During this 5-day tour exploring the western vineyards of Uruguay, you will visit Colonia del Sacramento to witness the rich history of this old town. Then, head to the Carmelo region to discover three different vineyards and learn about the history of wine-making in Uruguay. Delight in multiple varieties of premium wine in each vineyard. Finally, enjoy a sunset river cruise to appreciate the coasts of Uruguay.
Highlights
Explore the rich history of Colonia del Sacramento
Discover area of Carmelo, visiting 3 different vineyards
Enjoy a sunset river cruise and appreciate the beautiful coasts of Uruguay
Learn about the wine-making process and characteristics of Uruguay's wines
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrival at Port of Colonia del Sacramento and Hotel Transfer with Guide (Private Service).
Begin your journey with a local guide on the Walking Tour of Colonia del Sacramento with museums & mate tasting (Private Service).
Explore the enchanting city of Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded by the Portuguese and the subject of disputes between the Spanish and Portuguese crowns for years, Colonia's rich history is beautifully preserved. Wander the picturesque cobblestone streets under the guidance of your local expert, uncovering landmarks like the old city gate (Porton de Campo), the historic Calle de los Suspiros (Street of Sighs), charming squares, and the local church, Iglesia Matriz. The tour includes a mate tasting session and entrance tickets to local museums.
You kick off your day with a transfer to Bodega el Quinton, where you can indulge in a tour of the vineyards and olive plantations, followed by a delightful wine and olive oil tasting session. Your journey then takes you to La Vigna Cheese Farm, where you'll gain insights into the local cheese-making process and savor some of the finest cheese varieties in the region, all under the guidance of the knowledgeable "Cheese Architect." Agustin and Lucila, the proprietors of La Vigna, have created a unique and eco-conscious establishment that focuses on sustainability and organic production. You'll have the opportunity to sample some of the most delectable and inventive cheeses. If you're interested, there's an optional cheese-tasting lunch at La Vigna, though it's not included.
In the morning, you'll have a private transfer (no guide) to Carmelo.
As the day draws to a close, prepare for an unforgettable experience: the Rio de la Plata Sunset Cruise (approximately 1.5 hours).
Embark on a serene journey through the Delta's islands, where the waters of the Río de la Plata and Rio Uruguay converge. This unique location marks the "kilometer 0" point for both rivers. Your adventure commences just before sunset at the secluded marina of Club del Faro, where you'll board a classic boat guided by our experienced captain. Explore the tales of the Uruguayan coast and its shipwrecks, and raise a toast to an incredible sunset!
Day 4: Calera las Huérfanas and the local wineries
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Meet your local guide for a visit to Calera las Huérfanas and the local wineries:
La Calera de las Huérfanas National Monument: This place's history dates back to the 18th century when the Jesuits established themselves in the northern part of the Province of Colonia in Uruguay. They continued their mission and constructed the first buildings in 1741. Here, a diverse group of people, including Indians, slaves, and priests, would gather. Following the expulsion of the Jesuits by the Spanish crown, Don Juan de San Martín assumed control of the estancia and discovered 1500 grapevines, which marked the birth of wine production in Uruguay.
You will then visit two wineries in the Carmelo region:
Bodega El Legado: A family-owned winery that traces its roots back to Bernardo Marzuca and his family, who decided to repurchase the family vineyards that had once belonged to Bernardo's father. The winery represents the legacy they continued by tending the land and crafting wine. Today, the winery is known for producing highly exclusive fine wines using a unique technique in Uruguay. Their vineyards follow a free vertical cord system, allowing the vines to express themselves fully. What began as a hobby for the Marzuca family evolved into a profound passion as more people were captivated by their wines. The winery tour includes a guided exploration of the vineyards, wine cellar, and production area, followed by a tasting of 3 wines paired with cheeses, salamis, and olives.
Bodega Cordano: A small, family-run winery led by Ana Paula Cordano and her husband, the fifth generation of the family. The tour encompasses visits to the production areas and vineyards, along with a stop at the "Almacén de la Capilla," a vintage grocery shop founded in 1855 by Antonio Cordano. The experience culminates with a tasting of 3 of their finest wines and a delectable homemade lunch.
After your wine adventures, return to your hotel.
Day 5: Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, get on a private transfer (without a guide) to Colonia del Sacramento Port.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
