13 Day Itinerary
£6,165pp
Discover Uruguay’s diverse beauty through a combination of wine tasting, horse riding trips through the countryside and visits to a selection of pristine beaches, topped off with luxurious sunset cruises.
Welcome to Uruguay! You’ll be picked up by your English speaking guide at the port of Colonia for the start of your walking tour of Colonia del Sacramento, declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Founded by the Portuguese and disputed for years by the crowns of both Spain and Portugal, Colonia’s magical history remains intact. Walk along the charming cobbled streets and discover the old city gate (Portón de Campo), the historical street, Calle de los Suspiros (Street of Sighs), the lovely squares and the local church, Iglesia Matriz. You’ll also have a chance to try the typical Uruguayan drink, called ‘mate’. You will spend the night at the centrally located and charming hotel, Charco.
Your next day in Colonia will begin with a transfer to Bodega el Quinton, where you’ll be able to enjoy a visit to the vineyards and olive plantations followed by wine and olive oil tasting. Continue onto La Vigna Cheese Farm, where you will learn about the production of local cheese and taste some of the best cheese varieties in the area, guided by the “Cheese Architect”. Agustin and Lucila, owners of La Vigna, have created a very special place guided by sustainability and organic production.
Today you will be travelling to Finca Narbona in Carmelo, with a stop on the way to visit Calera de las Huérfanas, a famous national monument. In the afternoon, you’ll be taken to Puerto Camacho where you will enjoy an unforgettable activity: Rio de la Plata Sunset Cruise. Enjoy a relaxing tour through the islands of the Delta, where the waters of Río de la Plata and Río Uruguay meet; this spot is considered to be ‘kilometre 0’ of both rivers.
Your next day in Carmelo will start with a tour of the local wineries, including wine tasting and lunch. Bodega El Legado is a family-owned winery which produces very exclusive fine wines using a unique technique in Uruguay. Their vineyards have no wires to hold on to, only a free vertical cord system that allows it to “express itself freely”. The winery visit includes a guided tour through the vines, wine cellar, and production area and a tasting of 3 wines paired with cheeses, salamis, and olives.
Next stop: Bodega Cordano, which is a small family-run winery now led by Ana Paula Cordano and her husband, the 5th generation of the family. The visit includes a guided tour of the production areas and vineyards and a stop at ‘Almacén de la Capilla’, a vintage grocery shop founded in 1855 by Antonio Cordano. The visit finishes with a tasting of 3 of their best wines and a delicious homemade lunch.
Today you will travel from Carmelo to the capital city of Montevideo. You’ll arrive in time for lunch at the Port Market and then meet with your guide for a walking tour of the old city. You will see historic buildings, such as the Palacio Salvo, the President’s office and the mausoleum of national hero José Artigas. Afterwards, dive into the historic city centre, where you will stroll along Sarandi pedestrian area and quickly arrive at Matriz Square, where the Cathedral of Montevideo and the town´s Cabildo are located. You’ll have a choice of a few museums: the MAPI – Museum of Pre-Columbian and Indigenous Art, the Torres Garcia Museum and the Gurvich Museum, mainly dedicated to their eponymous artists.
During your full day in the capital the following day, you’ll be able to enjoy a tour of the more modern neighbourhoods of Montevideo, which boast wide and tree lined streets, with magnificent stores and residences. From the Plaza Independencia you can admire the surrounding buildings of different heights and styles, which clearly define it as a city facing the future. We will see the Palacio Legislativo (Congress), the ‘Ciudad Abierta’ where you’ll find many green parks, famous monuments and residential areas such as Carrasco and Punta Gorda. You will also visit the studio of Lobo Nuñez, an Afro-Uruguayan drum luthier and percussionist considered a legend within the Uruguayan Candombe music genre. This is a memorable cultural encounter that will give you insider access to the secret world of the Uruguayan drums!
Today you’ll travel from Montevideo to Sacromonte, near Pueblo Edén. On the way, you will stop at the olive plantations of Olivos de las Animas where you will learn about the process of extra virgin olive oil and enjoy a tasting with lunch. Arriving at Sacromonte, enjoy a welcome wine tasting on top of the hill, overlooking the hills of the ‘Sierras de Caracoles’, which includes tasting of 3 wines and champagne.
During your stay in Sacromonte, you’ll have the chance to hike between Pueblo Eden & Viña Eden. The day begins with a drive to Pueblo Eden, where we will visit the chapel and main square of the town. We will start our hike following a trail used by locals to get to the different ranches in the area. We will cross various ‘porteras’ (countryside gates), native trees, prairies full of cows and sheep and a small stream. A beautiful landscape of slopes and rolling hills unfolds before us. Approximately 8 kms later, our hike finishes and we will head on to the Viña Eden winery for a well-deserved lunch overlooking the vineyards.
Punta Del Este is definitely one of South America’s most glamorous resorts. You will be able to see many beaches, elegant seaside homes, high-rise apartment buildings, luxury hotels and glitzy restaurants. This tour will take you through Punta Del Este’s attractions: the Main Avenue, Juan Gorlero, the artisans market, the yacht’s port, the church Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, the lighthouse, the beaches and the residential neighbourhoods of Golf, San Rafael, Beverly Hills, Rincón Del Indio and Cantegril. We will also visit La Barra, famous with surfers and we will make a stop in Punta Ballena where you will see Casapueblo, a unique and quirky building constructed by the famous Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró.
During your time on the coast, you’ll also have a number of excursions included. The first of which begins with a visit to the sleepy town of Garzon and then continues on to the Garzon Winery for a visit with tasting and lunch included. Built atop a rocky outcrop, the winery offers amazing views of the vineyards perched on the hillside with mineral intense, well-draining soils that create high-quality grapes.
You will also have the chance to enjoy a barefoot trek across the sand dunes to the village of Cabo Polonio, where you can visit one of the largest colonies of sea lions in South America. Completely isolated from the nearby towns by a big strip of sand dunes, the village remains loyal to its charm and spirit! This marvellous 3-hour trek will take you from the middle of the desert to experiencing a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean.
On your last day in Jose Ignacio, you can enjoy a beautiful horse ride, passing through local estancias and out onto the sandy beach of the Atlantic Ocean. Riding cross-country along these countryside trails, we will have the chance to see local wildlife such as capybaras, Ñandúes (American Rheas), mulitas (armadillos), and local deer. A memorable experience with the best scenery of Uruguay as a backdrop!
The final day of your trip will give you the morning to soak up the last of this wonderful country, before you depart back home.
Day Itinerary
£6,165pp
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