Ushuaia

Have you ever imagined reaching the southernmost city in the world? On the shores of the Beagle Channel, looking as if it were about to fall off the map, the city of Ushuaia, capital of Tierra del Fuego, has a breathtaking landscape of mountains, sea, glaciers and woods. The youth hostel of Hostelling International, Los Cormoranes Hotel, is located a few blocks from the center, becoming the starting point for independent travelers who wish to explore this remote region in Argentina.

The tourist attractions and excursions are varied and are dependent on the season. In winter, for example, snow activities are the stars of the season. This destination is singular for its ski resorts, and the practice of cross-country skiing -with one of the best runs of the kind in the country. Nevertheless, in the last years, Tierra del Fuego has also become popular among Alpine skiing fans thanks to the development of centers such as Cerro Castor (16 mi from the city), together with the runs of Martial Glacier. In addition to that, Ushuaia is great for ice skating, for traveling on snow cat, troika, and sledges pulled by Siberian husky dogs, and for walking on snowshoes. Winter is also characterized by some traditional celebrations such as the Fiesta Nacional de la Noche mas Larga (The Longest Night National Feast), La Marcha Blanca (The White March) and La Marcha de los Valles (The March of the Valleys).

In summer, when the snow has already melted and the days are much longer, tours to enjoy nature are a must.

The landscapes of Tierra del Fuego National Park; the End of the World train – originally used by convicts who collected logs to supply the town, with steam engines and a rail that runs across valleys, woods and peatlands-; and the adventure tourism excursions like trekking, mountain biking, sport fishing, horse riding make this destination a must.

The tourist circuit around the city includes the contrast between antique and modern buildings and the visit to museums like the End of the World Museum, with testimonies of the natives of the region, the explorers, local figures and information about old wretches, the Maritime and Convict Museum and the Yamana Museum. From the ski lifts in Martial Glacier you can enjoy beautiful views of the city, the channel and the glacier itself.

The tourist pier is the starting point of catamarans that every day offer a varied choice of excursions to get to know the Beagle Channel, Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, Isla de los Lobos (Sea Lions Island) and Isla de los Pajaros (Birds Island). A significant number of cruises also depart from Ushuaia towards Antarctica.

Some other sights and places you can ask the Ushuaia hostel about are Laguna Esmeralda, Glaciar Ojo del Alvino, Laguna del Caminante and Cerro Bridges; an expedition to Península Mitre; the landscapes of Bahia Lapataia; Estancia Harberton, the first in the province, founded in 1886 by the Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges; Lago Escondido, hidden in the mountains, on the foot of Paso Garibaldi and full of attractive choices for those who love sport fishing; and Lago Fagnano, 62 mi north of Ushuaia.