Thrills and Chills: 12 Active Things to Do in Ushuaia!

The Masterclass: Conquering the End of the World

Ushuaia is not a destination for the casual vacationer. It is a frontier town at the absolute tip of the South American continent, where the Andes meet the Atlantic. As a veteran travel consultant, I have seen too many travelers arrive under-prepared, wearing the wrong layers and wasting precious hours in line for overpriced shuttles. This is a technical deep-dive into the 12 most rigorous and rewarding activities in Ushuaia. If you want a “relaxing stroll,” go to Buenos Aires. If you want to push your limits, keep reading.

1. Glacier Martial: The High-Altitude Trek

Most tourists take the chairlift. You are not most tourists. To truly experience the Martial, you must hike from the base (Tea House) to the upper viewing platform. This offers the best vantage point of the Beagle Channel.

• Fact Sheet: Glacier Martial
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Chairlift); Trail is open 24/7.
• Best Arrival Time: 08:45 AM. Be on the trail before the first shuttle bus arrives at 09:30 AM.
• Pricing: Free to hike. Chairlift (Aerosilla) is approximately 12,000 ARS (subject to exchange rate volatility).
• Logistics: Take a “Remis” (private taxi) from Maipú Street for roughly 4,500 ARS. Tell the driver “Base del Glaciar Martial.”

2. The Southernmost Post Office at Ensenada Zaratiegui

Located within the Tierra del Fuego National Park, this is more than a photo op. It is the outpost of Carlos de Lorenzo, the “Postmaster of the End of the World.”