DAY 1: COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO

Arrival to Colonia Del Sacramento and transfer to Plaza Mayor Hotel (or similar) located in the Old town of the City. Enjoy a bike tour along the cobbled streets of the old town of Colonia and the riverside boulevard to “Real de San Carlos”. Visit the “Plaza de Toros” (bullring) and the old train wagons and have fun at “Tunel del Ayer”, where the whole family can dress up in historic clothes for a remembrance picture. After lunch (not included), enjoy a half day fishing experience at the marina of the “Bastion” Sculptor Park next to the sailing boats and yachts. A local guide will assist you and provide all the necessary equipment to spend a lovely afternoon fishing and learning not only fishing techniques but also to respect and care for nature.

 

DAY 2: MONTEVIDEO

Morning transfer to Montevideo and visit to the vibrant Port Market where you will enjoy lunch at one of the many typical “parrillas”. Take a walking tour of the Ciudad Vieja (the colonial historic neighborhood) and visit the atelier of a local  leather whose work has been recognized by the UNESCO with the Award of Excellence for Handicrafts. Luis Alberto Gutierrez has dedicated his life to creating leather sculptures inspired in local popular elements as our famous “Tango”, our “Murgas” and “Candombe” (both of them music elements of the Uruguayan Carnival) and the Gaucho iconic countryside figure. Climb up to the mystery of Alberto´s studio located in downtown Montevideo where we will find many of his leather sculptures in different steps of the creation process. Learn about the art of working with leather and participate in the creation of an emblematic Gaucho sculpture. With the guidance of Alberto, feel the leather in your hands and witness the birth of a new creation! An amazing experience for the whole family!

Accommodation at My Suites Hotel (or similar). B,L

 

DAY 3: WINERY & ESTANCIA GUARDIA DEL MONTE

Morning pick up for a short panoramic city tour of the rest of the city and visit to a special winery located within the border of Montevideo and Canelones Provinces. Much has been said of wines, wineries and vineyards but very seldom do people get to know “the artist behind the art”. This tour is about discovering the winemaker behind an amazing wine. Manuel Filgueira, enologist, wine lover and owner of “Los Nadies” boutique winery will receive you with all his family and open the doors of his winery and home. The visit starts with a horse riding tour of the vineyards, followed by a tasting and typical family lunch! Manuel will cook for you and show you the secrets of his wine. Afternoon private transfer to Estancia Guardia del Monte, where you will enjoy dinner and a good nights sleep at the Estancia. B, L, D

DAY 4: A TRADITIONAL ESTANCIA

We wake up in Guardia Del Monte, a traditional estancia with outstanding landscape beauty and important ecosystems containing a great variety of birds and native trees. We will enjoy some quality birdwatching along the large area of marshlands and wetlands both of which are teeming with bird life (more than 400 species in this area), otters, coypus and capybaras. We will be able to spot the graceful black-necked swan (largest populations in the world found here), the rare white goose, the pink flamingo (a species of flamingo with very bright pink pigment and quite common in Uruguay) and many ducks and other birds such as the largest bird in South America – the ‘ostrich-like’ ñandú (American rhea). After a typical asado lunch we will enjoy some horseback riding to explore the estancia surroundings. Dinner and accommodation at Guardia del Monte (Please note that depending on the season, we might stay at Guardia del Monte or Charabon Estancia and the available activities will be adapted to the area). B, L, D

DAY 5: HORSEBACK RIDING FROM VALIZAS TO CABO POLONIO, INCREDIBLE SAND DUNES & SEA LIONS

After breakfast, transfer to small village Barra de Valizas, where a local guide will meet us to start an unforgettable tour to Cabo Polonio Village. After a short walk around the town, we will start the horseback riding along the coastline that will take us towards the incredible shifting sand dunes. We will hike up the Buena Vista Hill from where a fantastic view of the ocean can be appreciated and continue down towards Cabo Polonio (4 hours trek). After a delicious seafood lunch at a local seaside restaurant, we will visit the lighthouse and sea lions reserve (one of the biggest ones in the world!). In the afternoon a 4×4 truck drive towards the main entrance of Cabo Polonio where a private transfer will take guests back to the accommodation at Zen Hotel Boutique where you will enjoy dinner and spend the night. B, L, D

DAY 6: JOSE IGNACIO / LAGOONS & BIKING

Bike from La Paloma to the Rocha Lagoon and then enjoy canoeing across the lagoon. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the shores of the lagoon and continue onto the town of Jose Ignacio. Accommodation at Posada del Faro (or similar). B, L.

DAY 7: ANASTASIO LAGOON &THE TOWN OF GARZON

Morning transfer to the region of Garzon known as the “Uruguayan Tuscany”, a landscape full of olive trees and vineyards where we will visit Colinas de Garzon Extra Virgin Olive Oil Production Plant. Enjoy a tractor tour along the olive plantations, visit the production plant and finalize the tour with a wine and olive oil tasting, while children enjoy a bottle painting activity. After the tour, visit the town and participate on a typical “asado” lunch at the Old Train Station.   Accommodation at Posada del Faro (or similar). B

DAY 8: RETURN

After breakfast, transfer to Montevideo. On your way you will visit Punta del Este and the “Area Indigena”, a natural reserve in the region of Solis. The tour finishes either at the port or at the airport.

Charco Hotel – Colonia del Sacramento – (Day 1)

Hotel My Suites – Colonia del Sacramento – (Day 2)

Estancia Guardia del Monte – Rocha – (Day 3 – 4)

Zen Hotel Boutique – La Paloma, Rocha – (Day 5)

Posada del Faro – José Ignacio – (Day 6 – 7)