Most Ushuaia excursions stay on the mountain side of the island, in the national park or along the Beagle Channel. This one crosses the range and heads east and north toward the Atlantic coast, to Cabo San Pablo, where the forest gives way to open steppe, dunes and a cold, wind-scoured shoreline. Along the way the road passes through scenery that changes from beech forest and mountain passes to flat, pale grassland, and the day includes time at Estancia Pirinaica, a farm in the sheep-raising tradition that shaped the island after the settlers arrived. The tour we link to is rated very highly by close to a hundred travellers. It lasts about nine hours, so it is a proper full day, and much of it is spent travelling through landscape rather than at fixed attractions, which suits people who like a road journey with local commentary. Expect wind, big skies, long views and very few other visitors. Because of the distances, the day is best for travellers who are comfortable sitting in a vehicle for stretches and who enjoy stops for photographs and short walks. It also pairs a wildness that is hard to find elsewhere near Ushuaia with a glimpse of rural island life.
Understand why the landscape changes. The Andes tail off in Tierra del Fuego and the island flattens out as you head north and east, which is why the eastern side is steppe while the south is forest and mountain. Sheep farming arrived in the nineteenth century and shaped the large estancias, and guides usually explain how the farms work, how wool and meat were transported in the past and how the island's settlement developed.
At the coast, the wind and the cold Atlantic make for an austere shoreline that feels very different from the sheltered Beagle Channel.
Plan for a full day. Dress for wind with a windproof shell, a warm layer, a hat and gloves, and wear sturdy shoes for the beach and the farm. Bring snacks and water unless the tour supplies lunch, and check the booking page for what is included. Roads on this side of the island can be gravel, so expect some bumps, and the schedule depends on weather and road conditions. If you get carsick, sit near the front and take a tablet before you set off.
Consider who it suits. This tour works well for people who have already done the main sights and want a second-week experience, for photographers who love empty landscapes, and for travellers interested in the history of the region. It is less suited to anyone who wants wildlife encounters at close range, since the main drama here is scenery, and to families with young children who may find nine hours too long. Combine it with a quieter day afterwards, perhaps a museum or a short cruise, to balance a big day on the road.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day drive across the island to the Atlantic coast at Cabo San Pablo, with stops en route and time at Estancia Pirinaica.
Best time
The warmer months have the longest daylight and the most reliable roads; wind is a constant at any time of year.
How long
About nine hours, much of it on the road with stops for views and walks.
Tips
Dress for strong wind, bring snacks and water, expect gravel roads and sit near the front if you are prone to carsickness.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want wild, empty landscape and a look at rural island life.
- Families
- A long day by road, so best for older children who like scenery and stops.
- Couples
- A quiet, atmospheric day away from the crowds.
- Pair with
- A lighter day afterwards, such as the Maritime and Prison Museum.
- Time needed
- One full day.
Good questions
Where is Cabo San Pablo?+
It is on the Atlantic coast of Tierra del Fuego, across the range from Ushuaia, so the day involves a long drive over the island.
What is an estancia?+
A large farm, in this case a sheep estancia of the kind that shaped the island after the nineteenth century. Guides explain how they work.
Is lunch included?+
Check the inclusions on the booking page, and bring snacks and water either way.
Will I see wildlife?+
You may see birds and guanacos in open country, but the focus is scenery and landscape rather than guaranteed wildlife.
How does it compare with the lakes tour?+
The lakes day stays in the mountains and forest; this one goes much farther to the steppe and the Atlantic coast, and is longer.
