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Horse-riding tours in Uruguay
Fast pace riding along firm sandy beaches and across the grasslands on excellent horses. Traditional barbecues then riding on over dunes, through palm groves, beside inland lakes teeming with wildfowl and on to an old portuguese fort to admire a stunning sunset. Dolphins feeding in the beautiful bays, black-necked swans gliding across lagoons, chattering parrots flying over. Friendly locals and skilled gauchos to accompany us and talk of their unique lives, history and traditions.
..and all this in one of the safest South American countries, still remarkably untouched by tourism, with a mild climate and beautiful green open spaces - Uruguay is just perfect for riding.
| The Painted Bird Riding Tour - Uruguay - 9 days | |
| DAY 1: | : ESTANCIA PARADA ARTEAGA Guests are driven from Montevideo to the estancia ‘Parada Arteaga” for a typical lunch. Afternoon introductory ride: once guests are at ease with their horses, we head off through the forests (3hrs). Guests will meet the gauchos, dressed in their traditional ´bombachas´, ´fajas´ and boots. These skilled horsemen still spend their days working the cattle much as gauchos have been doing for several centuries. Later, guests can get acquainted with one of Uruguay’s best kept secrets: the excellent wines and enjoy the delicious, home prepared food. Overnight at Parada Arteaga Estancia (with swimming pool.) |
| DAY 2: | ESTANCIA SAN PEDRO DE TIMOTE We ride onto the ‘prairies’ of Uruguay for some faster pace riding (4-5hrs) to reach the famous Estancia San Pedro de Timote, seeing wildlife along the way. The estancia is considered to be the first founded in Uruguay (1854). The original colonial main building has been declared a National Historical Monument and guests can still see features that are a reminder of the age of the estancia: the church, towers and wonderful terraces decorated with Spanish mayolicas. After lunch of an ´asado´ (Uruguayan barbeque) guests can explore the estancia or relax in the pool or Jacuzzi. Later we take the horses out across the parklands, visiting the old stone corrals (2hrs). As dusk approaches guests can practice their armadillo jumping skills as these armour plated animals pop out their holes and scuttle across the grass. Nocturnal walk: animal watching for a chance to see capybara, armadillos and the rare marsh deer. Overnight at San Pedro de Timote Estancia. |
| DAY 3: | ROCHA and FORTRESS SAN MIGUEL We will be driven north-east along to Rocha, the most beautiful province in Uruguay with its pristine beaches, emerald shores and network of lagoons. All along the route we spot a large variety of birds. We arrive at the hotel “Fortin de San Miguel”, right on the Brazilian border. In the afternoon, we ride around the hills of San Miguel Reserve enjoying a wonderful view of the area. The view across the flat lowlands and the lagoon provides a very different landscape to the previous days’ rides. This area is home to a wide variety of birds including several species of vultures that soar overhead. We ride past the granite fortress built in 1734 by the Spaniards. We will stay at the "Fortín de San Miguel", guests can enjoy the pool and visit the ‘pulperia’ - the traditional meeting point for the gauchos from miles around. |
| DAY 4: | BARRY CHUY BEACH – INTO BRAZIL In the morning we ride out of the hotel, along the Uruguay-Brazil border, riding for several kms in Brazil. Then we turn south and cross the wide, flat expanse of the arid pasturelands. There are opportunities for long canters across the flatlands. We pass fields covered with bizarre conical shaped mounds, the result of industrious termites. Rheas graze in the fields and we occasionally spot their enormous eggs; birds of prey hover overhead as they hunt. After lunch and a siesta we ride on to the beach for an incredible ride along the wonderful, isolated shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors seldom reach this beach so we can enjoy a long, exhilarating canter along the pure white sands at the waters edge. Guests can ride into the sea. We arrive 8 miles further south at "La Coronilla". Here we leave the horses and are driven on (40 minutes) to the working estancia “El Sauce”. |
| DAY 5: | EL SAUCE ESTANCIA We wake up on a farm - El Sauce is a working estancia run by its owners who are also our very hospitable hosts. We will be enjoying a full days riding around the farm - with plenty of chances of fast paced riding for those who wish. Once again in very distinct scenery, we cross creeks and flatlands and ride past the various crops and to the herds of cattle. The owner often joins us as he checks his animals in the company of the gauchos that work with him. The estancia is very comfortable though not a hotel and the family house where we stay offers a very special insight into the life in the country. Guests can sample the ‘mate’ tea sipped hot out of a dry gourd. The gauchos and their mate are inseparable and a very sociable ceremony has developed around drinking it. This estancia also has a large area of marshland which creates habitats teeming with bird life, nearly 500 species and otters, coypus and capybaras. Overnight at the estancia, with swimming pool. |
| DAY 6: | SANTA TERESA NATIONAL PARK Today we rejoin our horses on the coast and ride to Santa Teresa Fort along another beautiful part of the coastline. Crossing the forested Santa Teresa National Park we arrive at the imposing restored fort which is the centre piece of the park - started in 1762 by the Portuguese to defend the edge of their territories. After lunch in the open air, we will enjoy riding along the forest trails down to the beach. We pass a shipwreck buried in the sand – one of many along this treacherous coast. Most days there is the wonderful sight of dolphins feeding in the bay. We leave the horses and are driven (15 minutes) to a hotel located next to the beach for barbequed fresh fish, Uruguayan wine and a pleasant overnight by the ocean. |
| DAY 7: | DON BOSCO – LAGUNA NEGRA After an early breakfast, we will be driven a short way, towards the famous "Laguna Negra". Riders can go into the lake, bare-back if they wish. We meet the horses and set off through an area of palm trees to the lakeshore, passing bird-filled wetlands on the way (a 4hr ride). During the trip we will pass roadside stalls selling the palm fruit and the less innocent ‘hooch’ brewed from the palm nuts. After a typical lunch on the lagoon shores, we ride on into a dense forest of strangler figs, as sinister looking as their name suggests, through a protected area of native vegetation. (2-3hrs). We meet the vehicle and head to another charming beachside hotel further down the coast. |
| DAY 8: | CABO POLONIO Today we ride along the beach and into the desert! We follow the coast through the grass covered dunes and across the rocks close to the roaring sea. We canter along beaches and ride along in the water to Cabo Polonio, a curious fishing village which can only be reached by horse or with four wheeled drive. Guests can walk round to the lighthouse and view the huge colony of sea lions sunning themselves on the rocks. While riding along the beaches occasionally we spot a migrating Franca Whale (October-November rides only). After a swim in the sea and a delicious lunch at a restaurant right on the water’s edge, we ride on into the dramatic landscape of huge sand dunes and through an area which has been declared a Biosphere Natural Reserve by UNESCO. The sand dunes and daunting sand walls are quite an unexpected sight. We leave the horses and are driven back to the hotel for a second overnight in this small hotel by the beach. |
| DAY 9: | OMBUES AND A CHARMING ESTANCIA. We ride to "Guardia del Monte", another working estancia on the shores of a lagoon. Our route takes us across grasslands and wetlands - landscapes of outstanding beauty and we arrive at this charming estancia through a unique ombu forest. The ombu tree curiously rarely grows in groups of more than 2 or 3, the forest of ombues 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 are over 500 years and have a diameter of 2 metres. After a home cooked lunch at the farmhouse we say goodbye to the horses and head back to Montevideo where the tour ends. |
| CODE: URU16 | *Cost per person: from £1134 |
* Price is based on four people or more taking the tour, based on double room occupancy. In the unlikely event that there are only two people taking the tour the itinerary will be altered to maintain the price.
Transatlantic flights are not included. Transfers, excursions meals and accommodation are included. Please call us for more detailed information regarding these riding tours.
| Notes: | Prices are per person based on double occupancy, in the low season unless otherwise stated. |
| The price shown is a guideline only and may change due to variations in the dollar / pound exchange rate or season. Please contact us for an exact quote based on your requirements. |
Last Updated: Tuesday May 13 2008