7 Days • 6 Nights

Uruguay Colonial & Estancia

Montevideo (2N) - Colonia del Sacramento (1N) - Gaucho estancia (3N)

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Tour Includes

Accommodation

Meals

Sightseeing

Transfers

Local Guide

Activities

Overview

About the Trip

Beyond its cities and beaches, Uruguay's soul lies in its rolling countryside and gaucho traditions, and this seven-day journey explores its rural, colonial heart. You begin in relaxed Montevideo, then travel to colonial Colonia del Sacramento, wandering its cobbled streets and watching sunsets over the river. The heart of the trip is a stay at a traditional working estancia deep in the pampas, where you ride horses with real gauchos, help with ranch life, enjoy folk music and dancing, and feast on asado barbecues beneath vast skies. Along the way you taste Tannat wine, meet warm rural communities, and soak up the unhurried rhythm of the countryside. Combining colonial charm with authentic gaucho life, it is a wonderfully immersive and relaxing journey into the traditional heart of Uruguay, far from the crowds.

Highlights

Trip Highlights

Relaxed, belle-epoque Montevideo
Colonial Colonia del Sacramento and river sunsets
A traditional working gaucho estancia
Horseback riding across the pampas
Folk music, dancing and asado barbecues
Tannat wine and warm rural communities

Itinerary

Day by Day

A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.

Day 1

Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in relaxed Montevideo, with a welcome dinner of Uruguayan beef and Tannat wine.

Your Journey This Day

Montevideo Airport

Arrival · Private

Montevideo hotel

Meals Included

Breakfast|Dinner

Day 2

A guided tour of Montevideo, its old town, rambla and port market, with an authentic asado barbecue lunch.

Meals Included

Breakfast|Lunch

Day 3

You travel west to colonial Colonia del Sacramento, wandering its cobbled streets, lighthouse and riverside, with a golden sunset over the river.

Your Journey This Day

Montevideo

Road · Scenic drive

Colonia

Meals Included

Breakfast

Day 4

A morning in Colonia before travelling to a traditional working estancia deep in the rolling pampas. Settle into ranch life with a first horseback ride and a hearty barbecue.

Your Journey This Day

Colonia

Road · Scenic drive

Estancia

Meals Included

Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner

Day 5

A full day of gaucho life, riding horses across the pampas, helping with ranch activities, and enjoying folk music, dancing and an asado beneath vast skies.

Meals Included

Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner

Day 6

A free day to enjoy the estancia at your own pace, more riding, walking, birdwatching, or simply relaxing in the peace of the countryside, with a farewell asado.

Meals Included

Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner

Day 7

After breakfast you are transferred back to the airport for your onward flight, full of Uruguay's rural charm.

Your Journey This Day

Estancia

Departure · Private

Montevideo Airport

Meals Included

Breakfast

Route Map

Where You Will Travel

Package

What's inside the package?

Inclusions

6 nights accommodation
Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, an asado lunch and full board at the estancia
Airport and internal transfers
Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
Ground transport or ferry as specified
Entrance and winery fees as per itinerary
a Montevideo tour, a Colonia tour and an estancia stay with horseback riding and gaucho activities

Exclusions

International airfare
Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
Drinks unless specifically stated
Optional excursions and experiences
Personal expenses and gratuities
Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions

Best Time to Travel

Know when to go.

Place

Uruguay

Conditions

Warm summer

Daily max temperature

28°C

Monthly rainfall

90mm

Weather data is based on monthly averages. Popularity rating

Good to Know

Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
Currency: The currency is the Uruguayan Peso; cards are widely accepted, and helpfully, tourists can often receive a tax refund on card payments for accommodation and restaurant meals. US Dollars are accepted in some tourist areas
Seasons reversed: Uruguay is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to March) is warm and the peak beach season, especially in Punta del Este, while winter (June to August) is mild and quiet, ideal for the cities and wine country
Getting around: Uruguay is small and easy to travel, with short drives linking Montevideo, Colonia, the wine country and the coast; a stylish ferry from Buenos Aires makes it an easy add-on to Argentina
Beaches & Punta del Este: The glamorous resort of Punta del Este and the chic village of Jose Ignacio are liveliest and busiest in the December-to-February summer; outside this, the coast is peaceful and prices are lower
Wine & food: Uruguay is a rising wine star, famous for its Tannat reds, and a land of superb beef and asado barbecue; wineries around Canelones and Carmelo welcome visitors for tastings and long lunches
Safety & pace: Uruguay is one of South America's safest, most relaxed and progressive countries; the pace is unhurried, the people warm, and normal sensible precautions are all that is needed
Health & power: No vaccinations are required, and tap water is generally safe in cities. Tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is 220V with type C, F and L plugs, so bring an adapter

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be able to ride a horse?

Not at all — the estancias welcome all levels, from complete beginners to experienced riders, with gentle horses and expert gauchos to guide you. You can ride as much or as little as you like, and there are plenty of other activities too.

What is an estancia stay like?

You stay at a traditional working ranch with comfortable, characterful accommodation and full board, sharing in gaucho life, riding, ranch activities, folk traditions and wonderful barbecues. It is an authentic, immersive and deeply relaxing experience of rural Uruguay.

What meals are included?

Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner, a winery lunch or an asado barbecue. Uruguay's beef, wine and seafood are a highlight, so most other meals are left free with our recommendations.

Is Uruguay easy to combine with Argentina?

Very — a stylish ferry links Buenos Aires with Colonia and Montevideo in around one to three hours, making Uruguay a wonderful and easy add-on to an Argentina trip. We can seamlessly combine the two.

Do I need a visa for Uruguay?

Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.

When is the best time to visit Uruguay?

Summer (December to March) is warm and the peak beach season, especially in Punta del Este, while spring and autumn are lovely and quieter for the cities and wine country. Winter is mild and peaceful. We advise on timing for your interests.

Is Uruguay safe?

Uruguay is one of South America's safest, most relaxed and progressive countries, with a warm, welcoming culture and an unhurried pace. Normal sensible precautions are all that is needed, and most visitors find it wonderfully easy and friendly.

Can the itinerary be customised?

Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of city, colonial towns, wine country and beach, add a Buenos Aires combination, change the pace and tailor hotels to your interests and budget.

From $2,890 / person

4.7