Tough nature is not as gorgeous as in summer, the cold season is when Cynolebias biotopes are at their best point. Rains mostly happen from April to September, filling the ponds and keeping them preserved from drying caused by strong radiation and constant winds in late spring .Meet the greenest fields and collect the most diverse species within few miles, as you go thru different drainages characterized by diversity of landscapes. These are some options based on the possibility of visiting the different areas to built an idea of how this works. So here you have some examples of what can be done depending upon the period of time you are able to travel, always related to the cold season modality

• Example of a seven day collecting trip covering the most relevant areas
• Option 2 (one more day in the north)
• Option 3 (with northern westbound)
• Option 4 (all together but Rocha)
• Option 5 (with one night in Artigas)
• Some words about collecting in winter

Example of a seven day collecting trip itinerary ( from Wednesday to Sunday)
This is the recommended choice to get a full picture of Uruguayan territory within a week's time

Day 1

- Arrival to Carrasco.
- Transfer to hotel Embajador
- Lunch
- Time to rest / shopping
- Dinner and collecting trip planning

Day 2

- Breakfast at the Hotel
- Departure to Melo
- Arrival in Treinta y Tres
- Yerbal Creek
- Collecting in Melo area
- Lodging in Melo / Dinner

Day 3

- Breakfast at hotel
- Departure to Route 26
- Collecting between Melo and - Tacuarembo
- Arrival in Tacuarembo at late afternoon
- Lodging in Tacuarembo / Dinner

Day 4

- Breakfast at hotel
- Route 5 Km. 399
- Paso Lambare
- Departure by Route 5 to Durazno
- Ruta 14 / Austrolebias duraznensis biotopes
- Arrival at the aquarium at late afternoon to deposit collectings
- Transfer to Hotel / Dinner

Day 5

- Early Departure to San Javier
- Breakfast on board
- Austrolebias alexandrii biotopes
- Mercedes / Villa Soriano / Carmelo
- Arrival at Colonia
- Lodging in Colonia / Dinner

Day 6

- Breakfast at hotel in Colonia
- Free morning to sightseeing in the old town
- Optional lunch in Colonia.
- Departure to Montevideo Montevideo
- Stop at Rosario / Colla Creek / Boca del Cufre
- Arrival at the aquarium at late afternoon to deposit collectings
- Transfer to Hotel / Dinner

Day 7

- Breakfast at Hotel
- Departure to Rocha
- Visit to Punta Ballena and Punta del Este
- Fishing in Routes 9 / 10
- Visit to Santa Teresa Fortress / Pta. Del Diablo / San Miguel / Chuy / etc.
- Lodging in Chuy / brazilian border / Dinner

Day 8

- Breakfast at Hotel.
- Departure to Lascano / Velázquez
- Route 14 Km. 504 Canal Andreoni
- Routes 16 / 13 / 15
- Grutas de Salamanca / Villa Serrana
- Route 8 / Minas city.
- Arrival at the aquarium at late afternoon to deposit collectings
- Transfer to Hotel / Dinner

Day 9

- Breakfast at hotel
- Transfer to aquarium to condition collectings for travel.
- Authorizations
- Free afternoon to shopping / sightseeing in Montevideo
- Dinner

Day 10

- Breakfast at hotel
- Late check out.
- Transfer to aquarium for last packing
- Transfer to Carrasco Int’l airport
- End of our services.

Option 2 (one more day in the north)

Day 1: idem
Day 2: idem
Day 3: idem
Day 4

- Breakfast at hotel in Tacuarembo
- Departure to Artigas
- Tranqueras
- Artigas / Poligono lagoons
- Paso Lambare
- Route 5 Km. 399
- Return to Tacuarembo / Dinner

Day 5

- Departure to Durazno / Montevideo.
- Subsequent days are as the first option (with no extra day in Montevideo)

Option 3 (with northern westbound)

Day 1: idem
Day 2: idem
Day 3: idem

Day 4

- Breakfast at hotel in Tacuarembo
- Departure to Artigas
- Route 5 Km. 399
- Paso Lambare
- Tranqueras
- Artigas / Poligono lagoons
- Routes 4 / 31
- Lodging in Salto / Dayman thermal Park/ Dinner

Day 5

- Breakfast at hotel
- Departure to San Javier
- Route 3 / Flores / Durazno / Route 5
- Arrival at aquarium in Montevideo
- Transfer to Hotel / Dinner

Day 6

- Breakfast at hotel
- Departure to Mercedes
- Villa Soriano / Carmelo
- Lodging Colonia / Cena

Day 7

- Breakfast at hotel in Colonia
- Free morning to sightseeing in the old town
- Departure to Rosario / Boca del Cufré
- Arrival at the aquarium
- Transfer to Hotel
- Free afternoon to shopping / sightseeing in Montevideo
- Dinner

Day 8

- Rocha

Day 9

- Rocha
- Arrival at the aquarium at early afternoon / time to condition collectings
- Transfer to Hotel

Day 10

- Breakfast at hotel
- Late check out.
- Transfer to aquarium for last packing
- Transfer to Carrasco Int’l airport

Option 4 (all together but Rocha)

Day 1: idem
Day 2: idem
Day 3: idem

Day 4

- Breakfast at hotel in Tacuarembo
- Departure to Artigas
- Route 5 Km. 399
- Paso Lambare
- Tranqueras
- Artigas / Poligono lagoons
- Routes 4 / 31
- Lodging in Salto / Dayman thermal Park/ Dinner

Day 5

- Departure to San Javier
- Mercedes / Villa Soriano / Carmelo
- Lodging in Colonia / Dinner

Day 6

- Breakfast at hotel in Colonia
- Free morning to sightseeing in the old town
- Departure to Rosario / Boca del Cufré
- Flores, Route14, Durazno, Route 5
- Arrival at aquarium in Montevideo
- Transfer to Hotel / Dinner

- Subsequent days are as the first option

Option 5 (with one night in Artigas)

Day 1: idem
Day 2: idem
Day 3: idem

Day 4

- Breakfast at hotel in Tacuarembo
- Departure to Artigas
- Route 5 Km. 399
- Paso Lambare
- Tranqueras
- Artigas / Poligono lagoons
- Lodging in Artigas / Dinner

Day 5

Breakfast at Hotel
Departure to Franquia / Bella Union
(Routes 30 / 3)
Villa Constitucion / Salto
Lodging in Salto / Dayman Thermal Park/ Dinner

Day 6

Departure to San Javier
Mercedes / Villa Soriano / Carmelo
Lodging in Colonia / Dinner

Day 7

- Breakfast at hotel in Colonia
- Free morning to sightseeing in the old town
- Departure to Rosario / Boca del Cufré
- Flores, Route14, Durazno, Route 5
- Arrival at aquarium in Montevideo
- Transfer to Hotel / Dinner

Day 8

- Rocha

Day 9

- Rocha
- Arrival at the aquarium at early afternoon / time to condition collectings
- Transfer to Hotel

Day 10

- Breakfast at hotel
- Late check out.
- Transfer to aquarium for last packing
- Transfer to Carrasco Int’l airport

Some words about collecting in winter

Itineraries may be affected by weather conditions.
We are not responsible for rains or floods that may turn impossible to collect in several locations.
Temperatures are in the low range in Uruguayan winter and precipitations are frequent, so bringing enough and proper clothes is advisable, as well as raincoats and wool / polar fleece caps, and of course chest high waders or long hip boots.
Here we have presented a weekly based group of options, regarding to a complete or almost complete visit of the main locations. Shorter options are available, focusing in specific areas.
Day hours are less than in hot season, so collecting may involve not so many locations as in summer, or even traveling on early morning / by night to complete the itineraries properly. Occurrence of Cynolebias in their biotopes is subject to specific conditions that may result in absence of some species for periods of years, so we cannot be responsible for that.

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