Discover Ushuaia - 6 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Buenos Aires - Explore the City & Tango Show

Welcome to Buenos Aires! Also known as the "Paris of South America," the capital of Argentina is a city defined by passion—from its rich tango heritage to its citizens' limitless enthusiasm for fútbol (soccer), the country's most popular sport. 

When you land, a driver will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel, where you can rest and recharge after your long flight. But make no mistake: you'll be itching to see what the city has to offer. So after a quick break, make sure to venture out and explore. The best starting point is the city center.

Suggested activities include:

• Visit the Obelisco, which might be the city's most famous monument. This obelisk (which even Argentines admit is a little too reminiscent of the Washington Monument) is worth a visit for its location alone. It sits right in the middle of Avenida 9 de Julio, which boasts a whopping 16 lanes, making it one of the widest avenues in Latin America. 

• Stop by the Teatro Colón, one of South America's premier opera houses, which is known worldwide for its incredible acoustics. Even if you plan to take a tour or catch a show here later, it's still worth passing by to take in the exterior architecture. The Colon's neoclassical façade has made it one of the most handsome buildings in Buenos Aires since its opening in 1908.

• Stroll through Puerto Madero, an upscale waterfront neighborhood adjacent to downtown. Puerto Madero may be the "new money" finance center of Buenos Aires, but it's also one of the most pleasant places to walk in the city. Take a romantic stroll by crossing over the canal on the Puente de la Mujer ("Woman's Bridge") at sunset. 

• In the evening, we'll pick you up from your hotel and take you out to dinner and a tango show. Tango is more than Argentina's national dance: each intricate step tells stories of love, loss, and passion. The evening includes a three-to-four-hour tango performance accompanied by a local music band, along with a delicious à la carte dinner of traditional Argentine cuisine. 

Day 2: Buenos Aires Bicycle Tour

Today you'll get to experience the city on two wheels with a bicycle tour. You'll zip through the capital and visit every major neighborhood in the city on a bambucicleta, an eco-friendly bamboo bike. It's the perfect way to engage in responsible tourism around the city.

In the morning you'll meet your guide at the Museo de Armas (weapons museum), located on the south side of Plaza San Martín.

The first neighborhood you'll hit is Puerto Madero, a mega-port that was once run-down but has now been transformed into a modern business and finance center. Here you'll visit the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, an 865-acre protected area along the waterfront. Share a round of yerba mate (a tea that is a cultural touchstone in Argentina).

Afterward, continue south to La Boca neighborhood to see La Bombonera, the home stadium of famous local fútbol club, the Boca Juniors. You'll also visit colorful Caminito Street, which is filled with art, music, and tango dancing.

Then it's off San Telmo—the oldest neighborhood in Buenos Aires—where you'll enjoy a traditional lunch that includes a wide range of Argentine delights. Next, you'll visit nearby Plaza de Mayo to get a sense of Argentina's history.

You'll now peddle north, where the historic working-class barrios give way to the upper-class enclaves of the aristocracy. First, you'll visit Retiro, a neighborhood famous for its ornate buildings and baroque architecture. Then it's on to the famous Recoleta neighborhood and its Haussmannian architecture.

Here you'll stop at the Recoleta Cemetery, where the most prominent figures of Argentina's history are buried, including Eva "Evita" Peron. Wander through the ornate family crypts and say hello to the cemetery's many friendly stray cats. 

Before ending the tour, you'll visit the historic and trendy neighborhood of Palermo, which is known for its restaurants and large parks designed by legendary Argentine/French landscape architect Charles Thays.

Day 3: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia & Beagle Channel Cruise

After breakfast, you'll travel to the Buenos Aires airport for your flight to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, which sits at the edge of the vast South American continent.

Ushuaia is in a large bay with a rocky coast, surrounded by the snowcapped Martial Range. The city has a charming downtown area and a lovely port. 

After checking into your hotel, board a boat in Ushuaia's tourist port and sail into the Beagle Channel. As the boat sails further into the channel, you'll get a chance to see panoramic views of the coast and the skyline of the city at the base of Mount Olivia and the Cinco Hermanos Mountains. 

The cruise will take you southwest and pass the Isla de los Lobos, a nondescript rocky island that happens to be the home of a large group of sea lions. You'll have ample opportunity to see these majestic creatures and take plenty of photos. Then, it's off to Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island), where various species of seabirds live, including Magellanic cormorants and imperial shags. It's a birder's dream, so keep your binoculars and camera lens up and ready.

The furthest you'll sail today is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, which is located on the northernmost island in Les Eclaireurs Islands. Here you'll see part of the Monte Cervantes, an ocean liner that sank in 1930. Your guide will also point out many points of interest onshore and across the channel, including Estancia Remolino (a remote ranch), Gable Island, and the naval base at Puerto Williams (located on Navarino Island, Chile). After the tour, you'll return to Ushuaia's port. From there you can spend the remainder of the day enjoying your hotel's amenities and exploring the town.

Day 4: Tierra del Fuego National Park - Trekking and Canoeing

Today, you'll spend a day in Tierra del Fuego National Park, one of the most frequently visited places around Ushuaia. On this day trip, a specialized guide will help you discover some of the 155,000-acre park's most beautiful natural scenery. You'll get to know the ins and outs of this protected paradise, from seaside mountains to freshwater rivers to subantarctic forests and tranquil bays.

You'll depart from your hotel by minibus for the short ride to the entrance of the park. Then it's a 4.3 mile (7 km) hike on a coastal path that follows the Beagle Channel. You'll have prime views of the channel along the way, and you'll also get to see the diverse flora and fauna of the area. You'll also pass remnants of ancient settlements once occupied by the Yámana indigenous people.

After this brisk three-hour trek, you'll reach Lago Roca, where you can relax and enjoy a hot lunch. Then it's time to start the canoe ride down the Lapataia River. This waterway leads to your ultimate destination, Lapataia Bay, the place where the famous Pan-American Highway—which starts all the way up in Alaska—ends.  

Day 5: Penguins on Isla Martillo & Estancia Harberton

After breakfast at your hotel, it's time for a full-day penguin excursion. The trip starts at the Ushuaia pier, where you'll catch a bus to Estancia Harberton and drive through rugged Fuegian forests until you reach the dock, where your boat will be waiting for you.

From here, you'll board a semi-rigid rubber boat that will take you to an island and give you a chance to see a Magellanic penguin colony (amongst other species) up close. This guided tour includes a 90-minute hike to both Isla Martillo and Estancia Harberton, where you will learn about the penguins and their natural habitat. Expect plenty of great photo opportunities.

At the end of the tour, you'll return to Ushuaia in time for dinner and a night out on the town.

Day 6: Fly from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires - Departure

This morning, head to the Ushuaia airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, then connect to your international flight back home. ¡Buen viaje!