Are you ready to cruise to Antarctica? There’s only a few cruise lines that make the journey. But in most cases, your last stop before heading to the 7th continent is going to be in Ushuaia. It is located on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in Argentina. Ushuaia is a resort town on a steep hill that serves as a gateway to Antarctica and Isla Yécapasela. There are numerous cruises along the Beagle Channel that can be booked for either a half or full day. It is also possible to see whales and penguins during these cruises. Another great option for those who are only visiting for the day is to book a helicopter tour. It’s the only city in Argentina that can be reached by boat only.
Hike a Glacier
Tierra del Fuego National Park is a short 30 minute bus ride from Ushuaia. The park is full of wildlife and has numerous trails from beginner to advanced. A hike up to Glacier El Martial or Cerro Castor can provide beautiful views of the Martial Mountains and Beagle Channel.
No matter how you choose to spend your time in Ushuaia, be sure to have a fresh seafood meal at one of the many restaurants located on Avenida San Martin, the town’s main roadway. Local specialties include king crab, black sea bass, and assado, an Argentine dish chock full of barbecued meats.
Ushuaia Photo Booth
The photo booth is located right next to a giant stuffed penguin and is your best option for capturing silly, goofy or romantic photos on board. The cruise line will even print out 2 x 3 photographs of you and your friends. There’s no charge to use it, but you can also purchase digital copies of your photos at an additional cost. There are different setting that produce unique results so be sure to play around with them before taking a shot.
Upuaut Observatory
On a clear day, Upuaut Observatory allows visitors to admire stunning views of Tierra del Fuego National Park and its snow-capped mountains. It is an opportunity not only for observing nature, but also learning about it through interactive exhibits. Visitors can learn about flora and fauna native to Tierra del Fuego from a naturalist guide.
Bear Mountain Cable Car and Viewpoint
It’s a ten-minute drive from downtown Ushuaia to reach El Calafate and on your way you will pass through Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, site of UNESCO World Heritage Site Monte Fitz Roy. At one end of town is Cerro Dragón and its associated ski area, where there are more than twenty miles of runs (the longest being just over five miles) that are most popular with intermediate skiers.
Bodega Aurrera Shopping Mall
Bodega Aurrera is a large shopping mall located in downtown Ushuaia, Argentina. It is part of a network of over 200 commercial units owned by Grupo Puntel, which operate under various trademarks throughout Argentina and Chile. The Bodega Aurrera Shopping Mall houses various clothing stores, bookstores, souvenir shops and many more. In addition there are 6 movie theaters located inside.
Museo Maritimo del Beagle
The Museo Maritimo del Beagle is located on Maipú 1299, and hosts an exhibition about Ferdinand Magellan’s ship. The section dedicated to Magellan provides visitors with detailed information on his journey, his crew and his legacy. In addition, displays showcase marine artifacts that have been recovered from sunken ships at Puerto Deseado. Those who are interested in sailing or oceanography will surely appreciate taking a visit here.
Mendoza Antarctica Cruise Office
Mendoza is Argentina’s most important wine-producing region, and it’s worth making a trip here just for that. There are wineries dotting all corners of Mendoza. It’s really hard not to love a day spent touring vineyards and sampling their delicious local wines. Learn about production methods and find out what makes Argentine wines so unique.
Wine Tasting in Ushuaia
Located just outside of town, Tierra del Fuego Winery offers tours and tastings seven days a week. The tour takes about 45 minutes, and includes an informative slideshow and various samples. Don’t miss out on their delicious white wines, which are perfect for pairing with your meal at night. If you’re going with a larger group, you can rent out their entire facility for an event; they also offer an intimate dining experience that is perfect for smaller parties or dates.
