Argentina

Tierra del Fuego

Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego, Australis

Why visit Tierra del Fuego

Tierra del Fuego is more than the gateway to Antarctica. At the southern tip of South America, this remote archipelago is a destination in its own right, where snow-capped mountains meet windswept forests, pristine lakes and the icy waters of the Beagle Channel. It is a place of remarkable contrasts, offering extraordinary scenery, abundant wildlife and a profound sense of being at the end of the world.

While Tierra del Fuego is split between Chile and Argentina, it is the Argentine side that is far more accessible. Based in Ushuaia, you can explore Tierra del Fuego National Park on foot, kayak through sheltered bays, cruise in search of sea lions, penguins and dolphins, or discover the fascinating history of the region’s indigenous peoples and early explorers. For adventurous travellers, hiking, fly fishing and 4×4 expeditions reveal an even wilder side of the archipelago.

One of our favourite ways to experience the region is aboard an Australis expedition cruise to Punta Arenas in Chile. Sailing through the remote fjords and channels of Patagonia, visiting Cape Horn and stepping ashore in places inaccessible by road, it offers many of the dramatic landscapes and wildlife encounters associated with Antarctica, but without crossing the Drake Passage.

Combined with Argentine Patagonia or Chile, Tierra del Fuego provides a spectacular finale to any journey through southern South America.

Tierra del Fuego

Highlights of Tierra de Fuego

  • Hike Tierra del Fuego National Park: Follow scenic trails through ancient lenga forests, peat bogs and along the shores of the Beagle Channel, with walks ranging from gentle coastal paths to rewarding full-day hikes through Argentina’s southernmost national park.
  • Cruise the Beagle Channel: Navigate the legendary waterway explored by Charles Darwin, passing sea lion colonies, cormorant rookeries, historic lighthouses and islands alive with birdlife.
  • The End of the World: Discover Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, where colourful streets, excellent restaurants and fascinating museums make an ideal base for exploring the surrounding wilderness.
  • A land of explorers: Discover the stories of early explorers, missionaries and the indigenous Yahgan and Selk’nam peoples, whose remarkable history is woven throughout the region.
  • Wildlife at the edge of the world: Spot Magellanic and gentoo penguins, sea lions, dolphins, albatross, condors and even whales against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, glaciers and the wild waters of the Southern Ocean.
  • The Australis expedition cruise: Sail between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas through remote Patagonian fjords, glaciers and channels. With Zodiac landings and extraordinary wildlife, it offers a wonderful taste of Antarctica without crossing the Drake Passage.
Locked up at the end of the world

Ushuaia was founded as a penal colony, with Argentina’s most dangerous prisoners sent here from 1902 to help build the town. They constructed roads, harvested timber and even built the prison itself. Today, the former jail has been transformed into one of Patagonia’s most fascinating museums.

Truly wild wildlife

Despite its harsh climate, Tierra del Fuego is one of Patagonia’s richest wildlife habitats, with beavers and foxes on land. The meeting of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans creates nutrient-rich waters that attract penguins, sea lions, dolphins, whales and an extraordinary diversity of seabirds, making it one of South America’s finest coastal wildlife destinations.

ITINERARIES

Inspirational Tierra del Fuego trip ideas

These are simply suggestions for the kind of luxury tailor-made holiday you might have. Your custom travel itinerary will be
personalised, tweaked, and refined until it matches you completely.

Ideal Length: 12 days

An Expedition to the End of the World

This 11-night journey ventures deep into Tierra del Fuego, from mighty glaciers and dramatic fjords to remote penguin colonies. Not for the faint-hearted, it balances adventure with relaxation, including time at a winery to unwind at the journey’s end.

£13,750pp $17,875pp

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Ideal Length: 18 days

Shackleton’s Antarctica

Follow in the footsteps of the legendary explorer, Ernest Shackleton on this epic journey to South Georgia, The Falkland Islands, and Antarctica. Perhaps the ultimate polar journey, this combination is not only perfect for any history enthusiast, it is also a wildlife lover's dream...

From £16,500pp From $22,250pp

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Good to know

Getting to Ushuaia

Despite being one of the most remote places on the planet it is surprisingly easy to reach Ushuaia with flights from many airports across Argentina.

Perhaps the best arrival is by boat from Punta Arenas in Chile, a journey that many term the mini-Antarctic cruise.

When to go

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OUR FAVOURITE TIME TO VISIT

November and December is a wonderful time to be in Tierra del Fuego with long days and plenty of wildlife to spot while exploring the spectacular scenery. If skiing is your thing then July and August see the mountains turn into some of the best runs in Latin America.

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