Argentina: Mountaineering tour in Tierra del Fuego

From Ushuaia we climb Cerro Martial, Cerro Esfinge, Cerro Guanaco and Laguna Esmeralda

Despite the relatively high number of visitors to the city itself, the mountains around Ushuaia remain largely untouched, boasting extensive forests, vast wetlands, rugged peaks, and surprisingly expansive glaciers. Ushuaia itself serves primarily as a starting point for tours to Antarctica, Cape Horn, and the Beagle Channel. Isla Navarrino and the almost entirely unexplored Darwin Cordillera are also easily accessible from here. Thanks to the numerous attractions surrounding the city, prices rise practically every year. Cerro Guanako, Laguna Esmeraldas, and Glaciar Martial are the most popular hiking destinations around Ushuaia, but Cerro Roy, Monte Olivia, and Cerro Esfinge also offer rewarding hikes.

Summary:

Our tour at the end of the world in Tierra del Fuego begins with a visit to the deep green Laguna Esmeraldas, the Emerald Lake. Our first mountain is the popular Cerro Guanako, offering fantastic views down to the Beagle Channel. Even more exciting is the ascent of Cerro Esfinge, a solitary rocky peak above Laguna Escondida. The next day, we’ll rest and take a boat trip on the Beagle Channel, where we can observe penguins and other marine life. On the final days of the tour, three more challenging but very exciting destinations await us: the rugged Canadon Negro above the Martial Glacier, a subsidiary peak of the imposing Monte Olivia, and Cerro Roy.

All of these destinations offer breathtaking views and fantastic insights into the astonishingly diverse mountain landscape around Ushuaia.

This tour week can be combined with any of the Chile and Argentina tours we offer!

Tour Info

Highlights

• Ushuaia
• Tierra del Fuego
• Cerro Esfinge
• Martial
• Cerro Roy
• Guanaco

Duration of this tour: 7 days

Our next dates

• By arrangement, from December to March

Prices (per person)

• From 2 participants: 1,745 euros
• From 4 participants: 1,245 euros
• From 6 participants: 1,145 euros

Prices are variable and subject to change at short notice. Please inquire.

Included services

• Private bus to the trailheads
• English-speaking guide
• Accommodation in simple hotels in Ushuaia
• National park entrance fees

Services not included

• Tips
• Meals in town
• Drinking water
• Alcoholic beverages

Number of participants

• Minimum: 2
• Maximum: 10

Weitere Infos

• More information

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Laguna Esmeraldas

To begin our hike, we’ll trek to one of Tierra del Fuego’s most beautiful and colorful lakes. The ascent isn’t too long, but the views are all the more spectacular. It leads first through heath-like open areas, then through dense mountain forests, until we reach the picturesque mountain lake at the end of a vibrant plateau. Those who wish can continue along a scenic ridge with magnificent views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, most notably Cerro Alvear.

► Approx. 30-minute drive. 4 hours hiking time and approx. 400 meters of elevation gain, variable. Hotel Ushuaia. (B/-/-)

Day 2: Cerro Guanako

Cerro Guanako is one of the most popular mountain destinations in the Fuegian Andes, as it is located directly within the national park of the same name. Despite its popularity, it is not overcrowded and offers impressive views down to Ushuaia Bay and the Beagle Channel. Although it is not quite 1,000 meters above sea level, the mountain is composed of bizarre rock formations, and the ascent is very varied. With a bit of luck, a lone Andean fox might be waiting for us near the summit, or perhaps for a chance to snag a snack. The drive is not too long and leads past a golf course through still-healthy forest areas.

► Approx. 45 min. drive. Approx. 5 hours hiking time and approx. 1,000 m elevation gain. Hotel Ushuaia. (B/-/-)

Day 3: Cerro Esfinge

One of the most scenic hikes around Ushuaia leads to Cerro Esfinge. It takes us less than half an hour by car to reach Turbia, a small settlement at the foot of the mountain where peat is cultivated. From here, we hike along a picturesque river until a bridge leads us to the other side. A path leads through dense mountain forests to a clearing. Here lies the picturesque Laguna Escondida with several beaver dams at its outflow. The lake itself is an impressive destination for the day – but we want to go higher. We climb Cerro Esfinge via scree slopes and later along ridges with breathtaking views. There are excellent chances of spotting an eagle or even a condor. We later descend back into the valley via steep scree slopes.

► Approx. 30 min. drive. Approx. 6 hours hiking time and approx. 1100 m elevation gain. Hotel Ushuaia. (B/-/-)

Day 4: Boat trip on the Beagle Channel with penguin watching

Today is for resting from the hikes. Nevertheless, there is still plenty to do. We’ll take a boat trip into the Beagle Channel, sailing close to the glaciated mountains of the Darwin Range and Isla Navarino. We’ll also visit a penguin colony and return to Ushuaia in the afternoon.

► Day trip in the channel with stops. Hotel Ushuaia. (B/-/-)

Day 5: Cañadon Negro

Today we’ll not only climb a scenic ridge but also traverse the edge of a glacier. Those who wish can also practice using crampons on the Martial Glacier. Conveniently, we can start right from the town center. Of course, we won’t follow the rather monotonous road, but instead opt for a varied educational trail through the forest, which ends just before the ski lift’s base station. We’ll then ascend a short distance up the ski slope before reaching a lovely high valley where we’ll turn right towards our ridge. After the ascent, we’ll mingle with the crowds for a bit before reaching the Martial Glacier. There, we’ll separate ourselves again to practice basic steps with ice axe and crampons on easy terrain.

► No transportation included. Approximately 6 hours of hiking and about 1200 meters of elevation gain. Hotel Ushuaia. (B/-/-)

Day 6: Monte Olivia Sub-Peak

One of the most imposing mountains around Ushuaia is Monte Olivia. It’s immediately visible from practically every part of town, and you can hardly miss it even on the drive up. The ascent is no walk in the park, even though we’ll be content with the 1,231m sub-peak. The 1,326m main summit can only be reached via very exposed climbing and is technically very demanding, reserved for experienced climbers. The route traverses scree slopes and steep inclines, so this climb offers no respite. However, the views down to the peat bogs and surrounding wetlands are all the more beautiful. All the highlights of the Tierra del Fuego mountains unfold before us, and of course, Laguna Esmeraldas is a must-see.

► Approx. 30 min. drive. Approx. 6 hours hiking time and approx. 1,200m elevation gain. Hotel Ushuaia. (B/-/-)

Day 7: Cerro Roy

For our final hike, we start directly from the village, facing a significant elevation gain. We begin on well-marked trails through the forest, later following a plateau. Passing a picturesque mountain lake, we ascend towards a saddle and climb to the summit with some easy scrambling. The summit itself offers panoramic views and a great opportunity to take in the breathtaking vistas of this magnificent region one last time.

► No transportation included. 5-6 hours hiking time and approx. 1100 meters of elevation gain. Hotel Ushuaia. (B/-/-)