13-Day North Brazil Tour with Lençóis Maranhenses and the Amazon
About This Tour
Embark on a 13-day journey through North Brazil's cultural and natural wonders, from Salvador's rich Afro-Brazilian heritage and colonial landmarks to the beach...
Duration: 13 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Cities: Manaus, Salvador, Parnaiba, Recife, Sao Luis, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Barreirinhas, Morro de São Paulo, Olinda · Languages: English
Know before you go: Airfare is not included in the price, but we will assist in finding the exact flights needed upon request.; The quad ride in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is not included, as quad owners do not accept payment from tour operators on riders' behalf. Payment is accepted only in cash upon arrival.; 1-2 persons for one room: $1,580; 3-4 persons for two rooms: $3,160; 5-6 persons for three rooms: $4,740; 7-8 persons for four rooms: $6,320; 9-10 persons for five rooms: $7,900; International airfare is included for VIP members only - please inquire for details.
About Recife
Recife
Tanned locals, shiny Atlantic beachfronts, gorgeous colonial edifices and one of Brazil’s most confident attitudes awaits travelers to Recife. Come hit the Boa Viagem and Olinda with a local guide.
What's Included
- Lodging
- English-speaking tour guides
- All ground and water transportation
- All activities in the itinerary below
- Almost all entry fees
- Your own on-call concierge
- Breakfasts
- 3 lunches
- 2 dinners
Not Included
- Airfare
- Alcohol
- Travel insurance
- Government-imposed visa fees
- Frades Island entry fee
- Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Itinerary
-
1Day 01
Salvador and Afro-Brazilian Heritage
Our tour starts in Salvador. Although many head to Bahia for its tropical coastline and tasty caipirinha drinks, the state's most popular destination is undoubtedly its capital. Salvador is home to Afro-Brazilian heritage at its richest:deep-fried seafoodfestive drum-pounding soundsmystical religious ceremoniesdancean artistic form of martial arts called capoeira deep-fried seafood festive drum-pounding sounds mystical religious ceremonies dance an artistic form of martial arts called capoeira
-
2Day 02
Boat Trip to Morro de São Paulo
Today we make a day trip by boat from Salvador to Morro de São Paulo. We explore this vibrant island on foot, visiting:the fortthe lighthousethe shopsthe beaches the fort the lighthouse the shops the beaches Free of cars, Morro de São Paulo is North Brazil's hangout hotspot. It has a vibe that puts everyone there in a good mood.
-
3Day 03
Salvador's Colonial Landmarks and Local Culture
Before relocating by flight and then by land to the resort town of Porto de Galinhas, we explore Salvador some more. This historic city is renowned for its crumbling yet nevertheless impressive Portuguese architecture. Salvador serves as Brazil's second most visited urban destination after Rio de Janeiro. Today we are provided with a guided tour, exploring the sites and landmarks in depth. UNESCO declared the old town a World Heritage Site in 1985. Salvador is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas. There is much to see and enjoy:music blasting on the streetsauthentic cuisinecharming squarescolorful buildingsand more music blasting on the streets authentic cuisine charming squares colorful buildings and more
-
4Day 04
Sandbars, Beach Churches, and Natural Pools
As a day trip from Porto de Galinhas, we head south along the coast. The first stop is a beach called Pontal de Maracaipe, where we see a multicolored sandbar. Next is the beach of Praia dos Carneiros, with its landmark being a historic church located in the middle of a long and sandy beach. Next is the beach of Praia Barra Grande, where we walk along sand that splits the ocean in two. Lastly, we visit a beach called Pontal do Maragogi, where we take a boat ride out to sea to see the natural pools, with snorkeling gear provided. Note that some of today's attractions and activities may need to be removed from the tour should the sea tides not be low enough.
-
5Day 05
Porto de Galinhas Fun and Colonial Olinda
In Porto de Galinhas:Before relocating by flight and then by land to the fishing village of Jericoacoara, we do a couple of fun activities in Porto de Galinhas.We take a sailboat (a.k.a. jangada) to a nearby natural pool and go buggy riding on the beach.Porto de Galinhas has been voted 'Best Brazilian Beach' for the eighth time in a row by the readers of Voyage And Tourism magazine. Before relocating by flight and then by land to the fishing village of Jericoacoara, we do a couple of fun activities in Porto de Galinhas. We take a sailboat (a.k.a. jangada) to a nearby natural pool and go buggy riding on the beach. Porto de Galinhas has been voted 'Best Brazilian Beach' for the eighth time in a row by the readers of Voyage And Tourism magazine. In Olinda:Before heading to the airport in Recife, we also visit the colonial city of Olinda.Characterized by bright white churches, pastel-colored buildings, historic fountains, cobblestone streets, and squares, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is spread across several small hills overlooking Recife.Olinda is one of Brazil's three best locations to celebrate the world-renowned Carnival, along with Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. Before heading to the airport in Recife, we also visit the colonial city of Olinda. Characterized by bright white churches, pastel-colored buildings, historic fountains, cobblestone streets, and squares, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is spread across several small hills overlooking Recife. Olinda is one of Brazil's three best locations to celebrate the world-renowned Carnival, along with Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. Regarding the option to extend the tour:On a side note, there is an option to extend this 13-day tour by 3 days to visit the island of Fernando de Noronha.There is a direct flight there from Recife.Fernando de Noronha is more of a 'special interest' kind of destination, with a handful of attractions suited for families looking for relaxation and surfers. On a side note, there is an option to extend this 13-day tour by 3 days to visit the island of Fernando de Noronha. There is a direct flight there from Recife. Fernando de Noronha is more of a 'special interest' kind of destination, with a handful of attractions suited for families looking for relaxation and surfers.
-
6Day 06
Jericoacoara Lagoons, Sunset, and Nightlife
Today, as an excursion from Jericoacoara by buggy, we follow the east route in this specific order:Prea BeachLagun Beach ClubLagoa Paraiso (a.k.a. Paradise Lagoon)Lagoa do Amancio (a.k.a. Loving Lagoon) Prea Beach Lagun Beach Club Lagoa Paraiso (a.k.a. Paradise Lagoon) Lagoa do Amancio (a.k.a. Loving Lagoon) Evening activities:In the evening, we walk to the Por-do-Sol dune to watch the sunset over the ocean.Later, we check out the nightlife, which is quite authentic. In the evening, we walk to the Por-do-Sol dune to watch the sunset over the ocean. Later, we check out the nightlife, which is quite authentic.
-
7Day 07
Sea Horses, Mangroves, and Dunes to Parnaíba
Leaving Jericoacoara, we are not taken directly to the hotel located in the town of Parnaíba. Instead, we make several fun stops en route:Driving literally along the beach, firstly we are taken to a dock.There we get on a boat and search for sea horses.Next, we take a ferry crossing to reach an indescribable place called Mangue.There we see bizarre mangrove formations, swings, hammocks, and visitors making crazy poses.After observing people enjoying themselves, we engage in sandboarding and dune bashing.Next, we check out a lagoon called Lagoa de Torta.We later visit Tatajuba Beach (a.k.a. Desert Beach) and then Camocim Beach.Before reaching Parnaíba, we ride on some more sand dunes and make another ferry crossing at Coreau River. Driving literally along the beach, firstly we are taken to a dock. There we get on a boat and search for sea horses. Next, we take a ferry crossing to reach an indescribable place called Mangue. There we see bizarre mangrove formations, swings, hammocks, and visitors making crazy poses. After observing people enjoying themselves, we engage in sandboarding and dune bashing. Next, we check out a lagoon called Lagoa de Torta. We later visit Tatajuba Beach (a.k.a. Desert Beach) and then Camocim Beach. Before reaching Parnaíba, we ride on some more sand dunes and make another ferry crossing at Coreau River.
-
8Day 08
Boat Cruise from Parnaíba to Barreirinhas
Before relocating from Parnaíba to the town of Barreirinhas, we go on a boat cruise. Lunch is included on today's tour. Barreirinhas serves as the gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses. This national park receives as many as 60,000 visitors a year. It includes 70 kilometers (43 miles) of coastline and an interior composed of rolling sand dunes. From May through September, the valleys among the dunes are filled with freshwater lagoons.
-
9Day 09
Scenic Flight and Full-Day 4x4 in Lençóis Maranhenses
Our morning starts with a flightseeing tour over sand dunes and lagoons. This just may be our most unforgettable adventure while at Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. The day continues with an adventurous morning-to-sunset 4x4 tour, checking out sand dunes and lagoons. We also have time for swimming. The lagoons in the park are often interconnected with one another, as well as with the rivers which run through the area.
-
10Day 10
Boat Tour and Desert Viewpoints in Lençóis Maranhenses
Before relocating by land to the city of Sao Luis, we explore Lençóis Maranhenses National Park some more. We spend the day doing a boat tour. The highlights are the river itself and the desert viewpoints. Few places on Earth can be compared to the unique physical features of this eco-friendly destination.
-
11Day 11
Fly to Manaus and Enter the Amazon
We relocate by flight from Sao Luis to the city of Manaus and then take a drive to our ecolodge. Lodging in a vast rainforest is in itself an experience, as are going on river cruises to see wildlife. We have saved the best for last, meaning spending our final days of this grand tour exploring the Amazon. Note that virtually all meals are included by the ecolodge during our stay.
-
12Day 12
Pink Dolphins, Jungle Wildlife, and a Night Cruise
The Amazon is the world's most renowned rainforest for a good reason. The highlights for today include:interacting with pink dolphins in their natural habitatspotting a variety of creatures in the jungle interacting with pink dolphins in their natural habitat spotting a variety of creatures in the jungle In the dark of night, we take a boat cruise in search of caimans and other wildlife.
-
13Day 13
Departure from Manaus
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Manaus.
Meeting Point
Meeting point: Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil · Tour start: Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.