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Nahuel, it was only the few days before xmas last year. I'll admit, I was on the last trip of the day (sunset tour). So the weather can usually turn the worst then. The weather itself wasn't overly bad, it was the wind (50km/h) that was the reason.

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Everyone - a big thanks! Will take all your comments on board when planning my trip.

Can I just ask, is Ushuaia worth going to esp due to the long bus trip? Nahuel, you may be biased on this one! :) Tempted to go so can tick the box for the end of the world but with other options being Bariloche and/or Iguazu, trying to decide where to go in the time that I have. Sounds like BA over the festive period isn't going to be quite the party I had in mind - how many days do you think I need to see the main sights in the city?

Thanks again folks!

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I spent 5 days in Ushuaia the first week of February 2010. I was nursing my blisters after my trek on the W in Torres del Paine National Park, so I did not attempt to trek in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Still, I enjoyed my cruise along the Beagle Channel to see the penguins plus browsing in the shops and sampling the cuisine, especially the delicious Argentinian beef, in the restaurants. I did like the hostel where I stayed; however, it now has a new owner, so I don't know its current state. I used http://www.hostelbookers.com to find my accommodations. I only spent one night in downtown Buenos Aires and decided to save my money rather than go out shopping. My first night after arriving in Buenos Aires, I stayed at a beautiful hostal near the International Airport, about one hour from the domestic airport, which is downtown.

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can I just ask, is Ushuaia worth going to esp due to the long bus trip?

I'd say no, not unless you are heading off to Antartica. You have 2 weeks for your Patagonia part. I would stick to El Calafate/El Chalten and Puerto Natales/Torres del Paine. Spend 5 days in TDP, 5 Days in El Chalten and the rest in El Calafate and Puerto Natales. Fly in and out of El Calafate.

Give yourself an extra few days in El Chalten (as weather can be fickle). I spent 4 days there last december. I had one full day of sunshine, and the rest were all pretty damp and dreary.