Rates Note:

Transfer Option:

Day 1: Montevideo – Tango & Candombe
Today is set aside to relax and explore the seaside city of Montevideo. Guests are met at the Carrasco International Airport and driven along the wonderful coastline called “Rambla” to the downtown hotel.
After checking in, take a city tour to discover Montevideo, a very quite and safe city that combines museums, street markets, nice restaurants and very friendly people.
Have some free time for lunch (a luxury barbecue at the Mercado Del Puerto is strongly recommended!) and to rest or explore the downtown streets and experience the typical Rio de la Plata music, the Tango or Candombe with the rhythms and colored costumes. You will stay in a nice centrally located 3 to 4 star hotel.
(Meals are not included today).

Day 2: 18th century Fortín de San Miguel
After breakfast we will be driven to the Brazilian border and into Rocha, arguably the most beautiful province in Uruguay with its pristine beaches, emerald shores and network of lagoons. We will visit ‘Chuy’, a very interesting town straddling the border where guests can step into Brazil and hear the locals speak a strange language coming from a mix of Spanish and Portuguese. As we arrive at the hotel, built in the same stone as the nearby Portuguese fortress, we can admire the views out across an enormous stretch of fresh water - one of the largest fresh water reserves of South America, the "Merín Lagoon". After lunch we will met gauchos and horses, to ride around the rolling hills of San Miguel enjoying a wonderful panoramic view of the area from the top of the boulder-covered ‘Cerro Picudo’. The view across the flat lowlands and the huge lagoon provides a very different landscape than the following days’ rides. We can smell the sea and on clear days, view the coast. This area is home to a wide variety of birds and plant-life. We will also have the chance to see the Cimarron cattle – the first cattle, introduced from Spain in the 17th century. Depending on what the gauchos are doing, they may need a hand to work these tame animals. We will stay the night at the “Fortín de San Miguel", where guests can enjoy the gardens, swimming pool and the relaxed atmosphere.

Day 3: Barra de Chuy beach – Brazilian border & a ride along a pristine beach.
In the morning we will have a nice 3-4 hours ride along the Brazilian border, sometimes riding in Uruguay and others in Brazil. After a special picnic lunch at a working estancia, riders may have a pleasant “siesta” discovering that gauchos’ saddles are so comfortable, not only can you ride in them, you can sleep as well!  Then we will have a fast-pace ride along the wonderful, isolated ocean beach of ‘Barra Chuy’. Visitors seldom reach this beach so we can enjoy a long, exhilarating canter with no signs of habitation as we ride across the pure white sands alongside the Atlantic Ocean. We arrive 22km (12 miles) further south at "La Coronilla" and stay at a small beachside hotel.
Shorter Option: Riders that opt for the shorter version will arrive this afternoon by bus from Montevideo and join the rest of the group.

Day 4: Santa Teresa National Park, dolphins & shipwrecks.
Today we will ride south, alternating beaches with coastal hills, sand dunes and pine forests into the immense Santa Teresa National Park. The center piece of the park is a fort that was started in 1762 by the Portuguese to defend the edge of their territories, then completed by the Spaniards who took it by assault just a year later. This was just the start of a succession of conquering, losing and re-conquering the fort; it was not until 1825 that the newly forming ‘Uruguay’ finally captured and held the fort. The fort is surrounded by 3000 hectares of forest containing over 2 million trees the majority from other parts of the world and, after a picnic lunch we will enjoy riding along the forest trails, down to the beach. We pass a shipwreck buried in the sand – one of many along this treacherous coast. Indeed, Polonio, where we ride later is named after a Spanish galleon that went down just off the point. Luckily ‘Beagle’ with Charles Darwin aboard did not succumb to this fate and Darwin spent quite some time in Uruguay collecting species and most likely starting to formulate his theories of evolution. Most days there is the wonderful sight of dolphins feeding in the bay. After a traditional picnic close to the fortress or on the beach, depending on the weather, we can choose between been driven or canter back along the water’s edge to the hotel for barbecued fresh fish, Uruguayan wine and a pleasant overnight listening to the waves.

Day 5: Don Bosco – tropical palm groves & Laguna Negra
After an early breakfast, we will be driven along a very scenic road near to the famous "Laguna Negra" (the ‘black lagoon’, named after the dark waters). We will meet the horses and ride into the native vegetation on the Don Bosco hills from where we will be able to enjoy an incredible view of the unique extensive palm groves and Laguna Negra. Despite a number of stories, no one knows how the palm trees got here some 300 years ago; they are not native but they give the landscape a very exotic look. During the trip we will pass many roadside stalls selling the fruit and the less innocent ‘hooch,’ brewed from the palm nuts.  Descending the hills we ride alongside the lake where we will surely see ibis, herons, egrets, storks and a legion of migrating birds (birds arrive here from as far as Alaska and the Falkland Islands). After a typical lunch on the lagoon shores, we ride on eastwards through the palm groves and back towards the coast where we meet the vehicle and head to a nearby working Estancia El Sauce for overnight.

Day 6: El Sauce, an authentic estancia – ‘mate’ tea & the gaucho life
We wake up on a farm - El Sauce (translates to "the Willow") is a working estancia run by its owners where we will enjoy a full day riding around the crops and very varied vegetation on the property. The estancia, built in 1920, is very comfortable – it is not a hotel, instead it is the owner's house that we have been graciously invited in to stay as guests, offering us an incredible experience and a very special insight into the life in the country. For example, guests can sample the ‘mate’ sipped hot out of a dry gourd. The gauchos and their mate are inseparable and a ceremony has developed around drinking mate. In addition to the cattle grasslands this estancia has a large area of marshlands and also rice crops both of which are teeming with bird life (more than 400 species in this area) making another very varied ride and giving us the chance to see the graceful black necked swan (largest populations in the world found here), the rare white goose, many ducks, and other birds such as the largest bird in South America- the ‘ostrich-like’ “ñandú” (rhea). Otters, coypus and capybaras inhabit the marshlands and streams. At several points on the trip we will see the pink flamingo – a species of flamingo with very bright pink pigment that is quite common in Uruguay. Overnight at this authentic working estancia.

Day 7: Cabo Polonio – shifting sands & sea lions
The day starts with a drive to the ocean coast . We will meet our horses and ride into the desert! We ride through the area which has been declared a natural animal reserve and a Biosphere Natural Reserve by UNESCO. We will ride to Cabo Polonio, a charming fishing village which can only be reached by horse or four wheeled drive. The fascinating part of the area is the huge area of shifting sand dunes, as we ride through it is possible to imagine that we are right in the middle of the Sahara. After lunch at a typical restaurant on the beach we will see seals and sea lions that populate the small islands and make up one of the largest populations of seals in the world; occasionally we spot a migrating Right Whale. Riders can take this time to swim in one of the most beautiful beaches of the country. After this ride full, of surprises and diverse scenery, we will stay at a lovely comfortable working estancia, El Charabón.

Day 8: El Charabón working estancia – Cattle drives and traditional meals
We continue our Uruguayan ride experience at Estancia El Charabón (Charabón means small rhea). Next to the Atlantic coast and surrounded by the hills of Rocha, 225 Km away from Montevideo and 80 Km away from Punta del Este, El Charabon offers comfort and peace in fantastic surroundings. El Charabón is a 1200 ha working estancia specialized in calving and lambing.. Guests will be able to participate in rural tasks, to learn about cattle breeding (the ranch works with Hereford and Polled Hereford cattle and also has a wool cabin Hampshire Down). We will enjoy new horses and a long ride to the nearby beach to have a picnic lunch. Ride back to the estancia and relax in the open swimming pool before having a wonderful sunset afternoon tea. Uruguayan wine, lamb barbecue, and the homemade specialties are a special complement to the wonderful cantering days at this charming estancia.

Day 9: Estancia Ride
At day nine, in addition to a very nice ride on the excellent horses bred at the estancia, we will have the chance to help the gauchos and their working dogs on cattle and sheep drives. The landscape is absolutely different from the days before. El Charabón combines open prairies with a large Eucalyptus forestry. After the morning ride at the estancia, we will have the goodbye lunch and be driven to Montevideo airport or extensions.

We reserve the right to alter the itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control.

The weather in Uruguay is variable, but you can expect somewhat warm spring and autumn temperatures, although we might also get some cool days (especially early in the morning or at night) and perhaps some rainy days too. The average temperature at this time of year is 65 F, average lows are 54 F, and average highs are 74 F.

Clothes and equipment should be light to accommodate for riding. You will also need: Sun block, insect repellent, a warm coat, jacket or sweater, hat (sun/rain), footwear (boots or sneakers) bathing suit and wet weather gear for the eventuality of rainy days. Don’t forget to bring your camera and binoculars. Remember that as your bags will be transfer from accommodation to accommodation by car, you can pack as much clothes as you want to feel comfortable. 

Accommodations: The accommodations provided in this program include the most interesting and charming hotels, lodges and ranches available in the areas we visit, all of which include private bathroom. They are clean, comfortable and provide a very good service. You will be able to get good night’s sleep in pleasant surroundings. If you are sharing your room, please let us know in advance if you prefer twin or double beds.

Meals: After a full day riding, it is comforting to know that you can return to fully prepared meals that reflect the local cuisine. All meals are prepared with completely natural and fresh products of the region. Red meat, fish and wine are specially recommended, but we can easily cater for vegetarians.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

The pace will be, at many times, quite fast (lots of canters) - the grassy pastures and firm beaches allow this on strong and well-trained criollo and criollo-cross horses.

Horses & tack: there will normally be three changes of horses during the ride. As always one or more spare horses will accompany us. The horses are the local Uruguayan Criollo breed and criollo-cross: ideally suited to the terrain. Criollo is the horse breed in Uruguay, Argentina and the south of Brazil. The breed was developed from horses that were brought from Spain in the 17th century and then bred in this region. Criollo is a strong horse with an excellent walk and good character. We use local, ‘western’ type saddle with a sheep skin. Horses are trained to neck reining (western ‘one-hand riding).  Help will be given in adjusting to this tack which is very suitable for long days in the saddle. 

If your weight is more than 95 kilos (~210lbs) there is usually a surcharge so we can take an extra horse during the ride in case it is needed. This is so that it is not so demanding for the horses.

Tack:		McClellan saddles and English
Horses:		Criollos
Pace:		Trots, canters and gallops | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3 to 3 out of 5)    Intermediate
Weight:		Max 210 lbs
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 12 riders

The pace will be, at many times, quite fast (lots of canters) - the grassy pastures and firm beaches allow this on strong and well-trained criollo and criollo-cross horses.

Horses & tack: there will normally be three changes of horses during the ride. As always one or more spare horses will accompany us. The horses are the local Uruguayan Criollo breed and criollo-cross: ideally suited to the terrain. Criollo is the horse breed in Uruguay, Argentina and the south of Brazil. The breed was developed from horses that were brought from Spain in the 17th century and then bred in this region. Criollo is a strong horse with an excellent walk and good character. We use local, ‘western’ type saddle with a sheep skin. Horses are trained to neck reining (western ‘one-hand riding).  Help will be given in adjusting to this tack which is very suitable for long days in the saddle. 

If your weight is more than 95 kilos (~210lbs) there is usually a surcharge so we can take an extra horse during the ride in case it is needed. This is so that it is not so demanding for the horses.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. nationals of Estonia who do need a visa (please note that nationals of Canada, Ireland, Malta and the USA are only permitted visa-free stays of up to three months);
2. US citizens travelling on diplomatic or offical passports require a visa.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist: £27. Business and Tourist: Enquire at consulate (or consular section at embassy) for cost as it may vary with the exchange rate. US visas: $42.
Validity
Visas are usually for stays of up to three months, but check with the consulate, as this is dependent on nationality. Extensions for a further three months are possible; apply at the immigration office in Uruguay.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses.
Working Days Required   21.