New Year in Uruguay

New Year in Uruguay

Uruguay is undoubtedly South America's best kept secret. A country the size of England and Wales with a friendly population of just three million, it is perfect for riding with a non-tropial climate and diverse landscapes.

We have a fabulous package so you can spend New Year in Uruguay. Celebrate the festivities at home then jet off on the 26th December and kick start 2013 in style.

You'll enjoy seven days of varied paced riding taking in farmlands, wetlands, lassoing cattle, beach riding and shipwrecks to name just a few of the sights on offer. For further details check our itinerary and dates and prices pages.

Pre/post tour extensions in Uruguay and Buenos Aires/Argentina available. Please ask for details.

DAY 1: MONTEVIDEO  TO ROCHA: GAUCHO LIFE.

Guests are collected from the airport and arrive in time for lunch at the farmhouse and an afternoon ride out for three to four hours on the farm. This is the perfect chance to get to know the horses before a full day's riding the following day. You can also try the local speciality 'mate' which is drunk out of gourds with silver straws or the hooch which is made from the Palm fruit. Overnight: Farmhouse with solar powered electricity.

DAY 2: FARMLANDS RIDE.

A full days riding with a gaucho style lunch under the trees followed by a long siesta during the midday heat. Varied riding across pastures, lanes and drover's cattle tracks then into the woodlands where you might catch sight of Armadillos and a large South American flightless bird called the Rheas. Wild boar also inhabit the area. There will be a second overnight at the farm with a traditional 'asado' dinner and Uruguayan wines.

DAY 3: CATTLE WORK. ESTANCIA AT THE LAGOON.

Today we accompany the gauchos checking the sheep and cattle. The animals have to be counted and any errant ones located which often involves a ride across neighbouring properties to round them up. You'll get some top tips on lassoing the cattle and some obliging fence posts to practise on. Lunch is served on the veranda back at the farmhouse and then it's out of the hills Eastwards to ride towards the coast. Through forests, across a river, through Palm trees and once on the Estancia lands there's a chance to gallop across the grasslands to the Estancia house. Overnight at the Estancia situated next o the idyllic location of 'Laguna Castillos'

DAY 4: WETLANDS, WILDLIFE AND WATER.

A ride along the lagoon shores, paddling though the wetlands and crossing through native forests and scrub. The pastures on these flatland offer the opportunity for fast paced riding. There's plenty of wildlife to admire on the way to the ranch for lunch. You're likely to see Swans, Stalks, Herons and Spoonbills along the water's edge. After your day in the saddle you can laze in hammocks back at the Estancia or relax in the courtyard before enjoying a sumptuous home cooked meal.

DAY 5: THE DUNES & FISHING VILLAGE.

Today we ride out through a rare forest of ombues and strangler figs, across the wetlands out to the coast.  Passing towering Palm Trees with sheep and cattle grazing beneath we soon leave the rural landscape to ride on to the sand, through areas of dunes to an isolated fishing village.  After lunch which will include the 'catch of the day' you can relax at the hotel which is right on the beach or enjoy a swim in the beautiful bay.

DAY 6: THE BEST BEACH RIDE EVER.

After a trip to the fishing village in a four wheel drive you are driven Northwards up to the coast, almost on the Brazilian border. Here you'll have a delicious picnic lunch and be given fresh horses to ride along the golden sandy beach. The firm sand allows fast paced riding and the gentle waves add some fun too. Dinner and overnight are at a beachside hotel with time for a swim in the pool and drinks on the terrace.

DAY 7: SANTA TERESA FORT.

For the final ride we take the beautiful coastline to Santa Teresa Fort. Here we'll pass a shipwreck buried in the sand which is one of the many to have succumbed to this treacherous coast. Dolphins can often be seen in the bays making this a truly magical experience.  We have a chance to explore the imposing restored Santa Teresa Fort which is the centrepiece of the park, started in 1762 by the Portugese to defend the edge of their territories, then completed by the Spaniards who took it by assault a year later. We will ride into the forested areas and find a shady clearing for a picnic lunch after which we'll be met by a vehicle who will take us to Montevideo for an overnight at a comfortable hotel.

DAY 8: DEPARTURE.

After breakfast guests will be driven to the airport for their departure.

Ride Ability: Intermediate/Experienced

Suitable for non-riders: No

Dates:Set departure dates between  27th December 2012 - 8th January 2013. Please contact us to enquire about availability

Cost: Based on four riders or more with double room occupancy is £2017 per person.

Maximum 6 riders.

Not Included: Flights and Travel Insurance

Single Supplement:  Price and availability on request.

Weight Supplement: Riders over 95kg will be requested to pay a supplement for a second horse. Price available on request.

Small Group Supplement: If less than 4 riders the itinerary will remain the same but the transfer to and from Motevideo on day 1 and day 8 will be by public bus rather than private transfer. Supplement price per person available on request.

Tack: Neck reining (Western one hand style) help will be given to adjust to this style which is suited to long days in the saddle.

Meeting Point: Montevideo

Indicative flight price: London to Montevideo return £750 - £900pp

Transfer: Included

Hours In Saddle: 5/7

Group Size: 4-6

Price exludes:  lunch on day one and dinner on day seven, flights to Uruguay, departure taxes, gratuities, personal expenditure, drinks except mineral water on rides and at dinner.

Call us on +44 (0)1225 424413 or email contact@redlandsequestrian.com to check the ride availability and dates, once we have confirmed availability you can download and fill in a booking form:

• UK Rides Booking Form
• Worldwide Rides Booking Form

Each rider in the party must also complete a riding ability questionnaire before we can complete the final confirmation of your holiday booking.