(English)

Birding – Wildlife – Botanical - Horse riding

We will get into this small country through Montevideo the capital city and start the countryside trip visit a preserved area and charming estancia in the Maldonado province. We then continue the walk in the amazing coastal province of Rocha (system of nature protected areas and biosphere reserve). We arrive at a hotel built in the same style as the nearby 18th century fort, right on the border with Brazil. We walk along the beaches, over the shifting sand dunes, through palm groves and shady woodlands and skirt around the enormous wetlands between the estancias and beachside inns. The wetlands, some of the largest expanses of inland water to be found in South America, are fascinating and, combined with the walking along the beaches and across the “prairies”, create a unique experience. The variety of birds – humming birds, flamingos, kingfishers, flycatchers, rheas (similar to ostriches) and wildlife - that we see in these habitats is really incredible. Even though there is no high points to climb (max.100 meters), the terrain may be some times rough.Most nights are spent in typical “estancias” and small charming inns where guests can enjoy lovely scenarios, flowering gardens and the delicious and typical home made specialties.

Blanketed by wetlands, native forest, coastal lagoons, palm groves and sandy and rocky beaches, you will be able to feel connected with the traditions of this unexplored country. On this leisurely walk we’ll skirt the most diverse landscapes and experience the hidden treasures found on paths less travelled. Visit historic ranches, enjoy breathtaking landscapes, and get to know the people who have lived here for generations. This tour has been especially designed for people who love to learn and experience nature, cultures and traditional meals without sacrificing comfort. It has native bilingual guides, who, along with the local people, will help each visitor, experience the wonders of this country, immersed in a safe, friendly and natural environment.

Dates & Costs

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Montevideo, the capital city, Tango & Candombe: Walking Guests are met at the Carrasco International Airport and driven along the wonderful coastline called “Rambla” to the downtown hotel. We will immerse ourselves in Uruguayan culture in Montevideo, the most important city as well as the capital. Welcome luxurious barbecue at the Mercado del Puerto and free time to rest or explore the downtown streets and experience the typical Rio de la Plata music, the Tango or Candombe with the rhythms and coloured costumes. Montevideo is a very quite and safety city that combines museums, street markets, nice restaurants and very friendly people. L.

Day 2: Punta del Este and the Brazilian Border: Walking After breakfast, depart for a short drive to nearby Punta Del Este, the famous beach resort for the more elite South Americans. Punta del Este combines harmonically impressive nature with charming architecture. We will have lovely walks and have lunch at the port. At the evening 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 have dinner, and stay at the “Fortín de San Miguel”. AB, L, D

Day 3: San Miguel and National park, native forest and birds singing: Birding - Hiking After breakfast walk 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 previous days’ walks. 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 18th century and visit the pink granite small fort built in 1734 by the Spaniards, rebuilt after its destruction by the Portuguese in 1737. Our full hiking day – picnic included! - will be in the fields of the San Miguel National Park and the park guard will guide and show us all its secrets. During dinner we will have another chance to taste the excellent Uruguayan wines. Overnight at “El Fortín de San Miguel” AB, L, D.

Day 4: La Coronilla beach – Brazilian border, walk the firm pristine beachs Walking In the morning we will have time to relax; guests can also go shopping or explore to the ‘Chuy’ border (free shops, Uruguayan and Brazilian shops), a very curious town straddling the border where guests can step into Brazil and hear the locals speak a strange language made of a mixture of Spanish and Portuguese. After lunch we will fast walk along the wonderful, isolated ocean beach of ‘Barra Chuy’. Visitors seldom reach this beach so we can enjoy a long walk with no signs of habitation as we walk across the firm sands alongside the Atlantic Ocean. We arrive some miles further south at “La Coronilla” where after crossing a hanging bridge we will stay at small beachside hotel. AB, L, D.

Day 5: “Cerro Verde”, dolphins, sea turtles & shipwrecks Walking Today we will walk south, alternating beaches with coastal hills, sand dunes, and pine forests into the immense Santa Teresa National Park. We pass a shipwreck buried in the sand – one of many along this treacherous coast. Indeed, Polonio, the village we visit 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. From the “Cerro Verde” (Green Hill) most days there is the wonderful sight of dolphins feeding in the bay and we also have the chance to see some sea turtles. After a traditional picnic in front of the sea or in the middle of forest, we will walk back along the coast to the hotel for a wonderful dinner with barbecued fresh fish, Uruguayan wine and a pleasant overnight listening to the waves. AB, L, D.

Day 6: Don Bosco – tropical palm groves & Laguna Negra Birding - Hiking 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 walk into the unique extensive palm groves. Despite a number of stories, no one knows how the palm trees got here -some 300 years old; they are 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! During this amazing walk into a private estancia’s fields, we will reach the shores of a marshland 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 picnic on the lagoon shores, we hike into the native vegetation on the Don Bosco hills from where we will be able to enjoy an incredible view of the palm groves and the lagoon. Then we meet the vehicle and head to a nearby charming Oceanside inn, for overnight. AB, L, D.

Day 7: Cabo Polonio – shifting sands & sea lions Walking The day starts with an early walk to Cabo Polonio, a charming fishing village which can only be reached by foot, horse or special four wheeled drive. We will see several sea lions that populate the small islands and make up one of the largest populations of sea lions in the world; very occasionally we spot a migrating Franca Whale. After visiting the light house and having lunch at a typical sea side restaurant we will walk between the sea and the desert! A long chain of big shifting sand dunes gives the landscape outstanding beauty! We may cross on small boats the Valizas stream where it joins with the ocean or take a 4×4 drive back to the inn for a home made dinner and a pleasant night listening the waves. AB, L, D

Day 8: Guardia del Monte wetlands & Rocha lagoon Walking - Birtding - Horse Riding Today we will visit and walk (or ride on horsebak) at “Guardia del Monte”, a working estancia next to the “Laguna de Castillos”. “Guardia del Monte” has outstanding landscape beauty with important ecosystems like the wetlands with a great variety of birds and native scrublands. This area has been declared Natural Animal Reserve since 1996. We will have the opportunity to see the Ombú forest. The Ombú tree curiously rarely grows in groups of more than 2 or 3, the forest 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 meters (6 feet). After a typical countryside lunch we take our vehicle for a short “siesta-drive” to La Paloma. From La Paloma, a surfing summer resort, we will walk towards the sunset along a special area where a string of land separates the Rocha lagoon and the ocean. A lot of birds may be seen during this leisurely walk. After this walk full of surprises and diverse scenery, we spend our last night in stunning surroundings at a nice estancia where we will have a wonderful dinner. AB, L, D

Day 9: Working estancia Hiking - Horse Riding El Charabón is a beautiful working estancia specialized in calving and lambing. The landscape is absolutely different from the days before, El Charabón combines open and undulated prairies with a large Eucalyptus forestry. Guests can enjoy a relaxing morning around the very comfortable lounge and terraces of the beautifully designed property, admiring the views, hike or ride on horseback the surrounding. After a typical lab barbecue, guests will be driven to Montevideo airport in time for their outward flights or continue on pre-arranged extensions. AB

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