Ushuaia 4x4 Off Road Tour: Lakes & Lunch

Drive hidden forest trails to two glacial lakes in the Andes foothills.

An 8-hour 4x4 off-road tour from Ushuaia that takes you north through native forest to Garibaldi Pass, Escondido Lake, and Lake Fagnano, where you stop for lunch on the shore. The tour includes hotel pickup, a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, and adventure insurance. Small groups ride in Toyota Land Cruiser Prado trucks, and the route is suitable for families with infants through grandparents.

Step-by-step itinerary

4x4 tour to lakes and Garibaldi Pass

• Visit Garibaldi Pass viewpoint
• Contemplate Escondido Lake and forest
• Enjoy lunch at Lake Fagnano

The Experience

Garibaldi Pass sits at the highest point of the Andes crossing, and the tour starts by climbing there to find Escondido Lake—a glacial lake framed by the mountain range itself, 57 kilometers north of Ushuaia. The drive takes you through forests of Lenga, Coihue and Ñire trees where red fox and native birds move through the canopy. The trucks handle the hidden trails that connect these stops, so the route stays off the main roads.

Lake Fagnano is one of Argentina's three largest lakes, and lunch happens on its shore in cabins with bathrooms and drinking water. The meal includes Argentine barbecue, choripán, bife de chorizo and salad, plus Tandilense sausage and cheese, Mendocino Malbec wine, and drinks. Vegetarian and celiac options are available when you confirm your choice at booking. The lake itself carries meaning for many travelers—the Shelknam Indians, called the "Onas of the North" by the Yámanas, lived on this land, and the water and quiet draw people back.

The fleet runs Toyota Land Cruiser Prado trucks with capacity for 6 or 7 passengers each, and the operator says this is the largest high-end 4x4 fleet in the country. Your hotel pickup is included, and a guide who speaks your language travels with the group. Adventure insurance covers the off-road driving.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return.
• 8-hour guided 4x4 tour in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
• visits to Garibaldi Pass, Escondido Lake and Lake Fagnano.
• lunch on Lake Fagnano's shore with Argentine barbecue, sausage, cheese, Malbec wine and drinks.
• adventure insurance.
• vegetarian and celiac menu options available at booking.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Info de Ushuaia

Is this one for you?The 8-hour commitment means you spend most of a day on the road and at the lakes, which suits travelers who want a full immersion in the Patagonian backcountry but rules out anyone needing to fit multiple activities into one day. The truck ride itself is the point—if you want to drive off-road through native forest and stop at remote glacial lakes rather than see them from a distance, this is the way to do it.

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Top questions

What is Escondido Lake like when we get there?

Escondido Lake is a glacial lake with crystal-clear water framed by the Andes, located just below Garibaldi Pass. The water is cold and deep enough for sport fishing, and beavers, trout and a diversity of native birds live there. Until 2016, sawmills operated on the shore; the original sheds and old ovens still stand as remnants of the logging era.

How long is the 4x4 drive itself, and what are the trails like?

The full tour runs 8 hours from hotel pickup to return. The route follows hidden trails through native Patagonian forest between Garibaldi Pass and the two lakes, moving off the main roads through terrain the 4x4 trucks are built for. The highest point is Garibaldi Pass, the Andes crossing.

What does lunch include, and can we choose what we eat?

Lunch on Lake Fagnano's shore includes Argentine barbecue, choripán, bife de chorizo, salad, Tandilense sausage, cheese, and Mendocino Malbec wine; drinks are included. Vegetarian and celiac menus are available—confirm your choice when you book.

Is this tour suitable for young children or elderly family members?

Yes. The operator states the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, from babies to grandparents. Specialized infant seats are available, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, or Portuguese, depending on your group's preference.

Does the tour include anything beyond the drive and lunch?

Hotel pickup and adventure insurance are included with the tour. You also get a guided visit to each lake and the pass, so the stops and their history are explained as you move through them.