The Great Lakes from a Helicopter

The itinerary continued inland on Tierra del Fuego. Lago Escondido (Hidden Lake) was the first sight and Lakes Santa Laura, San Ricardo and Margarita followed. The endless Fagnano, one of the largest lakes in South America, hosts a steady population on its eastern end: Tolhuin. We flew over all these points appreciating different hues and coastlines. We were dazzled by the altitude and the ample view.

The crew identified everything that came into sight and told us about it. We had a feeling of plenitude. And a surprise was waiting for us: landing on a street at Puerto Almanza, a small hamlet whose settlers pick up mollusks and crustaceans by hand.

We tasted some sea delicacies at a restaurant called La Mesita. Mussels, cholgas, clams, spider crab and trout were served while we were delighted by the view of the Beagle Channel. All dishes are prepared on demand. It was a memorable meal.

But there was still something else. Once we took off, we bordered the shore and spotted several estancias and the Lighthouse at the World’s End. Shortly afterwards, we landed on the top of Mount Le Cloche. The strong wind prevented us from talking but what lay around us was hard to put into words. Watching the Andes Mountain Range, the City of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel was a postcard second to none.

Back at the airport, as we unfastened our seatbelt, we felt comforted to have chosen such a wonderful outing with Heliushuaia.