Escondido Lake and Winter Centers

The excursion Escondido Lake and Winter Centers in Ushuaia is a winter activity that you cannot miss during your visit to the End of the World. You will enjoy unique views of the area of Escondido Lake and the winter centers at the foothills of the Andes and the northern area of Tierra del Fuego Island from the Garibaldi viewpoint while learning about the history of ancient sawmills and Escondido Lake. The tour visits the winter centers with the possibility to add activities such as Snowmobiles, Snowshoeing, and a lunch with Patagonian lamb.

The activity begins with hotel pick-up in Ushuaia at 9:00 a.m., where you will meet your guide and head northeast along National Route No. 3.

The first stop of the tour will be at Mirador del Valle Carbajal, where you can enjoy the view of this glacial valley crossed by the Olivia River. Continuing along the same route, you will pass by tourist centers in the valleys where winter activities such as dog sledding with Huskies, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling take place. You will also have the opportunity to visit a dog breeding center and spend unique moments with the dogs.

Continuing along National Route No. 3, you will reach the highest point of the mountain range where you will visit the famous Paso Garibaldi, offering the first panoramic view of lakes Escondido and Fagnano amidst the Patagonian Andean forest, a landscape of breathtaking beauty.

The excursion continues by returning to the valley area. Here, you will visit the Harwen winter center, which hosts the national snow sculpture festival and where you can find the southernmost artisanal Gin distillery in the world. You will learn about the production process of this spirit, visit a small museum showcasing the history of locally manufactured motorcycles since the 1950s, and hear stories of pioneers who undertook long journeys connecting the south and north of the continent.

To conclude the excursion, you will return along the same route with a stop at Tierra Mayor winter center where you can enjoy included sledding fun. Additionally, you can optionally participate in activities such as snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and have a typical Fuegian lamb cooked on the spit for lunch at a local restaurant. After dessert and some relaxation, you will head back to Ushuaia, arriving around 4:00 p.m.