Don’t miss this ideal itinerary for travelers to Ushuaia in 5 days. We will tell you the main activities to do, excursions and more. Adventure and great scenery in summer and winter is what the southernmost city in the world offers, that’s why many travelers return more than once, to live the full experience at different times of the year or simply because of how amazing this place is.

By planning your trip to Ushuaia in 5 days you will be able to enjoy it in a more relaxed way than on a shorter trip where you have to rush a bit more due to the tight itinerary. Discovering the best of this Patagonian destination, from its rich history to its dazzling nature is a unique opportunity to explore the Presidio Museum, the Tierra del Fuego National Park tour and sail the famous Beagle Channel.

This ideal itinerary for Ushuaia in 5 days includes exciting activities such as a city tour, a 4×4 adventure on Escondido and Fagnano lakes and a trekking to Laguna Esmeralda. We will also tell you about the local gastronomy, tasting typical dishes such as king crab. Let’s go to the itinerary!

Day 1: Presidio Museum and City Tour

The first day of Ushuaia in 5 days we recommend you to start with a visit to the emblematic  Presidio Museum. This building, which once housed Argentina’s most dangerous criminals, now offers an alternative look at the city’s history. Visitors can walk through the narrow corridors and peek into the cells, imagining the lives of prisoners in this remote place.

The story of El Petiso Orejudo

One of the most intriguing stories is that of the infamous Cayetano Santos Godino, known as “El Petiso Orejudo”. This young murderer, responsible for the deaths of four children in the early 20th century, spent his last years in this prison. Visitors can learn more about his turbulent life and the crimes that shocked Argentine society.

City Tour

After exploring the museum, take a Ushuaia City Tour will make you understand the history of this wonderful place. Consider taking a guided City Tour that will allow you to discover the most important points of interest. The tour includes several stops at iconic places where you can learn about the history of the city and take the best pictures.

City of Ushuaia

Go up to the Martial Glacier

To end the day, hiking the Martial Glacier is an excellent idea. Although it looks like a huge mountain, the reality is that it is quite accessible. After the city tour and walking through the museum you will be a little tired but it will still be daylight if you visit Ushuaia in summer, getting dark around 11pm. The hike does not present major difficulties and offers impressive panoramic views of the city and the Beagle Channel. The ascent is done on foot. From the top, you will appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds Ushuaia, marking a perfect end to the first day of this adventure at the end of the world.

Day 2: Tierra del Fuego National Park and Train at the End of the World

The second day of Ushuaia in 5 days begins with an exciting adventure in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Tierra del Fuego National Park a unique place that combines maritime coasts, forests and mountains. This park, created in 1960, covers 63,000 hectares of breathtaking landscapes and amazing biodiversity.

Here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience on board of the famous End of the World Train. This 7-kilometre route will take you through breathtaking landscapes that will leave you speechless. Along the way, you can admire the winding river Pipo, the beautiful waterfall La Macarena and the impressive lengas forest that surrounds the area. Don’t worry about the story, they will tell you in detail during the trip on certain occasions told by a person and on others with headphones that you will receive when you board the train.

We recommend that, in the afternoon, you hire a navigation on the Beagle Channel. This activity offers spectacular panoramic views of the entire city of Ushuaia and the majestic mountains that surround it. You will be amazed to observe the eccentric local fauna, including sea lions, penguins and various species of birds that inhabit this area. The most magical moment of the experience is undoubtedly when at sunset you pass by the emblematic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, a true symbol of Ushuaia that illuminates the horizon.

We assure you that you will feel that it was a super productive day full of experiences and new places. Don’t forget to take pictures (without forgetting to enjoy the moment) to remember these spectacular places.

Day 3: 4×4 off road adventure in Lagos

The third day of Ushuaia in 5 days will be a real 4×4 adventure without much physical effort. Somehow you will rest your legs 😁.

4x4 Excursion Lakes Fagnano and Escondido

The trip starts early in the morning, where a 4×4 van will pick you up to go to the 4×4 to go to the Lakes. The route follows the National Route N°3 to the northwest, offering panoramic views of Mount Olivia and the Five Brothers. Along the Carvajal Valley, visitors can observe hanging valleys and glaciers.

After observing all the fauna and its landscape you will end up arriving at the famous lakes Fagnano and Escondido. The Escondido Lake, as its name suggests, is a little hidden but with easy access. Its crystalline waters that reflect the surrounding landscape will surprise you. On the other hand, Lake Fagnano is impressive for its extension, surrounded by majestic mountains and an overwhelming silence.

The 4×4 adventure allows access to remote areas, crossing dense forests of lenga and ñires, and dodging small streams. Expert drivers will guide visitors through challenging terrain, providing an adrenaline-filled experience.

During the tour, strategic stops are made to enjoy the views and take pictures. The Garibaldi Pass Overlook offers a breathtaking panoramic view of both lakes and the surrounding areas.

The excursion includes a lunchtime barbecue, allowing travelers to relax and enjoy the tranquility of nature.

Day 4: Emerald Lagoon

The fourth day of Ushuaia in 5 days will be memorable with this science fiction landscape.

It will be a long road, but not so intense, and we assure you that it will be worth every second of your time and effort. The star destination in Ushuaia is the Esmeralda Lagoon.A place that will take your breath away and make you feel as if you were in a dream. This place is a real hidden treasure in Tierra del Fuego, and every corner has something special to offer.

Emerald Lagoon

We will start early, as the good adventurers that we are. The trip begins with a 16-kilometer drive along National Route 3, affectionately known as “the route to the end of the world”. This road not only takes you to your destination, but also offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. As we drive along, you will be able to observe the beauty of nature unfolding around you, with majestic mountains and dense forests that seem endless. Then, a 9 kilometer round trip hike awaits us, which is like taking a nice walk through the city, but with a much more impressive and captivating landscape, where it is not at all difficult as it is mostly flat, with no ups and downs. It may be muddy if it rained or snowed but it won’t be a problem with proper footwear. You will cross glacial valleys that look like something out of a postcard, where each view is more beautiful than the last. You will see castoreras, where these ingenious little animals work tirelessly, building their dams and creating a vibrant ecosystem. In addition, you will walk through peat bogs that are like natural carpets, soft and fluffy under your feet. The magic of Tierra del Fuego will reveal itself in every step you take, and you will feel connected to nature in a way we rarely experience in everyday life.

Be careful with your clothes, my friend. Don’t get overconfident thinking you’re at the beach. It is essential that you dress appropriately for this adventure. It’s like walking through a park after a light rain, but with views a thousand times better than any urban park. Wear comfortable clothes and warm clothes because the weather can change quickly from cold to hot and vice versa.

However, if you prefer a more relaxed experience, there is the option of seeing the Emerald Lagoon by helicopter. It’s like being a movie star for a day, flying over this unique landscape. From the air, you will be able to appreciate the grandeur of the region in a way that will leave you speechless. However, I must confess that walking the trail has its own special charm. It is like preparing a good barbecue: it takes time, but the result is incomparable and gives you a sense of accomplishment and connection with the environment.

It can be partially frozen in winter, creating a fairytale spectacle of ice and water, or completely liquid in summer, reflecting the sky like a giant mirror. In the distance, you will be able to spot the Ojo del Albino, an impressive glacier formation that will leave you in awe. It cannot be climbed nowadays as it is dangerous and for experienced people.

Day 5: Navigation through the Beagle Channel and dinner at the best restaurant in Ushuaia.

One of the attractions that visitors to Ushuaia are highly recommended to do, is to sailing through the Beagle Channel where you will feel the beautiful sea breeze and a high quality and comfortable ship. On the last day of your 5-day Ushuaia you will have breathtaking panoramic views of the Ushuaia coastline and surrounding mountains. During the tour, travelers can observe a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, seabirds and, hopefully, Magellanic penguins.

Lighthouse at the end of the world

The Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, mistakenly known as the “End of the World Lighthouse” will be the main attraction. This lighthouse, built in 1919, is an emblematic symbol of Ushuaia and in order not to spoil you, we will let you know in depth the history in the excursion.

This day, being the last one, we recommend you to crown it with a dinner at El Viejo Marino to eat the specialties of the city or if you opt for something more traditional, it will also be possible as it has a wide menu for all tastes.