Ojo del Albino Glacier Trek Ushuaia: 21 km Refuge

Dine lakeside at a secluded refuge by the Emerald Lagoon, spotting salamanders nearby

A 10-hour trek from Ushuaia to Ojo del Albino Glacier in the Andes, crossing forests, glacier valleys and icy lagoons with certified guides. You hike through Fuegian forest to Emerald Lagoon, rest at a mountain refuge, then ascend the glacier itself equipped with crampons and walking sticks. Lunch and hot soup are served at the refuge overlooking the glacier amphitheater.

The experience

How do you reach a glacier most visitors never see? You trek 21 km through terrain that demands both endurance and technical skill. The day starts with pickup from your accommodation and a safety briefing at the trailhead. Your certified guide (fluent in English, Spanish or Portuguese) leads you into the Fuegian forest on marked nature trails, building toward the Emerald Lagoon where the mountain refuge sits. This is where the route changes: you gather strength with lunch, then move into the demanding section of the climb.

The ascent to Ojo del Albino is where the crampons go on. You're equipped with crampons, walking sticks, a helmet and a flashlight, moving between steep slopes with the guide setting a pace that matches the group. The scenery shifts from forest to ice and stone. When you reach the glacier, the group stops for a well-deserved rest in front of the glacier amphitheater. A natural bowl of ice and rock where you eat lunch prepared that morning by the chef: a choice of chicken, meat or vegetarian sandwich, homemade pumpkin soup and toast. The return follows the same path, with guides managing safety and pacing the whole way back to Ushuaia.

This is the only company operating a mountain refuge on Emerald Lagoon, which means you're not rushing through the middle section or eating from a pack. The refuge itself sits in the landscape you came to reach, and the lunch break is built into the rhythm of the day rather than squeezed between stops. Guides are selected specifically for these activities, trained to match the pace of the group so the trek stays enjoyable even when it's demanding.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your accommodation to the trailhead and back to Ushuaia.
• certified mountain guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• hot pumpkin soup, artisanal sandwich of your choice and toast at the mountain refuge.
• hiking food including an alfajor, nuts and an apple.
• poles, crampons, helmet and flashlight.
• insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (20 to 60 years) · Youth (13 to 19 years) · Child (11 to 12 years) · Under 11: can't be booked

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Titan Cuatro Elementos

Is this one for you?This trek suits travelers with moderate to good fitness who want to reach a glacier most Ushuaia visitors never see. The 10-hour day and technical climbing demand endurance, but the fixed route with a certified guide and the refuge break make it manageable for anyone prepared for the physical demand. If you're looking for a shorter or less technical glacier experience, other options in Ushuaia are easier. This one is built for the trek itself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 19 years); Child (11 to 12 years). Children under 11 can't be included in the booking.

What is Ojo del Albino Glacier and why is it worth the technical climb?

Ojo del Albino Glacier is a glacier in the Andes Mountains above Ushuaia, reached by crossing steep slopes and icy terrain. The name translates to "Albino's Eye," and the glacier sits in an amphitheater of ice and rock that most visitors to Ushuaia never see because it requires the full trek to reach it. The climb is technical but guided, and the view from the glacier itself is the payoff for the effort.

Do I need mountaineering experience to do this trek?

You need at least a moderate level of physical fitness and cardiovascular health, but not prior mountaineering experience. The guides are certified and equipped to teach you how to use crampons and walking sticks on the glacier section. If you have any health concerns or pathologies, tell the adventure advisors when you book so they can assess whether the trek suits you.

What happens at the mountain refuge on Emerald Lagoon?

The refuge is where you rest and eat lunch halfway through the trek. You'll have hot pumpkin soup, a sandwich made that morning (chicken, meat or vegetarian), and toast. The refuge sits on the margins of the Emerald Lagoon, so you're eating in the landscape itself rather than at a base camp outside it. This break gives you strength for the technical ascent to the glacier.

How long is the trek and what's the physical demand?

The trek is 10 hours total, covering 21 km through forests, glacier valleys and icy lagoons. The first section to Emerald Lagoon is steady hiking on nature trails. The second section, from the refuge to the glacier, is the most demanding: technical climbing on steep slopes with crampons. Your guide sets the pace to match the group, and the route is designed to be challenging but achievable for anyone with moderate fitness.

What gear and food are provided?

The operator provides poles, crampons, a helmet and a flashlight for the trek. Lunch at the refuge (soup, sandwich and toast) is included. For the hike itself, you get hiking food: an alfajor, nuts and an apple. You should bring appropriate trekking clothing and your own water bottle. The company is reducing plastic use, so bringing a refillable bottle is encouraged.