Ushuaia

Holidays In Ushuaia

Ushuaia itself, founded in 1884 and the provincial capital of the island of Tierra del Fuego, has a frontier, shanty town feel with a population of 45,000. The island is separated from the mainland by the Magellan Straits to the north and to the south is the Beagle channel of which there are fine views from Ushuaia. Tierra del Fuego is half Chilean and half Argentinean and, if one were travelling overland, the Argentinean half could only be entered through the Chilean portion.

The beautiful 150,000 acre Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and the Escondido and Fagnano lakes should be visited. Take a boat trip (it can be rough) along the Beagle Channel to view penguins (November to March), seals, sea-lions, petrels, cormorants, Kelp geese and the occasional blackbreasted albatross.

The landscape surrounding Ushuaia is spectacular, with level upon level of craggy and snow capped peaks, culminating in the Darwin range to the west. Crystal clear, unfathomable lakes and wooded valleys of evergreen beech forests abound. A wonderful area for walking and the only place in this enormous country where the mountains meet the sea. It is also one of the few places where fresh fish can be had. The crabs are especially recommended. This is one of the most expensive areas in Argentina as everything has to be imported.

Cruises from Ushuaia

Ushuaia is a starting point for many of the Antarctic and Patagonian cruises. Please call our office on 020 8758 4774 for details.

• The Antarctic Dream Expedition departs Ushuaia 3 times a month between November and March.
• MV Mare Australis and the MV Via Australis departs Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (or vice versa). Weekly departures between September and April. This cruise combines well with Chilean Patagonia.