Uruguay

Starting Price:	$8,039.00
Trip Length:	13 days

Mercado del Puerto

Estancia La Vigna

Horseback Riding in the Countryside

Complete Uruguay Highlight: Montevideo, Colonia, Punta del Este and Traditional Estancias

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

This tour will bring you to many exquisite regions in Uruguay. You will visit Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital and largest city; Cabo Polonia, a quiet fishing village with one of the world’s largest sea lion reserves; Colonia, a small colonial city on the banks of Río de la Plata; and Punta del Este, an upscale seaside-resort town that’s come to be known as the St.-Tropez of Uruguay, and with good reason.

First settled by the Spanish and Portuguese as a mercantile and military base, Montevideo soon came to be Río de la Plata’s main port, a role that’s shaped the city’s profound cultural heritage in no small measure. From the Prado district and the Legislative Palace to Mercado del Puerto, an indoor market (full of small shops that sell books, crafts, clothing and textiles) that’s come to be a venue for local musicians a typical rendezvous for Montevideanos., Montevideo’s highlights are “must-sees” for travelers.

Colonia’s highlights fall into the same category. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, Colonia’s historic quarter is almost otherworldly. The Street of Sighs, the city gate (and its original wooden drawbridge), the bullring, the Viceroy’s house, the Portuguese Museum and Iglesia Matriz, the oldest church in Uruguay are just some of its draws. Well preserved and full of charm, you’re sure to lose yourself on its stone-paved streets just as you’re sure to see why Punta del Este is comparable to St.-Tropez.

Located in the province of Maldonado, just a half hour away from Montevideo, Punta del Este has come to be known for its long, white beaches; high-end resorts & restaurants; cutting-edge art galleries; all-night nightlife; and water sports, from sailing and fishing to windsurfing, jet-skiing, scuba diving and surfing. (Other non-water sports, such as polo, golf, tennis and rugby, are common Punta del Este pastimes as well.)

At dusk, Punta del Este’s art galleries, bars, cafes, discotheques and restaurants come alive. Whether you’re up for a long dinner or you’re ready to catch the sunrise, Punta del Este is the place to be (and be seen).

As if that weren’t enough, on this trip you’ll also have the chance to explore Cabo Polonia, a quiet fishing village (with one of the world’s largest sea lion reserves), and visit several estancias and vineyards….

This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Yampu offers a choice of 3-, 4-, 5-Star and deluxe hotels. Our deluxe option features a suite at Radisson Victoria Plaza in Montevideo, the Four Seasons in Colonia and the Mantra Resort and Spa in Punta del Este. Please feel free to ask your travel consultant about these options.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Visited Cities:
Montevideo, Colonia, Punta del Este (Not Christmas or Easter)

Day 1

Montevideo
Flight to Montevideo. Reception and transfer to your hotel upon arrival.

Day 2

Montevideo
In the morning, you'll take a three-hour tour of Montevideo, Uruguay's largest city and capital, showcasing colorful street markets, the Gaucho Museum and the historic quarter—its highlights, its architectural nuances and galleries. From there you'll head to El Mercado del Puerto, an indoor market with small shops that sell books, crafts, clothing and textiles. The market has come to be a venue for local, up-and-coming musicians a common "meet up" for Montevideanos. Lunch at La Posada Don Tiburon, a good market restaurant, where you can try out some authentic Uruguayan cuisine. After lunch, you'll explore Carrasco, Punta Gorda and Pocitos (all residential neighborhoods) and walk along the Rambla on the coast. Note: You can opt to take your city tour in the morning or afternoon, and, on top of that, it's possible for us to customize the tour for you.

In the afternoon, you'll head to the outskirts of Montevideo to tour some of Uruguay's finest vineyards, see how wine is produced, visit the wine boutiques and cellars and taste Tannat as well as some other wines. (Tasting included.) Be sure to check and some of the local boutiques and bring some wine back with you. Note: Street Markets are only open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Day 3

Montevideo – Colonia
Morning transfer to the bus station, where you'll connect with your bus to Colonia. Reception at the bus station and transfer to your hotel upon arrival.

In the afternoon, you'll explore Colonia's historic quarter—the stone-paved streets, colonial architecture, forts, Spanish and Portuguese museums, the port and last but by no means least, Ferrando Beach. From the beach, you'll follow the Coastal Rambla, an esplanade from the Old City to the "Real de San Carlos," and visit the bullring, the horses' race course and the old port. Lunch at Meso de La Plaza Restaurant.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner at La Casa de Jorge Páez Vilaró, a restaurant and art gallery.

Day 4

Colonia
After breakfast, you'll visit the Zubizarreta winery (founded by Pedro Zubizarreta fifty years ago) and The Irurtia Winery (the biggest winery in Uruguay). Tannat, Uruguay's all-star grape, produces deep, herbal red wines made with blackberries (sometimes blueberries) that Time Magazine has aptly described as “marvelously complex” and “beautifully structured."

For lunch, you'll head to Finca Narbona, a farm that elaborates delicious cheese, cultivates organic fruits and vegetables and produces exquisite wines. Narbona’s restaurant has brick and mud walls, a dividing wall with more than 1,700 wine bottles and a countryside kitchen with a first-rate cheese deposit.

Day 5

Colonia – La Vigna
In the morning you'll set off on a Gourmet Cheese of Colonia Valdense Tour, visit three local artisan producers and taste some typical homemade cheeses. Later, you'll transfer to Posada La Vigna located in Colonia Valdense. Dinner and overnight stay.

A traditional, 1880s estancia with thirty hectares to its name, La Vigna is set apart by its sustainability, the artists and intellectuals that it tends to draw and, perhaps, above all, its homemade pecorino cheese. The owner is the only sheep milk farmer in Uruguay. Some of the available activities are bike riding, bocce & table games, fishing, horseback riding and trekking.

Day 6

La Vigna – Punta del Este
After breakfast, private transfer to Punta del Este. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. After you've settled in, you'll take a city tour featuring some of Punta del Este's foremost highlights, the port; Juan Gorlero, the main avenue, and some residential neighborhoods, such as the San Rafael, Rincón del Indio, Cantegril and Golf. After that, you'll cross La Barra, an undulated bridge, and visit the Indigenous Park as well as Mansa and Brava beaches and Beverly Hills, one of Punta del Este's most elegant neighborhoods. Last but by no means least, you'll visit Casapueblo, once the self-designed home of Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró's and now an art gallery, museum, hotel and sculpture in its own right.

Day 7

Punta del Este – Lavalleja (Posada Balcón del Abra or Kururu)
After breakfast, private transfer to your Posada. Day at leisure. Take advantage of your surroundings: Bird watch, take a walking tour, or horseback ride. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8

Lavalleja
Another day at leisure. Explore or just take it easy. (All meals included.)

Day 9

Lavalleja – Rocha (Estancia Guardia del Monte)
After lunch, you'll head to Estancia Guardia del Monte, a private transfer that's worthwhile in it of itself; be sure to look around. In the late afternoon, you'll visit to an ombú forest, one of the few that still exist. Part of the Humedales del Este (declared Biosphere Natural Reserve by the UNESCO) and located on the border of the Castillos Lagoon, the landscapes that surround Estancia Guardia Monte are staggering.

Many outdoors activities are available, such as bird watching, canoeing, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10

Guardia del Monte
In the morning, you'll go for a horseback ride through the palm groves. Rest of the day at leisure. (All meals included.)

Day 11

Guardia del Monte – Cabo Polonio (Estancia El Charabón)
After breakfast, you'll head for Cabo Polonio, a small fishing village that's only accessible by horseback or by cars with four-wheeled drive on account of shifting sand dunes—sand dunes that make you feel as if you're in the middle of the Sahara. You'll have lunch at La Perla, or The Pearl, a small, local posada, or lodge, that looks out on the sea. After lunch, you'll check out the seals and sea lions on the surrounding islands. (Collectively these islands have one of the largest populations of seals in the world.) Then, you'll continue on to Estancia El Charabón, where you'll stay overnight. Dinner included.

Day 12

Estancia El Charabón
Day at leisure to enjoy this beautiful Estancia (all meals included). Overnight stay.

At El Charabón, Fabian, who couldn't be much more attentive, will take you on guided tours. Guests can opt to lend a hand with rural tasks, learn more about cattle breeding or horseback ride through the countryside toward the beach or just take it easy.

Day 13

El Charabón – Montevideo
After breakfast, private transfer to Montevideo’s airport to take your flight back home.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Montevideo
3-star	Ermitage, Embajador or similar.
4-star	Melia Confort, NH Columbia or similar.
5-star	Belmont House, Sheraton or similar.
Deluxe	Radisson Victoria Plaza SUITE or similar
Colonia
3-star	Posada don Antonio or similar.
4-star	Radisson Colonia or similar.
5-star	Sheraton Colonia Golf and Spa or similar.
Deluxe	Four Seasons or similar.
Punta del Este (Not Christmas or Easter)
3-star	Remanso or similar.
4-star	Serena or similar.
5-star	Conrad Resort or similar.
Deluxe	Mantra Resort and Spa or similar.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

13 days , from $8039

Occupancy Type	3-Star	4-Star	5-Star	Deluxe
Double	$8039	$8248	$8868	$9241
Single	$9126	$9515	$10502	$11369

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Prices include air transportation from Miami to Montevideo in economy class as well as hotel accommodation complete with daily continental breakfast, city tours in English including all entrance fees, all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling, and meals where specified. Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote).

The tour prices are based on doing the tour as it’s been outlined. Modifications will only be quoted at your request.

Estancia Balcón del Abra y Estancia Kururu
On day seven and day eight, 3-Star and 4-Star accommodation will be at Estancia Kururu, and 5-star and Deluxe accommodation will be at Balcón del Abra.

Balcón del Abra
In between the hills of the Province of Lavalleja, only minutes away form the small town of Mariscala, and 160 km away from the capital city of Montevideo, El Balcon del Abara offers unique landscapes, great comfort and the charm of a small posada with only 4 rooms. Guests will discover wonderful trails on horseback and trekking up the hills, along the countryside and across streams including the fantastic Salamanca Grottoes day trip and visits to nearby estancias. Rediscover nature, the history and rural tourism of Uruguay and let yourself be surprised by the beauty of wildlife. The delicious homemade food with organic products from the orchard and the excellent wines will stimulate your senses and help you relax and enjoy one of the best and unforgettable holidays! Horseback riding, Bird watching, walking tours available.

Posada Kururú
Located about an hour from Montevideo International Airport and about half an hour from Punta del Este International Airport Posada Kururú features 8 bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, games room, trekking path, horses, bycicles and magnificent views for you to enjoy one of the most beautiful places in the Uruguayan countryside. Our meals, based on a set menu with the best of a homemade and healthy cuisine, are served at a shared table, so that our guests can meet each other and make new friends. Additionally to all the classic activities available in the Posada and with the support of specialized staff, Kururú organises trekking and horseback rides at “Sierra de las Ánimas”, as well as canoe rides at the Solís Grande River.

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