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URUGUAY
- ESTANCIAS & BEACH RIDE
8
nights - 8 days riding
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Higlights
We
start
our ride in the amazing coastal province of 'Rocha' - protected area
and declared world
biosphere reserve
- when we arrive at a hotel built in the same style as the nearby
17th century fort, right on the border with Brazil. We ride along isolated
beaches,
over shifting
sand dunes,
through palm
groves
and shady woodlands and on along the shores of the wetlands.
The variety of birds
- hummingbirds, flamingos, kingfishers, flycatchers, rheas (similar
to ostriches) - that we see in these habitats is incredible. The
pace will be many times quite fast (lots of canters) - the grassy
pastures and firm beaches allow this on strong and well-trained
criollo and criollo cross horses.
While
staying at charming seaside inns and working ranches – estancias
– where ride with and help the gauchos with cattle
drives, you will be able to feel connected with the
traditions of this unexplored country. On this ride you'll skirt the
most diverse landscapes, surprising wines, excellent
food ! and
experience the hidden treasures found on paths less travelled.
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Regular
Dates 2011:
Oct
22-29 ; Nov 19-26 ; Nov 19-26 ; Dec 03-10
Rates
2011: U$D
2550. Single supl. + 380
Include:
Accommodations, meals and mineral water (except
day 1), English
speaking guide, 8
riding days, horses and grooms services & 8 nights (private
bathrooms), transfers to and from airports, Montevideo city tour.
Not
included: Soft and alcoholic drinks, personal expenses and tips.
Extensions
in Uruguay (Montevideo - Punta del Este) , Argentina (Buenos Aires -
Iguaçu Falls ...) and Brazil, pre y post ride are easily arranged.
ASK
FOR OTHER AVAILABLE DATES FOR CLOSED GROUPS
Our riding season goes from October to April
CONTACT
US for direct bookings:
info@lares.com.uy
Tel:
(598 2) 9019120 – Wilson Ferreira Aldunate 1341, Montevideo,
Uruguay
Specialized
agencies that offer our products:
Hidden
trails
; Ride World wide ; Pegassus;
Ride Andes; Equestrian
safaris; Greenways travel;In the Saddle
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Detailed
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Montevideo – Tango & Candombe
Today
is set aside to relax and explore the seaside city of Montevideo the
most important city as well as the capital. Guests are met at the
Carrasco International Airport and driven along the wonderful
coastline called “Rambla” to the downtown hotel. Free time for
lunch ( a luxury barbecue at the Mercado del Puerto is strongly
recommended !) explore the downtown streets and experience the
typical Rio de la Plata music, the Tango or Candombe with the
rhythms and coloured costumes. Short city tour to discover Montevideo, a very quite and safe
city that combines museums, street markets, nice restaurants and
very friendly people. Overnight at a
nice centrally located 3 to 4 star hotel. (meals
are not included today)
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Day 2: 18th
century Fortín de San Miguel
After
breakfast we will be driven to the Brazilian border and into Rocha,
arguably the most beautiful province in Uruguay with its pristine
beaches, emerald shores and network of lagoons. We will visit
‘Chuy’ , a very curious town straddling the border where guests
can step into Brazil and hear the locals speak a strange language made
of a mix of Spanish and Portuguese.
As we arrive at the hotel built in the same stone as the nearby
Portuguese fortress we can admire the views out across an enormous
stretch of fresh water -one
of the largest fresh water reserves of South America, the "Merin
Lagoon". We are right on the Brazilian border. After lunch we
will met gauchos and horses, to ride around the rolling hills of San
Miguel enjoying a wonderful panoramic view of the area from the top of
the boulder covered ‘Cerro Picudo’. The view across the flat
lowlands and the huge lagoon provides a very different landscape to
the following days’ rides. We can smell the sea and on clear days
view the coast. This area is home to a wide variety of birds and we
will see many different native trees and bushes. We will also have the
chance to see the Cimarron cattle – the first cattle, introduced
from Spain in the 17th century and depending on what the gauchos are
doing, they may need a hand to work these tame animals. We will stay
at the " Fortín de San Miguel", guests can enjoy the
gardens, swimming pool and the relaxed atmosphere. AB,
L, D
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Day
3: Barra de Chuy beach –
Brazilian border & ride along a pristine beach.
In
the morning we will have a nice 3-4 hours ride along the Brazilian
border, sometimes riding in Uruguay and others in Brazil !
After
a special picnic lunch at a working estancia, riders may have a
pleasant “siesta” discovering that gauchos saddles are so
comfortable to ride as to sleep! . Then we will have a fast-pace
ride along the wonderful, isolated ocean beach of ‘Barra Chuy’.
Visitors seldom reach this beach so we can enjoy a long,
exhilarating canter with no signs of habitation as we ride across
the pure white sands alongside the Atlantic ocean. We arrive 22km
(12 miles) further south at "La Coronilla" and stay at
small beachside hotel. AB,
L, D
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Day
4: Santa Teresa national park, dolphins & shipwrecks.
Today
we will ride south, alternating beaches with coastal hills, sand
dunes, pine forests into the immense Santa Teresa National Park. The
center piece of the park is a fort started in 1762 by the Portuguese
to defend the edge of their territories then completed by the
Spaniards who took it by assault just a year later. This was just
the start of a succession of conquering, loosing and reconquering
the fort; it was not until 1825 that the newly forming ‘Uruguay’
finally captured and held the fort.
The fort is surrounded by 3000 hectares of forest containing
over 2 million trees the majority from other parts of the world and,
after a picnic lunch 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. Indeed, Polonio, where we ride
later is named after a Spanish galleon that went down just off the
point. Luckily ‘Beagle’ with Charles Darwin aboard did not
succumb to this fate and Darwin spent quite some time in Uruguay
collecting species and most likely starting to formulate his
theories of evolution. Most days there is the wonderful sight of
dolphins feeding in the bay. After a traditional picnic close to the
fortress or on the beach depending on the weather ,
we can choose between been
driven or canter back
along the water’s edge to the hotel for barbecued fresh fish,
Uruguayan wine and a pleasant overnight listening to the waves. AB,
L, D
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Day
5: Don Bosco – tropical palm groves & Laguna Negra
After
an early breakfast, we will be driven along a very scenic road near
to the famous "Laguna Negra"
(the ‘black lagoon’, named after the dark waters). We
will meet the horses and ride into the native vegetation on the Don
Bosco hills from where we will be able to enjoy an incredible view
of the unique extensive palm groves and Laguna Negra. Despite a
number of stories, no one knows how the palm trees got here -some
300 years old; they are not native but they give the landscape a
very exotic look. During the trip we will pass many roadside stalls
selling the fruit and the less innocent ‘hooch’ brewed from the
palm nuts. The cloudy, sticky liquid is so potent that if you leave
the cap off the old bottles it is sold in the liquor evaporates in a
flash! Descending the hills we ride alongside the lake where we will
surely see ibis, herons, egrets, storks and a legion of migrating
birds (birds arrive here from as far as Alaska and the Falkland
Islands). After a typical lunch on the lagoon shores, we ride on
eastwards through the palm groves and back towards the coast where
we meet the vehicle and head to a nearby working Estancia El Sauce
for overnight. AB, L, D
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Day
6: An authentic estancia – ‘mate’ tea & the
gaucho life
We
wake up on a farm - El Sauce is a working estancia run by its
owners
where we will enjoy a full day riding around the crops and very
varied vegetation on the property.
The
estancia, built in 1920, is very comfortable –it is not a hotel
but the family house that we have been invited to stay as guests of
the owners, offering us an incredible experience and a very special
insight into the life in the country. For example, guests can sample
the ‘mate’ sipped hot out of a dry gourd. The gauchos and their
mate are inseparable and a ceremony has developed around drinking
mate. In addition to
the cattle grasslands this estancia has a large area of marshlands
and also rice crops both of which are teeming with bird life (more
than 400 species in this area) making another very varied ride and
giving us the chance to see the graceful black-necked swan (largest
populations in the world found here), the rare white goose and many
ducks and other birds such as the largest bird in South America- the
‘ostrich-like’ “ñandú” (rhea). Otters, coypus and
capybaras inhabit the marshlands and streams. At several points on
the trip we will see the pink flamingo – a species of flamingo
with very bright pink pigment and quite common in Uruguay. Overnight
at this authentic working estancia. AB,
L, D
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Day
7: Cabo Polonio – shifting sands & sea lions
The
day starts with a drive to the ocean coast . We will met
our horses and ride into the desert! We ride through the area
which has been declared a natural animal reserve and a Biosphere
Natural Reserve by UNESCO. We will ride to Cabo Polonio, a charming
fishing village which can only be reached by horse or four wheeled
drive. The fascinating part of the area is the huge area of shifting
sand dunes, as we ride through it is possible to imagine that we are
right in the middle of the Sahara. After lunch at a typical
restaurant on the beach we will see seals and sea lions that
populate the small islands and make up one of the largest
populations of seals in the world; very occasionally we spot a
migrating Right Whale. Riders can swim in one of the most beautiful
beaches of the country. After this ride full of surprises and
diverse scenery, we will stay at a lovely comfortable working
estancia, El Charabón. AB,
L, D
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Days 8: El
Charabón working
estancia – open praires an beach ride
We
continue our Uruguayan ride experience at Estancia El Charabón
(Charabón means small rhea). El Charabón is a 1200 ha, beautiful
working estancia specialized in calving and lambing. Today we will
enjoy new horses and a long ride to the nearby beach to have a
picnic lunch. Ride back to the estancia and relax in the open
swimming before having
a wonderful sunset tea
time. Uruguayan wine, lamb barbecue and the homemade specialties
are a special complement for
beautiful cantering days at this charming estancia.
AB, L, D
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Day
9 : Estancia cattle drives and traditional
meals
At
day nine, in addition to very nice ride on the excellent horses bred
at the estancia, we will have the chance of helping the gauchos and
their working dogs on cattle and sheep drives. The landscape is
absolutely different from the days before. El Charabón combines
open prairies with a large Eucalyptus forestry. After the morning
ride at the estancia, we will have the goodbye lunch and be driven
to Montevideo airport or extensions. L
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Testimonials
“Fast
pace riding along the firm sandy beaches and across the grasslands
on excellent horses. Traditional barbecues then riding on over the
dunes, through palm groves, beside inland lakes teeming with
wildfowl and on to old Portuguese and Spanish forts or beachside
hotel to admire a stunning sunset. Dolphins feeding in the beautiful
bays, black-necked swans gliding across the lagoons, chattering
parrots flying over, capybaras wading in the reeds. Incredibly
friendly locals and charming, skilled gauchos to accompany us and
talk of their unique lives and their traditions. Fascinating stories
of battles and shipwrecks, including one of nelson’s fleet ... and
all this in one of the safest south American countries, still
remarkably untouched by tourism!” Sally,
March 2003
"Thank
you for including me on your premier horse trek in Uruguay! It was
absolutely wonderful. In a place as exotic as this, I expected both
the people and the scenery to be unique from any past riding
experiences I have had elsewhere in South America, and I was not
disappointed in the slightest. The gauchos we rode with were truly
delightful and 'authentically Uruguayan', from their clothing and
horses down to their accents, and the countryside rich in vistas and
culture." Adele,
March 2003.
"I
thoroughly enjoyed the recent riding holiday in Uruguay. The country
has diverse and beautiful terrain and the itinerary ensured that the
ride incorporated all of the 'must see' areas. Guides competently
matched the horses with riders on the tour and with accompanying
gauchos, our every need was met! " Susan
March 2004
"I
can't really pick out my favorite part of the holiday as I enjoyed
everyday. The horses and the people were particularly special. Both
of my horses were totally genuine and willing with big hearts.
Neither of them put a hoof wrong and I felt v safe at all times no
matter what the pace or terrain (which was surprisingly varied). The
horses back in England could learn a lot! ... I will also have fond
memories of the people who were so kind and keen to welcome us into
their homes and to teach us about their farms...Sarah,
November 2003
"Thanks
a lot for Uruguays Horse Adventure. Ride on the beach was one of my
best in my life. Great time, great rides, great people. My best time
during South America´s trip
Peter
April 2004
"My
horse was responsive, fast and as you probably guessed, I had
enormous fun riding her. The scenery, whilst not dramatic, was
tranquil and gave a great sense of space with the coastal sections
being particularly enjoyable.
The accommodation was comfortable and special mention must be made
of our numerous hosts for their kindness and warm hospitality. I
would also like to pass on my sincere thanks to Alejandro and Paola
and his team for their hard work. The organization as a whole was
impressive and, if you were all paddling away like fury beneath the
water, everything seemed pretty serene on the surface to me!" Simon,
November 2003
"Thank-you
for a fabulous holiday. Uruguay is a gentle country with vast, open
skies and beaches, humorous people and lively, eager horses. Each
day was varied, enormous fun, the estancias were all idyllic
and their owners charming and welcoming. .... Kirstin
, November 2003
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Notes
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Lares
& Ride Andes terms & conditions apply.
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A
booking is confirmed only upon receipt of the corresponding
deposit.
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We
reserve the right to alter the itinerary due to circumstances
beyond our control.
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Appropriate
medical insurance is mandatory and the responsibility of each
guest/booking agent.
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It
is the responsibility of the individual guest/booking agent to
ensure that participants have the necessary riding skills to
take part in the tour chosen.
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Guests
are strongly advised to wear their riding helmets while riding.
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Guests
will be required to sign a responsibility release before
starting a tour.
Horses
& tacks: there
will normally be three changes of horses during the ride. As always
one or more spare horses will accompany us. The horses are the local
Uruguayan Criollo breed and criollo cross: ideally suited to the
terrain. Criollo is the horse breed in Uruguay, Argentina and the
south of Brazil. The breed was developed from horses that were
brought from Spain in the 17th century and then breaded
in this region. Criollo is a strong horse with an excellent walk and
good character. We use local, ‘western’ type saddle with a sheep
skin. Neck reining (western ‘one-hand riding). Help will be given
in adjusting to this tack which is very suitable for long days in
the saddle.
Accommodations:
The accommodations provided in this program include the most
interesting and charming hotels, lodges and ranches available in the
areas we visit, all of which include private bathroom. They are
clean, comfortable and provide a very good service. You will be able
to get good night’s sleep in pleasant surroundings. If you are
sharing your room, please let us know in advance if you prefer twin
or double beds.
Climate:
The weather in Uruguay is variable, but you can expect somewhat warm
spring and autumn temperatures, although we might also get some cool
days (especially early in the morning or at night) and perhaps some
rainy days too. The average temperature at this time of year is 65
F, average lows are 54 F, and average highs are 74 F.
Clothes
and Equipment:
Clothes and equipment should be light to accommodate for riding. You
will also need: Sun block, insects repellent, a warm coat, jacket or
sweater, hat (sun/rain), footwear (boots or sneakers) bathing suit
and wet weather gear for the eventuality of rainy days. Don’t
forget to bring your camera and binoculars. Remember that as your
bags will be transfer from accommodation to accommodation by car,
you can pack as much cloth as you want to feel comfortable.
Emergencies:
In case of accident, our guides will always carry a mobile phone
which they will use to contact local assistance. All of the towns
along our route count on a medical emergency service.
Health
services: In
general, public sanitation and health care in Uruguay are very good.
In the event of illness or accident during your stay, you should be
prepared to pay for assistance. Upon return home you can submit a
claim for reimbursement according to the specifications of your
insurance policy. Visa and Master card are credit cards commonly
accepted.
Safety:
The
places we will be visiting in the countryside are completely safe.
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CONTACT
US for direct bookings:
info@lares.com.uy
Tel:
(598 2) 9019120 – Wilson Ferreira Aldunate 1341, Montevideo, Uruguay
ASK
FOR OTHER AVAILABLE DATES FOR CLOSED GROUPS
Our riding season goes from October to April
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