The "End of the World": the world's Southernmost point (other than Antartica) is found at Tierra del Fuego on the Southern tip of Argentina. Tierra del Fuego National Park is a wild landscape of stunning mountains, lakes and forests, offering excellent trekking and wildlife tours. There are a few indigenous tribes that can be visited on the nearby islands, in addition to boat trips along the Beagle channel, penguin and seal colonies, and some good salmon and trout fishing.
Tierra del Fuego Tours
Trips to Lapataia National Park offer some great hikes allowing one to experience the wonderful scenery of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego as you've always imagined it. In addition, there are various boat trips from Ushuaia that are highly recommended, but bear in mind that the Beagle Channel can get very rough. Ushuaia travel agencies and tour operators can arrange a range of trips which, depending upon the season, go to sea lion colonies, penguin colonies and various offshore islands. Such day trips often also visit the beautiful Estancia Harberton.
Ushuaia & Hotels
People most commonly book accommodation in Ushuaia as a gateway for tours of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego. The steep streeted town of Ushuaia is wonderfully located overlooking the Beagle channel - if you don't like walking uphill a lot, choose your hotel wisely (in the centre of town).
There are some great luxury hotels in Ushuaia, many of the catering towards tourists on the luxury cruises that depart from Ushuaia either to Antartica or Punta Arenas in Chile. Upmarket hotels include the 5 star Las Hayas, the more charming Cumbres del Martial and Tierra de Leyendas, which has fantastic views over the Beagle Channel. Alternatively stay at the lovely Estancia Halberton, which is 90km east of Ushuia.
Travel to Tierra del Fuego & Cruises
There are no road crossing from Argentina to Tierra del Fuego / Ushaia, though you can travel overland by bus from Chile (book ahead in the peak tourism season). It's simplest to take a flight to Ushuaia (from various Argentina destinations, or from Punta Arenas in Chile), or alternatively consider catching a 3/4 day luxury cruise from Punta Arenas in Chile to Ushuaia in Argentina (see the South America Travel Tips Blog for more info on luxury cruises such as the Cruceros Australis).
