5 recommendations for touring Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego by car
Discover Tierra del Fuego by touring the island by car from Ushuaia and live a unique experience. Connect lakes, forests, steppe and sea by driving less than 200 kilometers.
Traveling to Ushuaia can be much more than sailing through the Beagle Channel, walking through the Tierra del Fuego National Park or walking the trail to the beautiful Esmeralda lagoon. It is true that many travelers choose to visit the must-sees of Ushuaia in a few days, but only some dare to go beyond the provincial capital. Driving from Ushuaia you will find an island waiting to be discovered, with lakes, forests and the most deserted and southern beaches in Argentina.
The best way to get to know the end of the world is to rent a car in Ushuaia and, from there, begin the adventure around the Island. First, spend a few days in the places near the provincial capital. Once you have enjoyed Ushuaia and its surroundings, it is time to embark on the adventure. Take the beautiful National Route 3 to Tolhuin and, if you dare, continue towards the beaches of the southern Argentine Sea.
At Rentennials we give you five tips to make your trip to Ushuaia an unforgettable experience.
Lakes of Tierra del Fuego
1. Rent a car in Ushuaia and start the trip
It all starts by renting a car as soon as you arrive at the Malvinas Argentinas airport. Having the freedom to drive and explore at your own pace will allow you to live a unique experience on your trip to the end of the world. Although some sites can be explored on foot, for others it is ideal to have a car.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Tierra del Fuego National Park is the southernmost protected area in Argentina. Here, the Andes Mountains meet the sea, making the landscape unique in the country.
The ideal is to visit it in a day. There are eight trails that are short and of an easy difficulty to share with the whole family. If you are a fan of something more demanding, then choose one of the five longer and more complex trails. To find out more, click on this link.
To get to Tierra del Fuego National Park, you have to take National Route 3. It is only 12 kilometers, although the last part is gravel. At the end of the route, an incredible viewpoint awaits you with views of Lapataia Bay.
Lapataia Bay Viewpoint / Photo by @visitargentina
The End of the World Train
Getting on the old Fuegian Southern Railway is a journey into the history of the end of the world. During the journey, the train crosses inaccessible areas of the National Park, crossing forests and bridges. More than a century ago, this same train transported prisoners from the old penitentiary to carry out tree felling work.
The train departs 7 km from Ushuaia and arrives at Tierra del Fuego National Park. It is important to note that the journey ends at the main station, so you will not be able to continue exploring the park from there.
There are three daily departures: 9:30, 12:00 and 15:00. The round trip time is 1 hour 50 minutes. It is open all year round and you can book tickets at this link.
Beagle Channel
One of the most unforgettable experiences is sailing through the mythical Beagle Channel. On a catamaran you will travel to islands that are full of marine fauna: sea lions, birds and penguins. In the warmer months you can disembark on one of the islands. And, of course, you will find the famous Les Éclaireurs lighthouse.
To take the excursion you have to go to the Port of Ushuaia. It is best to book in advance.
Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse
Get to know the city of Ushuaia and its history
Ushuaia is a city full of history, from the native peoples to the first pioneers who dared to inhabit these inhospitable lands. After enjoying an excursion, you can visit several museums that will allow you to learn more about its fascinating past.
The old Ushuaia penitentiary is one of the most symbolic places in the region. Touring its cells and meeting the characters who inhabited them becomes a strange experience. Currently, there are several museums in the building and you can visit it every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where and what to eat in Ushuaia
Patagonian cuisine makes its presence felt. Don’t forget to try the Patagonian lamb, seafood dishes and the famous king crab. And always accompanied by a good Argentine wine.
Ushuaia has restaurants of diverse categories, here we only leave you three proposals. In season we recommend you make a reservation or go early.
- Ramos Generales El Almacén. Av. Maipú 749
- Kaupé. Pres. Julio Argentino Roca 470.
- Kalma. Gdor. Manuel Fernández Valdez 293
After dinner, Jeremy Button Gintonería is the ideal place for a drink.
2. Arrive at Puerto Almanza and enjoy unique cuisine
It is best to spend a full day in this small fishing village to taste some typical dish from the Patagonian sea. Continuing a little further, you will reach one of the historic estancias in the area.
Puerto Almanza
This fishing settlement is just 70 km from Ushuaia. There are some trails to explore, but what you really can’t miss is trying the dishes prepared on the spot in the town’s restaurants. The gastronomic offerings are unforgettable, especially those focused on the king crab, a crustacean that lives on the seabed of these cold waters.
Some of the places to eat in Puerto Almanza are:
Puerto Almanza / Photo by @visitargentina
Estancia Harberton
This is an estancia founded in 1886 by the Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges, the first white man who decided to inhabit these lands. A place that combines the steppe with the Patagonian sea.
Today, it offers many activities for the whole family, such as guided tours of the buildings of the estancia. In addition, it has the Acawaia restaurant, an ideal place to taste Patagonian food, and it also offers accommodation. For more information, go to this link.
How to get to Puerto Almanza and the Harberton Estancia
To get to Puerto Almanza from Ushuaia, take National Route 3 until the intersection with Route J. From there, continue for about 30 km.
To get to the Harberton Estancia, continue 3 km on the same road.
3. Drive from Ushuaia to Tolhuin
After seeing the best of Ushuaia, embark on a road trip to the end of the world. This tour along National Route 3 will take you to the small town of Tolhuin. During the journey, you will enjoy incredible landscapes, such as the imposing Monte Olivia.
National Route 3
Esmeralda Lagoon and Turquesa Lagoon Trails
Leaving by National Route 3, about 15 km from Ushuaia, is the Valle de Tierra Mayor Natural and Landscape Reserve. In summer, it is famous for the trails that lead to Esmeralda Lagoon and Turquesa Lagoon. While in winter it has Castor Hill, the favorite for snow sports.
The trail to Esmeralda Lagoon takes you to a body of water surrounded by streams, mountains and forests. Of medium difficulty, it is 9 km long (round trip) that takes about 5 hours.
The trail to Turquesa Lagoon is of medium difficulty, with sections where the slope is steep. Once at the top, you will be able to see the Alvear mountain range and Esmeralda Lagoon. It is 3 km long (round trip), and takes about 3 hours.
Emerald Lagoon
A unique scenic route in Argentina
The Fuegian National Route 3 is one of the most beautiful roads in Argentina. In just a few kilometers, it connects the Andes Mountains, the Patagonian forests until reaching the steppe and the Patagonian sea.
The Garibaldi Pass is the perfect place to stop and contemplate the landscape. From the viewpoint, you can enjoy the views of Lake Fagnano and Escondido.
4. What to visit in Tolhuin
Staying in Ushuaia is the option that most people choose. But there is another possibility. Staying a few nights in the provincial capital and then going to Tolhuin to stay a few more days. It is cheaper with hotels and cabins of different categories.
From Tolhuin there are many activities to do in little-known and dazzling places.
Corazón de la Isla Provincial Reserve
It is a reserve that has more than 100 thousand hectares, with forest and peatlands that are sought to be protected. The best way to get there is to go to the lakes Chepelmuth, Yehuin and Yakush. There is the possibility of kayaking and sport fishing in some of them.
You can get to the Yehuin and Chepelmut lakes by car, while to get to the Yakush lake you have to walk 4 km round trip. For more information, click on this link.
To get there, you have to leave Tolhuin and continue along RN 3 for about 12 km. From there, you have to take Provincial Route 18 and drive 50 km on gravel. There is a park ranger post where visitors have to register.
Lake Fagnano
Tolhuin is on the coast of Lake Fagnano, the largest on the island. It is surrounded by mountains and forests. There are many ways to explore it, either on trails or short 4×4 tours. It is recommended to sleep very close to the lake to enjoy incredible views.
Drive to Cabo San Pablo
This is perhaps the most unknown place on the island. A gravel road through the Patagonian steppe that takes you to one of the most solitary and southern beaches in Argentina. Along the way you can find guanacos and foxes.
Once you arrive and park your car, there is a short walk to the top of the cape, where you will find a viewing point with views of a dazzling sea. On the beach you will find the Desdemona ship, wrecked in 1985.
From Tolhuin it is 80 km. You have to drive 35 km on National Route 3 until the intersection with the complementary route “A”. From there, it is about 40 km of gravel in good condition. There is a ranch and a campsite if you choose to sleep in the area.
Cabo San Pablo / Photo by @visitargentina
5. Travel to Ushuaia at the best time
Tierra del Fuego is beautiful all year round, but depending on what you want to do, there are more advisable months to visit the island.
The best time to visit Ushuaia is from October to April. The weather is more pleasant, there is less rain or snow, and you can enjoy the outdoors.
In winter, activities are limited to snow sports and some authorized excursions. Tours of the Park or Reserves are possible, but you must always take into account the level of snow. Remember that if you travel in winter, you will have to drive with special snow chains.
Recommended number of days to visit Ushuaia
A complete visit to Tierra del Fuego Island should last at least 10 days. On a quicker trip of about four days, you can visit the classic places. If you want to go beyond Ushuaia in this time, you will have to hurry up.
Prepare your travel itinerary in Ushuaia
To travel around Ushuaia by car and explore beyond the city, we recommend organizing your trip in advance. Book accommodations in advance, as it is a highly sought-after destination throughout the year. Also, choose a reliable and safe car rental company, such as Rentennials, to ensure an unforgettable experience at the end of the world.
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