Ushuaia in 4 days, the best travel itinerary

The southernmost city in Argentina, known as the city of the End of the World, is surrounded by spectacular scenery. If you plan to travel to the city, we tell you things to do in Ushuaia in 4 days to visit the must-see attractions.

Ushuaia, like any landscape in Patagonia, never disappoints. Its location is majestic, on the shores of the Beagle Channel that connects the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by the high mountains of the Andes Mountains, on which some glaciers are located.

The natural environment surrounding the city allows trekking along trails through forests, reaching viewpoints over lakes, sailing the raging Beagle Channel to the lighthouse and even visiting historical sites such as the famous End of the World Prison, the End of the World Train. Yes, everything has to do with the word End of the World.

Also the fauna has its protagonism, sailing through the Beagle you can reach islands where penguins live and in the trails through the Tierra del Fuego Park you can observe how beavers do their work.

It is advisable to visit Ushuaia in 4 days, since there are many activities and in most cases the excursions last at least four or five hours with transportation included. So that you do not leave the city of the End of the World without knowing the basics, we have designed this itinerary based on our experience traveling around the place.

Map of things to do in Ushuaia in 4 days

Itinerary to visit Ushuaia in 4 days

• Day 1: Views from the Martial Glacier and navigation through the Beagle Channel.
• Day 2: Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Train.
• Day 3: Lake Fagnano and Escondido.
• Day 4: Emerald Lagoon and walk through downtown.

Day 1: Martial Glacier and Beagle Channel navigation

We begin our tour of Ushuaia in 4 days with a visit to the Martial Glacier. Due to the proximity of the high mountains to the city center, the Martial Glacier is only a few minutes away from Ushuaia. It can be reached by car or even walking up a steep slope.

It can be visited both in winter, where there is a ski center, and in summer, when there are numerous treks along marked trails. It is also an ideal place for ziplining.

No matter what time of the year you visit, the best thing about this place is its viewpoint overlooking the city of Ushuaia with the Beagle Channel in the background. A perfect postcard!

In the afternoon, it is time to embark and navigate the busy Beagle Channel. Once the city of Ushuaia is out of sight from the ship, points of interest such as the so-called Lighthouse at the End of the World, which is actually called Les Eclaireurs, begin to be seen.

During the navigation there is also time to observe the marine fauna so characteristic of the place such as sea lions, birds and penguins on Martillo Island.

There are three types of excursions to navigate the Beagle Channel:

1. To Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, the shortest one that goes through Isla de los Pájaros, Isla de los Lobos and the lighthouse. The duration is between 2 hours and a half. [See excursion]
2. Lighthouse plus penguin colony, plus a visit to Martillo Island where there is a penguin colony. The duration is four and a half hours.[See excursion]
3. Estancia Harberton, in addition to the aforementioned, a tour of the Patagonian estancia is included with the possibility of having lunch there. Then, we return by land to Ushuaia.

Day 2: Tierra del Fuego National Park and the End of the World Train

On the second day it is time to visit one of the most beautiful landscapes surrounding Ushuaia. Tierra del Fuego National Park encompasses a large extension of Patagonian forests and lakes, with an infinite number of trails that can be hiked.

One of the most popular is the one that runs along the coast from Ensenada Bay to Lapataia Bay. Don’t forget to send a postcard from the small office where the End of the World Post Office operates!

Inside the National Park there are also other places to see: the fabulous beavers doing their “work” and the emblematic Fin del Mundo sign, where route 3 ends.

To access the Tierra del Fuego National Park you must pay an entrance fee. Prices in 2022 are as follows: 3,200 pesos (11 € – 11.5 US$). Residents of Argentina pay 1,000 pesos. Discounts are available for children, students and senior citizens.

The tour of Ushuaia in 4 days continues with another activity not to be missed, traveling on the End of the World Train. It was used to transport prisoners from the prison, located in the center of the city, to the forest to cut down trees and provide heat for the homes.

Nowadays, the train is only used for tourist purposes and makes the last original section of the route. Old locomotives and wagons circulate along the tracks surrounded by Patagonian forest. A trip that must be made!

Practical information: The price of the ticket varies according to the class contracted, ranging from 6,500 pesos (€22) for the economy class fare to 15,500 pesos (€52) for the premium class fare. Updated prices and discounts for students, retirees and nationals are available on the website.

📷 Book here the excursion to visit Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Train. If you are more adventurous, you can take the canoe excursion from Lake Acigami to Lapataia Bay.

Day 3: Fagnano and Escondido Lakes

On the third day, you must go into the island of Tierra del Fuego to visit the largest lake in the area, the Fagnano, next to Lake Escondido.

These lakes of glacial origin are characterized by their turquoise waters and mountains dyed green by the forest. In winter the snow-capped peaks give another tonality to the landscape.

One of the best ways to visit the lakes is by all-terrain vehicle, traveling along dirt roads and through the forest.

On the shores of the lakes, there are viewpoints to contemplate the surroundings. The main one is located in the Garibaldi Pass, the perfect place to see the Escondido Lake. Of course, be careful with the wind, which is very strong in the area!

✏️If you visit both lakes during the winter in your own or a rental car you must be attentive to weather warnings. There is usually a lot of snow on the road, so use tire chains and drive at low speed.

📷 Feel the adrenaline and book the 4×4 excursion to Fagnano and Escondido lakes. If you want to visit the viewpoints of the lakes in a quieter plan, take the bus excursion to Fagnano and Escondido lakes.

Day 4: Emerald Lagoon and walk through downtown Ushuaia

On the last day, it is time to do one of the best trekking in Ushuaia in 4 days, the Esmeralda Lagoon. A trail of low physical difficulty, about five kilometers long. You can hire transportation with fixed schedules that will drop you off and then pick you up at the beginning of the trail, on the side of Route 3.

Crossing the forest, the landscape changes according to the time of the year you walk along the trail. During the winter, the snowy landscape is the protagonist, in the summer the green of the lenga forest stands out.

Once you reach the viewpoint, the emerald green color of the lagoon is a striking sight, along with the snow-capped peaks in the background.

📷 Book here the excursion to the Esmeralda Lagoon. Includes round trip transfers, guide and a delicious picnic.

The last activity to do in Ushuaia in 4 days is a visit to the Maritime and Presidio Museum, a former prison where many legends are kept about the prisoners who inhabited the place. Several stories are sure to leave you open-mouthed and even a little scared.

In the same precinct operates the Ushuaia Maritime Museum. Models and artistic expressions show the union between the city and the sea.

The Museum of the End of the World is another place to visit to learn about the history of the first settlers who inhabited the city. The exhibition includes writings and numerous ancient objects that have been found.

📷 Do you want to see Ushuaia from another perspective? Book the helicopter flight and you will be amazed with the views from above.

Practical information for travel to Ushuaia

If you are looking for where to stay in Ushuaia, excursions to do in the city and how to get from the airport to the city center, we leave you with articles with useful information on these topics.

• Door to door transfers, to and from the airport and your hotel. Perfect if you are traveling in a group or family, with lots of luggage, do not want to change money at the airport and want to travel comfortably and quietly.
• Where to stay in Ushuaia: recommended accommodations.
• Rent a car to tour Ushuaia on your own.
• Excursions in Ushuaia: in addition to the excursions already mentioned throughout the article and the Free Tours, check these pages for the best experiences for your trip:
  Excursions in Civitatis.
  Excursions in Get Your Guide.