City attractions
Must-see!
What you can't miss from the End of the World
In the extreme south of the Argentine Republic, on the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, is Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Located on the Beagle Channel, it takes its name –which means "bay that looks to the west"– from the Yámana language.
In an impressive setting of sea, forests, lakes and mountains, Ushuaia is a picturesque city with an important service infrastructure for tourism, an elegant shopping center and a growing social and cultural activity.
Ushuaia offers, in its surroundings, unexplored virgin territories that invite discovery and adventure. For this reason, the main activities that can be carried out in this privileged corner are related to nature, including trekking, horseback riding, climbing and diving.
Here are some activities that you cannot miss on your next visit to Ushuaia:
Beagle's Canal
In addition to the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, colonies of sea lions and penguins can be seen on the promenade.
From the port of Ushuaia, catamarans and other boats sail along the Beagle, so that tourists can see the islands of Los Lobos, de los Pájaros and Bridges, where they even take walks. The navigation aims at the mythical Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, built in 1918 and considered "the end of the world" (actually, the San Juan de Salvamento lighthouse, on Isla de los Estados, is further south).
During the journey you can also see colonies of sea lions and cormorants, and, during the summer, penguins, on Isla de los Estados, near the Harberton ranch.
Cerro Castor
Cerro Castor is one of the most sought after destinations by ski lovers.
An inevitable proposal for the winter season. The southernmost snow slopes in the world follow one another just 26 km from the city. There you can choose between some of its 33 circuits, with different levels of difficulty, which add up to a total of 34 skiable kilometers.
First level winter complex, it also has 8 gastronomic points, an ice skating rink of almost 400 square meters at the base of the hill and cabins to stay and rest with direct views of the lenga forest. A luxury.
Address: 26 km from the city, on Route 3, Ushuaia.
More information: www.cerrocastor.com
Más información: www.cerrocastor.com
End Of the World's Museum
Built in stone in 1915, it is integrated into the old Government House.
This building, built in stone by inmates from the old prison in 1915, was the residence of Governor Manuel Fernández Valdez and, later, the headquarters of the Banco de la Nación branch. Converted into a museum in 1979, its rooms are dedicated to ethnography (study of peoples and their cultures), the first explorers and Anglican and Salesian missionaries.
Since 2008 it has been integrated into the former Government House and former Legislature (Maipú 465), a building inaugurated in 1894. There, you can see the rooms where the Legislature functioned, with its original furniture, and photos and remains of various shipwrecks, such as the ship Monte Cervantes, which sank in 1930 with 1,300 passengers on board, shortly after leaving the city.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Unique P. Nacional with 3 types of natural environments: marine, forest and mountain.
There are 68,909 hectares that, since 1960, have protected the flora and fauna of the island. It is the only National Park that covers three types of natural environments: marine, forest and mountain, with lakes, valleys, peat bogs and forests of lengas, cherry trees and ñires.
Of its fauna, the Fuegian red fox, the guanaco, the hilin, the marine caiquén (symbol of the Park), the southern steam duck, the giant woodpecker, the rayadito and the Patagonian thrush, among other species, stand out. Its trails classified according to their difficulty lead to Zaratiegui cove, Acigani lake and Lapataia bay.
Since February, general admission costs $1,500, but between May and September, access is free. To get to the Park there are mini-buses, which leave from Maipú and Juana Fadel, taxis, remises. Address: 10 km from the city, along National Route 3.
End Of World Train
In 7 km of route it passes through the Pipo river, the La Macarena waterfall and the forests.
With its fully restored steam locomotive and economy or first class carriages, this train returned to operation in 1994, after four decades of inactivity. Its origins are related to the Presidio, since it was used by prisoners to go in search of wood in the vicinity of Mount Susana.
Now, it passes next to the Pipo River, the La Macarena waterfall and lenga forests to arrive at an almost inaccessible area of the National Park after a 7-kilometre journey.
Martial Glacier
With different circuits, the Martial Glacier is one of the obligatory tours in Usuahia.
It has its base at 385 meters and a height that does not exceed 1,200 m. Upon reaching 600 m, visitors can see the remains of a much larger glacier, from which the Esperanza stream, one of Ushuaia's main sources of drinking water, is born.
Two trails start from the Club Andino refuge, one towards the glacier and the other towards the Cañadón Negro valley. El Martial offers a panoramic view of the bay and the Chilean islands of Navarino and Horte. It has marked trails. Location: 7 km. from the center.
Cerro Alarkén Natural Reserve
The Cerro Alarken Natural Reserve offers several trails for ecotourism.
It is reached by Héroes de Malvinas avenue. Its 100 hectares protect the native forest, made up of lengas, ñires and coihues. There are several trails, such as the Summit Circuit that leads to a panoramic point located at 280 m above sea level or the Turbal Circuit, which surrounds an area of high peat. Address: 5 km from the city.
Cascada Velo de la Novia
It is reached after a quiet walk of no more than 30 minutes, with suitable footwear.
The Bride's Veil Waterfall is reached by crossing the bridge over the Olivia River. There, a lenga forest located at the foot of the mountain of the same name amazes visitors. The waters of the De Agostini glacier, meanwhile, form the waterfall. Location: 2 km away, along National Route 3.
More information on all the activities available in Ushuaia we recommend you visit: www.turismoushuaia.com