Ushuaia: Emerald Lagoon Trek & Fuegian Valley Hike with Lunch

Summary

Walk forest trails from Ushuaia to the glacier-fed Emerald Lagoon

You’ll hike from Ushuaia into Tierra Mayor Valley with a local guide, cross forests and rocky streams to reach the glacier-fed Emerald Lagoon, then share a simple box lunch by its surreal green water before heading back. Expect muddy boots, cold air on your face, and moments of unexpected quiet that stay with you.

What’s the experience like?

The van left us right at the edge of Tierra Mayor Valley, and honestly, I was still half-awake, clutching my thermos. Our guide, Martín, grinned and told us we’d warm up fast — he wasn’t kidding. The air smelled sharp, like wet moss and something colder underneath. We started walking, boots crunching over roots and stones, and I kept glancing up at the sky trying to guess if it would rain. It’s that kind of place where the weather feels like it’s watching you back.

I’d heard about this “Emerald Lagoon” but didn’t expect the trail itself to be so alive — little birds flickering between branches, muddy patches that sucked at your shoes (I nearly lost mine once), and Martín pointing out these tiny orange fungi on fallen logs. He told us stories about beavers — apparently they’re not native here? — and how they changed the valley. There was a moment by the river where everyone just stopped talking for a bit; you could hear water moving under ice somewhere close. That silence stuck with me.

The last stretch was rocky — not hard exactly, but you had to watch your step or risk sliding into some freezing puddle. Then suddenly there it was: Laguna Esmeralda. The color isn’t easy to describe — milky green-blue with this weird glow from glacier silt. We sat on cold rocks eating our box lunches (mine had a ham sandwich and an apple), just staring at that water. I tried saying “Laguna Esmeralda” in Spanish; Martín laughed at my accent but said I got closer than most.

The walk back felt easier somehow — maybe because everything was familiar now or maybe because we’d all loosened up after lunch together. My socks were damp and my legs tired but I kept looking over my shoulder for one last glimpse of that lagoon before it disappeared behind the trees again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Trek to Emerald Lagoon and return

• Depart from Ushuaia city
• Travel through Fuegian Valleys
• Hike to Emerald Lagoon
• Enjoy box lunch at lagoon
• Return along the same trail
• Arrive back in Ushuaia

Top questions

How long is the trek to Emerald Lagoon from Ushuaia?

The walk takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way from the trailhead outside Ushuaia.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, transport from your hotel in Ushuaia is included in the tour.

What should I bring for trekking to Laguna Esmeralda?

You should bring bottled water and wear sturdy hiking shoes; weather can be wet or cold.

Is lunch provided during the Emerald Lagoon hike?

A simple box lunch is included; usually a sandwich, fruit, and snack.

Is this trek suitable for beginners?

You need moderate fitness; terrain can be muddy or rocky but not technical.

When is the best time to see the lagoon’s color?

The emerald color appears in summer; in winter it’s frozen and covered by snow.

Are there guides on this trek?

Yes, you’ll have a local guide leading throughout the hike.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Ushuaia, comfortable transport out to Tierra Mayor Valley, a guided trek through forest trails all the way to Laguna Esmeralda, plus a boxed lunch enjoyed by the lagoon before returning together in the afternoon.