Day 1: To the End of the World!
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Today we start our adventure at the very end of the world, in Ushuaia! The world’s southernmost city is located in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego on the shores of the Beagle Channel, with the snow-peaked Martial Mountains spanning the horizon. The small port city of Ushuaia was a prison colony until the mid 20th century and today is the capital of Tierra del Fuego. The name Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) was given to the region by the Portuguese sailor Hernando de Magallanes, who saw the indigenous group Ona making fires on the coast while he was sailing through the Magellan Strait in 1520.
Our welcome guide will be waiting for us at the airport to take us to our hotel. Once check-in is complete, we will receive a short briefing about the trip itinerary.
Day 2: Gable Island and Penguin Colony
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
After breakfast, we’re off to Gable Island, a must-see for those seeking magic at the world’s end. This full-day excursion whisks passengers out into the very middle of the Beagle Channel. Once we arrive at the Lasiphashaj River, decked out in the rubber boots and life-jackets provided, we will start our adventure in canoes, paddling down the river that leads to the sea. Along our way we are likely to encounter a wide variety of seabirds and often sea lions, who enjoy sunbathing on the little islands which we will come across on our way down to the Harberton Ranch. After a short stop on terra firma, we take a motor boat out into the Channel towards Martillo Island, where we will have the opportunity to see breeding penguins. The boat will then transport us to Gable Island, where there will be snacks, good wine and a delicious meal waiting. This beautiful island is home to pristine wildlife and a rich history, which we will discover as we walk, sail and explore. Following a nice, hot cup of coffee, we will start a hike across the island, crossing over beaver dams and plunging into the forest to reach the shore of the Beagle Channel, and it is from here that we will catch a boat and start our return to Ushuaia. Throughout the day, our guide will talk us through all the different bird and plant species, as well as the history of the first civilization on this mystical island. With vast, open landscapes and buffeting winds, there’s a real end-of-the-world sensation!
Day 3: Tierra del Fuego National Park
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
We start our day by driving to the nearby western end of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, one of the most frequently visited places around Ushuaia. Whilst there is no particular way that the Park should be approached, there is no doubt that it will only reveal its secrets to those willing to pay enough attention to its many wonders! Once we have arrived, we will trek several hours along either the Pampa Alta Path or the Coastal Path, passing by one of the Park’s most beautiful stretches of shore, which is simply blooming with native vegetation. Our guide will explain and point out the typical flora of the region, including the lenga beech, ñire trees, cohiue flowers, orchids, canelo and notro trees. At about 12.30, we will arrive at Lake Roca and board a zodiac boat, sailing along the famous Beagle Channel to Redonda Island, a national reserve. Here we will eat a tasty lunch in an island hut, complemented by a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. There will be free time to explore the Island and observe the Magellan Cormorants too, which nest in the rocky walls. After a briefing on paddling technique, we will then canoe down rivers and cross lagoons to reach the famously serene Lapataia Bay, before arriving back in Ushuaia for a relaxing evening at about 16.30.
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