|
Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Uruguay
Intro to Uruguay
----------------------------
Brazil
|
|
|
|
|
|
Laguna Negra Estancias Ride
Uruguay
Uruguay
On this ride you will discover the most diverse landscapes of a small country, taste its delicious local wines and excellent cuisine, and be rewarded with the hidden treasures found on paths less traveled!
For those who have a passion for nature, the beach, and being in close contact with the traditions of the countries they choose to visit, this horseback riding tour combines some of the oldest and best preserved haciendas with breath taking scenery, in one of the least known countries in South America - truly a hidden South American gem!
We ride from the traditional cattle breeding region of the country to the Coast of "Rocha" where we will cross the "Bañados del Este" Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO recognized), filled with an enormously diverse bird population - more than 400 species - and other wildlife like the endangered capybara, sea turtle, and the franca whale.
Enjoy the thrill of fast paced riding along the firm, sandy beaches pf Uruguay and across the vast grasslands on well trained and responsive riding horses. Enjoy breaks for traditional barbecue lunches and picnics, then ride on each day, over sand dunes, through palm groves, beside inland lakes teeming with wild waterfowl and on to the old Portuguese fort or your beach side hotels to admire stunning sunsets. Dolphins feeding in the beautiful bays, black-necked swans gliding across the lagoons, chattering parrots flying over, capybaras wading in the reeds - these are all things you can expect to find on a typical week in this paradise.
Incredibly friendly locals and skilled gauchos may accompany us and talk of their unique lives and their traditions. Listen to fascinating stories of the ancient battles and shipwrecks, including one of Nelson's fleet... and all this in one of the safest South American countries, still remarkably untouched by tourism despite all it has to offer! While staying at the working ranches – estancias – you can ride with, and help the gauchos with their cattle work and drives. You will undoubtedly come to feel connected to the traditions of this unexplored country by the time your vacation is over.
|
Progressive Ride (no camping)
|
|
Meeting:
|
Montevideo airport, bus terminal, ferry terminal or local hotel.
|
|
Airport:
|
Montevideo
|
|
Transfer:
|
Montevideo airport
|
|
Riders:
|
Min
4 riders
Max
12 riders
|
|
Trip Brochure (PDF)
Trip Rating
Travel Stories
|
|
|
|
Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
Accommodations at estancias/inns, all meals and mineral water (except on Day 1), English speaking guide, 7 riding days with groom service, transfers to and from Montevideo airport and a Montevideo City Tour.
| A | 2013 | 8 day trip, AP
Nights at estancias and inns | 8d / 7n | $3050 |
Rates Note:
Extensions: Punta del Este, Buenos Aires, Iguacu Falls
Transfer and Other Options:
|
2013
|
Transfer from Montevideo (included)
|
Tour Dates for 2013
Check here for details and availability
|
| A |
2013
|
04/06
- 04/13
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
Nights at es...
|
4
/12
|
Expired
|
| A |
2013
|
10/26
- 11/02
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
Nights at es...
|
4
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
11/09
- 11/16
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
Nights at es...
|
4
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
11/23
- 11/30
|
8d / 7n
|
8 day trip, AP
Nights at es...
|
4
/12
|
Reserve
|
|
Additional dates are available for groups of 4+ riders.
|
Rates do not include:
Meals in Montevideo on Day 1, your flights & departure taxes, beverages (soft and alcoholic drinks) personal expenditure (bar or hotel bills, telephone calls), gratuities, mandatory Medical Insurance.
2013 Itinerary
Day 1: Montevideo – Tour of the capital city & Port Market
Today is set aside to relax and explore the coastal city of Montevideo. Guests are met at the Carrasco International Airport and driven along the wonderful coastline called “Rambla” to the downtown hotel. After Check in, your guide will help you discover the charming and quiet city of Montevideo, its museums, street markets, nice restaurants and friendly people. We will enjoy lunch at the lively Port Market before returning to the hotel located in downtown Montevideo. L.
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 pristine beaches, emerald shores and a great network of lagoons. We will visit ‘Chuy’, a very curious town straddling the border where guests can step into Brazil and hear the locals speak a strange language made of 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"; we are right on the Brazilian border. After lunch we will meet the 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 to 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 we will see many different native trees and bushes. We will also have the chance to see the Cimarron cattle – the first cattle, introduced from Spain in the 17th century. We will stay at the “Fortín de San Miguel" Hotel where guests will be able to enjoy the gardens, swimming pool and the relaxed atmosphere. AB, L, D.
Day 3: Barra de Chuy beach – Brazilian border & a ride along a pristine beach.
After breakfast, we will be driven to our horses (5 min. drive) where they will be waiting for us ready to start a nice 3-4 hours ride towards the coast!
After a special picnic lunch, riders may have a pleasant “siesta” discovering that gauchos’ saddles are so comfortable to ride as to sleep! In the afternoon, we will enjoy 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 to "La Coronilla" and stay at small beachside hotel. AB, L, D.
Day 4: Santa Teresa national park, dolphins & shipwrecks.
Today we will ride south alternating beaches, sand dunes, pine forests and coastal hills where we might see dolphins feeding before getting to the immense Santa Teresa National Park. The center piece of the park is a fort 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, loosing and reconquering 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, most from other parts of the world. After a picnic lunch we will enjoy riding along the forest trails and down to the beach and we will pass a shipwreck buried in the sand, one of many along this treacherous coast; indeed, Cabo 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. After a traditional picnic close to the fortress or on the beach, depending on the weather, we will continue along the coast towards the lovely town of Punta del Diablo. Afternoon drive to “Estancia El Sauce”, where we will enjoy dinner and spend the night. AB, L, D.
Day 5: El Sauce, an authentic estancia – ‘mate’ tea & the gaucho life
We wake up at “El Sauce”, a working estancia run by its owners where we will enjoy a full day riding around the crops and the very varied vegetation of the area. The estancia, built in 1920, is very comfortable –it is not a hotel but a family house where we have been invited to stay as guests of the owners, offering us an incredible experience and a very special insight into the life of the countryside. Guests will be able to taste the ‘mate’ sipped hot out of a dry gourd; the gauchos and their mate are inseparable and a ceremony has developed around this drink. In addition to the cattle grasslands, this estancia has a large area of marshlands and rice crops both of which are teeming with bird life (more than 400 species) making another very varied ride and giving us the chance to see the graceful black-necked swan (largest population in the world found here), the rare white goose and many ducks and other birds such as the largest bird in South America- the ‘ostrich-like’ “ñandú” (American 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, quite common in Uruguay. Overnight at this authentic working estancia. AB, L, D.
Day 6: 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; very occasionally we spot a migrating whale. Riders can 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 and charming working estancia in the area. AB, L, D.
Day 7: Cattle and ship work with the gauchos on the estancia
The day starts with a lovely breakfast of homemade bread, jams and cakes, admiring the views of the countryside. A wonderful day of outstanding landscape beauty with important ecosystems and a great variety of birds and native scrublands awaits us; this area has been declared Natural Animal Reserve since 1996. We will have the opportunity to visit the forest of Ombúes; the Ombú curiously rarely grows in groups of more than 2 or 3 and the forest of Ombúes that we visit is possibly the only one in the world. Each tree has its own wonderful shape with thick, twisting roots spreading out over the ground some of which are over 500 years and have a diameter of 2 meters (6 feet). After lunch, we will ride to the nearby unique palm groves; despite a number of stories, no one knows how the 300 year old palm trees got here. They are not native but they give the landscape a very exotic look. During our afternoon transfer, we will pass many roadside stalls selling the fruit and the less innocent ‘hooch’ brewed from the palm nuts. The cloudy, sticky liquid is so potent that if you leave the cap off the old bottles it is sold in the liquor evaporates in a flash! AB, L, D
Day 8: Cattle and ship work with the gauchos on the estancia
We will enjoy a full morning working alongside the gauchos and their trusty dogs as they tend to the cattle and sheep on this working ranch. The work varies depending on the time of the year, but the gauchos always welcome a bit of help checking and moving the stock or putting animals in the corrals. Sometimes a lame animal has to be caught and tended to. The wonderful, friendly gauchos with their berets, ‘bombachas’ (riding trousers) and with their knives tucked into their colorful belts all seem to have been born on a horse and it is a delight to be riding with them. Their dogs are very much work animals and it is an amazing sight to see four dogs working in unison moving a herd of cattle. The dogs unfortunately cannot count and that gets very tricky for us, especially with the sheep, a recount often being required! A game of armadillo jumping often inadvertently gets underway as the little armor-plated animals make a dash for their holes as the horses approach. After a quick lunch we say goodbye to the horses and head back to Montevideo – to the airport, port, the city, or to start an extension tour. AB, L.
SUGGESTED EXTENSIONS:
Extension 1: Balcon del Abra, rolling hills of Lavalleja Province
A lovely extension tour to the rolling hills of Lavalleja Province, where guests will be able to ride for an extra two more days surrounded by a completely different landscape. Located in the small town of Mariscala, the cozy and charming countryside inn of “El Balcon del Abra” offers great comfort and great horses. Guests will discover wonderful trails to ride around the hills, along the countryside and across streams including the fantastic Salamanca Grottoes and lovely rides to nearby estancias. After 7 days riding in the east, this extension tour can be the perfect option to ride some extra days combined with some relaxing quality time in a beautiful spot in the middle of the hills.
Extension 2: La Barra Beach, Punta del Este
Formerly a small fishing village settled on the banks of the Maldonado stream, La Barra has grown to be a seaside resort with plenty of spirit and special characteristics which have turned it into the favorite spot for young people because of its teeming nightlife. La Barra starts just after the striking humpbacked, Reinforced Concrete Bridge, built by the Uruguayan engineer Leonel Viera in 1965, on the estuary formed by the stream as it runs into the ocean. During the last week of December and until the first fortnight in February, the discos work from two in the morning until sunrise. La Barra has its own shopping high street and a choice selection of restaurants where they serve á la carte specialties of typical national and international dishes. The
restaurants are strategically located on the road or next to the most packed beaches which are Montoya, Bikini and Manantiales. Thanks to the original styling and careful manufacture, it is worth admiring the local craftwork, the best in the region and among the most outstanding in Uruguay. In the last few years, La Barra has also becomed very renown because of the quality of its artwork and handicrafts. The ateliers open to the public where the actual painters work, receiving visitors to witness the creative act live and allowing them to draw closer to the artist. Photography, currently so much in vogue
thanks to large-scale exhibitions in galleries and important museums, is also present in photo art workshops. Galleries, craft stores and shops selling ornaments add up to a wide range of possibilities that make La Barra the perfect place to choose a painting, a photo, pottery work or something decorative. Most stores stand on route 10 in the “Paseo de la Barra” where the circuit sprang up spontaneously approximately ten years ago and works as an integrated, fun, offbeat trail. Wehave chosen the cozy Posada de los Pájaros in this area, a small 16 room Mediterranean - style hotel located in front of the beautiful Montoya beach.
--We reserve the right to alter the itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control.
Meeting:
Montevideo airport, bus terminal, ferry terminal or local hotel.
Airport:
Montevideo
Train station:
Not Available
Transfer:
Montevideo airport
|
Tack:
|
|
South American saddles w/ sheepskin (similar to Western). Western neck reining is used.
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Uruguayan Criollo and crosses of Uruguayan Criollo.
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Lots of trots, canters and gallops (4 - 6 hours in saddle per day).
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
210 lbs or 95 kg
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
Pace: The pace will be, at many times, quite fast (with lots of canters) - the grassy pastures and firm beaches allow for more speed than other destinations!
Horses & Tack: Strong, sturdy and well-trained criollo and criollo-cross horses with an excellent walk, fun spirit and good character. 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 bred and criollo-cross: ideally suited to the terrain. The 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. We use local, ‘western’ type saddle with a sheep skin. Horses are trained to neck rein (western one-hand riding). Help will be given in adjusting to this tack which is very suitable for long days in the saddle.
Non Riders are welcome: main activities are sightseeing, walking, birding, bicycling, beach, swimming pool, short rides.
Emergencies: In case of accident, our guides will always carry a mobile phone which they will use to contact local assistance. All of the towns along our route count on a medical emergency service.
If your weight is more than 95 kilos (~210lbs) there is a surcharge so we can take an extra horse - so the weight is not too demanding for one horse.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart.Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above except: 1. nationals of Estonia who do need a visa (please note that national. more
The weather in Uruguay is variable, but you can expect somewhat warm spring and autumn temperatures, although we can also get some cool days (especially early in the morning or at night) and 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 horseback 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 a car, you can pack as much clothes as you want to feel comfortable.
| This list is only a guideline for you |
|
|
| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
|
|
| RIDING GEAR |
| 2 Pairs of riding trousers (or jeans with full or half chaps) |
| T-shirts and long sleeved tops (cotton polo necks are good for layering) |
| Riding boots (well broken in) or ankle-high multi-purpose ride/walk boots which work well when worn with half-chaps and can comfortably be worn for walking too |
| Riding helmet (riders not wishing to wear a hard hat do so at their own risk) |
| 1 Pair of insulating and quick-drying gloves for riding |
| Wool cap or other warm hat |
| Waterproof/windproof (gortex or other suitable fabric) jacket with hood |
| Waterproof pants |
|
|
| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Wool sweater or fleece |
| Fleece Jacket or waistcoat |
| Sun hat or visor |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
Underwear
|
| 2 Pairs of socks (including a couple of knee-high socks for riding) |
| Pyjama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Swimsuit |
| 2 Bandannas or scarves |
| |
| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for the emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Camera and enough extra films |
| Waterproof camera bag (or bring plastic bags to cover when in saddle bags i.e. Ziplocks) |
| Belt pack |
| Address book and pen (for pictures postcards!) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
| Minimum 1 Litre water bottle or two half-litre bottles |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
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 bathrooms. They are clean, comfortable and provide very good service. You will be able to get good night’s sleep in the 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. The red meat, fish and wine are especially recommended, but we can easily cater for vegetarians as well!
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
|
Tack:
|
|
South American saddles w/ sheepskin (similar to Western). Western neck reining is used.
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Uruguayan Criollo and crosses of Uruguayan Criollo.
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Lots of trots, canters and gallops (4 - 6 hours in saddle per day).
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
210 lbs or 95 kg
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
Pace: The pace will be, at many times, quite fast (with lots of canters) - the grassy pastures and firm beaches allow for more speed than other destinations!
Horses & Tack: Strong, sturdy and well-trained criollo and criollo-cross horses with an excellent walk, fun spirit and good character. 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 bred and criollo-cross: ideally suited to the terrain. The 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. We use local, ‘western’ type saddle with a sheep skin. Horses are trained to neck rein (western one-hand riding). Help will be given in adjusting to this tack which is very suitable for long days in the saddle.
Non Riders are welcome: main activities are sightseeing, walking, birding, bicycling, beach, swimming pool, short rides.
Emergencies: In case of accident, our guides will always carry a mobile phone which they will use to contact local assistance. All of the towns along our route count on a medical emergency service.
If your weight is more than 95 kilos (~210lbs) there is a surcharge so we can take an extra horse - so the weight is not too demanding for one horse.
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.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No/2 |
| Other EU |
No/1 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
|
|
|
|
Laguna Negra Estancias Ride
Tour Code:
IT-URRT01
8 days /
7 nights
~$3,050.00
Dates :
Feb-April, Oct-Dec
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner  | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
|