Vinciguerra Glacier Trek Ushuaia: 16km Hike to Laguna

Walk into a glacier-carved valley where few tourists venture

A medium-difficulty trek from Ushuaia covering 16 kilometers round-trip through a protected wetland to Laguna de los Témpanos, where you approach Vinciguerra Glacier on foot. The guide explains the terrain, beaver dams, peat bogs and the marks glacial erosion has carved into the landscape. Hotel pickup is included, and the full day takes about seven hours.

The experience

The route climbs through forest and mountain with large slopes, leaving the vegetation behind as you move toward the glacier. Your guide walks you through what you're seeing: the rivers, the beaver dams, the peat bogs that protect water resources the region depends on, and the evidence of glacial erosion in the rock and earth around you. This is a Ramsar site, recognized internationally for its ecological importance, and the trek is built around that landscape rather than around a summit or a single viewpoint.

Laguna de los Témpanos is where the day opens up. You arrive at the lake and begin your approach to Vinciguerra Glacier itself, moving closer on foot to see the ice and the terrain it has shaped. The guide carries poles and crampons for the sections that need them, and the day includes hiking food and lunch so you're not managing hunger on the trail. Hotel pickup from Ushuaia means you don't need a car to reach the trailhead, and the seven-hour commitment is front-loaded so you know what the day asks.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Ushuaia.
• crampons, poles and helmet if needed.
• hiking food and lunch.
• guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• insurance.

Information

Lasts 7h, runs every day at 10:00, from US$ 150 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese, in groups of up to 5 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 34 pickup points.

AgesAdult (11 to 65 years) · Under 11: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Titan Cuatro Elementos

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're staying in Ushuaia and want a full-day trek with crampons on the glacier itself: hotel pickup gets you to the trailhead, and seven hours keeps you in the city without splitting your day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What is the Ramsar site we trek through?

A Ramsar site is a wetland recognized internationally for its ecological importance. This one protects rivers, beaver dams, peat bogs and glaciers that together safeguard a water resource critical to the region's natural systems.

How difficult is the 16-kilometer trek?

It's medium difficulty with large slopes throughout the route. You'll walk along paths between forest and mountain, gradually leaving vegetation behind as you approach the glacier, and the terrain requires a moderate level of physical fitness.

Do I need crampons for this trek?

Crampons are included and used on sections where they're necessary. The guide carries them and decides when to put them on based on the ice and snow conditions on the day you trek.

What happens at Laguna de los Témpanos?

Laguna de los Témpanos is the lake where you begin your approach to Vinciguerra Glacier. You walk closer to the glacier on foot to see the ice and observe the landscape it has carved over time.