Uruguay Trip 2026
Join us for an unforgettable trip to Uruguay!
October 22 - November 2, 2026*
*Dates subject to change +/- 1 day depending on final scheduling details
2025 Uruguay Trip at sunny Balcon del Abra, after a plein air lunch and sunshine knitting time
Peek into the behind-the-scenes at Manos del Uruguay headquarters in Montevideo
Stunning scenery at San Pedro de Timote, a historic ranch in the Uruguayan countryside
Lunches at a winery and an olive orchard, featuring made-on-site wine and olive oil
Uruguay 2026 Trip Details
Itinerary
Oct 22 - Oct 25: Montevideo
- arrive in Montevideo
- visit Manos del Uruguay Headquarters
- tour of Montevideo with bilingual guide
- visit ranch of Manos founder
- multi-course dinner with tango show
- wine tasting and tour of winery
- visit local flea market
- shop at Manos del Uruguay store
Oct 26 - 27: San Pedro de Timote
- tour carbon-neutral wool processing mill
- two workshop sessions with Fer of Lirio.knits
- opt into horseback riding, swimming in a heated pool, walking the grounds of the historic ranch
Oct 28 - 29: Melo
- tour and dye workshops at two Manos del Uruguay cooperatives
Oct 30 - 31: Punta del Este
- visit outdoor sculpture garden, featuring the work of South American artists
- fresh seafood lunch on the beach
- explore Punta del Este, the Riviera of South America
Nov 1 - 2: Montevideo
- tour, tasting, and lunch at sustainable olive orchard + mill
- visit Casapueblo, the home and museum sculpted by the Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró
- one last visit at the Manos del Uruguay store!
Nov 3 - 5: Optional Visit to Buenos Aires
Our travel agent has kindly put together an itinerary for folks wanting to travel to Buenos Aires for a few extra nights. Just ask when you register, and we'll connect you!
Cost
Cost for double occupancy: $4750 USD / person**
Cost for single occupancy: $5750 USD / person**
**Please note that costs may slightly fluctuate depending on final scheduling details
Pricing includes:
- Workshops with Fer of Lirio Knits
- All of your accommodations
- Transportation during the trip
- Dye Workshop with the Manos artisans
- More than half of meals, including a wine tasting and lunch at an Uruguayan winery
- Bilingual tour guide
- Goody bag of Manos del Uruguay goods
Pricing does not include:
- Travel to and from Uruguay
- Transfers to and from airport
- Tips and gratuities
Group Size
We keep our group size small - with a maximum of 20 participants - to ensure quality and individual attention. A tour guide will provide insightful information and translation help, all backed by years of experience and a deep love of homeland.
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We will open a waitlist once/if the trip has all spots filled. In the event of a cancellation, we will contact the next person on the wait list and they will have 48 hours to decide to join.
FAQs
- Can I bring a non-knitting friend/partner/spouse?
Many non-knitting partners have joined our tour in the past! They will travel and be welcomed to all of the activities and meals. Though non-knitting partners may not have the same experience with yarn and fiber that a knitter might, they have really enjoyed the cultural experience that we offer (and one even decided to cast on for the first time!)
2. What are the mobility expectations?
There will be some walking, mostly flat, as we visit areas of Montevideo and the Manos cooperatives.
We will be taking a private bus between stops, so you must be able to ascend and descend the bus stairs.
We will be on the bus for a couple hours at a time as we drive from destination to destination. There is a restroom on the bus, and you can stand to stretch your legs. We recommend bringing knitting, of course!
Unfortunately, we can't accommodate wheelchairs or scooters on this trip
3. How do I get to Uruguay?
While it depends on where you are coming from, we have seen that most folks flying from the United States will take 2 - 3 flights to arrive in Montevideo. Once you arrive at the airport, your pre-arranged transport will take you to our hotel.
You can opt into arriving a day early to settle in. Just let us know and we can work with you to arrange it with the hotel!
4. Do I need to know Spanish?
We will have a bilingual guide with us as we travel. She has a depth of knowledge about Uruguay that is incredible, and she is generous in sharing it. She's been with every one of our tours!
5. Do I have to be an expert knitter?
We welcome crafters at all skill levels. Our mission is to introduce you to Manos del Uruguay, the women artisans, the textile industry in Uruguay; but also the delicious food and welcoming culture. In short, knitting is a component, and we want you to find joy in our many delightful and diverse experiences and excursions.
6. What's the weather like?
It is the beginning of Spring in Uruguay, so the days are warm and sunny with cooler evenings. Blooming flowers are everywhere!
7. I'm ready! How do I sign up?
You will make a non-refundable $500 deposit per person at checkout. This deposit goes towards your trip cost.
8. While I'm in Montevideo, can I visit Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires is a quick ferry ride or plane ride from Montevideo. Many travelers have opted into a trip extension after our Uruguay Trip! We are happy to connect you with our travel agency to arrange hotels, meals, and experiences on your behalf.
Optional Trip Extension
After our trip, why not stay a few extra days to explore Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls? Our travel coordinator has put together a 5-day optional travel extension that takes you to both Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls, complete with hotels, travels, and dinners booked.
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Iguazu Falls is the largest waterfall system in the world - experience the falls by boat and foot (together with experienced guides!) and see the rainbow spray of the falls for yourself.
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When you register, let us know that you're interested in the extension!
Manos del Uruguay Cooperatives
Visits to Manos workshops in the countryside, to meet the artisan members/owners of the cooperatives and see yarn being dyed
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Stop in at Manos del Uruguay's flagship shop in Montevideo, where they sell yarn, ready-to-wear knit and woven garments, and leather goods made by local craftspeople
Wool Processing Mill
Tour a wool processing mill, to see the process of "greasy" wool (shorn, but not yet washed) to roving destined for the spinning mill.
Learn about the Uruguayan textile industry as we go, including the approach to wool sourcing, fiber traceability, and energy use.
San Pedro de Timote
A stay at San Pedro de Timote, a countryside hotel, which previously operated as Uruguay's most historic horse ranch.
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There are a wide variety of leisure activities both indoor and outdoor, from the athletic (horseback riding!) to the relaxing (poolside knitting!)
Uruguayan Art Museums
A visit to an art museum that showcases the work of South American contemporary artists, including Uruguayan master sculptor Pablo Atchugarry
Fresh, Uruguayan Fare
So much wonderful food: Lunch at a winery featuring a range of wines crafted from Uruguayan grapes; seaside lunch at La Huella, featuring amazing coastal views and seafood; a dinner and tango dance night at Primuseum; an olive oil tasting and fresh, local luncheon at Olivos de las Ánimas.
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Please note we can accommodate most dietary restrictions!
What our Travelers Have to Say!
"I truly enjoyed everything we did and all the places we visited. I think everything related to Manos (the visit to HQ, the wool processing plant, the visits to the coops, and yes, the shopping trips to the outlet and stores) provided extraordinary opportunities not available on generic tours"
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"I loved visiting the Manos headquarters as well as the co-ops. I have so much more appreciation now for what goes into making a skein of yarn. Truly special."
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"Pilar [our bilingual guide] is an absolute gem! She's knowledgeable, warm, friendly and engaging. She did a great job of pointing out interesting fact about Uruguay throughout the trip and made the bus rides really fun - balancing information with quiet time."
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"OMG! everything - from breakfast to bedtime! I loved every moment of all the days! Shopping at the Manos store, seeing the yarn processing plant, watching the 2 dyeing locations and dyeing our own yarns... those would likely be my top things. Being in the company of inspiring, joyful, positive women, with a collective hobby but we all come from a variety of interesting and unique backgrounds - again - priceless!!"
Our Featured Teacher for 2026: Fernanda of Lirio.Knits
Fer of Lirio Knits
Fernanda, or Fer, as she prefers to be called, is a knitwear designer based in Uruguay. Her crafting journey began at the age of seven, when her grandmother taught her to knit, sew, and crochet for her dolls. From there, she knew she wanted to study fashion design and, over time, found herself drawn to creating timeless pieces that are easy to wear and full of thoughtful details.Her work is guided by the idea that garments should feel right for everyday life: comfortable, flattering, and made to last.
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We will have two workshops with Fer, exploring garment construction and knit structures from sketch to swatch using Manos del Uruguay yarns
Fairmount Fibers
Uruguay Trip 2026 Deposit
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