Ojo del Albino Glacier Challenge: Full-Day Trek to Esmeralda Lagoon & Glacier from Ushuaia

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Difficulty

challenging

Duration

9 hours (approx.)

Fitness Level

You should have high cardiovascular fitness and experience on full-day mountain hikes; ability to handle sustained ascents and uneven terrain required.

Overview

Scale a Fuegian glacier in one long, demanding day. The Ojo del Albino Glacier Challenge pairs a forested approach to Esmeralda Lagoon with a rocky climb to a blue-tinged glacier, all guided from Ushuaia.

Ojo del Albino Glacier Challenge: Full-Day Trek to Esmeralda Lagoon & Glacier from Ushuaia

Walking Tour

Other

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

A low sun slices through lenga trunks as the van drops you at the trailhead and the silence of the Fuegian forest tightens around the group. The first hour moves easily—soft earth, moss, and the steady chatter of a guide who knows where the wind hides good views. The walk opens onto Esmeralda Lagoon like a held breath being released: green water rimmed with lichen-streaked boulders, then a climb that demands attention and calves.

Adventure Photos

Ojo del Albino Glacier Challenge: Full-Day Trek to Esmeralda Lagoon & Glacier from Ushuaia photo 1

Adventure Tips

Layer for wind and wet

Weather changes fast—bring a waterproof breathable shell and an insulating mid-layer to handle wind, drizzle, or sun.

Practice crampon basics

Guides provide crampons; arrive comfortable with basic steps and locking mechanisms or ask for a brief tutorial at the trailhead.

Footwear and ankle support

Choose sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support—trail crosses peat and scree where a twisted ankle ends the day.

Hydrate and fuel early

Carry 1.5–2 L of water and high-energy snacks—cold reduces thirst, but effort at elevation increases calorie needs.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Andean condor
Fuegian red fox

History

The trails trace routes used by indigenous Yamana and later by settlers who established Ushuaia as a port and penal colony; the landscape reflects glacial sculpting over the last Ice Age.

Conservation

This is fragile sub-Antarctic terrain—stick to established routes, avoid trampling peat bogs, and pack out all waste to limit erosion and habitat damage.