventured deeper into the river valley, the skies cleared, and the stunning views made the entire journey feel incredibly rewarding.