Info. Useful, Ushuaia |
The history of The End of the World Train: The Fuegian Southern Railway, also called The End of the World Train, is the railway line that connects Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, with the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Although the route covered is not very long, only 8 kilometers, it meets the requirement of being the southernmost train in the world still in operation.
Touring the southernmost points of the planet on the mythical End of the World Train is just one of the many activities that can be done in Ushuaia. It is, however, the favorite activity for children visiting the region.
History of the End of the World Train:
The original route of the train was 25 kilometers and dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. With more than 100 years in operation, the current End of the World Train has a very peculiar background: it was a train for and by convicts in its beginnings.
The Fuegian Southern Railway was the train that connected the city of Ushuaia with the old Patagonian prison. The train connected both points by crossing the Fuegian forest. In addition to transporting food and construction materials, the train was used to transport prisoners.
The Ushuaia prison operated as such until 1947. With the closure of the prison, the train stopped operating a few years later.
The Fuegian train only started operating again in 1994, but for purely tourist purposes. Of course, the three locomotives are replicas of the original ones and are all steam locomotives. “Camila” is the most emblematic locomotive and the one that stars in all the postcards of The End of the World train.
The current route is only a third part of the original route, but it still preserves all the magic of the landscapes of The End of the World, crossing enchanted forests and unforgettable panoramic points.
The train departs from The End of the World station, a former prison embankment, and ends at the Tierra del Fuego National Park. During the trip, passengers will be able to contemplate the Cañadón del Toro, the Pipo River and La Macarena waterfall. Typical settlements of the ancient Yamana tribes can also be observed. Following the course of the Pipo River, the train ends its journey at the National Park station.
Want to take the mythical tour on the End of the World Train?
To learn more about the length of the trip, the lessons and the frequency of the trip, please read more about The End of the World Train.
Unmissable, Ushuaia |
Ushuaia also falls in love in summer. An ideal destination for those seeking relaxation and a walk, during this time it offers a large number of activities for all tastes. This beautiful southern enclave combines options for adventure, entertainment and nature. And it will also give you a geography full of unmissable postcards. Its beautiful landscapes are located in the southernmost tourist point on the planet, which gives it the famous title “The End of the World”.
When we think of a mountain range, we usually associate travel experiences in the winter season: snow, high mountain sports and a lot of shelter. However, this wonderful city and its surroundings offer us an innumerable number of options to enjoy a well-deserved summer vacation. The days in summer are very long due to the many hours of daylight. For this reason, it is a favorable time to make the most of time and organize several tours in the same day.
Summer in the southernmost point: Ushuaia city
The city of Ushuaia has the peculiarity of offering coast and mountains, something unique in the entire Argentine territory. Its port is located on the famous Beagle Channel, a renowned interoceanic passage that joins the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. To the west is the Martial mountain chain, belonging to the Fuegian Andes. Its rugged landscape and picturesque architecture are the perfect setting for walks with your family, partner or friends. In a tour of its main avenue you can find an interesting and varied gastronomic offer, ideal to enjoy after a day of intense exhaustion in the various excursions available to experience. Famous for its color palette, its sky offers sunrises and sunsets that give days and nights beginnings and ends of exceptional beauty.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
The visit to the National Park is beautiful all year round, but in summer it has a special charm. Its more than 68 thousand hectares of protected area make up a space where nature is the protagonist. This reserve harmoniously combines the last section of the Andes mountain range with forests, lakes, valleys and rivers, offering horizons full of colors, fresh air and natural music. The encounter in turn with the marine spaces favors the proliferation of a large number of birds and mammals, which live in its interior and are usually sighted on the edges of the paths.
This excursion is one of the most visited attractions. It begins with the navigation through the mythical Beagle Channel, from where you can see a beautiful panoramic view of the city from the coast. As the boat moves away from the port, numerous archipelagos begin to be sighted, the famous Les Eclaireurs lighthouse – illuminators in French – until reaching the penguin colony: a colony of very friendly and sociable Magellanic penguins. Summer is a good season to appreciate them since it is the time when they nest, which makes them easier to spot.
These are just some of the many attractions that Ushuaia has and that can be enjoyed in summer.
We hope you visit us and discover them yourself!
Info. Useful, Ushuaia |
When planning a trip to Ushuaia, we always ask ourselves what the best time to travel to the End of the World is. Ushuaia in spring is ideal and, undoubtedly, the season in which you are going to travel to the End of the World is a decisive factor. Depending on the season, the clothes you should pack, the weather and the tours and activities you can do will vary.
For us, there are two magical seasons in Ushuaia: autumn and spring. In both seasons, the days are quite long and the temperatures are not as harsh as in winter. In addition, you can enjoy a little snowfall in both autumn and spring.
Visiting the End of the World in spring
From September to December, spring is the time when everything blooms. Tierra del Fuego National Park changes completely. The Fuegian forest sprouts and nature begins to show itself in its purest state. Undoubtedly, an ideal time to enjoy all the flora and fauna at the End of the World.
If you are going to visit Tierra del Fuego National Park in spring, it is best to combine a tour that includes the End of the World Train from where you can see everything in bloom plus a short walk along the coast of the Beagle Channel. Without a doubt, it is the season with more migratory activity of birds. Ideal for different types of bird watching.
Cauquenes in Tierra del Fuego National Park
Spring is an ideal time to start trekking and hiking routes. In addition, the snow gradually disappears and the lagoons are full of crystal clear water. It is a pleasant season, where good weather and sunny days prevail.
No doubt, it is worthwhile for outdoor activities and excursions. For this, it is very important to book in advance. Here are some tips to prepare your trip to Ushuaia.
Depending on the season, some ski slopes remain open until October. Ushuaia has some of the best snow in South America and has the longest ski season in our country.
Also, in spring, the first cruises start arriving to Patagonia and Antarctica but, unlike the summer, it is not yet high season and prices are not so high.
Need more inspiration to visit Ushuaia in spring? We share with you more reasons to travel to the End of the World.
National Park, Ushuaia |
Tierra del Fuego National Park is a unique reserve and one of the most incredible national parks in our country. It is located only 10 kilometers away from the city of Ushuaia and its access is extremely simple and comfortable. Undoubtedly, a must stop on your trip to the end of the world.
Tierra del Fuego National Park was created in 1960 aiming to protect the ecoregion of the Patagonian forests. Currently, 200 hectares of the 68,909 hectares that make up the park are open to the public; the rest is preserved as a strict reserve.
Tierra del Fuego National Park is the only one in Argentina that has Andean mountains, forests, rivers, lakes originating from glaciers and sea coast. A unique diversity. Thanks to this, it offers many activities and attractions to its visitors: trekking, camping areas, lakes, viewpoints and historical landmarks are just some of the recommended points.
But, at the same time, the Park is a refuge and home to hundreds of Patagonian animals and species.
Biodiversity in Tierra del Fuego National Park
It is the ideal place for nature lovers and animal watching in its natural state. Thousands of travelers visit the park every year to go birdwatching and explore the Patagonian fauna up close.
The Andean condor is the most typical and representative animal of the region. The wings of this animal can reach a wingspan of up to 3.3 meters, making it an imposing bird that surprises everyone who observes it.
As far as birds are concerned, the Patagonian fringilo, the rayadito, the southern parrot (or cachaña), the Patagonian woodpecker, the thrush and the southern mouse are protagonists in the park. It is also possible to observe the ruby hummingbird, the southernmost hummingbird in the world.
The red fox is another typical animal of the region and can be easily observed in this Ushuaia National Park. Here also inhabits a unique species, the Huillín, a rare species of native otter that is in danger of extinction. In the streams, you can observe the kingfisher, trout and the typical American beaver.
As for the vegetation and flora, most of Tierra del Fuego National Park is made up of Andean forest, Magellanic forest and pre-Antarctic forest. The trees are protagonists in the park and the most characteristic species are the Lenga, the Ñirre, the Magellanic Coihue and the Canelo. You can also find some delicate species of orchids and ferns.
The marine vegetation is also remarkable. The area is characterized by submerged forests of giant cachiyuyos, a seaweed of enormous proportions.
In areas exposed to snowfall and strong winds, vegetation is scarce but it becomes super green and lush in summer and spring.
Info. Useful, Ushuaia |
Ushuaia is one of the most visited and desired destinations by tourists from all over the world. Thinking about snow, adventure and unforgettable experiences makes us immediately travel with our imagination to The End of the World. As we plan the trip, the question arises by itself: When does it snow in Ushuaia?
When does it snow in Ushuaia?
Did you know that due to its climatic characteristics, Ushuaia has one of the best snow qualities in the world? If what you are looking for is snow, we have good news … you are about to arrive at the right place to enjoy it intensely.
The first snowfalls usually occur last fall, during the month of May and generally last until mid-October. However, this information is not definitive: dates can vary and do often. At the end of 2020 it snowed in December and so far in 2021, there was snowfall in early March. Although these cases are more the exception than the rule, in Ushuaia the weather is always a surprise and many variations can occur in a single day.
What excursions can be done in winter?
At the End of the World there are experiences for all tastes and ages. We invite you to know some in this brief review and choose the ones you like the most.
End of the World Train and Tierra del Fuego National Park. The southernmost railway in the world runs the last 7 km of the old prison prison train route. This journey is done by entering the National Park, a natural reserve of more than 68,000 hectares that combines sea, forest and mountains in an imposing setting.
Activities in the snow . This experience was designed so that our visitors take away a memorable and unusual memory, in direct contact with the snow. Includes a snowshoe hike over a frozen peat swamp, a snowmobile circuit and a dog sled ride. It ends with a warm and delicious regional meal, and it can be done both during the day and at night, which gives you an extra bit of adventure and adrenaline.
Navigation through the Beagle Channel to the Les Éclaireurs lighthouse . A boat will start the journey from the port of Ushuaia until it reaches the emblematic lighthouse, an obligatory postcard mystique of the End of the World. On your way you can see the Maritime Museum (former prison), the End of the World Museum, the Olivia and Cinco Hermanos mountains, the Los Pájaros Island and Los Lobos Island, home to the characteristic local fauna.
Escondido Lake and winter resorts. This beautiful excursion begins a journey to the lakes in the heart of the island. In its path it runs through beautiful natural settings, such as valleys, peat bogs and glaciers, until reaching the Garibaldi pass, a panoramic viewpoint of Lake Escondido, Fagnano and its surroundings. It includes two stops in winter resorts where you can enjoy both activities in the snow and regional foods.
For more information on winter activities, click here.
For your safety, Ushuaia has the Safe Travel seal, which represents a safe destination at the health level for your trip.
