Highlights and Tastes of Uruguay Tour Package
10 Days - 9 Nights
- Based on Double Occupancy
Immerse yourself in the delicious local foods and wines of Uruguay for 10D/9N starting at $5,221.00 per person.
Discover the culinary and vinous highlights of Uruguay. Be ready to be surprised by a variety of exquisite tastes!
Immigrants introduced both cheese and wine to Uruguay hundreds of years ago, and nowadays the country is rich in vineyards, wineries, artisan cheese producers, and olive oil plants. These traditions have flourished, creating a vibrant gastronomic scene that blends European heritage with South American flair. Beyond the renowned Tannat wines, which are a must-try for any oenophile, you’ll find a diverse range of varietals thriving in Uruguay’s unique terroir, including elegant Albariño, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, and even Italian varietals like Sangiovese and Nero d’Avola.
The country’s culinary landscape also boasts exceptional grass-fed beef, often prepared as an asado (barbecue) that is a true cultural experience. This slow-cooked, smoky meat is a national obsession, and you’ll find everything from tender entraña (skirt steak) to picanha (rump cap) cooked to perfection over wood or charcoal. Pair a rich, complex Tannat with a juicy asado for an unforgettable meal, or opt for a lighter Tannat or a Pinot Noir-Tannat blend with the iconic chivito, a hearty steak sandwich loaded with diverse toppings like ham, cheese, egg, and vegetables.
But the delights don’t stop there. The strong Italian influence means pasta is a staple, with homemade varieties like ravioli, lasagne, and gnocchi regularly gracing tables, often accompanied by the unique Uruguayan invention, Caruso sauce (a creamy blend of meat, onions, ham, and mushrooms). Spanish influences are also evident in dishes like guisos (stews) and desserts such as churros and alfajores (shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche).
Speaking of dulce de leche, this caramelized milk spread is a national treasure, used in countless desserts and pastries, from alfajores to the light and airy Chajá cake, a delightful concoction of sponge cake, meringue, cream, and peaches. And for a truly local experience, try tortas fritas, a fried dough snack, especially comforting on a rainy day, often enjoyed with yerba mate, the traditional herbal infusion sipped from a gourd through a metal straw.
Uruguay’s cheese production, influenced heavily by Swiss and Italian settlers in areas like Colonia Suiza (Nueva Helvecia), offers a diverse range from the popular, mild Colonia cheese with its characteristic “eyes,” to harder, sharper varieties like Sbrinz and Parmesan. These artisan cheeses perfectly complement the local wines and olive oils.
The burgeoning olive oil industry, particularly in regions like Maldonado, is gaining international recognition for its high-quality extra virgin olive oils, often made from Arbequina, Coratina, and Frantoio olives. Many producers offer tastings, allowing visitors to appreciate the fresh, peppery notes of these liquid gold treasures.
The Narbona Wine Lodge in Carmelo offer an exceptional blend of history, luxury, and viticulture. This Relais & Châteaux property, housed in a beautifully renovated estate from 1909, allows guests to step back in time while enjoying modern comforts. Surrounded by vineyards producing exquisite Tannat, Pinot Noir, and other varietals, Narbona provides intimate stays in its few uniquely designed suites. Guests can partake in guided winery and cellar tours, indulge in exclusive wine and cheese tastings (featuring cheeses made on the estate’s own creamery), or even blend their own wine. The farm-to-table restaurant further enhances the experience, serving seasonal dishes with ingredients sourced directly from the estate’s farm and olive groves. Narbona Wine Lodge is a testament to Uruguay’s commitment to offering refined and authentic wine tourism, allowing visitors to truly slow down and savor the rhythms of vineyard life.
Dining in Uruguay is not just about the food; it’s a social ritual. Meals are often leisurely affairs, particularly dinner, which can start as late as 9 pm, allowing for extended sobremesa – the cherished time after a meal spent lingering, chatting, and bonding with family and friends. This immersive experience, where culinary traditions meet warm hospitality, truly defines the gastronomic heart of Uruguay.
Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.
Day 1: Colonia del Sacramento
Arrive Colonia Del Sacramento (via ferry from Buenos Aires) and transfer to Hotel Charco (or similar) located in the Old Town of the City.
Set off for a walking city tour along the cobbled streets of the old town of Colonia Del Sacramento; visit to the old buildings, old forts and Spanish and Portuguese Museums and the most important spots of this old Portuguese city from the 17th-century that has been declared Patrimony of Mankind by UNESCO.
Overnight Charco Hotel, daily breakfast included.
Day 2: Colonia – Calera de las Huérfanas – Wineries El Legado & Cordano
After breakfast, transfer to the area of Carmelo.
The tour starts with a visit to the “La Calera de las Huerfanas” Jesuit Ruins where the Uruguayan history of wine begins and where we can still see the Zubizarreta Vineyards in the same location where the first vines were planted (visit to Bodega Zubizarreta not included in tour).
We will then continue to the El Legado Winery where, depending on the season, guests may be able to see the harvest, bottling or manual grape selection. After a wine tasting, we will continue our tour towards Bodegas Cordano winery where we will learn about the production processes and history about the vineyard.
We will then continue towards Finca Narbona Wine Lodge where you will enjoy dinner and spend the night. All meals included today.
Day 3: Finca Narbona
Morning at leisure. Picnic lunch on the vineyard grounds and a late afternoon wine and cheese pairing tasting in the cellar guided by the winemaker of Finca Narbona (includes three different Narbona wines and seven choices of cheese).
Overnight at Narbona Wine Lodge, breakfast included.
Day 4: Montevideo
After breakfast, you will be picked up for a private transfer to Montevideo. On arrival, you will have lunch (included) at the vibrant port market. Take a walking tour of the Ciudad Vieja (the colonial historic neighborhood) and visit several museums and the Solis Theatre (museum selection subject to preferences and opening times).
Overnight at the Hotel Alma Histórica in the historic Ciudad Vieja neighborhood (or similar), breakfast included.
Day 5: Winery & Estancia Charabon
Morning pick up for a short panoramic city tour of the rest of the city followed by a visit to a winery in the Montevideo region. Afterward, private transfer to Estancia Charabon, where you will enjoy the last hours of the day – relax by the swimming pool with a glass of wine or a ride across the rolling plains! Dinner and overnight at the Estancia. All meals included today.
Day 6: Trekking from Valizas to Cabo Polonio, Incredible Sand Dunes and Sea Lions
After breakfast, transfer to the small village Barra de Valizas, where a local guide will meet us for an unforgettable tour to Cabo Polonio Village. After a short walk around the town, we will start the hike along the coastline that will take us to the incredible shifting sand dunes.
We will hike up Buena Vista Hill from where a fantastic view of the ocean can be appreciated. Continue down to Cabo Polonio (4 hours) and a delicious seafood lunch at a local seaside restaurant.
We will visit the lighthouse and sea lion reserve (one of the biggest in the world). Afternoon 4×4 truck drive to the main entrance of Cabo Polonio where a private transfer will drive us back to Estancia Charabon. Overnight at the estancia. All meals included today.
Day 7: Charming Village Garzon
Private transfer to Colinas de Garzon Extra Virgin Olive Oil Boutique Plant, which awaits you for a visit to their production facilities followed by a tasting of their award-winning olive oil together with a selection of cheeses and Garzon Wines.
Afternoon visit to Pueblo Garzon, a small, picturesque village just 30 minutes from Jose Ignacio, where time seems to have stood still. Stroll around the central square, where everyone knows everyone and gathers for a chat. Accommodation at Posada Casa Anna, within the town of Garzon, breakfast included.
Day 8: Cheese and Wine in the Punta del Este Region
Today you will get to know “Punta del Este Gourmet”. Visit the Altos de la Ballena winery, one of the newest wineries of Uruguay and one of the few in the area of Punta del Este.
After a rich wine tasting, we continue on to Nonno Antonio artisan cheese farm, where you can observe the cheese production and enjoy the homemade cheeses during a tasting. Following a drive all along Punta del Este’s coastline, you will be transferred to Jose Ignacio, where you will spend the night at Posada del Faro (or similar), daily breakfast included – 2 nights.
Day 9: Cooking Class
After breakfast, transfer to Laguna Garzon where we will experience firsthand the flavors and local cuisine of the area.
We have designed a special cooking class to expose you to the best that the local products have to offer. You will spend a lovely day with hands-on instruction by one of our professional local chefs so that you take not only your memories home, but also some great recipes and techniques to add to your own collection.
Lunch and afternoon enjoying the lagoon with one of the activities offered: canoeing, horseback riding or stand-up-paddle. Afternoon transfer back to Posada del Faro where you will spend the last night (or similar). Lunch included.
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast, private transfer to the Montevideo airport or port.
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