Ushuaia: Escondido & Fagnano Lakes Day Trip with Tasting

Winding through Ushuaia’s wild valleys to Escondido and Fagnano lakes

You’ll cross wild Patagonian valleys from Ushuaia with a local guide, stop for gin tasting at a small distillery, gaze out over Escondido & Fagnano Lakes from Paso Garibaldi, then hike along the shore before warming up with lunch in a country house. The wind, laughter, and sudden quiet will stay with you long after.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Ushuaia hotels or meeting points, entrance to a historic country house for lunch with coffee or tea provided, comfortable air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout all stops including scenic viewpoints and tastings at the Fuegian Gin distillery before returning in the afternoon.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Escondido and Fagnano Lakes

• Cross largest peat bog via Olivia River
• View valleys and mountains Cerro Castor and Bonete
• Spot guanacos and condors
• Visit Motorcycle Museum and Fuegian Gin distillery
• Enjoy gin tasting and winter activities
• See panoramic view at Paso Garibaldi
• View Lake Escondido and Lake Fagnano
• Take moderate hike around Lake Fagnano
• Stop in valley for lunch

The Experience

The first thing I remember is our driver, Martín, joking about the weather — “If you don’t like it, just wait five minutes.” He wasn’t wrong. We’d barely left Ushuaia when the clouds shifted and sunlight hit the Olivia River, making the whole valley look almost gold. I pressed my forehead to the window trying to spot guanacos (no luck), but we did see a condor circling above Cerro Castor. The air smelled like wet moss and something sweet I couldn’t place — peat maybe? It’s hard to describe but it stuck with me.

We stopped at this little Fuegian Gin distillery for a tasting — not what I expected in Patagonia, honestly. The owner poured us tiny glasses and told us how they use local botanicals; I tried asking about one in Spanish and totally butchered it, which got a laugh from everyone. There was also a Motorcycle Museum next door (random but fun), and then back on the road again, winding higher into the Andes. The road twisted so much that my seatmate joked she’d never eat lunch again if it kept up.

Paso Garibaldi was where everything just opened up — suddenly you could see both Lake Escondido below and Fagnano stretching way off into the distance. It’s weirdly quiet up there except for the wind. Our guide pointed out how far Fagnano runs into Chile; I hadn’t realized we were that close to another country. We hiked down toward the lake edge after that, shoes crunching over old leaves and pebbles. My hands went numb from the cold but honestly I didn’t care — that view kind of gets under your skin.

Lunch was simple: coffee, tea, something warm in a valley house before heading back toward town. On the drive home Martín asked if we’d seen enough lakes for one day — nobody answered right away. I still think about that silence sometimes.

Top questions

How long is the Ushuaia Escondido & Fagnano Lakes day trip?

The tour is a full-day excursion starting from Ushuaia with several scenic stops along National Route 3.

Is hotel pickup included in this day trip?

Yes, pickup is included as part of your booking for convenience.

What activities are included during the tour?

You’ll visit peat bogs, stop at a gin distillery for tasting, enjoy panoramic viewpoints of both lakes, take a moderate hike by Lake Fagnano, and have lunch in the valley.

Are there any food or drinks provided?

Coffee or tea is included during lunch at a historic country house; there’s also a gin tasting at the distillery.

Is this tour suitable for children or seniors?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Will we see wildlife on this tour?

You may spot native animals like guanacos or condors along the route if you’re lucky.

What language does the guide speak?

The guides are local professionals who can assist in Spanish and often English as well.