City attractions

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:

 

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 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

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.