Learn about the native fauna and see the mythical Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. In 1833, Charles Darwin set sail along the Beagle Channel. You can follow his course on a 2.5-hour catamaran cruise from Ushuaia. You'll capture sights of Ushuaia’s former prison, check out the End of the World Museum, and admire views of Five Brothers and Olivia mountains, among other sights. After reaching Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and eyeing shipwreck ruins, come upon throngs of sea lions at "Isla de Lobos" and the winged residents of "Isla de Pájaros". Enjoy guided commentary and round-trip hotel transport.
Inclusions
- WiFi
Exclusions
- Food & drinks
Tour Plan
The ancient city of Uthina is located about 30 km south of the capital, at the place known as Oudhna, at the summit of an eminence which dominates the main access routes to Carthage coming from the south and the West of the country. Its foundation seems to date back to the Berber era as evidenced by its toponymy. As history fluctuated, it was punished and then romanized, before the two brief vandal and Byzantine guardianships - nearly a century each prelude to a definitive decline after the Arab conquest in the 7th century.
The backed-up site extends over a hundred hectares. It is 'capitonée' of imposing buildings going back to the Roman time and currently in the course of clearing and consolidation. These are the capitol, the largest in Africa, arranged on three levels; Two groups of very high capacity tanks; Large public baths and small private baths; The remains of patrician residences, an amphitheater with an initial capacity of more than 10,000 spectators.
It's a Roman aqueduct, which supplied the city of Carthage with water, measured 132 km! The Zaghouan-Carthage hydraulic complex is the largest of its kind ever built.
Built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD, the Zaghouan aqueduct testifies to the Romans' mastery of water supply techniques. It crosses a rugged landscape. Sometimes flush with the ground, sometimes underground, the pipeline is, on two portions, raised by arcades sometimes reaching more than 20 meters in height. Its flow has been estimated at around thirty million liters per day.
Most of the water was stored in the gigantic vaulted reservoirs visible at Maalga, at the entrance to Carthage, before supplying the Baths of Antonine.
Zaghouan is a city in the northeast, the capital of the governorate of the same name, located 50 km from Tunis. Established on the slope of Djebel Zaghouan, it overlooks a vast agricultural plain
At the site of ancient Ziqua, of which only a triumphal door remains, Zaghouan is a town with steep streets cut off by small squares offering views of the plain. The city, which has about 16,000 inhabitants, is known for its roses, especially the rose hips, which were cultivated by Andalusian Muslims driven from Spain in the 17th century during the Reconquista.
A region renowned for its sources (elders), Zaghouan, attracts both Tunisians and tourists from the Arab world for its hammams.
The ancient city of Thuburbo Majus was founded on the side of a hill, surrounded by a splendid fertile valley landscape, long before North Africa became part of the Roman Empire.
However, it is its magnificent remains from the Roman era that make it one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Tunisia.
Its Capitol - the most important temple in Roman cities - is one of the best-preserved in Tunisia.
Six elegant Corinthian columns formed the facade. Four are still intact and overlook a wide staircase overlooking the Forum.
One of the original features of Thuburbo Majus was that it had two bathing establishments: one for winter and the other for summer. The summer thermal baths were completed by a sports field, surrounded by a beautiful covered gallery, called Palestre des Petronii after the Roman family who had built the monument.
Another peculiarity of the site is that it has preserved vestiges reminiscent of its pre-Roman past as “temple of Caelestis” or the “temple of Baalat”.
Itinerary
Beagle Channel and "Isla de Lobos" Catamaran Cruise Take a 2.5-hour cruise to admire rocky isles, glaciers, city landmarks and wildlife on the Beagle Channel, named in honor of Charles Darwin’s ship Beagle that traversed the gunmetal-gray waters in the 1830s. After hotel pickup, you will board a catamaran at Don Eduardo Arturo Brisighelli pier to begin your journey through the narrow strait dotted with the Tierra del Fuego islands.
As the boat heads east and hugs the coastline, you will enjoy views of Maritime Museum, housed in former prison buildings, and the End of the World Museum that specializes in the area’s natural and aboriginal history. You will learn from guided commentary on board about the infamous old prison, now displaying a replica of Darwin’s ship, and Ushuaia’s origins as a penal colony. Then, you will pass by the serrated snow-covered peaks of the Olivia and Cinco Hermanos (Five Brothers) mountains looming behind the city’s industrial area. Amid panoramas of water, sea and mountain, sail past the Tunnel and Fique Ranch, and the Encajonado River.
The boat approaches the tiny promontory of Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, a candy-striped beacon surrounded by colonies of rock shags. Perhaps under a sky brooding with clouds, learn about the SS Monte Cervantes that met its fateful end here in 1930, parts of which poke through the water’s surface.
On the way back west, your catamaran quietly approaches the sea lions island, home to hundreds of sea lions, fur seals, and king cormorants that resemble small penguins. Delight in close-up views of the mammals as they grunt, bark, and maybe even jostle one another to claim territory.
You will continue to Bird Island, or Isla de los Pajaros, and you will observe up to 20 species of birds, including skuas, king cormorants, petrels, steamer ducks and giant albatrosses.
You will admire views of Martial Glacier as you sail through Paso Chico (Small Passage) to return to the pier in Ushuaia. From here, enjoy transport back to your hotel.
Meeting / Pickup
Meet on location or pick-up: Customers can come to our location or we can pick them up on request.
Know Before You Go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller / pram accessible
- Animals or pets allowed
- Public transportation nearby
- Infant seats available
Please Note
- The transfer schedule will be confirmed 24 hours prior to the tour, it is approximate and may vary depending on traffic conditions and other variables.The pick up transfer is only from selected centrally located hotels. If your hotel is outside the geographic area, we will confirm the closest meeting point. Indicate the name and address of your hotel. We suggest you to confirm the booking details with us prior to travel, or upon arrival at your destination. Please note that departure times and locations may vary slightly. OFFICE NUMBER: ([ ] (Mon to Fri from 9 to 18 Hs) EMERGENCY MOBILE: ([ ] (After office hours)
Cancellation Policy
Fully refundable until 1 day before start
Non-refundable after 1 day before start
Reviews
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- • Instant Booking
- • Customizable Tours
- • Guaranteed Departures
- • Flexible Booking Options
- • Verified Local Operators
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