9 Epic Outdoor Activities Around Ushuaia

 Desdemona shipwreckUshuaia, ArgentinaThis is a few hours outside of Ushuaia close to Cabo San Pablo. It’s a cargo ship made in Germany whose hull cracked…so all of the bags of cement it was carrying formed cement to keep this stationed right where it is for a long time to come. It’s sketchy to walk around inside because all of the metal floors are rusting and fragile, but definite go when the tide is out and walk around the ship.

This place is a few hours outside of Ushuaia close to Cabo San Pablo. You should have 4×4 to get there, or contract a guide service (Tierra Turismo is the only agency I know that goes here). It’s a cargo ship made in Germany whose hull cracked, so all of the bags of cement it was carrying formed cement to keep this stationed right where it is for a long time to come. It’s dangerous to walk around inside because all of the metal floors are rusting and fragile, but definitely go when the tide is out and at least walk around the ship.

Gear up warm and scuba dive the Beagle Channel looking for leopard seals.

 Ushuaia DiversUshuaia, ArgentinaScuba diving the Beagle Channel is cold AF (but totally gives you scuba diving street cred). Visibility is decent but not awesome, but it makes it that much more cool when you come up upon a massive entangled wall of 50 foot algae with no notice. Or a leopard seal if you are lucky. Carlos will guide your trip and he’s a professional. Whether it’s your first dive or your 100th, you’re in good hands. #extreme #scubadiving #scuba

You get a dry suit but it still is cold AF. Visibility is decent but not awesome, but it makes it that much more cool when you come up upon a massive entangled wall of 50 foot algae with no notice. Or a leopard seal if you are lucky.

Get your gaucho on and ride horses along the Beagle Channel.

 Centro HípicoUshuaia, ArgentinaThese guys do horseback trips along the Beagle Channel. You can do a two hour, half day, full day or even a ten day adventure on Peninsula Mitre. There’s no need to have any experience. If you are someone who avoids horse trips because of tired, sad horses, don’t worry…these horses are super safe but have a ton of energy. #activekids

Centro Hípico does horseback trips along the Beagle Channel. You can do a two hour, half day, full day or even a ten day adventure (which explores the isolated Peninsula Mitre). For the day trips, there’s no need to have any experience.

Check out the penguin colonies.

 HarbertonUshuaia, ArgentinaTaking an excursión to the port of Harberton to see the penguins is a must-do when in Ushuaia. There’s Magallanic penguins, Gentoos, and three (yes, three, King penguins). Only Piratour agency gets you trekking by them, the others get you close by boat.

Taking an excursion to the port of Harberton to see Magallanic penguins, Gentoos, and three (yes, three, King penguins). Only Piratour agency gets you trekking by them, others, such as Canal Fun, get you close by boat. There’s a cute bed and breakfast nearby with a cafe with baked goods you should also check out, as it’s a couple of hours from any other town.

Ski or board Cerro Castor.

 Cerro CastorUshuaia, ArgentinaCélebre

This goes down as the southernmost ski center in the world. It’s season runs from about June to October, with some of the most epic conditions happening in September. It has a vertical rise of not quite 3000 ft. with slopes for beginners to world class experts. Nearby there are other centers that have dog sledding and cross country skiing, and the city of Ushuaia is a only about 15 miles away.

Helicopter through the Andes and over the Beagle Channel.

 HeliUshuaiaUshuaia, ArgentinaNot gonna lie, it’s not cheap. But that being said, it was epic AF. You can fly through the valleys in the Andes and feel totally dwarfed by nature while you count endless otherwise-hidden glaciers and turquoise lagoons, The nature photo opps don’t get much better than this. If you are going to splurge once on your trip, do it here.

You can fly through the valleys and over glaciers in the Andes, checking out not only famous Laguna Esmeralda but many other more hidden turquoise lakes and lagoons. The nature photo opps don’t get much better than this. If you are going to splurge once on your trip, do it here. HeliUshuaia can also hook you up with heli-skiing trips and some crazy-exclusive fishing trips.

Drink microbrews at the end of the world.

 GaribaldiTolhuin, ArgentinaMicrobrews for people who are more about sharing artesanal beer with chill people in a remote location – there’s nothing ‘ultra hip’ or pretentious about this place and that’s why it’s so damn charming. It’s in between Ushuaia and Rio Grande just outside of Tolhuin – definitely hit it up, especially if you do a lakes or fishing tour (you’ll already be in the neighborhood). #casual #microbrew

Garibaldi is for people who are more about sharing artisanal beer with chill people in a remote location – there’s nothing ‘ultra hip’ or pretentious about this place and that’s why it’s so damn charming. It’s in between Ushuaia and Rio Grande just outside of Tolhuin – definitely hit it up, especially if you do a lakes or fishing tour (you’ll already be in the neighborhood). When leaving through nearby Tolhuin, fuel up at the La Union bakery for the trippiest experience while not on drugs that the region offers.

Tierra del Fuego National Park.

 Tierra del Fuego National ParkUshuaia, ArgentinaThis is only about 15 minutes outside of town and warrants a visit. It can get crowded, so try to go with a company that knows how to avoid the tour busses (I went with Tierra Turismo and they were able to avoid the crowds). Solid hiking trail info is tricky to come across. There are a couple of campsites you can crash at, but you need to be prepared and bring all your gear – there’s no refugios. Dress for insanely quick changes in weather – sun, snow, high winds, it’s all possible.

This is only about 15 minutes outside of town and warrants a visit. It can get crowded, so try to go with a company that knows how to avoid the tour busses. Solid hiking trail info is tricky to come across. There are a couple of campsites you can crash at, but you need to be prepared and bring all your gear – there’s no mountain refuges to help you out. Dress for insanely quick changes in weather – sun, snow, high winds, it’s all possible. Don’t leave before checking out the tiny post office. You can get your passport stamped with an ‘end of the world’ stamp and the old postmaster dude who runs the show there is a character.

Go off-roading.

 Tierra Turismo “Excursiones Naturales”Ushuaia, ArgentinaIf you only have time or money for one activity in/around Ushuaia, make a point to set something up with these guys. They offer 4×4 tours deep into the region’s best places, with a total respect for nature. They know how to get you away from the crowds…and you’ll probably end up feeling like long lost friends with your guide at the end of the trip. Every guide here is top notch and super cool, but if you happen to end up with Ignacio, bust out some old Guns and Roses or Bon Jovi and watch the show go down. You’ll thank me later. #hiking #extreme

Tierra Turismo offers 4×4 tours deep into the region’s best places, with a total respect for nature. If you can’t stand the idea of being cooped up in a truck all day, schedule one of their 4×4 / kayak trips. They know how to get you away from the crowds…and you’ll probably end up feeling like long lost friends with your guide at the end of the trip. Every guide here is top notch and super cool, but if you happen to end up with Ignacio, bust out some old Guns and Roses or Bon Jovi from your phone and watch the karaoke show go down. You’ll thank me later.