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Ushuaia, Argentina - Southernmost City At The End Of The World

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The Martial Ranges dominate the backdrop in all parts of Ushuaia.The Martial Ranges dominate the backdrop in all parts of Ushuaia.
Abstract photography art on display along the waterfront in Ushuaia, black and white.Abstract photography art on display along the waterfront in Ushuaia, black and white.
Red and white lighthouse and a beautiful scene in the Ushuaia harbor.Red and white lighthouse and a beautiful scene in the Ushuaia harbor.
Nice apartments on the waterfront in Ushuaia get the morning sun in all its glory.Nice apartments on the waterfront in Ushuaia get the morning sun in all its glory.
Map location: Ushuaia, Argentina
Map location: Ushuaia, Argentina - Click for South America Photo Map app.
Argentina travel blog by Mark Berman - November 2017   » View Photoset (85 Photos)

Mark Berman, South America backpacker for over 12yrs!
The end of the world is closer than you think. Not that this is a bad thing because the world's southernmost city Ushuaia is a beautiful place! With the Martial snow-capped mountain ranges on one side and the waters of the Beagle Channel on the other, it's not as cold as you would expect. Argentina's northernmost city La Quiaca on the Bolivian border is a whopping 4987kms away!

Bus from Punta Arenas

My journey through the Tierra del Fuego from Punta Arenas in Chile by bus to Ushuaia took 11hrs. We crossed the border at San Sebastian, travelled down through Rio Grande and Tolhuin and arrived in Ushuaia by dusk. Much of the terrain between the border and Ushuaia is bleak and barren but there is also open farmland and green rolling hills with small communities and large wooden houses scattered around in parts.

A Stunning Setting

They say Machu Picchu has a stunning setting but I think Ushuaia has one to rival it! Come down to the water's edge around 6am to see the early morning sun light up the bay with golden light with an amazing glow reflecting from the water and buildings that spreads out around the bay in a halfmoon. The waterfront offers a very pleasant place to walk and relax. The city and streets have nice buildings and shops with character, quirky things and street art.

Excursions by Land & Sea

Excursions by sea and land are the big drawcard at the port, which by the way, is quite spectacular! Actually while I was in town, so were the navy and they opened their huge ships up to the public, quite a sight indeed! The 3 main excursions by sea and land are firstly to the 'End of the World Lighthouse'. This is the excursion I went on and includes 'Birds Island' and 'Seals Island'. It is truely a fantastic trip and well-priced at around $80USD (cheap for Ushuaia). There are daily departures at 9:30am and 3:30pm. Please note the lighthouse (Faro Les Eclaireurs) is not the real 'lighthouse at the end of the world', that is hundreds of kilometers further south! This excursion is entirely by sea. The second excursion is to 'Penguin Island' with daily departures leaving at 3:30pm. This excursion covers more distance, therefore is longer in duration and has a higher price. The third main excursion is to 'Harberton Ranch' which leaves port at 9am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. There are also daily tours to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, Escondido and Fagnano Lakes, Esmeralda Lagoon and Turqoise Lagoon. The 'End of the World Train' is another option but isn't cheap at around $100USD for a 4hr trip. You can see that Ushuaia is not only the end of the world for its location, but also for what it does to your bank account! The Martial Glacier takes a couple of hours to hike up to or you can take a tour.

Museums in Ushuaia

Museums in Ushuaia include the Maritime Museum, the military prison (Presidio), the Museum of the End of the World and the Yamana World Museum about the history of the Yamana Indians.

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego National Park is of course another big drawcard in Ushuaia. It's 12kms west of the city and has well-marked trails for hiking to see flora and fauna. Trails of 4-8kms for moderate to advanced hikers include the Pampa Alta Trail, the Cerro Guanaco Trail, the Hito XXIV Trail and the Costera Trail. Other easier trails run from 0.5-2kms and include the Paseo de la Isla Trail, the Mirador Lapataia Trail, the Castorera Trail, Pipo River Waterfalls, Laguna Negra Trail and Del Turbal Trail. Buses and shuttles to the park leave almost every hour and there's an entrance fee once you arrive. A map of the trails is available to pickup when you enter. Going to the park without a guide is recommended if you like to do things in your own time, however tours are also available. Camping in the park is also an option! Lake Roca has a paid camping site with facilities and also there are free camping sites without facilities. For more information about Tierra del Fuego National Park, please visit: WelcomePatagonia, PiranCafe, BlogPatagonia and DayTours4u.

Back to Chile

From Ushuaia it's a 1hr flight north to El Calafate, but I didn't stay long (6hrs). The prices of tours in El Calafate are astronomical. I took a bus over to Puerto Natales to see Torres del Paine in Chile instead (5hrs).



































     
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Places in Argentina:

  • Bariloche
  • Buenos Aires
  • Cafayate
  • Colon
  • Cordoba
  • El Bolson
  • El Calafate
  • El Chalten
  • Iguazu Falls
  • Jujuy
  • La Quiaca Border Crossing
  • La Quiaca to Jujuy
  • Mar del Plata
  • Mendoza
  • Mendoza From Santiago
  • Parana
  • Posadas
  • Puerto Deseado
  • Resistencia
  • Rosario
  • Salta
  • Salta to Cafayate
  • Salta to Paso de Jama
  • San Antonio Oeste
  • San Juan
  • Santa Fe
  • Trelew / Gaiman
  • Trevelin to Futaleufu (Chile)
  • Ushuaia
  • Viedma / Patagones
  • Villa Traful, San Martin, La Angostura

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    My Hostel & Hotel Reviews for Ushuaia, Argentina:

    Hospedaje Teresa and Tito, Ushuaia, Argentina - Large Photo
    Hospedaje Teresa and Tito, Ushuaia, Argentina (November 2017 - 4 nights) - The hospedaje of Teresa and Tito is very comfortable! It's located up the hill in Ushuaia about 5 blocks. I paid a little extra to have a semi-dorm with double bed to myself, $500 pesos ($28USD). The room had a private bathroom, kitchenette and WIFI. Breakfast was also included. It made a nice change from sharing bathrooms in other places I had stayed. Tito and Teresa invited me into their house for conversation and to eat sea-urchin soaked in lemon juice! The address: Intevu 18 casa 20A, Calles A. Henriquez y Trenque Lauquen. Whatsapp: +54 9 2901612972. Recommended.
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    Ushuaia, Argentina - Southernmost City At The End Of The World. The southernmost city in the world! Ushuaia is a beautiful place surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the Beagle Channel. Boat excursions to see birds, seals, penguins and the lighthouse leave from the port. This is the end of the world!