Uruguay's Estancias

Arrive today to Montevideo and transfer to your hotel in the historic city center. This afternoon visit a winery on the ouskirts of Montevideo. Tour the winery and learn about the production processes. Finish with a tasting of the emblematic Uruguayan wine know as "Tannat" (it is to Uruguay what Malbec is to Argentina). Return to Montevideo in the evening.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour of this cosmopolitan city. You will visit the lively Port Market and the colonial neighborhood of Ciudad Vieja. Next a public bus will take you to the province of Treinta y Tres, named after the thirty-three soldiers that fought for Uruguay's Independence. Once you arrive, head to the Estancia Los Platanos to enjoy your evening in the countryside.

Discover the Uruguayan countryside and enjoy life on a traditional Ranch. The captivating landscape is the perfect place to experience the authenticity of the Uruguayan countryside and to enter the world of the Gauchos. Explore the land by horse, horse cart or walks and join in the daily ranch chores and activities. After a long day of rustic life, enjoy homemade Uruguayan food.

Today experience one of the most natural landscapes of Uruguay and encounter a variety of flora and fauna. The Yerba Chico stream created a canyon and formed a fascinating gorge with cliffs up to 120 meters. A narrow footpath leads you down the rocks, accompanied by the sound of the wind and the rustling of vultures flying overhead.

After a traditional lunch, transfer to the local bus station in Treinta y Tres to board the bus to the city of Rocha. You will be picked up at the bus station and transferred to Estancia Balcon del Abra.

Enjoy a full day at Estancia Balcon del Abra. This estancia is dedicated to the breeding of horses and is surrounded by the rolling hills of the Lavalleja Province. You can organize some trekking to the nearby hills, a riding tour to the nearby estancia (extra cost) or just relax at the natural pool. Enjoy horseback riding, fishing, bird-watching, hiking, or simple relaxation at the estancia. 

After breakfast transfer to Estancia Guardia del Monte, a working estancia overlooking Laguna Castillos. Visit the Forest of Ombúes, a unique tree that grows in fantastic shapes with thick, twisting roots that spread out over the ground and is typically a solitary plant in other parts of Uruguay. But here, centuries-old ombúes (some over 500 years old) grow in clusters and have trunks with a diameter of six feet. Enjoy horseback riding, fishing, bird-watching, hiking, or simple relaxation next to the lagoon. Mount up on horses for a ride to the mysterious palm forests; despite a number of stories, no one knows how the palm trees (some 300 years old) got here since this species is not native to the area. Experience the gaucho lifestyle and participate in the rural activities of the day, or head out for some bird watching. 

In the morning, travel to Valizas Village where a local guide will be waiting to start an unforgettable tour to Cabo Polonio Village. Start the adventure by crossing the Valizas Stream by boat before continuing on foot or horseback (just let us know your preference) for a 4 mile hike along the sand dunes and sea lion colonies until Buena Vista Hill with its fantastic views of the ocean and Cabo Polonio. Visit the lighthouse and sea lion reserve (the biggest one in the world!). This afternoon take a private transfer to Estancia Guardia del Monte.

Return to Montevideo.