Choosing the Right Ushuaia Helicopter Tour for You!

A scenic Ushuaia helicopter tour is one way to make memories in the southernmost city in the world!

For many, reaching Ushuaia in the province of Tierra del Fuego at the very bottom of the South American continent is a bucket list destination, and what better way to commemorate such an achievement than by flying over the city and the surrounding Andes Mountains?

Seeing the city as you fly into the Ushuaia Airport is one thing, but having a helicopter pilot zip you around mountain peaks, over lagoons, and past glaciers, showing off all the best vantage points is something entirely different.

A helicopter tour of Ushuaia may sound like a huge splurge (and it can be!), but there are also shorter and more budget-friendly flights that the average traveller can enjoy.

Yes, you can opt for the champagne celebration atop a mountain if you so choose, but know that there are also short sightseeing flights that are accessible to the average traveller.

So get ready for a helicopter ride over Ushuaia!

Choosing your Ushuaia Helicopter Tour

So you’ve decided you want to enjoy a scenic flight over Ushuaia during your trip, but now it’s time to decide on a tour. Which one should you choose and why?

HeliUshuaia is the helicopter tour provider in Ushuaia offering 3 different tours that vary in length and flight route, so read on to see which one is right for you.

Ushuaia Scenic Tour – 7 minutes

Fasten those seatbelts and get ready for an action-packed 7 minutes of flight time!

This is the shortest Ushuaia helicopter tour and the most budget-friendly option, but it still packs a lot of attractions.

The flight begins heading west for a scenic look at the Beagle Channel before turning east offering postcard-perfect views of the city of Ushuaia framed by the Andes Mountains, the Martial Glacier, Mount Cinco Hermanos and the emblematic Mount Olivia.

You also get a good look at the downtown where you can see buildings like the Presidio (the former prison that gave birth to Ushuaia as a penal colony!) as well as the port area where during the summer months you can spot ships getting ready to depart for Antarctica.

This 7-minute flight offers a good overview of Ushuaia and it’s a fun way to get some airtime without breaking the bank.

Emerald Lagoon – 15 minutes

This next option is a 15-minute flight experience that begins by flying over the bay of Ushuaia.

The helicopter then enters the Olivia River Valley to appreciate the majestic Mount Olivia, the picture-perfect mountain that stands 1,326 metres high directly behind the city.

You also see the characteristic Mount Cinco Hermanos, which translates to ‘Five Brothers’ due to the mountain’s distinct five points.

Just when the immensity of the landscape begins to take your breath away, you witness the Carbajal Valley in the Fuegian Andes, known for its peat bogs which formed over thousands of years!

The flight then continues across the valley accessing a second mountain range which hides the crown jewel: Laguna Esmeralda. This lagoon is known for its bright emerald colour due to its glacial origin having been formed from the meltwater of the Ojo del Albino Glacier.

It’s a popular day trip from Ushuaia for hikers and in this helicopter tour, you can see it from a bird’s eye view!

Landing at the Andes – 30 minutes

How can you possibly top the above Ushuaia helicopter tours?

The answer is: by landing in the heart of the Andes Mountains!

This 30-minute helicopter flight is a splurge to celebrate your trip to the southernmost city in the world, and what a way to do so.

The flight path is the same as the flight to the Emerald Lagoon, however, it then continues flying over Cerro Castor, the southernmost ski centre in the world.

A few moments later, you cross the Encajonado River Valley, and land in the heart of the Andes Mountains, surrounded by peaks all around in a spectacular landscape at the end of the world!

Here you can enjoy a champagne toast and relish in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, because how lucky are you to be standing here surrounded by nature’s splendour?

After snapping a few photos with the help of your pilot, it is then time to fly back to Ushuaia.

Things to know before your Ushuaia helicopter tour

• Helicopter tours may sometimes need to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.
• The helicopter has a weight limit of 264 lbs or 120 kg per passenger.
• Helicopter flights are operated by HeliUshuaia and depart from their location at Luis Pedro Fique N° 119.
• The helicopter is a Robinson 44 Raven I which fits 1 pilot and 3 passengers.

Read more about Ushuaia:

• How to get to Ushuaia
• 10 Epic Ushuaia Tours and Day Trips
• Where to stay in Ushuaia
• Riding the End of the World Train
• The Post Office at the End of the World
• Ushuaia Double Decker Bus Tour
• Tolhuin: The Lakeside Town Near Ushuaia
• Which G Adventures Patagonia Tour Should You Choose?