Glaciar Martial
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| Glaciar Martial |
An amazing hiking spot right by the Ushuaia city. It not only allows you to see the beautiful glaciar right in front, but also a view of the Ushuaia city. It is only about 20 minutes drive from the city center. A simple taxi ride of about 150 ARS can you there easily. The taxi will drop you off at the information center where you can take a simple map for this hike. There is no entrance fee.
Time: 2 hours round-trip (include plenty of stops and rests along the way).
Length: 1.25 miles one-way / 2.5 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Some steep areas, but relatively easy throughout the entire hike (highlighted in red on below map). More advance hike if going further straight closer to the glacier
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| Glaciar Martial Map |
There is a lift platform that takes you to the upper level. However, it was not operating during the time frame I went.
There are two trail heads by the information center. One is a wide open path, the other one is a trail through the woods. Both will take you to the same place, which is the upper lift platform. If you begin the hike in the afternoon, I recommend to take the path through the woods. This way you avoid facing the sun on the way up and avoid some sun burns.
[0.0 mi] Start at the trail head by the information center. Entering the woods, parallel but on the right hand side of the wide open gravel path
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| Glaciar Martial sign |
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| Peaceful path in the woods |
[0.7 mi] Leaving the wood path and joining the wide open gravel path
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| Seeing the glaciar and gorgeous mountain once leaving the wood path |
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| Turn to your back. You can see part of the city |
[0.75 mi] Arrive at the upper lift platform. There is a building in front of the lift platform for some refreshments and souvenir. Walk behind the building and you will see sign continuing the hike to the Glaciar. This is the wood path. There is also a river path right next to the building.
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| More strolling in the woods |
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| Tail is nicely maintained and clear for direction |
[1.0 mi] Arrive at the first outlook of Glaciar. Many people stop here and just enjoy the view then turn back.
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| Glaciar Martial |
After a good rest, you may either go straight west and continuing towards glaciar. The trail will get more difficult. Or you can take the path pointing south to see a nice city view from high up. In my case, I took the city view path.
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| Walking towards the city outlook |
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| Almost there |
[1.25 mi]Viola! Arrive the outlook to the city, Mirador de la Cuidad. You can see the city and the Beagle Channel
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| Mirador de la Cuidad |
After enjoying your time at the outlook, walk the same way back. Remember to enjoy every moment you have with this amazing landscape!
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| Amazing landscape |
Once you get back to the first outlook of Glaciar Martial, you can return back to the trail head the same way you hiked up or you can take the path on the north side. The opposite direction that led you to the city outlook. It follows a nice river path and crossing bridges
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| River from the glaciar |
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| Many little wooden bridges |
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| River path of Glaciar Martial |
Trekking and Canoeing with Canal Fun & Nature
Website: http://canalfun.com/en
Tour duration: 8am pick up, returning around 5:30pm. 9 hours total
Cost: 1490 ARS. Please check the company website for exact tour cost. The entrance fee of 170 ARS for Tierra del Fuego NP is not included in the tour cost
Tour highlights:
A group of about 12 people in a van. The guides will take you to the Tierra del Fuego National Park for a three-hour hike in the morning. Then lunch and 1-hour of canoeing in the afternoon. Lastly, they will drive you to the very south tip of the National Park, which is also the very south tip of the entire civilized world, indicating 17,848 Km from Alaska.
The hike took you through woods and the shores. The trail was well maintained and relatively easy. Our guide was very informative and taught us all about the Yamana history, how they survived in the extreme weathers, and how the unique ecosystem developed at Tierra del Fuego National Park.
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| At the beginning of hike |
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| Through the woods |
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| A historical site of where the Yamanas used to live, hunt seals, and eat mussels |
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| Interesting looking tree |
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| Beautiful shore |
After the three-hour hike, the tour guides will make you lunch in a nice tent. What we had was chicken with ham, veggies, and potatoes. They also offered us delicious red wine and appetizers. This was a great lunch, much better than I had anticipated.
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| Lunch time! |
After the big lunch, it was time to work on the arms. Before we ran into food coma, we were provided with life jackets, wet suits, and boots. It was time for some canoeing. It was generally 4 to 5 people per boat. There was no need to worry about experience because canoe was very easy to control.
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| What a nice day to canoe |
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| You may spot some red foxes along the way |
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| Beautiful and clear water that is drinkable |
Last part of the tour was taking you to the very south tip of Ushuaia, the end of route 3. Take some photos to record your journey to the southernmost tip of the civilized world.
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| You are at the end of Route 3, the end of the world |
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| Amazing landscape |
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| 17848 Km from Alaska |
The tour guide drove you back to your hotel and concluded your adventure of hiking and canoeing at Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Penguin Visit with Piratour
Website: http://www.piratour.net/en/
Tour duration: 5 hours
Tour Cost:1680 ARS - Please note that if you purchase ticket from the tour office, they do not accept credit card, only in cash USD or Peso
Tour Highlights:
One thing that is absolutely and truly unique about Ushuaia is the fact you can visit penguins. These are not penguins in the zoos, but real wildlife penguins living on the island by Ushuaia.
Piratour is the only tour company that allows you to walk on an island where the penguins live and get as close as three feet from them. There are many other tour companies that can also take you to see penguins, however, they will be from the boats.
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| Tour direction |
The tour gathering location is by the tour office by the water. There are a few stops before and after the penguin visit. On the way to the penguins at Isla Martillo, you will first stop at a scenic location for a short break. It has beautiful landscape and a typical tree in the area where wind is so strong that blows all the trees in one direction.
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| Strong wind blowing trees in one direction |
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| Beautiful scenery |
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| This is our "van" |
After the quick stop, the van will take you to Estancia Harberton where you can use the restroom. You will be taking the speed boat here.
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| Quick boat ride to Isla Martillo |
Finally, you arrive at Isla Martillo. Lot of wild penguins! Typically there are two main types of penguins live there. One is the Magellanic Penguin. The other one is the Gentoo Penguin. We encountered two King Penguins, which they normally don't come to this island. Enjoy your moments with the penguins!
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| Lots of penguins at Isla Martillo |
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| Beautiful King Penguins |
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| Magellanic Penguins |
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| Funny Gentoo Penguins |
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| A Magellanic Penguin who is molting |
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| Magellanic Penguins lay their eggs underground |
After about an hour with the penguins, the boat will take you back to Estacia Harberton for a short coffee / hot cocoa break. Then heading to an ocean museum. The museum has a variety of marine mammal bones.
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| King Penguin |
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| Crabeater Seal |
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| Whale |
The Ocean museum is the last stop of the tour. The van will drive you back to town center and conclude your excurison with Piratour.
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