Attractions of South America e-Book



Ushuaia

Ushuaia is considered to be the end of the world. The cities lies in the Southern tip of Tierra del Fuego in Patagonia with breathtaking surroundings. As the Southernmost city of the world, Ushuaia is enchanting and mesmerizing. Beautiful excursions can be done on the Beagle Channel to explore the surroundings. It's also a starting point for an enigmatic journey to Antarctica.

Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego has lakes, mountains and a natural beauty that will seduce the adventurous hiker all the way.

The end of the world is a wonderful place to be. Its picturesque city Ushuaia, which in the yámana language means “bay overlooking the West”, is surrounded by Mount Martial to the West and by Mounts Olivia and Cinco Hermanos to the East.

Located on the shores of the Beagle Channel, it offers a unique landscape, which combines mountains, sea, glaciers and forests.


Ushuaia Tours

Patagonia Wonderland Patagonia Wonderland - SA3307
TOUR TYPE: Specialist Tour
TOUR FUND: Included in tour fund
TRAVEL TO: Argentina - Chile		 11 Days US$1,990.00
Patagonia Express Patagonia Express - SA30
TOUR TYPE: Overland Tour
LOCAL PAYMENT: US$665.00
TRAVEL TO: Argentina - Chile		 21 Days US$1,050.00
Patagonia High Road Patagonia High Road - SA29
TOUR TYPE: Overland Tour
TOUR FUND: US$1,145.00
TRAVEL TO: Chile - Argentina - Uruguay - Brazil		 51 Days US$2,510.00


Ushuaia, the end of the world - Argentina Ushuaia is surrounded by a mountainous chain (the Martial Range) and there is a small glacier not too far away from the city (about 4 km) called Martial Glacier.The route to the base is very picturesque.

For those with an adventurous spirit you can climb the mountain near Ushuaia (there are trekking paths), but if it's your day off you can just take the cable car. During the winter there are ski runs.

Check out some of these wonderful budget hostels ($7.17) and excellent hotels in Ushuaia!



Things to do

  • Avenida San Martin:

    the main street of the town. Souvenir shops, restaurants and the tourist information center can be found here. You'll find yourself wandering on Avenida San Martin again and again. It's vibrant and alive and yes... I had to buy a souvenir from one of the many shops. This is after all the end of the world.

  • Boat Trip:

    Ushuaia - Argentina a must do when you're in the city. The sight of the Ushuaia bay is impressive to say the least, the scenery unforgettable. Just the thought of sailing on the Beagle Channel is overwhelming.

    The first destination is a rock-island covered with penguins. It's an impressive sight as you navigate around the island. Thousands of penguins sit, waddle, swim, and stare back at you in complete disinterest. After visiting the penguins, you'll see another rock island, 'Isla de los lobos,' covered with a gigantic herd, flock, or school of sea lions.

  • The Prison:

    Ushuaia Convicts In 1896 the first group of convicts arrived in Ushuaia to begin the reincidents jail (it was a group of houses made of wood and tin); in 1902, the Military Prison, which was situated at Isla de los Estados, was moved to Ushuaia for humanitarian reasons. The same year began the construction of the National Prison; at the time, Ushuaia had only 40 houses.

    • The building was done by the prisoners, and it was finished in 1920. It had five pavilions, and 380 single cells (but sometimes were there more than 600 convicts). The prisoners had the posibility of primary education and paid jobs. The jail worked until 1947. Inside the cells, you will find the history and the stories of the jail and the prisoners.

  • The Lighthouse:

    Jules Verne wrote a novel entitled "The Lighthouse at the End of the World"; this lighthouse was situated at Isla de los Estados (an island), and the real name of the lighthouse was San Juan de Salvamento. This lighthouse worked from 1884 to 1902, when a new lighthouse was inaugurated at a close island. In 1997, a replica of the lighthouse of the end of the world was inaugurated at the Maritime Museum in Ushuaia.

 

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego National Park

The Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire National Park) lies in walking distance of Ushuaia. This National Park is really huge (63,000 hectares), although only a little part is open to the public (most of the area is destinated to scientifc investigation).

This park was created in 1960 and is the only Argentinian park with sea cost. There are camp areas inside the park, and several attractions, besides the wonderful forest and landscape.

 

 

 

© All photographs by Mark Van Overmeire