Ushuaia: Best Type of Shore Excursion?

[vakamalua]

Need help from those of you who've been to Ushuaia...

 

We have a cruise stop in Ushuaia (7:00 am-4:00 pm) on the Coral Princess.  Excursions seem to be focused either on a boat ride on Beagle Channel or a tour into Tierra de Fuego National Park (with or without a ride on the Train).  

--In a one day stop, would you recommend one type of excursion (Boat vs Park) over another?

--Can you see enough of the Channel while sailing in and out?

--Can anyone recommend a good Boat Tour company?  Or did you use the ship's excursion?

--If you book a Boat Tour on your own, how far from the cruise terminal is the dock that the tour boats leave from?

--Is the Train worth doing?

--Can anyone recommend a good tour company for a Park Tour?  Where did the tour start?  Looked at some private tours but really expensive for just the two of us.

 

Would love to hear your ideas and experiences!  Thanks

 

[Grandma Cruising]

The tour we did from Ushuaia was a tour to Martillo Island to see penguins. It was wonderful. Can’t remember the company we used but here’s a link to a company offering it. http://167.250.5.29/~piratour/en/productos/ver/14-summer/15-penguin-rookery-harberton-ranch.html

[PurpleTraveller]

On our visit to Ushuaia in March 2018 on Emerald Princess we did the morning Princess excursion to Tierra de Fuego National Park. While we usually don't do ship excursions in this case it was the almost the same price as independent tours and we had OBC to use. We had a lovely tour of the park with four different stops and a short time to look at the beautiful scenery at each place. On our return to Ushuaia we had time to walk through the town and shop. We thoroughly enjoyed this port. When we left Ushuaia we cruised the Beagle Channel past the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse and gorgeous scenery to Glacier Alley which was spectacular. A boat tour would take you closer to the small islands in the Beagle Channel but we loved seeing the national park. No matter which tour you choose it is a beautiful part of the world. Hope you have a great cruise! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 19, 2019 by PurpleTraveller

[FredZiffle]

Look into renting a car and driving to Tierra de Fuego on your own.  It's only a 15 minute drive and a straight shot from town.  I can't imagine what a tour company could provide you that would justify the additional expense.  You get a map as you drive in and can park at the start of any trails you want to walk.   The park is nice, but it's just pretty scenery (and the tourist trap post office).

[Mrs f.]

20 hours ago, FredZiffle said:

Look into renting a car and driving to Tierra de Fuego on your own.  It's only a 15 minute drive and a straight shot from town.  I can't imagine what a tour company could provide you that would justify the additional expense.  You get a map as you drive in and can park at the start of any trails you want to walk.   The park is nice, but it's just pretty scenery (and the tourist trap post office).

We went into the post office and sent a postcard to ourselves. Have it displayed in a clear frame so we can see both sides. Cute.  We also walked around ushuaia town, ate at Tante Nina's which was recommended by Argentinean friends.  we also walked over to the Ushuaia prison museum. Very interesting.

[AryMay]

Ushuaia was one of our favorite ports on our SA/Antarctic cruise this past February. We had a private guide for the 4 of us (we were traveling with another couple) and he was able to get us to the main tourist sites plus a lot of time in places that were off the beaten track...but oh so beautiful!

 

Here is a link to our guide, Frederico's, website:  Anan Turismo. Perhaps you could find a couple of other people on your roll call to share the cost to make the day more affordable.

 

Although a boat tour would be nice, the scenery around Ushuaia is so incredible, I would suggest an all day tour to see it from land. Here is a link to a description and photos of our day in Ushuaia:  Ushuaia Tour.

 

This photo will show you what you have to look forward to with a tour that covers more than just Tierra del Fuego! (This was taken north of the city.)

 

Edited August 31, 2019 by AryMay

[Wayfairers]

Earlier this year did the National Park hiking tour with Tour Guide Ushuaia.  We saw the post office and did a short hike along the coastline there, another short hike along the coast of Roca Lake, saw the end of the Panamerican Highway and did another short hike there.   The scenery was gorgeous and Edgar, our guide, was wonderful and had lots of interesting Information about the area.