Weather forecast was sadly correct as we awoke to rain and a low grey cloud base and 9C. With only one full day in Ushuaia, the plan was always to explore the National Park of Tierra del Fuego, sadly not as much walking as we would have liked, but thankfully we had hired a car. Even with full wet kit, the few walking looked pretty miserable.
After a very enjoyable breakfast we set off in the car. Entrance to the park is only a 30 minute car ride. Two tickets 1120 peso around US$20. There are a number of walks that had it been dry would have been very rewarding. Whilst the forest around us was lapping up the water, glowing an ever more vibrant green, the snow clad mountains were shrouded in clouds, though we had an occasional glimpse of slate grey rock and snow towering above us.
A brief wander on a board walk to the furthest point on the South American mainland, Puerto Arias, also called Fin del Mundo – end of the world, in what was now drizzle. Our water resistant coats and an umbrella worked reasonably well!
At 3pm we collected 2 tickets for a brief two and a half hour catamaran cruise within the Beagle Channel to view some of the local wild life. Good news the sun had made an appearance, things were looking up, as the weather forecasters had predicted. This however means the threat of heavy snow from around 02.00 is looking very likely. A tad bit of a concern, as our AVIS, very basic Chevrolet Joy, doesn’t look like it will perform too well in snowy conditions, plus you should see the steep meandering road we need to exit the hotel that is perched on a precipice overlooking Ushuaia. Had a quick burger at a Lonely Planet recommended cafe. Back to the catamaran, thankfully about 60 pax in what otherwise holds 150 people.
As we departed the port, the sun shone, the sky became blue and there was no wind. The Beagle Channel was completely flat, only irritated by the various boats that transversed its waters.. Everywhere we looked there were birds of all different shades and sizes, perhaps with the Cormorants dominating the scene. Apparently part of the pelican species and not as you may imagine of the penguin family, despite looking like small Penguins when grounded, they fly! We also saw a nesting Chilean Skue and all manner of others.
Fully recommend our hotel – Arakur is fabulous, can get good deals through Expedia, amazing views, great rooms with outstanding views. Can’t be doing with going down to town tonight so eating here again!
Late addition 22.51 and a shot looking out over the city from our room, magic, mountains silhouetted in the background and the sun setting!
Argentina Travel Log 2019 
Great photos, what an achievement – the end of the world!
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