Charles Fuhr on the Río Santa Cruz connects the history of a river crossing with a specific episode of the Beagle Expedition. Historic ferries and accommodation for travelers reflect the place’s former role on the river; a guided kayaking trip offers a different perspective on the river.

The Beagle Expedition and former river services

A group of 25 members of the Beagle Expedition traveled upstream along the Río Santa Cruz to Charles Fuhr. The expedition had to end its journey there due to a lack of supplies. The place thus marks a specific point on this historic river journey: the expedition reached Charles Fuhr, but did not continue as planned.

Historically, there was a shop, accommodation, and a ferry service on the south bank of the Río Santa Cruz. These details portray Charles Fuhr as a former supply and crossing point, not just a destination on a river journey.

The “Del Atlántico a Los Andes” nautical rally is also associated with the place. According to one report, its 13th edition ended in Charles Fuhr before reaching Lago Argentino. The report notes the same endpoint for an earlier edition. This historical context distinguishes the reported rally stages from a current event date.

Kayaking and getting to Paraje Charles Fuhr

A guided kayaking trip described in January 2025 launched the kayaks beneath the bridge at Charles Fuhr on the Río Santa Cruz. The itinerary included instructions from the guides on putting on dry suits, life jackets, and boots, as well as paddling practice. In this description, the bridge is not just a reference point in the place’s history, but also the specific launch site for the kayaks. Before planning, check whether the activity is available for your preferred date.

For the Darwin Experience Kayak, the offer describes hotel pickup in El Calafate and a 4×4 transfer to Paraje Charles Fuhr. The distance from El Calafate is given as 40 km. If you are considering this offer, confirm the current transfer details before booking, as transportation arrangements may change.

Focus your search for a vacation rental or other accommodation on the stated starting point, and confirm whether pickup and transfer are available for your date. This will help you coordinate your choice of accommodation with your planned excursion.

More options in the Departamento Lago Argentino

In the wider destination of Departamento Lago Argentino, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares offers a different scale: it covers 726,927 hectares and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. At Moreno Glacier, a network of boardwalks and viewpoints extends for more than 4.5 km to the glacier front. Trekking with crampons and specialized guides is also offered on the ice of Perito Moreno Glacier. These are separate options in the wider destination, not features of Charles Fuhr.

The hikes from El Chaltén can also be distinguished by their stated distances. The route to Laguna de los Tres is listed as 25 km, with a duration of 8 to 9 hours. The trail to Laguna Torre via Cerro Torre is described as an 18 km round trip. From the viewpoint at Laguna Torre, you can see Cerro Solo, Cordón Adela, and the Cerro Torre massif. For the first route, both distance and duration are given; for the second, the total distance is specified as a round trip. These details help you compare the different day plans in Departamento Lago Argentino.

Discover more destinations: El Calafate, Los Antiguos, Lago San Martín, El Chalten, Colonia Francisco Perito Moreno, Lago Viedma

Back to the main travel overview: Departamento Lago Argentino.