Timote Gaucho Rides

Uruguay

In Depth

Share daily rides and life with native families and gauchos (cowboys) as you ride on purebred Uruguayan Criollo horses across the rolling hills and grasslands in the Timote Region of Uruguay. Annie Hareau, an environmental expert, leads small groups of 3 to 10 riders on 8 day all-inclusive adventures, three to four times per year. Each trip is designed to communicate the silent wisdom and respect that the gauchos have for the land and nature.

Journey from one estancia to another on Criollo horses across open grasslands and forests. At each ranch, travelers have time to get to know the people, while sharing life, culture and daily activies with the estancieros and the gauchos (cowboys). Each night is spent in a different traditional estancia (ranch), sharing meals and entertainment with local families.

During long rides, stop for lunch or tea at family ranches on the way or for a picnic by the river. Travelers venture through privately owned lands, which is normally only accessed by the local gauchos. Services are totally personalized and programs are tailored to suit the visitor’s special interests. Additional activities may be organized upon request. Timote Gaucho Rides is a member of the International Ecotourism Society and was recently declared a National Tourist Interest in Uruguay for its work in creating jobs for local people in their region.

Activities

Cattle Drives, Ecotourism, Natural Horsemanship, Ranch Work, Hiking

Additional Activities

Barrel Racing, Bird Watching, Canoeing, Cooking Classes, Holiday Programs, Honeymoon, Internet Access, Horseback Riding Lessons, Swimming Pool, Western Riding, Vegetarian Friendly, Wine Tours and Tastings, Women's Only, Work with cattle, Local style reiging competitions, Optional camping, Tango lessons, Optional visits to other parts of the country, cultural events, etc.

Accommodations

Comfortable accommodations in traditional ranch houses. All the estancias have their own unique style and are of varying size. Some are family working ranches, while others are run as countryside lodges. The number of rooms and facilities vary. Private bathrooms are normally available. Basic amenities provided everywhere.

Food

Meals include a large variety of tasty options for both beefeaters and vegetarians, as well as excellent local wines. All of the food is homemade, based on organic products. The traditional asado (barbecue) is a must for those who love beef. All four meals are included in the fee.

Area Attractions

The Timote lands offer beautiful landscapes of open grasslands and forests inhabited by large herds of cattle and horses and native fauna, such as the South American Ostrich. It is possibility to visit many different estancias within a short period of time. Some of them are of special historical and archtectural intetest and are unique to Timote. The combination of nature, excellent horses, and the gaucho culture makes for a varied and exciting vacation. Magic evening rides surrounded by millions of fireflies during the spring are a special treat.