20221116_121654Tierra del Fuego National Park (November 2022)

Ushuaia (“oo-SWAI-uh”) is the southernmost city of Argentina, and in the world. It’s no wonder, then, that it’s nicknamed “The End of the World.” Home to about 100,000 residents, it originated as a penal colony before becoming a tourist hub not just for the scenic Tierra del Fuego National Park, but also as a gateway to Antarctica. While I didn’t have time to visit Antarctica on this trip, I still had a wonderful time in Ushuaia with plenty of hiking, canoeing, and exploring in the area.

From Puerto Madryn, I caught a two-hour flight south to Ushuaia. Soon enough, I arrived into Ushuaia in the early evening. It was raining a bit while driving into town, but it quickly cleared up upon arriving to the hotel, which I would be staying at for the next two nights. The hotel I stayed at was SUBLIME– although it was a bit outside of the city center (7.0 km / 4.3 miles), it was right by the water just steps from the Tierra del Fuego National Park. The architecture was fabulous, with floor-to-ceiling glass to maximize sunlight and views and had a minimalist décor reminiscent of an IKEA catalog. The hotel reminded me of a cozy winter lodge, and I fell in love during my stay. I would return to Ushuaia just to stay in that hotel!

20221115_204237Hotel lobby


20221115_183832Views from my hotel room

I arrived in the early evening, and I was much too tired to go out and explore– plus, the hotel was too far from the city center, so I ended up dining in the hotel restaurant. The restaurant was very classy, also with wide windows looking out to the lush landscape. I found the dining selection to be quality as well: I opted for the highly-recommended local black hake, paired with a light white wine. The fish was incredible: rich, fatty, and tender, it was a delightful meal to start off my adventures in Ushuaia. It also came with some freshly-baked dinner rolls, including pumpkin-flavored and Malbec-infused buns (the latter my favorite)– they were so good, I asked for seconds!

20221115_201414Black hake for dinner

Even though I finished my meal around 20h00, and even after I returned to my room and showered, it was still light outside at 21h30! Given I was visiting during the country’s springtime, I was also at the southernmost point and it was surreal to be going to bed when the sun was still up!

I started my visit of Ushuaia the next day. My tour picked me up at 8h30, along with a dozen of other tourists (an even split of Argentines and foreigners, including a few Brits and Americans). We drove out to Tierra del Fuego’s park entrance, where we would have a modest, four-mile / 6.4-km hike along the renown Beagle Channel, which divides Argentina and Chile– it was surreal to be hiking in Argentina, but seeing the mountains of Chile in the distance!

20221116_094316Views from the hike

Temperatures were cooler than what I’d experienced in Buenos Aires and Puerto Madryn, which made for a pleasant hike through Tierra del Fuego (“the land of Fire”). It was remarkable to see the varied landscape kilometer by kilometer, including lush forest, snow-capped mountains, and turquoise waters so clear we could see the fallen trunks underneath! We also tried a few edible berries our tour guide picked for us, some tasting like wax apple and others like black pepper.

20221116_110151Looking out towards Chile…


20221116_094635Into the woods


20221116_100912Trying fruits and berries in the woods

We completed the hike in three hours, and we headed to lunch inside dome tents, which was a first and very glamp-like. It was a simple meal, and afterwards, we spent the afternoon canoeing on the Beagle Channel. I’m by no means an expert canoer, and I think I dragged my team down with my slowness (haha), but I did my best! We spent 90 minutes rowing along the waters, seeing the snow-capped Chilean mountains right in front of us, which was absolutely surreal. Eventually, we docked on the other side of the channel to be picked up and returned to Ushuaia by 17h00, thus concluding the tour.

20221116_153340Canoeing on the Beagle Channel

I was utterly exhausted after a day of hiking and canoeing, so I got dinner once more at the hotel restaurant. This time, I ordered sorrentinos, which are Argentine-style ravioli. The dish was simple, but yummy and paired well with the table red wine on the side. I was super tired and shortly retired to bed afterwards, since I would need to wake up early for the next excursion in town.

20221116_195801Sorrentinos for dinner

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my time in Ushuaia!

— Rebecca

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Published by Rebecca

Blogger, world traveler, poet, foodie, part-time penguin. Welcome!

66 thoughts on “Destination: Ushuaia, Argentina (Hiking and Canoeing in the Tierra del Fuego– PART 1)”

  1. Great to hear about Ushuaia. Got as far as Puntas Arenas in Chile on the Magellan Straights. However, most of the time I was working and only had a day or so to look around. So it is good area to return to (without work) and as such, I look forward to your future posts. Hasta pronto!!!!!!

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    1. I didn’t go to Puntas Arenas, but I hear it’s also a good jumping-off point for Antarctica and other sites in the area! Despite a short stay, you made the most of it, I’m sure! Gracias!

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  5. Although only a small part of Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is accessible to visitors, the scenery is breathtaking. Knowing that you’re at the end of the earth adds to the feeling of being in a very special place. I’m glad you were able to enjoy it too.

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    1. Our guide had us try some berries during the hike, which was novel, but fun for me! I loved the hotel so much that I’d return to Ushuaia just to stay at that hotel again. Thanks for reading, Elle!

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    1. I know! The hotel was a dream, and I’d love to return to Ushuaia just to stay at the hotel again! Tierra del Fuego National Park is small, but packed with stunning scenery at every turn of the way!

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  14. I remember the first time I saw Ushuaia on the map, I was immediately fascinated by its location at the southern edges of Argentina. The views from your hotel are just marvelous! That photo of the view from the hike is enough reason for me to consider going to Ushuaia if I ever make it to the South American country one day.

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    1. Ushuaia is truly something! It’s quite literally at the End of the World and full of stunning nature and scenery that you can’t quite find anywhere else in the world. Hope you can head over there some day!

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    1. Actually, you can pronounce it like that, too! Ushuaia is the indigenous word for “deep bay,” which is apropos for the gorgeous environment surrounding the city. My visit there was a highlight of my trip!

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  20. What an incredible experience! This is absolutely one of my bucket-list destinations and I hope that I can go one day! In the meantime, I’ll have your posts to feed my wanderlust! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. I would love to visit this part of South America someday- the views from your hotel had my jaw dropping! It looks like an incredible place to engage in many of my favourite outdoor activities, especially hiking and kayaking. Looking forward to part 2! 😊💖

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  25. Pingback: Destination: Ushuaia, Argentina (Cruising the Beagle Channel– PART 2) – Rebecca Goes Rendezvous

      1. I remember the wicked storm as the ship rounded Cape Horn in the movie Master and Commander. It felt so real watching, as they sailed where two vast Ocean’s meet. And Beagle channel must have been named after Darwin’s ship. It must have been an amazing experience being there.

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    1. Haha, it’s not meant to sound apocalyptic! I think it’s cool to nickname it as the “End of the World,” as it is a way to demarcate the limit between civilization (Ushuaia) and the lack thereof (Antarctica)!

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