Deep in the southern part of Patagonia, between Cape Horn and the Magellan Strait, the land breaks up into an archipelago, the largest island of which is Tierra del Fuego.
Ushuaia, the capital of the Tierria Del Fuego province, is the southernmost city in the world, and is the base for exploring this wild rugged landscape, bounded by the Martial mountain range to the north and the Beagle Channel to the south.
Majestic panoramas of eternally snowy peaks, millenary glaciers and a rich diversity of marine fauna make this a great addition to an Argentina itinerary.
Staying in Ushuaia, you can take a boat trip along the Beagle Channel where you will be able to spot colonies of sealions and Magellan penguins and often pilot whales as well. Ushuaia itself has a fascinating frontier history, starting with the first primitive inhabitants through to its farming pioneers and the town's museums illustrate these periods very well.
The Tierra del Fuego National Park and Lapataia Bay offer visitors beautiful landscapes depending on the season but are always rich in local flora and fauna, especially in spring and summer when flowers and birds are abundant.
Ushuaia also serves as the starting point for most expedition cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula and is the place to stock up on warm clothing before descending south towards the White Continent. Similarly a visit to Ushuaia can be added to the beginning or end of an expedition cruise to Cape Horn and the fjords and glaciers of Tierra del Fuego, with Australis cruises towards Punta Arenas in Chile or vice versa.
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
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