Frequently asked questions

In Ushuaia, the main thing isn't the season — it's the wind. In summer (Dec–Mar) it's +10°C on the water, sometimes sunny but always windy. In winter (Jun–Aug) it's around 0°C, but the catamaran still runs. Bring a windbreaker, hat and gloves any time of year.

The Beagle Channel is a strait between islands, not the open sea. The swell is minimal even with wind, which is why many people choose this trip as practice for the Drake Passage before Antarctica. You can bring pills just in case, but usually they're not needed.

Not on this trip — whales are around Cape Horn and in the Drake Passage. Here we see sea lions, cormorants, sometimes Commerson's dolphins. But you see them close up.

A warm jacket, hat, gloves, a camera with a zoom (at least 200mm for the birds). Sunglasses — the UV index here is stronger because of the ozone hole. Water — there's coffee and snacks on board.

Yes, the trip is calm. Kids 5+ are fine. Under 5 — they get bored on deck, bring something to keep them busy.

November to March, the breeding season. In January–February the chicks are bigger and active, popping out of their burrows. In April the colony empties out, only adults remain. In winter (Jun–Aug) there are no penguins.

NO. The colony is a protected area. The trail is marked, minimum 2 meters from penguins. They approach by themselves if curious — that's their choice. Nests and eggs — absolutely not.

Yes. Martillo is the only island in the world where you can walk on foot right through a penguin colony. Everywhere else (Antarctica, Falklands, Chile) — only from a boat or a boardwalk. Here — a path through the colony.

It's a full day, yes. Morning — chacra with berries, lunch — fishing village (centolla), second half of the day — Harberton and penguins. Budget yourself for the day — don't shortchange.

Weather in Ushuaia can close the island in 30 minutes. If a storm cancels the boat — we do an alternative: longer Harberton, longer Almanza, an extra location. No one leaves without an experience.

9 km round trip with 200 m of gain is at the level of "a regular park walk, just longer." The mud (always!) and the climbing pace add the difficulty. If you normally walk more than 5 km a day — you'll be fine.

Trekking boots with good grip, or at minimum sneakers you don't mind ruining [the mud is for real]. Gaiters welcome. There's no café on site, we carry everything.

Kids 7+ who can walk — yes. Smaller kids better in a backpack carrier or off-road stroller. Our Agata did the first km in Vanya's ergo-backpack.

December–March — dry, trail passable. April–May — golden lenga forests, empty trails, but mud. June–August — snow, you'll need snowshoes and a local guide.

Water (1.5 L), sandwiches, windbreaker, thermos with tea. Swimming? Possible if you're brave — the water is glacial, 4-6°C. I swam once. Once was enough.

A 1995 narrow-gauge railway with a steam locomotive from England. Originally it carried prisoners from the old Presidio to the logging sites — now it carries tourists. 5 km through lenga forest, 50 minutes one way. Heated inside, large windows, audio guide.

YES. It's the southernmost national park on the planet, the only one in the world where the Andes meet the sea. Lapataia Bay is where Ruta 3 ends (the Pan-American Highway). You'll spend 5 minutes just on that signpost taking selfies.

Canadian beavers were introduced in 1946 for the fur trade. The fur business didn't take off — but the beavers did. The population is 100,000+ now, they fell the lenga forests and change the hydrology. An eradication program has been running since 2008, without success.

The main points — yes. Caleta Zaratiegui, Lago Acigami, beaver dams, train, Lapataia. For deeper trekking (Lago Roca, Cerro Guanaco — 4 hours) you need a full day.

The park is open year-round, but in summer (Nov–Mar) the trails are open, in winter part of them are closed. Entrance fee $25 USD for foreigners — included in my tour.

Yes. Part of the route is paved, but 1.5 hours is real off-road through the interior of the island: streams, mud, roots. Vehicle — Toyota Hilux or similar pickup with a winch. Safe, local driver, all under control.

Beaver dams [invasive species], Yamana shell middens in the forest, guanacos, condors. Lago Fagnano is crossed by the Chile border — the far shore is already Chile. Largest lake in Tierra del Fuego — 105 km long.

We go. Rain is normal in Tierra del Fuego. Without it nothing would grow. I bring jackets and boots; the picnic moves to a tent. We only cancel for a storm, and that's rare.

Kids 5+ — fine if they can handle 7 hours in a car with stops. Younger ones — it's tiring. I have child seats available.

Argentine asado: lamb or beef on the grill, chorizo, fresh bread, chimichurri, vegetables, fruit. Wine optional. I bring everything in the cooler, we cook on site.

Robinson R44 — 3 passenger seats plus the pilot. Everyone sits with a view through the wraparound glass. Headset with mic — you can hear the pilot and each other.

If there's fog or strong wind, the flight is rescheduled. Tierra del Fuego has the most unpredictable weather on the planet. We notify you the day before, book an alternate date, or refund.

Yes. HeliUshuaia is certified with ANAC license. Pilots are local veterans, 5,000+ flight hours. Aircraft serviced per Robinson schedule.

Kids age 4+ — yes, with parental consent. Under 2 — no (weight and safety). Max 3 passengers in R44, only one person per seat.

7 min — over the city, Martial glacier and the Beagle. 15 min — adds the Río Olivia valley and Laguna Esmeralda. 30 min with landing — final wow, mountain landing with champagne. Depends on budget and priorities.

7 km round trip, 600 m elevation gain (up to 1,050 m above sea level). 3-4 hours with a break at the top. Moderate-to-hard difficulty. First half — gentle trail in the forest. Second half — narrow trail on loose rock.

Technically yes — the trail is marked. But the weather changes in 30 min, there are spots where it's easy to go wrong, and in case of injury — no signal. With a guide it's safer, plus the story of the ice, forest and Tierra del Fuego.

NO. The Martial glacier is actively retreating, the ice is thinning, hidden crevasses. Since 2018 you officially can't go on the ice without a certified guide with ropes and crampons. We go up to the tongue — that's enough for the wow.

Trekking boots mandatory (not sneakers). After the first km the trail is gravel and loose rock — in sneakers your feet will slide. Trekking poles welcome for the descent.

Because: no long transfer needed (the trail is 7 km from the center), no equipment required (just your legs), entry is free, and it's half a day. The cheapest wow-point in Tierra del Fuego — and one of the most powerful.

Centolla (Lithodes santolla) — the Patagonian king crab. Lives in the cold waters of the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan. Up to 1.2 kg, a leg makes a full portion. Sweet meat, no "fishy" smell. Catch season Jul–Oct, but it's available year-round in restaurants from tanks.

Locals can — on our tour you can pull a trap (trampa) near Almanza, but without a license you can't keep the catch. We eat what was bought from those with a license. It's part of the story.

At Puerto Pirata in Almanza — $100-130 USD for a whole centolla for two. In Ushuaia in touristy places — $150-200 USD. Lunch is included in our tour.

Acatushun museum — 2,800 marine mammals + 2,300 birds, collected by American biologist Rae Natalie Prosser (wife of a Bridges grandson). The 1886 family house, the sheep-shearing barn, the family cemetery, the trail to Thomas Bridges's grave.

We do an alternative: longer Harberton, longer Almanza, add a stop at Ruca Kellen chacra. The day gets even more packed.

No. Drysuits, life jackets, instructor. 10 min training in the sheltered bay, then straight into the channel. 90% of our guests have no experience, no one has ever flipped.

The kayaks are sit-on-top, paddling is easy, we set the pace. If it's tough for someone — we head back earlier. The tour isn't a marathon, more of a stroll.

2.5 hours of active paddling + a hot cocoa stop. Distance about 5 km round trip along the shore. Never far from shore, always within sight.

Under the drysuit — fleece or thermal underwear, warm socks, cap under hood (against sun and wind). Glasses on a strap, so you don't lose them. Gloves — we provide. Your own gear — just a swimsuit.

Kids 12+ in their own kayak, 8+ in the back seat of a tandem. Under that — no, per Prefectura rules. Pregnant — also no.

Vika — that's me. Local Russian-speaking guide with years of experience working in Ushuaia. I lead individually or in small groups up to 6 people.

Yes, it's a classic start. Ideal on day one or two, before longer excursions (national park, penguins). That way you'll understand the context of everything you see next.

Car. We drive between points, get out and walk at each one. Ushuaia is compact but hilly — on foot in 2.5 hours you won't fit it all.

Yes. Kids enjoy the prison [real cells, the steam train in the yard], the maritime museum, the Martial viewpoint. Under 5 they get tired — shorter version is better.

Yes. City tour in the morning (10:00–12:30) + national park in the afternoon (14:00–18:00) — good combo. But that day will be very packed.

Cabañas Laguna Negra on the shore of Lake Fagnano — 110 km from Ushuaia, 2 hours by car via Paso Garibaldi. Wild place, nearest store 50 km away. Ideal for switching off.

Wood-heated hot tubs on the shore — wooden barrels with water heated by firewood under the tub. Temperature 38-40°C. 6-8 people per tub. Outside — the cold Tierra del Fuego air, the contrast is the therapy.

Wooden cabaña for 2-4 people with woodstove, bathroom, kitchen. Full board: breakfast, lunch (asado), dinner by the fireplace. Firewood and Wi-Fi included [Wi-Fi via Starlink, decent speed].

Kids 8+ — yes, if they can handle the drive and sit calmly in the tub for 20-30 min. Less entertainment for younger ones — the point here is silence.

Swimsuit, flip-flops, warm clothes (evenings get cold), flashlight. Towels, bedding, robes — provided. If you want to hike — trekking boots.