Gable Island with Canoes is a full-day tour that encompasses the geography and history of Tierra del Fuego in a more comprehensive and immersive way: Exploring the eastern part of the island by land and navigating the Beagle Channel in canoes.
The hike in the private natural reserve of Gable Island, far from Ushuaia and the National Park; lunch in one of the first European-style constructions on the Beagle Channel, and a visit to the penguins on Martillo Island.
For this very active and adventurous day, we will depart from Ushuaia by bus towards the east through the glacial valleys along National Route No. 3. Then, through the forest along route “J”. Beyond the forest, far from Ushuaia, we will paddle through the Guaraní Pass of the Beagle Channel in very stable and safe canoes. For this activity, we will start with a technical safety instruction and the use of the equipment we provide: rubber boots, pants covers, life jackets… and the paddle!
From the sea, we will see Tierra del Fuego Island from a new perspective, exclusive to this excursion, which also provides a historical viewpoint that brings us closer to the daily life of the Yámana, the indigenous nomadic sea people of this southernmost end of the world. Within the landscape, by the sea and along the sheltered coasts of the islands we will explore, in addition to panoramic views, we will enjoy the sounds of wildlife, far from the noise of modern life: a large number and variety of birds and, most likely, the friendly and curious sea lions.
This maritime adventure will take us to the northern coast of Gable Island, our favorite place in Tierra del Fuego, which was also favored by the Yámana. Gable Island today represents comprehensively the earliest history of Tierra del Fuego, predating the foundation of Ushuaia.
In one of the first colonial constructions in the “ultimate end of the Earth,” we will enjoy a good lunch cooked on the spot, with a good Patagonian red wine, refreshments, and mineral water, and an enormous and tranquil view. After dessert and coffee, we will explore the island on an interpretive hike through the lenga, coihue, ñire, and canelo forests among beaver dams, remnants of the Yámana and Anglican missionary presence.
At the southern coast of Gable Island, we will have a completely unusual panoramic view of the Beagle Channel from the height viewpoint of the “gables,” a glacial formation that inspired the metaphorical name given by Anglican settlers.
The hike ends on the eastern coast, where a motorboat will take us to Martillo Island where we can observe Magellanic penguins and Papuan penguins up close from the beach in varying quantities depending on the time of year. After about twenty minutes, we will resume navigation to disembark at the Harberton Estancia pier, where the bus awaits to take us back to Ushuaia around 6 in the evening to conclude Gable Island and Penguin Colony with Canoes.
Lunch Menu:
Appetizers: Pickled vegetables, olives, cheeses, ham. Main Course: Hake papillote in lemon butter, rustic potatoes, thyme vegetables. Dessert: Panna Cotta. Beverage: Mineral water, soda, or Patagonian Malbec red wine.
