Tierra del Fuego hike and canoe tour from Ushuaia: Lapataia Bay

You canoe to the end of the world on the same day you hike into the forest.

A full-day tour from Ushuaia combines a 3-hour hike through Tierra del Fuego National Park with a 1.5-hour canoe paddle down the Lapataia River to Lapataia Bay, where the Beagle Channel meets snow-capped mountains. The guide chooses between two routes based on conditions and group interests. Lunch and all equipment are included, and numbers stay under 12 to keep the group intimate. Hotel pickup and drop-off bookend the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tierra del Fuego National Park5h
2. Lake Roca1h
3. Lapataia Bay1h 30m
4. Beagle Channel30m

Tierra del Fuego National Park adventure

• Pick up from hotel in Ushuaia
• Travel to Tierra del Fuego National Park
• Hike Pampa Alta or Senda Costera trail
• Enjoy picnic lunch at Lago Roca
• 1.5-hour canoe ride on Lapataia River
• Return by minivan from Panamerican Highway end
• Drop off at hotel in Ushuaia

The experience

The minivan leaves your hotel and covers the 30 minutes to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Once there, your guide picks the route: either Pampa Alta, a 3-mile trail through open terrain with bird-watching views, or Senda Costera, a 4-mile coastal path that hugs the shoreline for the full three hours. Both routes move through Antarctic beech forest and past traces of ancient Yámanas settlements. The guide talks through the geography and wildlife as you walk, so the landscape stops being scenery and starts being readable.

At Lago Roca, you reach the forest edge and eat lunch: chicken breast baked in foil with tomato and cheese, mineral water, wine and soft drinks, all served in the open. After lunch, the guide readies the canoes for the 1.5-hour paddle down the Lapataia River. The river narrows as it opens into Lapataia Bay, where the water meets the Beagle Channel and the mountains close in. Waterfowl (ducks, geese, plovers) work the shallows. The paddle ends at the Panamerican Highway terminus, the southernmost point of the road system, before the minivan carries you back to Ushuaia.

The whole day runs eight hours door to door. You'll need warm layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, waterproof trekking boots, gloves and a hat. The guide can refuse entry if the gear is not adequate. Children from age 10 are welcome. The tour is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns or pregnancy, and requires at least moderate fitness.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Ushuaia.
• a specialized guide fluent in English and Spanish.
• lunch (chicken breast en papillote with tomato, cheese, mineral water, wine and soft drinks).
• all canoes and paddling equipment.
• access to both the hiking trails and the Lapataia River paddle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 30 Apr 2027

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 44 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?The eight-hour commitment means you can fit this into a single day in Ushuaia without splitting your time across two mornings, but it also rules out combining it with other activities. Groups stay at 12 people, so you're hiking and paddling with a small crew rather than a larger tour group.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What's the difference between the Pampa Alta and Senda Costera hiking routes?

Pampa Alta is a 3-mile trail lasting about two hours with open vistas and bird-watching opportunities. Senda Costera is a 4-mile coastal path that takes three hours and runs along the shoreline. Your guide chooses based on weather, group fitness and interests on the day.

Do I need to bring my own canoe or paddling experience?

Canoes and all paddling equipment are provided. No prior experience is required. The guide prepares the group before the 1.5-hour paddle down the Lapataia River to the bay.

What wildlife might I see on this tour?

Tierra del Fuego National Park holds Antarctic beech forest and traces of ancient Yámanas settlements. On the canoe paddle to Lapataia Bay, waterfowl such as ducks, geese and plovers inhabit the shallows and shoreline.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary restrictions?

Lunch is included and consists of chicken breast baked in foil with tomato and cheese, served with mineral water, wine and soft drinks at Lago Roca in the forest. Dietary restrictions are not mentioned in the tour details. Contact the operator before booking if you have specific needs.

How long is the full tour, and what time does it start?

The tour runs eight hours total from hotel pickup to drop-off. The minivan collects you from your centrally located hotel in Ushuaia and returns you there at the end of the day. The 30-minute drive to the park is included in that time.

What should I wear, and how strict is the dress code?

Warm layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, waterproof trekking boots, gloves, hat and a neck warmer or buff are mandatory. The guide may deny participation if proper gear is not worn, so dress for cold, wet conditions even if the forecast looks mild.