Ushuaia hikes: Laguna Esmeralda and glaciers

The three hikes compared

Which one to choose?

• For your first hike in Ushuaia: Laguna Esmeralda. It is the only moderate one, takes about 4 to 5 hours and ends at a turquoise lagoon.
• To walk on a glacier: Ojo del Albino, the only one of the three with a walk on the ice (subject to conditions), with helmet and crampons included.
• For another valley and a lagoon with ice floes: Vinciguerra, through the Andorra Valley to Laguna de los Témpanos. Good fitness is required.

What each route is like

Laguna Esmeralda

From the trailhead, the path crosses virgin forest and peat bogs, with views of valleys, beaver dams and the Andes, to a turquoise lagoon. The ground is sometimes boggy, with surface roots and peat. Pick-up is at central hotels at around 8:00, and the box lunch has a sandwich, an alfajor or cereal bars, a banana and water.

Ojo del Albino Glacier

It heads out along National Route 3 to Arroyo Grande and the Tierra Mayor Valley, skirts Laguna Esmeralda and continues with a high-mountain climb: 5 km over rocky ground and large boulders up to the glacier, with panoramic views and a walk on the ice, subject to safety conditions. You return by the same trail. It is the only one of the three that includes personal insurance, a helmet and crampons.

Vinciguerra Glacier and Laguna de los Témpanos

It goes through the Andorra Valley, crosses Arroyo Grande and the Fuegian forest, passes the tree line and enters the high-mountain zone up to Laguna de los Témpanos, at the foot of the Vinciguerra Glacier. You return by the same trail. The technical gear changes with the season: trekking poles, snowshoes or crampons.

Do you walk on the ice?

Only on Ojo del Albino, and subject to that day’s safety conditions. On Vinciguerra, the program reaches the lagoon and the glacier but does not mention walking on the ice or going into caves: if you read that somewhere else, it is not part of this tour.

Fitness and safety

Laguna Esmeralda is moderate; the two glaciers are challenging. On the Laguna Esmeralda and Vinciguerra hikes, if the guide considers you are not fit or properly equipped, for safety you cannot join and there is no refund. On those two, dietary restrictions must also be reported when you book, because the box lunch is included. At Laguna Esmeralda phone signal is limited: let your family know about the activity and your times.

What is confirmed when you book

• The meeting time for Ojo del Albino and Vinciguerra; for Laguna Esmeralda it is around 8:00.
• The minimum age for Ojo del Albino, which its program does not state.
• The total distance of the Ojo del Albino hike on the tour.
• What technical gear Vinciguerra uses on your date, since it changes with the season.

Elevation gain and distances

Laguna Esmeralda is a glacial meltwater lagoon, and its trail, of moderate physical effort, crosses a lenga forest and a peat bog before climbing; it has 220 m of elevation gain, and the Vinciguerra Glacier and Laguna de los Témpanos trail is 14 km round trip with 350 m of elevation gain. For the harder hikes, going with a certified mountain guide is recommended. How to reach the lagoon on your own is in Laguna Esmeralda.

What to bring

• Laguna Esmeralda: waterproof footwear above the ankle, waterproof trekking pants and a waterproof jacket.
• Ojo del Albino: high-top waterproof footwear and waterproof clothing.
• Vinciguerra: waterproof trekking boots that cover the ankle, trekking pants, a waterproof jacket and pants, and suitable warm clothing.

All of it is mandatory and not included. On the Laguna Esmeralda and Vinciguerra hikes, if the guide considers you are not fit or properly equipped, for safety you cannot join and there is no refund.

How to fit them into your trip

Laguna Esmeralda takes about 4 to 5 hours from 8:00; the glaciers, about 8 hours, so that day leaves no room for another outing. If you do Ojo del Albino, you already pass Laguna Esmeralda: there is no need to do both. A plan with a mountain day, the National Park and the Beagle Channel is in Ushuaia in 3 or 4 days, and other things to do near the city in things to do in Ushuaia.

If you would rather not walk

The helicopter flight of about 15 minutes passes over Laguna Esmeralda and the Ojo del Albino Glacier, as well as the Olivia River Valley and the peat bogs of the Carbajal Valley. It includes transfers to the heliport and the safety briefing.