Estancias and Gauchos

The Trip

Day 1: Buenos Aires – Arrive Buenos Aires / Casa Calma
Day 2: Buenos Aires – City tour with expert local guide / Casa Calma
Day 3: Buenos Aires – Free day and evening tango show / Casa Calma
Day 4: Carmelo – Cross to Uruguay and drive to Carmelo / Finca Narbona
Day 5: Montevideo – Drive to Montevideo and wine tasting / Belmont Hotel
Day 6: Quebrada – Visit Quebrada National Park / Pinos de la Quebrada
Day 7: Quebrada – Treking in the gorge and park / Pinos de la Quebrada
Day 8: Countryside – Drive to the next estancia / Balcon de Abra
Day 9: Countryside – Full day horse riding / Balcon de Abra
Day 10: Rocha – Drive to Rocha / Estancia Charabon
Day 11: Rocha – Boat to Rincon and afternoon checking / Estancia Charabon
Day 12: Transfer to the airport in Montevideo for return flight

the Paris of South America

First stop is the fantastic city of Buenos Aires. Our local guide will whisk you away to the Casa Calma, an oasis of calm in this chaotic capital. Over the next couple of days our local guides will help you get under the skin on this famous capital showing you the best places to eat and drink and its fascinating museums and local markets. No trip to Buenos Aires would be complete without a little Tango whether its for classes or just a show.

live with the gauchos

Hop aboard the ferry crossing to Colonia del Sacramento where your hire car is waiting to be picked up for the exhilarating drive to Uruguay’s vibrant capital of Montevideo. The adventure is yours for the making as you take on the gorgeous little country at your own pace. Explore the cobbled streets of this old town en route, oozing colonial eccentricity and lively characters who are always welcoming. Rest-up Finca Narbona, a rustic paradise set in peaceful gardens, with majestically appointed rooms. Drive to Montevideo for lunch at Port Market, where an abundance of fresh fish awaits. Next drop of the car and take a tour slipping into a relaxing afternoon of wine tasting at local vineyards, where a hearty pour of some of South America’s finest wines await. Sleep off the indulgence in your regal hotel rooms, before you embark on a trip to the Pinos de la Quebrada, where you’ll drive to the blissful national park of Quebrada de los Cuervos. Here you’ll take a mini-trek down the fantastic gorge that is formed at the junctions of Yerbal Stream and Olimar River. The area is teeming with wildlife and colourful exotic birds, all of which you can explore by horseback.

horse rides to hidden beaches

Go deeper into cowboy ranch country at Lavalleja, where you’ll stay at the Balcón del Abra dedicated to horse breeding and learn about the real lives of the Gauchos. The drive to this part of the country is itself a memorable one, packed with wildlife and studded by green rugged hills. What you miss on the car journey down you’ll make up for on horseback. You’ll venture into the stunning landscape alongside your Gaucho guide, then return for a hearty feast cooked Gaucho-style, washed down with fine wines. Next day you’ll explore further into the wilderness by taking on the winding trails of Rocha, a stunning part of South America, where country trails open out on to swathes of sandy beach, – your horse ever-ready to take a refreshing dip with you. Build up a voracious appetite for the sumptuous Estancia Charabon feast that awaits your return. Rest-up for your visit to the town of Valizaz where local guides give you a real feel for his area by taking a boat tour to Rincon, before indulging in an afternoon of trekking and 4×4 tours of the sand dunes. Return to Montevideo to catch your flight back home.

Day-By-Day Itinerary

DAY 1-3: BUENOS AIRES
Fly to Buenos Aires and enjoy this city of culture and history. Stay at the delightful Casa Calma an oasis of calm in the city. Breakfast.

DAY 4:  COLONIA (ESTANCIA LA VIGNA)
Take the hydrofoil to Colonia Del Sacramento and pick up car rental. Take a walking city tour along the cobbled streets of Colonia Del Sacramento. Ramble around the lighthouse, fort, squares, port and Museums of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Drive to Carmelo and the Finca Narbona, a family-run winery and boutique hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

DAY 5: MONTEVIDEO
Drive to Montevideo. Explore the vibrant city with a guide and lunch at the Port Market. Afternoon visit the vineyards with a guide and tasting included. Belmont Hotel. Breakfast.

DAY 6: ESTANCIA PINOS DE LA QUEBRADA
Drive to Estancia Pinos de la Quebrada in the Province of Treinta y Tres. This is a lovely estancia located next to Quebrada de los Cuervos. Lunch at the estancia and afternoon rural activities. Dinner and stay at the estancia with full board included.

DAY 7: – QUEBRADA DE LOS CUERVOS NATIONAL PARK
Drive to the National Park and hike down the gorge. Keep an eye out for wildlife and the canyon is also great for bird watching. This trip can be done on horseback or driving, your choice. Picnic lunch. Dinner and Accommodation at the estancia with full board included.

DAY 8: POSADA BALCON DEL ABRA
Drive towards the Province of Lavalleja to arrive at a charming small Posada surrounded by scenic hills. The region is noted for the breeding of horses. Lunch and hike to the nearby hills. Alternatively relax at the natural pool at the posada. Dinner and stay at Balcon del Abra. Full board.

DAY 9: POSADA DE CAMPO BALCON DEL ABRA
Full day riding to the neighbouring estancia. Guests will ride along the hills enjoying lovely landscape. On arrival to the estancia, lunch will be waiting. Dinner and stay at Balcon del Abra. Full board.

DAY 10: ESTANCIA CHARABON
Drive along the winding trails of the province of Lavalleja towards the Province of Rocha. Enjoy the beautiful Atlantic coastal landscapes. On arrival to Estancia Charabon a delicious lunch will be waiting. In the afternoon, enjoy a taste of the gaucho lifestyle and participate in the rural activities of the day. Dinner and stay at Charabon with full board.

DAY 11: ESTANCIA CHARABON – CABO POLONIO
Drive to Valizas town to meet our local guide to start a day at Cabo Polonio. First take a boat tour along the Valizas river towards the small town of Rincon. Here you will meet local craftsmen and families in their homes. Then start a hike over the huge sand dunes to Buena Vista Hill with a fantastic view of the ocean. Continue walk or ride towards Cabo Polonio village. Lunch on delicious, fresh, local sea food. Visit to the light house and sea lions reserve and 4×4 drive across the dunes to the entrance of the village where the rental car will be waiting. Drive back to Montevideo to port or airport to return car.