El fin del Mundo Argentina – Winter trips from Ushuaia

image of Lapataia Bay, at el fin del Mundo

If you visit this part of Patagonia, you’re bound to come across the phrase El Fin Del Mundo, Argentina. The phrase means world end and Argentina has capitalised the fact that Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world.

There is the Museo del Fin del Mundo and the Tren del Fin del Mundo for tourists to visit. Best of all is the delightful sign at Ushuaia port next to where the Beagle boat tours depart. I can confirm that you feel quite overwhelmed when you reach it.

Image of Ushuaia, El fin del Mundo, Argentina
Ushuaia, El Fin del Mundo, Argentina

I’m sure it will bring me years of delight telling people I’ve travelled as far south on land as one can go. Quite a hard one to outdo around a dinner table.

If you’re looking for what to do in Ushuaia, this post has all the information you need. Whether you visit Ushuaia city during winter in Argentina or summer, el Fin del Mundo has plenty to offer.

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Things to do in Ushuaia, Patagonia

The end of the world Argentina is a great place to visit, even in Patagonia winter there’s plenty of Ushuaia activities worth doing. Tierra del Fuego is beautiful in the snow and Ushuaia ski resorts may be of interest to some.

Ushuaia Map

Places of interest in Ushuaia are numbered on the map.  Below you’ll find all the details of what to do in Ushuaia, Argentina.

An image of a map with the best places to visit in El Fin del Mundo marked on

1.Ushuaia

2. Ushuaia Day Trips

3. Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour by Bus or Tren del Fin del Mundo

3a. End of the world train

3b. Tierra del Fuego – Lapataia Bay and Lake Acigami

4. Tierra Del Fuego 4×4 Off Road Adventure

4a.Ushuaia Ski Cerro Castor

4b.Lago Escondido

4c.Lake Fagnano

5. Beagle Channel Cruise

5a.Wildlife

5b.Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse

5c.Bridges Island

6. Walk with the Ushuaia Penguins in Martillo Island

Other useful information

Ushuaia Weather

Getting here-Flights to Ushuaia

What to pack for Ushuaia in Winter

Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego and situated at the very south of Argentina near to the border with Chile.
The outer perimeters of Ushuaia, Argentina are not particularly pretty although the snow-capped Martial mountains do provide a beautiful backdrop.

Ushuaia City

The central shopping street, however, is more charming. You can’t miss the vibrant yellow, and red colours of the Iglesia de la Merced and the big guitar of the hard rock cafe is iconic, although rather imposing.

Ushuaia Port, Argentina

Ushuaia is the gateway to the Antartica although you’ll need deep pockets to get there. You can expect to pay the best of £10,000 for a cruise that goes to Antartica. However, many other cheaper cruises travel around South America and the Falklands.

The port is a short walk from the centre of town, and although you could negotiate a taxi, Ushuaia la Ciudad del Fin del Mundo (centre) is easy to walk to.

Ushuaia-Day trips

If you’re short on time or here in winter, day tours are the best and quickest way to explore the region.

The best attractions like Tierra del Fuego National Park are spread over quite a distance and snow can make the roads challenging in winter.

It’s advisable not to drive here from April to September, and even in summer, the potholes can make for treacherous driving conditions. Frequent accidents often cause road closures or delays, so allow plenty of time in your schedule.

1)Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour by Bus or End of the World Train

This is a fabulous half day trip that takes in the spectacular scenery and wildlife of Tierra del Fuego National Park. The ride on the end of the world train is optional, but worthwhile, in my opinion. You can read all about it in detail below. To book your ticket click here.

End of World Train

I love train journeys and couldn’t resist a trip on the southernmost railway journey in the world. The train departs from The End of the Word station which is approximately 10km from Ushuaia. At AR$1200 it’s not a cheap excursion given that the duration of the journey only takes an hour to complete, but I guess that’s the price you pay to say you’ve been to the end of the world, Argentina.

The fin del Mundo station is rather novel; there’s a tourist board outside which proudly states that this is El Tren del Fin del Mundo.  Of course, every other passenger and I took an obligatory photo next to it, to mark the special occasion.  Inside you can observe the workshop and maintenance room, and there’s a small souvenir shop.

Boarding

It wasn’t long before the whistle blew and we had to board the train.  The carriages were small and similar to those you find on tourist trains in large parks.  There was 6 of us in a wagon which made it rather cosy. Each compartment had two wooden benches that served as seats, so achieving a numb derrière was part of the course.

It did seem that virtually nothing had changed on this scenic route from its origins in the early 1900s. The railway was initially built by prisoners to transport themselves and timber from Tierra del Fuego National Park to the city. The route today follows their journey and takes you through the Pico Valley in the Toro gorge.

The journey

The steam engine was fired up and a thick smog of white smoke passed by, the whistle blew, and we were off. The train travels at a languid pace (the 7km journey takes approximately 1 hour), so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the stunning vistas along the way.

No sooner had we left the station a commentary began. Sadly it was hard to hear. The quality was that poor it was like someone speaking with a paper bag over their head. The chitter chatter of other passengers didn’t help.

I did decipher that we were embarking on a journey back in time and the commentary would explain the history of the railway on the route.

Tip- Visit the Museo del Presidio (Prison’s Museum) in the centre of Ushuaia before taking this trip, as much of the history is explained there.

Macarena Waterfall.

Not far into the journey, the train makes its only stop at the Macarena Waterfall. Everyone piles onto the platform and looks for the waterfall. Unfortunately, it’s not so much a waterfall as a trickling stream.  However, there is a viewing platform where you can soak up the ambience of this beautiful setting.

From here, the journey enters the national park and travels through the valley. The snow-capped mountains that encapsulate the valley make a lovely vista.

If you keep your eyes peeled, you can spot various birds of pray along the way. As you pass through the tree cemetery, the vast number of tree stumps provides an air of poignancy.

I managed to make out from the ongoing muffled commentary that these were the trees that had been felled by the prisoners.

Tierra del Fuego National Park – Lapatia Bay and Lake Acigami

As the train enters the national park, the enchanting forest brings a complete change of scenery. The bare trees were dressed in a green lattice-like string.  I later found out that this was a type of algae which grows here due to the high levels of oxygen in the air.

image of tree dressed in Algae
Trees dressed in Algae

The final stop is El Parque Station, where you can either stay on the train and make the return journey or continue on your tour by bus with your tour company.

Further information about El Tren del Fin del Mundo can be found on their website.

Lapataia Bay

From El Parque Station our tour continued into the heart of Tierra del Fuego National Park along Ruta No3. We were heading for Lapatia Bay, and along the way, there were plenty of viewpoints to enjoy. My favourite was one of Green Lake.

image of View over Green Lake
View of Green Lake

At the end of Ruta 3 is Lapataia Bay and its one of the Ushuaia attractions that you must see.

The wooden walkways allow easy access to some of the parks most picturesque scenery. The Ushuaia mountains form a stunning backdrop to the bay, and as you walk around the tranquillity of the bay is fabulous.

Our guide informed us that this was once the home to the nomadic Yámana people. This group occupied the Tierra del Fuego region for thousands of years before the diseases of the western world decimated them. Archaeologists have uncovered many artefacts in this region.  If you’re interested in seeing some these, it’s worth visiting the Museo del Fin del Mundo.

Before returning to Ushuaia, there was one last vista to take in, Lago Acigami. Our guide provided us with coffee and cake, which we all savoured while soaking in the beauty of the area. The Lake is shared between Chile and Argentina and was called Lake Roca before its original name was restored in 2008.

For more information on booking this excursion

2)Tierra del Fuego National Park – Lago Escondido, Fagnano Lake

Tierra del Fuego National Park is one of Patagonia’s many gems and one of the places to visit in Ushuaia. The snowcapped mountains, magical forests, glistening lakes and abundance of wildlife are why you should prioritise a trip here.

To protect the delicate ecosystems, only a few thousand hectares are open to the public. You can visit the park independently, but I’d advise taking a tour as your guaranteed to see the best bits.

We booked our ‘4×4 Off Road adventure’ through Tripadvisor, and I highly recommend them. The classic landcover was an epic adventure in itself and built for practicality over comfort. It threw us from side to side as we hurtled along the snow-laden road, but it was good fun.

Ushuaia Ski Cerro Castor – Winter Sports Centre

We made a brief coffee stop at the Ushuaia ski resort on the outskirts of town. The burning log fires inside the hut were a welcome delight, although the number of people huddled inside was a little too much. It was particularly busy as there was a cross country ski event on, so as well as people there were skis everywhere.

If your interested in snowmobiles, snowshoeing and dog sledging, Ushuaia Night Adventures tour will be of interest to you.  For more information about this trip, click here.

Lago Escondido

The view over Escondido Lake was a much more peaceful break in our journey. Despite the bleakness of the weather, the view was still stunning. I took a photograph below in colour although you would think that it’s in black and white.

image of Lake Escondido in Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina
View of Lake Escondido

Leaving the Ruta 3, we took a side road into the national park to observe some beaver dams. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see the animals themselves as they were hibernating, but their dams are a work of art.

Beavers

image of a A Beaver Dam in Tierra del Fuego National Park
A Beaver Dam

Our guide informed us that the Beavers were causing severe threats to the ecosystem within the park.

 

They were introduced in 1946 as a potential source of fur trading and to control the flow of water from the glaciers and mountains. However, they have no natural predators and numbers have increased to the extent that they are now having devastating effects on the forest.

They can grow unto 35kg and can decimate vast amounts of trees quickly. The dams also create bogs which cause the surrounding vegetation to drown.

Fagnano Lake

Fagnano Lake was the next stop on our journey. Once again we had fun as the land rover bumped us around as it negotiated the rough terrain and water of the lake.

Lago Fagnano is one of the largest in the world, and it occupies two magnetic plates. Where these plates meet, there is a geological fault known as the Magellan fault.  Consequently, this can cause up to 4 minor earthquakes a day. Thankfully we didn’t experience any.

Mates

An image of me trying to look enthusiastic as I take a sip of mates in el Fin del Mundo, Argentina
Trying to look enthusiastic as I take a sip of mates

 

 

 

To raise our spirits and warm us up, the guide prepared a cup of traditional mates.

Mates is drunk on social occasions and is a kind of tea similar to green tea.  For Argentinians its, a momentous event and valued far more than a mere cup of tea.

Everyone passes a unique mug around and drinks from the same straw. I’ve got to say this was not one of my highlights.

 

 

I’m not a fan of herbal tea at the best of times, and I soon discovered that the unique, bitter taste of mates was not for my palette either. However, not wanting to be anti-social, I did my best to take a few small sips.

Ushuaia Hiking through the Forest in Tierra del Fuego

This is one of the best things to do in Ushuaia.

The walk through the forest was utterly enchanting. The snow had begun to fall again, and we had great fun attaching the crampons to our shoes and trekking through the snow.

The woods were magical, although a little eerie at first. Most of the trees had moss dangling from their branches. The guide informed us that this moss was a type of Algae, known as “Gentlemen’s  Beard. It grows due to the high oxygen content in the air.

Another intriguing part of the forest followed. Suddenly the trees all seemed to be miniature. They looked more like those that you would find in a Japanese garden. Our guide informed us that the area was a peat bog, and this prevented the trees from reaching their full height.

An image of small trees covered in snow, in Tierra del Fuego National Park, el Fin del Mundo, Argentina

Lunch

After a kilometre or so we arrived at a small hut on the edge of Lake Fagnano. Some would say it was more like a shack, but its quirkiness was rather charming.

Inside there was a large fire pit, and a long table with logs cut as seats.  One of its quirkier features was the wine corks which provide an insulating layer on the wall.  One of the guides suggested it, as it meant that they had one less thing to carry on the way back.

Outside was an old barrel which served as a bbq and if you were brave enough, there was a drop hole toilet. While dinner was being prepared, we had a brief walk around although we didn’t spot much other than a woodpecker.

Lunch was a hearty affair, there was plenty of salad to accompany the Argentinian barbecued steak, and my vegetarian empanadas were delicious.  There was a choice of beverages to compliment the food, including wine and some fresh water collected from the lake.

Exploring the National Park in Ushuaia was a fabulous experience and one which I’d highly recommend.  By taking a 4×4 day tour, you can reach sections of the park that would be difficult to access by yourself.  This is a favorite trip to book early to avoid disappointment.

For me, this was one of the highlights of this region and a tour that I would highly recommend. The remoteness, tranquillity, and stunning scenery is uniquely picturesque and just breathtaking.

3) Beagle Channel

The Chanel lies at the southernmost tip of South America and connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It was named after HMS Beagle, which was the ship that Charles Darwin sailed with on its second voyage. He describes the area as follows:

“The scenery becomes very grand, the mountains on the right are very lofty & covered with a white mantle of perpetual snow: from the melting of this numbers of cascades poured their waters through the woods into the channel. In many places magnificent glaciers extended from the mountains to the waters edge. I cannot imagine anything more beautiful than the beryl blue of these glaciers, especially when contrasted by the snow”

The voyage of the Beagle – 29th January 1833

Cruising the Beagle Channel

Get your tickets here; this trip should be top of your Ushuaia things to do list.

In Ushuaia today, boat trips depart daily from Ushuaia Port. The cruise lasts for four hour and sails through Ushuaia Bay and a section of the channel which is nicknamed Glacier Valley.

On the way, you pass Seal Island and the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse before disembarking to admire the beauty of Bridges Island.

image of Beagle Channel Cruise ship at Ushuaia Port, El fin del Mundo, Argentina
Beagle Channel Cruise ship

My Experience of the Cruise

The sun came out as we collected our tickets, and with great excitement, we boarded quickly to grab a window seat. The kiosk was already serving refreshments, and an obligatory afternoon aperitif seemed in order.

The Cape Horn beer, brewed from Patagonian hops and glacial water seemed to be popular, and I can confirm that it was rather refreshing.

As you leave the port behind and sail into Ushuaia Bay, it isn’t long before the vista transforms from urban living to idyllic remoteness.

 

image of the Stunning vista of Beagle Channel, Ushuaia el fin del Mundo Argentina
Stunning vista of Beagle Channel, Ushuaia

 

The mountain ranges provide a stunning backdrop to the channel and the waterfalls that cascade into the bay almost glisten.  I imagine that it looks the same today as it did when Charles Darwin made his voyage.

Wildlife

image of a Cormorant in the Beagle Channel, El Fin del Mundo, Argentina
Cormorant

 

As the cruise continues, the boat navigates past some small islands which are home to thousands of Magellan and Imperial cormorants.

Both these species are native to this area, and their black and white colouring makes them easy to spot.

The area is a photographers paradise, although you need a reasonable length zoom to capture good close up images.

It’s much easier to take close up shots when the boat reaches reach Seal Island. The ship does a full circle of the island so that all passengers have the opportunity to observe these magnificent mammals.

 

Many breeds live in harmony together on this island, and several seemed to have individual personalities.

Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse

The Lighthouse followed with its iconic red and white stripes. Although it’s nothing special, Ushuaia often uses the lighthouse as its symbol. It’s a significant landmark, and many people refer inaccurately to it, as the lighthouse at the end of the world.

That honour goes to San Juan del Salvamento lighthouse which is located on Isla de Los Estados.

image of Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse

A little further on we reached Bridges Island where we disembarked and took a short walk to admire flora and fauna of this region.

Bridges Island

This Ushuaia island is tiny, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in sheer beauty. Its bitterly cold as you step off the boat, but the view is well worth it. The snow-capped mountains and glistening water are beautiful.

image of the The view from Bridges Island
The view from Bridges Island

This island is so peaceful you do feel that you’ve reached El Fin del Mundo.

 

3) Walk with the Ushuaia Penguins in Martillo Island

This is another fantastic day trip to book when planning your Ushuaia travel Itinerary.

Between September and April, you can visit the Martillo Island on the Beagle Channel. During these months the island is home to a huge colony of Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins. The penguins come to the island to breed, and with 1000 nests there’s plenty of them to see.

An image of a Gentoo Penguin

It’s a short 15-minute boat to Martillo Island, and the guide will give you a brief talk about the life of penguins.

When you arrive at their penguins everywhere, it’s a spectacular sight. There’s also an array of other wildlife to spot, including skúas, Cormorants and Vultures.

The Penguins seem unperturbed by our visit and carried on with their daily routine. We watched some burrowing in the ground to make their nests, while others were already incubating their eggs.

For wildlife photographers, this is a dream trip. The penguins are so close you won’t need your zoom lenses.

For more information or to book this trip, click here.

Ushuaia Weather

Throughout the year in Ushuaia, temperatures vary between -1 and 12 degrees Celsius, but the weather can be unpredictable.

We visited in August, and the snow on the ground coupled with the high winds made it feel bitterly cold. There was a bright blue sky for much of our stay, though.

Flights to Ushuaia

Travelling Patagonia in the summer months is much easier, as there are many more flights and bus routes in operation. During the winter months, access is not as easy.

There are, however, daily flights from both Buenos Aires and El Calafate to Ushuaia throughout the year.

You can compare the latest flight deals on Skyscanner.

If your thinking of travelling to El Calafate, you can read all about what there is to see here.

What to pack in Winter

Base Layers

Due to the wind, the temperature in Ushuaia can feel much colder than it is. Wearing both top and bottom thermals and ski base layers is a great way to stay warm. During my winter visit, I wore two sets of base layers every day.

Base layers made from Merino wool are the best, and these by Minus 33 are fantastic.They’rere available for both Men and Women with matching merino wool leggings. Click here to the women’s leggings or here for the men.

Hiking Pants/Trousers

My favourite pair is my sprayway all day rainpaints available for women at Amazon here. They offer waterproof protection and have excellent breathability. The stretchy fabric makes them comfortable, and they’re great for wearing over base layers.

Waterproofs

 For those days out in the snow, I also like to wear an additional pair of waterproofs over my trousers as there’s nothing worse than when your clothes get damp.  I’ve had my North face ones for years and regularly use them.  If you wash them every so often with Nitwax direct wash, they stay in excellent condition.

Fleece Jumper and Gilet – You can’t beat a fleece, and with good base layers and a gilet on top, you feel warm while out in the snow.  My favourites are by Columbia you can check out their range here.

Image of a woman wearing a black Columbia Fleece

Ski Jacket

I love my ski jackets and wear one most day of the week.  The insulated lining keeps you warm, and the outer shell protects you from the wind and rain.  My favourites one is by Kelly Hanson, and it was the perfect jacket for winter time in Ushuaia. They’re not cheap, but they’re worth every penny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hat or Beanie

For extra warmth, a hat or beanie is essential. Tough headwear makes fabulous beanies which are thick, soft and most of all warm.

Thermal Gloves

Gloves are a definite essential. I always chose a thermally lined pair and preferably ones that are waterproof too. If your travelling to Ushuaia in winter I’d recommend a pair of ski gloves. My favourites are by Hestra. You can check them out here.

Base layer socks

I like to wear these under my merino woollen socks.  They help keep your feet dry and prevent blisters.  They’re also fast drying, which makes them super easy to wash while I’m travelling.

Merino Woollen walking socks

I hand knit my merino woollen socks so that they fit perfectly, but there are lots of ready-made ones available to buy online. Check out these, they get fabulous reviews and are available for both men and women

Hiking Boots

Waterproof hiking boots are essential for the snow. My snow boots are by Xpeti, and I love the fleece lining inside.  They also grip well in the snow.

For more information on the best hiking boots for women under $100, click here or for the best hiking boots under $100 for men, click here.

Whichever boots you choose make sure that they’re comfortable and that you’ve worn them in a little before you go on your Ushuaia adventures.

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Enjoy your adventures in Ushuaia and do leave a comment if you’ve found this post useful, or have any other tips that people would find helpful.

 

 

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Fiona
Fiona

Hi, I’m Fiona Berry- I live in Lancashire in the North of England, but my job as an instrumental music examiner takes me all over the world. Travel has enriched my life in so many ways and allowed me to experience different cultures, make new friends and see extraordinary sights. Through this blog, I share my knowledge and expertise so that my readers have all the resources they require to ensure their travels provide unique and unforgettable memories to destinations that are beyond the ordinary.

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2 Comments

  1. Mel
    19/04/2022 / 1:30 am

    This is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing!
    I am planning to potentially visit in July this year..
    Sounds it was freezing in August! All those layers seem pretty important!
    Which year did you visit?

    • Fiona
      Author
      10/06/2022 / 6:26 pm

      It is cold, colder than you think, so take those layers with you. Have a wonderful trip.

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