If you love nature and beaches, but also want to get to know the culture and people of your destination, then this Riding tour is the right place for you! It combines horseback riding through varied landscapes with accommodation in some of the country's most traditional haciendas.
At the beginning of the trip, you will have the opportunity to get to know town Montevideo before heading into the almost untouched nature of the Rocha region. Over the course of the week, you will pass through a wide variety of landscapes: Forests, lagoons, palm groves, agricultural land, prairies, dunes and, of course, beaches. Many encounters with wild animals such as rare bird species, dolphins, seals and perhaps even whales await you. Culture is not neglected either and you will discover old fortresses, stranded ships and villages. You will also get to know everyday life on the family-run haciendas countryside and, if you wish, you can help the gauchos with their cattle work. If you want to take a dip, you can do so at the beautiful beaches and the pool that some of the accommodations have. All in all, an unforgettable trip to one of the most beautiful and unknown countries in South America! You to ride daily through the breathtaking and varied nature of Uruguay. From time to time there are car transfers, so that you will always find yourself in new and wonderful landscapes. Your horses, Criollos, come from the region and have good gaits and an impeccable character. One or more spare horses are always carried on the tour. You to ride on comfortable western saddles with a sheepskin cover. We will be happy to help you adapt to this riding style. The riding pace is brisk, with grass-covered hill and sandy beaches ideal for long gallops.

Itinerary

Day 1: Today is dedicated to recovering from the journey and discovering town Montevideo. Pick up at Carrasco International Airport and transfer along the beautiful coastline, called Ramblas, to your hotel. You will enjoy a barbecue lunch near the harbor and then have the chance to immerse yourself in the life of Montevideo. Stroll through the streets and experience the rhythm of town. Montevideo is rather quiet and safe and offers museums, street markets and nice restaurants. (Dinner not included in the tour price).

Day 2: After breakfast, you will be picked up at the hotel and taken to the Rocha region, close to the Brazilian border. This is probably the most beautiful province in Uruguay with pristine beaches, emerald-colored bays and extensive lagoons. Your accommodation is located on the coast near the seaside resort of La Coronilla. After lunch, you prepare for your first ride, which takes you into the surroundings of the estancia to get to know your horses. You reach Fort San Miguel, an impressive and extensive fortification near the coast. You then enjoy a brisk gallop along the Merin Lagoon, one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in South America, on the Brazilian border. This natural paradise is also home to numerous indigenous bird and plant species. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: This morning begins with a drive to Chuy, a lively little town on the Brazilian border. Here you can hear the locals speak a special mixture of Spanish and Portuguese. You set off on horseback on a 3-4 hour ride to the coast. At lunchtime you stop for a picnic lunch followed by a siesta. The gauchos will show you that their comfortable saddles are not only great for riding, but also for sleeping! Well rested, you set off for Barra Chuy beach. Other visitors are rarely to be found on this beach - the ideal prerequisite for long, unhindered gallops on the white sandy beach. After a total distance of approx. 22 km, you will reach La Coronilla again.

Day 4: You ride south over beaches and hill, where you can often spot dolphins, as well as through dunes and forests, before you reach the huge Santa Teresa National Park. The focal point of the park is an old fortress dating back to 1762, which was fiercely contested for many years. The structure is surrounded by around 3,000 hectares of forest with many interesting trees from all over the world. After a sumptuous picnic lunch to ride you walk along the forest to the coast, where you can discover some shipwrecks. Many ships sank off the treacherous coast, including Charles Darwin's ship. However, the naturalist managed to save himself on the shore and stayed in Uruguay for several years. After another picnic, you hop back on the saddle and ride to the fishing village of Punta del Diabolo. Dinner and overnight stay in a posada.

Day 5: Today you will roam through an untouched, varied landscape with palm groves and diverse flora and fauna. Picnic on the way. Later you reach the shores of Laguna Negra. At the Cerra de la Virgen, enjoy a magical sunset over the lagoon. The area is one of the largest freshwater reserves in Uruguay. Dinner with the gauchos around the campfire and overnight stay at Don Bosco Camp surrounded by beautiful nature.

Day 6: After breakfast you head towards the coast through palm forests. Picnic in the countryside on the way. In the afternoon, follow the beautiful beaches to the small town of Valizas, where you will spend the night in a typical former summer house. Today these are often used as B&Bs. Dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 7: In the morning, a short walk takes you to Valizas river, where a boat awaits you to take you back to the horses. This area has been declared a nature reserve by UNESCO and can easily be mistaken for the dunes of the Sahara. In the middle of this unique natural experience lies the small fishing village of Cabo Polonio, only accessible on horseback or by SUV. You have the opportunity to observe sea lions and seals, which populate the small islands off the coast and form the largest colony in the world. Whales can also be spotted here. After a swim on one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, you will ride a short distance. You will then travel by minibus to Estancia Anastasio, where you will spend the night.

Day 8: Today you will spend the day together with the gauchos: you will explore the vast Ranch area and help with the cattle work. Later in the morning, you will go on a kayak tour on the river Aastasio with a picnic on the way. In the afternoon you ride to the beach and the lagoon with its beautiful nature. Dinner is served in the open air today. Overnight stay as on the previous day .

Day 9: After breakfast you continue your ride to the small town of Jose Ignacio, where you enjoy another traditional lunch. Then it's time to say goodbye to the horses and guides. Return to Montevideo with a stopover in Punta del Este and Casapueblo. Arrival in Montevideo at approx. 18:30 and end of program.

Subject to change without notice!

Accomodation

You will be accommodated in typical local hotels and haciendas. The accommodation is clean, comfortable and offers good service. The rooms each have their own bathroom. If you book a double room, please indicate in advance whether you prefer two single beds or a double bed.
The food is typical of the country and only fresh ingredients from the region are used. Red meat, fish and wine are particularly recommended. Lunch on the way is often a sumptuous picnic. Dinner on the first evening in Montevideo is not included in the tour price.

 

Saddle & Tack: South American

Experience: for advanced riders, fast pace and longer gallops

Horses: Criollos

Sorry, there is no feedback yet.