I grew up on a farm in South-Western Uruguay. For the first 22 years of my life, I spent most of my free time camping, hiking, canoeing, trail riding, trekking, hunting and fishing all over this small but beautiful country. After I returned from living abroad, I found Punta del Diablo had become a haven for tourists on holiday and vacation because of the amazing beaches. Yet, only 5 miles from Punta del Diablo is a beautiful lake that is completely out of reach to all but the most adventurous. This hidden lake is called Laguna Negra, which translates to Black Lagoon. Even if you have rental car (the most expensive part of a Uruguay vacation), this lake is not an option for you unless you have a guide. Travelers, tourists and people on holiday typically come to Uruguay to enjoy the peaceful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. I realized that there aren’t any other options available. If you come to Uruguay and miss taking a peek at the beautiful inland countryside, you are not getting the full Uruguay experience. I decided to set up a business that would allow me to do what I like the most: camping, hiking, canoeing, trail riding, trekking, hunting, fishing and just about everything else that can be done in the great outdoors. And it will allow you to get the full Uruguay experience. Uruguay has no mountains or deserts, but there is a gentle beauty in all of its landscape that captures the imagination and remains in the memories of those who have had the chance to explore it. Black Laguna’s commitment is to take you to places in Uruguay that you would otherwise not be able to visit. Please explore my site by clicking in the center of the compass to begin your adventure. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if you would like to make a reservation. You can email me George@BlackLaguna.com or call me direct here +598 98628334 - 098628334 San Pedro de timote San Pedro de Timote is a beautiful old estancia that has been made into a small country inn. This is one of the finest examples of 19th century Uruguayan estancias. With it's own chapel, school, 20 or so buildings, and fabulous old trees, it--alone, is worth the visit. This is our destination for those who enjoy adventure but also enjoy comfort. Its quaint suites, complete with old furniture and fireplaces, it's exquisitely furnished living rooms and libraries together with it's four, fine daily meals, make it one of the best examples of comfort in the old Spanish style. We arrive in time for an early dinner and a night in a comfortable suite, wake up the next morning to stroll across the park to the breakfast area, and then on to the stables where the stable hands saddle your horses. We'll ride with our guide through the most typical Uruguayan countryside for a few hours before meeting our pick nick wagon and settling down for an asado lunch in the shade of native trees right in the middle of nowhere. After meats, wines, salads, and deserts comes--of course--a good rest, maybe even a nap or stroll will be just what you need before continuing your ride back to the estancia, tea and a little rest before a big dinner accompanied by live uruguayan folk music. After a day of horseback riding the following day you will welcome a relaxing morning and the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and take the hundreds of photographs you will find impossible to avoid taking. There are also both an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool for those who feel like a little exercise or just a dip. After lunch, a siesta and tea our van will take you to Montevideo or to Colonia del Sacramento. We suggest you visit San Pedro de Timote with us on weekdays as you will often find we are the only guests, making for a much more enjoyable, relaxing and 'campo' like experience. Don Bosco This is privately owned land right where the Sierra de Rocha dips into the Laguna Negra. Located only 40 miles from Punta del Diablo it features sandy beaches on the lagoon, overlooked by craggy sierras, and the 'Quebrada de los Higerones' or 'Higuerones gully', a narroy valley that is the only home to a subspecies of the higueron (a very particular tree native to Rocha), trees may not interest everyone, but I believe these do, having a shape and size that frees our imagination and allows it to take us to the worlds of JRR Torkien or the Brothers Grimm. Don Bosco can be visited in one full day consisting of two hikes one through the gully and the other to the summit of the 'Cerro de la Virgen' from where on a clear day you can see the coast from cabo Polonio to Punta del Diablo. Between hikes a typical asado (meat roasted over an open fire) lunch is served in the shade of native trees just a few feet from the sandy beaches of the lagoon.The open fire asado is roasted right at the picnic site and along with uruguayan red wines and maybe even a 'mate' (Uruguay´s traditional green tea served in a gourd) will provide you with an experience you will never forget. There is time to rest, swim in the lagoon and simply relax in this beautifull place before the afternoon hike. San Miguel This is one of a few national park wilderness areas in the country and, as all of them, it is seldom visited by Uruguayans or other tourists. San Miguel is only a 50 minute drive from the town of Punta del Diablo, on a sierra between the Rocha marshes and lake Merin. With a fabulous variety of plant and animal life, beautiful views of the marshes and the sea beyond, San Miguel is a nature lover's dream. The park's only full time ranger, Mr. Dante, is extremely knowledgeable about all its life forms--both past and present. And he is friends with many of the animals (including reptiles) who call the park their home. Upon special request, he guides our hikes and trail rides for those with particular interest in wildlife and indigenous plants. Sadly, the once abundant jaguar and puma population have been greatly reduced over the past 300 years, but you may still be lucky enough to spot a big cat gazing out over a valley. This park is best enjoyed as a full day hike, or trail ride, that includes a typical asado (meat roasted over an open fire) pick-nick, comfortably seated at a table, and served with traditional Uruguayan wines and salads. There is time to rest on camping mattresses and hamocks in the shade of ancient Ombu and Coronilla trees, before the return leg of the trail, which takes us briefly through a reserve of criollo sheep and cattle. These animals have the same genetic make up as did those first released in Uruguay by Spanish conquistador Hernandarias, almost 400 years ago. This gene-pool is currently very valuable to our future, as the resistance to diseases and the elements that it bestows upon its bearers is essential to successful organic cattle and sheep raising. They are also impressive animals to behold. Río Negro The Rio Negro is the epitome of canoeing and camping in Uruguay; I grew up boating , fishing, hunting, and camping on this river which literally splits the country in half--east to west.The most enjoyable part of the river consists of the 100 mile stretch downriver from the last of the three hydroelectric dams--Represa de Palmar--to the tiny town of Villa Soriano, just two miles from where the Rio Negro flows into the Rio Uruguay. The river's waters flow naturally dark--hence its name, Rio Negro, or Black River-- but mud and silt-free waters set this river apart from most rivers worldwide, and this has allowed for the formation of fine yellow sand bars and beaches. We offer adventures from Palmar to the water-front town of Mercedes, a 60 mile length of river that flows briskly, making paddling a light affair.This is a 4 day 3 night camping trip, complete with refreshing dips in the river, brief inland hikes, and just sitting around the campfire telling stories while your guide cooks your meals. And, chances are, you will hear or see no one outside your group until just a few miles before arriving to Mercedes. At the end, on our fourth and last night, we'll stay at the hotel Brisas del Hum. After four days in the wilderness, three nights in a tent, and a late evening arrival, a good hot shower is always welcome! You'll also get a chance to have your laundry done, catch a good night's rest, and check your email before moving on the next morning, to Montevideo or Colonia del Sacramento, in our van or wherever your adventure takes you. Dinner, breakfast, and laundry service for a pack of clothing (with the pack itself !) are included. Upon request this trip can be extended to 100 miles, 8 days and 7 nights. I'd like to take this opportunity to mention that there are few things I enjoy more than sharing a canoeing and camping experience on this river with fellow outdoor people. Canoeing Uruguay offers wonderful open canoe rivers and lakes, especialy suited for camping and overal enjoyment in a relaxing, pristine, environment. Althowgh we do not have white waters the rivers flow nicely enough to keep paddling to a minimun and the landscape sliding by to provide us with beautiful new vistas. Trekking - Hiking Uruguay's Sierra de las Animas, Sierra de Rocha,Valle Eden and Cuchilla de Santa Ana offer fabulous views, relatively easy going trails, and a combination of unagressive vegetation, wildlife and weather. We do not have high adrenaline trails or high visual impact landscapes. Uruguay is a country of gentle beauty, characteristic for it's relaxing views and variety and abundance of wildlife, especialy birds. Hiking in Uruguay is an experience of relaxation and contact with nature and oneself. Trail Riding Uruguay claims to be a country that was built on horseback, with good reason. Uruguay's gentle topography and mild weather provide ideal horse riding conditions. The ease of movement and superior angle of view we enjoy while riding a horse makes this one of the perfect ways of getting the most out of the countryside, wildlife and nature. Even if you have no previous horse riding experience we can recomend it. One of 'Black Laguna's' reasons for existing is to enable people visiting Uruguay to do just that, without being hampered by logistical difficulties. In Uruguay, car rentals are expensive, road signs marginal at best, and unless you are a local, it is hard to know what you will find until you get there. If you plan to visit Uruguay's open spaces for any reason (except for hunting and fishing), we can organize your visit. If you write articles on wildlife, indigenous plants, local farming, if you are a nature photographer, or if you are just seeking a spiritual and inspirational place, we can make all the arrangements for you, such as: assist you as to exactly where in Uruguay you want to go, provide transportation, hospitality, guides, interpreters, arrange access to private land, and connect you to local people who share the same interests or careers. We are here to serve you and help you get the most out of your visit.