Day 1: Montevideo
Today is set aside to relax and explore the coastal city of Montevideo. Wander down the wonderful promenade next to the sea called Rambla to your downtown hotel. Enjoy lunch at the lively Port Market and a short walking tour of the Old City. Accommodation at Don Boutique Hotel
Day 2: Fortรญn de San Miguel
After breakfast, youโll be driven to the Brazilian border and into Rocha, arguably the most beautiful province in Uruguay with pristine beaches, emerald shores and a great network of lagoons.Head to Estancia La Rosada where you will meet the horses and have lunch. After lunch, enjoy a wonderful ride at the estancia to get to know your horse. Continue on to Fortin de San Miguel, where you can admire the views out across an enormous stretch of fresh water โ one of the largest lagoons in South America; the Merรญn Lagoon. This area is home to a wide variety of birdlife. Dinner and accommodation at Fortรญn de San Miguel Hotel.
Day 3: Barra de Chuy beach
After breakfast, youโll be transferred to the town of Chuy, a very curious town straddling the border. Saddle up and head out on the 3-4 hour ride towards the coast.
After a picnic lunch, riders can recharge with a siesta before enjoying a fast-paced ride along the wonderful, isolated beach of Barra Chuy. You can enjoy a long, exhilarating canter alongside the Atlantic Ocean before arriving at La Coronilla where you'll stay at a small beachside hotel.
Day 4: Santa Teresa national park
Today youโll ride south alternating between beaches, sand dunes, pine forests and coastal hills. You might spot dolphins in the water as you head towards the Santa Teresa National Park; 3000 hectares of forest containing over 2 million trees, most from other parts of the world. After a picnic lunch you can enjoy riding along the forest trails and down to the beach where youโll pass a shipwreck buried in the sand, one of many along this treacherous coast. Continue along the coast towards the lovely town of Punta del Diablo. Dinner and overnight at Posada Terrazas de la Viuda.
Day 5: Cabo Polonio
The day starts with a drive to the coast where youโll meet the horses and ride to the hidden Brioso Lagoon and along the beach of Valizas. After a picnic lunch, youโll ride on to Cabo Polonio, a charming fishing village which can only be reached by horse or SUV truck. This fascinating region is known for the huge area of shifting sand dunes. Dinner and accommodation at Posada La Perla.
Day 6: Wetlands, Lagoon & Ombu Forest
After breakfast, visit the lighthouse, and spot the many seals and sea lions that make up one of the largest populations of seals in the world; you may even spot a migrating whale. Depending on the time of year riders can take a dip in one of the most beautiful beaches in the country before riding towards the wetlands of Rocha. Journey alongside the Castillos Lagoon and across the untouched landscape of palm groves and Ombu forest. In the afternoon youโll reach the traditional Estancia Guardia del Monte where youโll spend the night.
Day 7: Cattle and sheep work with the gauchos on the estancia
After breakfast, take a morning ride along the estanciaยดs fields. Youโll have the chance to work alongside the gauchos and their trusty dogs as they tend to the cattle and sheep on this working ranch. The friendly gauchos all seem to have been born on a horse and it is a real treat to be riding with them. Enjoy lunch at the neighbouring estancia Barra Grande before riding back to Guardia del Monte for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: The small town of Castillos
Spend the morning riding across the estancia fields helping the gauchos to herd the cattle. Finish your morning ride with a kayak tour of the Anastasio stream and a typical picnic lunch of local chivitos. During the afternoon you ride to the beach with amazing landscapes of the ocean combined with the lagoon. Weather permitting, tonights dinner is enjoyed under the stars!
Day 9: Departure
Your final ride takes you to the town of Jose Ignacio where you'll enjoy lunch before heading back to Montevideo. En-route you'll stop for an afternoon visit of Punta Del Este and the surrounding area, where you say a final goodbye to Uruguay with a visit to the incredible Casapueblo. You'll eventually arrive back in Montevideo around 6.30pm. Accommodation is not included this evening.