Ushuaia Extension:
Tierra del Fuego, Harberton Ranch and Beyond
Extension Summary
Explore at “the end of the world.” This three-day tour blends pristine sub-Antarctic nature with human history. Our trusted local partner takes you beyond Ushuaia to historic Estancia Harberton, the oldest family-owned ranching estate in Tierra del Fuego, followed by Tierra del Fuego National Park, where ancient beech forests, glacial lakes, and windswept coastlines meet the Beagle Channel. Complete the journey with a ride on the El Tren del Fin del Mundo—one of South America’s most evocative rail experiences—winding through Patagonian forest and wild river valleys.
Local hosts: Operating in Ushuaia for over 50 years, the Rumbo Sur team is widely-respected for their team’s deep regional expertise and a long-standing relationship with Quark Expeditions, delivering seamless, thoughtfully guided experiences in Tierra del Fuego.
Extension Details
Availability: Pre- and post-expedition on all Ushuaia gateway voyages.
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Gateway: Ushuaia
Cost: £1,070 GBP per person (double occupancy) | £1,498 GBP per person (solo supplement)
Capacity: On Request
Tour Inclusions: Two breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner, one night’s hotel accommodation, and National Park entrance fee (Tierra del Fuego)
Getting Around: Guests will travel in a premium, high-roof, climate-controlled Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van with spacious, comfortable seating.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrive in Ushuaia: Gateway to the End of the World
Welcome to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, set between the southernmost reaches of the Andes Mountains and the Beagle Channel. Upon arrival at Ushuaia-Malvinas Argentinas Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel.
This evening, gather for dinner with fellow guests at your hotel, which offers a refined take on Fuegian cuisine. The menu features locally caught king crab, Patagonian lamb, and regional wines.
Today’s Highlights
- Guided airport transfer to your Ushuaia hotel
- Introduction to Ushuaia’s maritime and mountain setting
- Dinner highlighting regional cuisine
Day 2 | Estancia Harberton: Living History on the Beagle Channel
Depart Ushuaia on a full-day guided journey east,traveling through the spectacular mountain valleys, dense subantarctic forests and wind-swept coastal landscapes shaped by sea and wind. Founded in 1886 by British missionary Thomas Bridges, Estancia Harberton is the oldest estancia in Tierra del Fuego and one of the most historically significant ranches in the Americas—still owned and operated by descendents of the Bridges family today.
Set on a sheltered bay approximately 85 kilometers from Ushuaia, the estancia offers an intimate perspective on Fuegian history, from Patagonian ranching traditions to the cultural legacy of the Indigenous Yagán and Ona people. The visit includes time at the Acatushún Museum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of sub-Antarctic marine mammal and bird skeletons.
Return to Ushuaia in the afternoon for the Quark Expedition briefing in the Albatros Hotel Conference Room, followed by an evening at leisure to explore the city and dine on your own.
Today’s Highlights
- Full-day guided visit to Estancia Harberton
- Lunch at Harberton featuring ingredients from their estancia
- Acatushún Museum visit
- Evening free in Ushuaia
Day 3 | Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Train
Travel into Tierra del Fuego National Park, one of Argentina’s most celebrated protected areas, extending from the Martial Mountains to the Beagle Channel. Spanning more than 63,000 hectares, the park protects a striking blend of lenga and ñire beech forest, peat bogs, glacial lakes, and rugged coastline at the southern terminus of the Pan-American Highway.
A defining moment of the day: a journey aboard the End of the World Train—El Tren del Fin del Mundo. Originally built by prisoners to transport timber to the Ushuaia penal colony, this narrow-gauge railway now carries guests through pristine sub-Antarctic woodland, over bridges and along streams. Return to Ushuaia for lunch and a relaxed afternoon in town before transferring to your ship for your exciting Antarctic expedition—or to the airport if it’s the end of your journey.
Today’s Highlights
- Guided excursion into Tierra del Fuego National Park
- End of the World Train experience
- Lunch in Ushuaia
