Winter holidays: what to do in Tierra del Fuego

Lovers of the coldest of the four seasons celebrate the arrival of winter and the low temperatures that the country is going through is the ideal time for a getaway to the snowFor those who love landscapes flooded with icy white, there is no better place than Land of Fire to live a unique experience.

The favorite destination in that sense is Ushuaiathe capital of the province that year after year receives thousands of tourists eager to enjoy the southernmost place on the planet to the fullest. One of the must-see excursions for visitors is the ride on the End of the World Train.

The history of this mythical transport goes back hundreds of years: He once transported prisoners serving sentences to the prison at the end of the world.

Today it runs the last 8 kilometers of that original route and was reconditioned with comfortable carriages and large windows, from where you can observe the Pipo Riverwhile crossing the beautiful lenga forest, typical trees of the area that dominate the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

With 68,000 square meters, the Park is one of the favorite walks for tourists and locals due to the spectacular setting that the Andes mountains and the diversity of native flora and fauna that can be found there. Another must-see in Ushuaia is the tour of the Beagle Channel until reaching the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouseone of the most iconic postcards of the city next to the passage Garibaldi, a viewpoint which is located about 450 meters above sea level, and allows you to observe the unique natural landscapes of the Fagnano and Escondido lakes.

For adrenaline lovers, a good option is the tracks skiing and snowboarding located in the Castor HillAt its foot, it has the added bonus of different gastronomic proposals where you can taste the delicacies of the area such as Tierra del Fuego lamb and seafood.

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An important detail is that on a getaway to Ushuaiathe enjoyment begins from the moment you arrive at the airport: the Malvinas Argentinas -concessioned by the Argentine firm London Supply Group– was named one of the fifteen best airports in the world by the specialist magazine Travel & Leisure.

In addition to its unique architecture, visitors will be able to enjoy a shopping stroll through the Duty Free Shop “South Atlantic”one of the most renowned brands with stores in different points of Land of Fire. Coinciding with the winter season, this duty-free shop launched a “fashion sale” starting on July 15, with discounts of up to 70% on top brands of clothing, footwear, glasses and accessories.

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What excursions and tours can you do in Río Grande?

Another site with a lot of history within the province of Tierra del Fuego is Rio Grandeits most populated city and where you can breathe the sovereign air, due to its proximity to the Falkland IslandsThe city retains an identity deeply rooted in this important historical event, with various monuments and cultural spaces that tell that part of our history as the War Veterans Museum.

For its part, the Virginia Choquintel Museum It houses numerous objects from the Selknam, aborigines who inhabited these lands thousands of years ago. In turn, the Chapel of Our Lady of Candelaria is a faithful example of the evangelizing work begun by the Salesian monks in 1800 and which remains almost intact today.

In addition to its rich history, Rio Grande is the capital of troutfor this reason it is a destination chosen by fishermen from all over the world. As for nature walks, the recommended ones are the Cape Sunday -a land mass from which you can have a privileged view of the Atlantic Ocean-, the Punta Popper Nature Reserve and the Laguna de los Patos.

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The city also has its own Environmental Interpretation Centre, which offers trips to the beach for bird watching and, when the tide allows, low-tide walks to interpret marine biodiversity.

What excursions and walks to do in Tolhuin?

And right between Ushuaia and Rio Grande it’s found Tolhuina dream town of just over six thousand inhabitants. The big attraction there is the Fagnago Lakeone of the largest in the region. Its crystal-clear waters are ideal for sport fishing and in its surroundings visitors usually enjoy the paradisiacal landscape by hiking, cycling and horseback riding.

In this sense, for the most experienced, nothing better than a climb to the top of the Jeujepen hill. However, you do need to be in good physical condition, as the journey usually takes three hours there and back, although the panoramic views are worth it.

Tolhuin It is also home to the Heart of the Island Provincial Reservethe largest protected area in the province with 90,000 hectares. The vast area is ideal for seeing first-hand the great variety of native flora and fauna, including the huemul, an endangered deer that lives in the area.

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Precisely, the Heart of the Island Reserve borders the Black Lagoon Reserveanother of the attractions of TolhuinIt is a glacial lagoon with a surface area of ​​approximately 1,200 hectares, surrounded by forests, mountains and peat bogs – algae clusters – that give it its particular blackish colour. The Reserve has a low level of hiking difficulty, so it is ideal for families.

Continuing along the circuit you reach the Cape St. Paula place that houses Desdemonaa ship that has been stranded on the coast since 1985 and is one of the most recognized and visited postcards of Land of Fire. In the vicinity of the Cape, you can practice sheep shearing – a typical activity in the area – and there is also local cuisine offered at the Rolito ranch, a must-see gastronomic stop.