Thanks to the 3040 miles that separate it from Buenos Aires, Ushuaia is not only the capital of the youngest and southernmost of the Argentine provinces, it is also the tourist mecca for excellence at the “end” of the world.
The origins of Ushuaia (Yagan language that means "bay that penetrates westward") dates back to October 12, 1884, when it was founded in order to ensure Argentina's sovereignty in these lands that were inhabited by nomadic hunters and the sea.
The Selknam, haush, Yamana and Kawésqar lived here quietly until the white man arrived and eradicated these tribes.
The exception was the Anglican Thomas Bridges, who arrived in 1860 and became the first white inhabitant of Tierra del Fuego.
He knew the language and learned to live with the natives through the evangelizing mission, then founded, 85 kilometers from Ushuaia, Harberton, the first stay of Tierra del Fuego who introduced cattle and sheep.
Today is a monument with historical value that can be visited by one or more days to see the Museum Acatushún (with skeletons of birds and marine mammals of southern South America), the ranch house and walking tours.
One of the first recommended tours in Ushuaia is the Martial mount and glacier, which are very close and only seven kilometers away from the city.
The glacier is receding but it's worth going to enjoy the view over the Beagle Channel, Vinciguerra Mount and Navarino and Hoste islands while turning up the chairlift.
On the Martial hill was conceived Club Andino Ushuaia and then built the first shelter in the early 50s.
The ascent to the hill can be done by car or taxi, and then chairlift or on foot. The walks begins at the base of the ski runs.
Then, a path leads to the chairlift and continues for one that goes underneath to reach the glacier base.
For those who want to walk at the base, next to the refuge, it can be done in the forest canopy of beech, an interesting way (safe and fun) to get involved with the forest Tierra del Fuego.
The Ushuaia Downtown is not very big and you can do a well visit on foot along the San Martin, the long main avenue of the world's southernmost city. It runs parallel to the coast, is increasingly busy and there are businesses of all kinds. Bars, shops and souvenirs, chocolate and good bookshops.
There are also a variety of restaurants to sample some of the most traditional dishes Tierra del Fuego, such as Patagonian toothfish, the crab and the lamb.
But if the idea is not to walk, you can do a group tour of two floors, a Routemaster model 60 brought from England and rebuilt in Buenos Aires.
The tour lasts an hour, and view the historic downtown and the homes of early settlers, the quaint bus enters the restricted area of the naval base, where the first public buildings in the city. The tour ends at a viewpoint to take pictures.
Finally, to change the point of view, from local boats leave the dock, sailing catamarans and sailing the Beagle Channel and allow views of the city and its surroundings from the sea.
There are several tours, but most often go to Bird Island, Isla de los Lobos and Faro Les Eclaireurs often confused with the Faro del Fin del Mundo (Endo of the world lighthouse), located in Staten Island and did Jules Verne famous in the novel.
Both the Bird Island and Isla de los Lobos belong to the Bridges Archipelago, and are vantage points for spotting sea lions, cormorants, albatrosses, skuas, petrels and ducks
