Ushuaia: Emerald Lagoon Trek & Lunch with Pickup

Summary

Walk Ushuaia’s wild side to Laguna Esmeralda with local stories

You’ll hike through Ushuaia’s wild Lasifashaj Valley with a local guide, crossing bogs and forests toward Emerald Lagoon’s surreal summer colors. Feel the crunch of peat underfoot, share laughs over box lunch by glacial water, and return with stories that stick long after your boots are clean.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly lost my boot in the first peat bog — not the most graceful start, but our guide Pablo just grinned and offered a hand. “It’s part of the Lasifashaj Valley welcome,” he said, which made everyone laugh (and also made me double-check my laces). The drive out from Ushuaia was short, maybe twenty minutes, but it felt like we’d landed somewhere far wilder. The air had that sharp, earthy smell you only get this far south, mixed with something sweet from the moss.

Pablo knew every twist of the trail — he pointed out these tiny orange fungi I’d have missed otherwise, and told us how the color of Laguna Esmeralda comes from glacial sediment. We followed the Esmeralda River for a while; it’s noisy in a comforting way, kind of like company when conversation runs out. At one point someone tried to say “Ojo del Albino Glacier” in Spanish and totally mangled it — Pablo just laughed and repeated it slowly until we all gave up. The path got rocky, then soft again underfoot, and suddenly there was the lagoon. That green is unreal in summer — almost milky, but not fake-bright like you see on postcards. I still think about how quiet it felt there.

Lunch was simple — sandwiches and fruit from our box lunch — but honestly everything tastes better sitting by cold water after a hike. Nobody rushed; we just watched clouds move over the mountains until someone finally said we should probably head back before it rained (it didn’t, but who knows in Tierra del Fuego). Walking back along familiar ground felt different somehow. Maybe because you know what’s waiting at the end: dry socks and a warm van back to town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hike to Emerald Lagoon and return

• Pick-up from hotel
• Drive 20 minutes north
• Cross Lasifashaj Valley trail
• Walk through peat bogs and rocks
• Continue along Esmeralda River
• Arrive at Laguna Esmeralda
• Enjoy box lunch at lagoon
• Return hike along same path
• Meet vehicle for return
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

How long is the hike to Emerald Lagoon?

The hike starts about 20 minutes north of Ushuaia and follows a well-marked trail through valley and forest terrain to Laguna Esmeralda.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup in Ushuaia is included at the start of your day trip to Emerald Lagoon.

What do I need to bring for the trek?

You should wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots suitable for muddy or uneven terrain; trekking sticks are provided.

Is lunch provided during the Emerald Lagoon trek?

Yes, a box lunch is included so you can eat by the lagoon before heading back.

Is this trek suitable for beginners?

The trail is considered accessible but requires moderate physical fitness due to peat bogs and rocky sections.

What makes Laguna Esmeralda unique?

The lagoon’s green color comes from glacial sediment—visible only in summer; in winter it’s frozen under snow.

Are guides local on this day trip?

Yes, your trek will be led by an experienced local guide who shares stories about Ushuaia and its landscapes.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Ushuaia, trekking sticks for support across boggy or rocky ground, guidance throughout the walk to Emerald Lagoon, plus a simple box lunch enjoyed beside glacial waters before returning by vehicle to town.