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A brisk, scenic trek from Ushuaia to an otherworldly emerald lagoon carved by glaciers—Laguna Esmeralda offers dramatic color, peatland waterways, and glacier views in a manageable day hike. This guide covers what to expect, how to prepare, and tips to make the most of the experience.
A brisk, scenic trek from Ushuaia to an otherworldly emerald lagoon carved by glaciers—Laguna Esmeralda offers dramatic color, peatland waterways, and glacier views in a manageable day hike. This guide covers what to expect, how to prepare, and tips to make the most of the experience.
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Operated by Azul Latina Travel · Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
You step out of the minivan and the air feels narrower—cold and bright with a clarity that sharpens every ridge. The trailhead opens into a corridor of lenga and ñire, the forest floor spongy with peat and carpeted in pale moss. For the next two hours the path threads river braids and low bogs, climbs and falls around hummocks, and finally cracks the view: an intense, almost unreal green pool lying at the feet of a glacier-fed river. Laguna Esmeralda earns its name; suspended sediment from Ojo del Albino tints the water a jewel tone that shifts with wind and light.
moderate.
5–6 hours.
Suitable for people with regular aerobic activity; expect uneven terrain and short climbs—basic hiking fitness required.
The trail is about 4.5 km each way (around 9 km round-trip) and most itineraries take roughly 5–6 hours including transfers and lunch.
It’s accessible to beginners with reasonable fitness but includes wet, uneven terrain—children should be steady walkers and accompanied by adults.
In winter or after heavy snow, guides may require crampons or snowshoes and will provide or advise on their use based on conditions.
Most operators provide hotel pickup and a 20–45 minute transfer along National Route 3 to the trailhead near the Olivia/Carabajal valleys.
Yes—tours typically include a boxed lunch (with vegetarian, vegan, and celiac options available by request).
Experienced hikers can do the route independently, but hiring a guide is recommended for navigation, safety, and local knowledge, especially in winter.
The area has long been a seasonal landscape for indigenous Fuegian peoples; later it became a route for shepherding and small-scale settler activities before recreational trekking grew in the 20th century.
Peat bogs are ecologically fragile and recover slowly from damage; staying on established trails and not disturbing vegetation helps preserve the watershed and lagoon color.
Azul Latina Travel operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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