Brazil’s Nordeste

Your driver welcomes you at Salvador Airport and takes you to the hotel. Night at the Bahia Café hotel (breaksfast included). Superior room. Included: private transport, arrival transfer with english-speaking guide, room & breakfast

Bem-vindos a Salvador, where the city is a melting pot of cultures and religious syncretism. Known for its mixed population, Salvador is the beating heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. This harmonious coexistence of diverse cultural influences is reflected in the city's colorful architecture, infectious music, and rich and varied cuisine. Candomblé, in particular, an Afro-Brazilian religion that blends elements of Catholicism with traditional African beliefs, plays a central role in Salvador's social and cultural life. This vibrant expression of faith and resistance permeates the city's atmosphere. So we set out to explore it, starting with the Bonfim Church where you can admire an impressive collection of ex-votos in the "miracle room", attesting to the popular devotion to Senhor do Bonfim. The church's architecture blends neo-classical and rococo styles, and it has become a symbol of Bahia's religious syncretism, where Catholic traditions mingle with Afro-Brazilian beliefs of Candomblé.   Next, we stroll through the cobbled streets of the Pelourinho and Santo Antonio neighborhoods, the colorful heart of the historic center, where every corner reveals a piece of Brazil's colonial history. You'll hear the African rhythms resonating against the pastel facades of colonial houses, witnesses to the fusion of cultures that defines Salvador.   ⛵ At the end of the day, qe embark on Marcelo's sailboat. We sail along the coast of Salvador, in the Bay of Todos os Santo. The brightly colored houses and beaches pass by us. We become actors in our own adventure, helping to maneuver the sails under the expert guidance of our captain. It's a unique experience where we learn the basics of sailing while enjoying the magnificent sunset over the bay Night at the Bahia Café hotel (breaksfast included). Superior room. Included: entrance fees mentioned in the program, english speaking guide, private transport, room & breakfast

The Bahian gastronomy is a true reflection of the culture and miscegenation of the region. It is mainly influenced by African, European, and indigenous culinary traditions. Our guide and chef Moema then offers us an initiation into local cuisine. We head towards the historic Sao Joaquim market. It is particularly popular among the local population for its affordable products. One can find a wide variety of items there, including crafts, religious artifacts, live animals (often related to the Candomblé religion), but also a rich range of food products.   With the purchases made for lunch preparation, we then head to a Bahian artist: Maria Adair (born in 1938), painter, draftsman, muralist... Maria, who is our guide's mother, opens the doors of her house-studio-art gallery, where we settle in for our cooking class.   We'll prepare and taste local specialities... Let's not say more - we'll keep the menu a surprise!   Your guide will pick you up in the evening at the hotel around 07:00/07:30pm (time to be arranged with him) for a night at the Miguel Santana Theater (dinner not included). Your guide will accompany you back to the hotel after dinner. Night at the Bahia Café hotel (breaksfast included). Superior room. Included: cooking class, english speaking guide, lunch, private transport, entrance fees mentioned in the program, room & breakfast

Free morning in Salvador, to wander around the streets of Pelourinho, why not enter in the Monastery in the main square, or take the elevator down to the local crafts Market? Afterwards, your driver will take you to Salvador Airport. Domestic flight from Salvador (SSA) to São Luís (SLZ) (flight schedule and number to be specified). Your driver will welcome you at São Luis airport and take you to the hotel. Night at Casa Lavinia Hotel.   Included: departure transfer, airport tax, domestic flight, arrival transfer, room & breakfast

We set off to discover São Luís, the capital of the state of Maranhão, a city where history and culture meet under the Brazilian sun. The historic center of São Luís, with its rectangular grid and colonial buildings adorned with azulejos, bears witness to its rich history and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, São Luís is a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity, celebrating its heritage while looking towards the future. We take you through the cobblestone streets, to the heart of the historic center, where every brick seems to whisper secrets of the past. Here, the azulejos are not mere ornaments but silent guardians of São Luís's stories. The city dances to the rhythm of reggae and lights up with the costumes and masks of Bumba-meu-Boi, reflecting the joy of life that permeates every corner of the street.   Night at Casa Lavinia Hotel.   Included: excursion (private), english speaking guide, room & breakfast

You will set off with your Portuguese-speaking driver for a drive of around 4h30 towards Barreirinhas. On arrival in Barreirinhas, you will have the opportunity to have lunch on the port before the rest of the journey.   We embark by boat on the Rio Preguiças with our Portuguese-speaking pilot. The first sand dunes and lagoons come into view, and little monkeys emerge from between the mangrove trees to greet us. We enter the ‘pequenos Lençóis’ (the little desert of the Lençóis). We make a short stop at the Mandacaru lighthouse for a first view of the region.   We cross a number of mangrove swamps before arriving at Caburé, a sandbank between the river and the sea, before continuing on to the village of Atins, a small corner of the world.   The journey takes around 2 hours.   Night at Pousada Maresia. Apartment.   Included: private transport, excursion (private), room & breakfast

Accompanied by our guide Diel, today we embark on a trek in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Diel is a native of the region and knows every corner of the desert. He speaks only Portuguese, but believe us, it's just a detail; your exchanges and your experience of the park will be all the more intense. The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a true geological masterpiece. Over more than 1550 square kilometers, stretches of white sand dunes are interrupted by lagoons that, after the rainy season (from January to April), fill with crystal clear freshwater. This unique landscape is the result of the meeting between local rivers and the Atlantic Ocean, creating an extraordinary environment.   We then begin our 2-day trek, very early (around 3 a.m.), in the heart of the park, between the white sand dunes under a starry sky, illuminated by the moonlight. The day is punctuated by our steps in the sand, swims from one lagoon to another, and a well-deserved lunch break at the Baixa Grande oasis.   We end the day around a campfire, with a family, in the oasis, in the heart of the park.   5 to 6 hours of walking depending on your level – approximately 20 kilometers.   You will spend the night in a hammock. With a little practice, you will quickly feel comfortable for your night (tip: lie diagonally!). Even at night, it will be mild in the Lençóis desert, you won't need a sleeping bag (a sheet will suffice).   Included: guide (hiking), private transport, dinner (no drinks), lunch (no drinks), room & breakfast

So, how was the night in the hammock? We set off early in the morning towards Lagoa Bonita. We resume our walk, feet in the sand. We traverse dunes and lagoons again, and plunge into the crystalline waters.   Later, we will reach the village of Barreirinhas by car, after 18 km of track, approximately 45 minutes away.   4 to 5 hours of walking - approximately 16 kilometers.   Night at Pousada Maresia. Apartment.   Included: guide (hiking), private transport, room & breakfast

We depart from the small village of Atins on a private boat to reach Caburé. We switch from the boat to the 4x4 vehicle to reach the town of Tutoia. 🌿 Upon our arrival at the port of Tutoia, we meet our guide, a true local expert, ready to immerse us in the culture, fauna, and flora of the Parnaíba Delta. This delta hosts a great variety of ecosystems, including some of the largest and best-preserved mangroves in Brazil. These play a crucial role in protecting the coasts from erosion and are home to a wide variety of marine and terrestrial species. The Parnaíba Delta is also an important stopover point for many migratory bird species. Each year, thousands of birds from North America and Europe make a stop in the region.   So we set off by boat to observe and listen to the richness of these places.   🌟 At noon, we head to a small village on the riverbank, where a fisherman's family welcomes us into their home for a local (and delicious!) lunch. We discover the traditional "ribeirinha" cuisine and share, for the duration of a meal, the daily life of this family. After lunch, a "cafezinho" and a moment of relaxation in the hammock are a must. Let's not break the northeastern tradition!   At sunset, a magical spectacle awaits us... the arrival of the "guarás" (red ibises) on an island of the river. Night at pousada Casa de Caboclo.   Included: private transport, english speaking guide, lunch (no drinks), room & breakfast

In the early morning, we resume our navigation and head along the river to observe the local fauna. Our small canoe winds its way through the dense vegetation, weaving through the mangrove. Then we reach Porto dos Tatus.   🛺 We take our seats aboard our buggy. On the agenda, the road of emotions, in the northeast of Brazil, along the beaches. Our guide, the expedition leader, starts by giving us a little briefing on driving. Just the essentials, because some situations can only be learned through experience, it seems. After a few trials and hesitations, we're off! We quickly find ourselves on the beach, heading south.   The buggy is everything that a beetle is, its engine, its mechanics... and a carbon impact much lower than a 4x4! Without doors and close to the ground, the buggy brings us closer to the world in a way that only a bicycle could match. It's an invitation to adventure, a promise of freedom and discoveries. Setting off on a buggy expedition is to embrace the spirit of exploration and the joy of the unexpected.   We pass through Bitupitá, for lunch with fish in a small local restaurant, then arrive at the end of the day in the small fishing village of Curimãs. We dive into the rhythm of the fishermen, in this so preserved place, out of time, in the middle of wild nature, by the ocean.   Night at the casa Chacara Curimas.   Included: english speaking guide, private transport, local guide, lunch (no drinks)

We resume our expedition heading south. We pass by small villages, encounter boats, and meet fishermen busy preparing their nets. There is a distinct way of life here, dictated by the tides. They also dictate our journey. Our days depend on them. We have to traverse the beaches at the right times to avoid being blocked by the high tide. Our expedition leader ensures this every day. We travel through a raw, wild environment that is also warm, thanks to its inhabitants and their way of life. We are in another space-time. We are beginning to grasp the essence of the northeastern coast and its people.   Night at pousada Rancho do Peixe. Coqueiral Bungalow.   Included: dinner (no drinks), local guide, lunch (no drinks), private transport, room & breakfast

Today, the dunes and lagoons await us for a day of relaxation. At Lagoa Azul, we rest in hammocks on the water, and at Lagoa do Paraíso, we enjoy the view and the tranquility. A simple and pure moment in the heart of northeastern Brazil. We spend the evening in Jericocoara, or Jeri for the regulars, a small tourist town at the foot of the dunes, to soak in the crowd and the lively atmosphere, with our feet in the sand.   note: The Jericocoara entry tax must be paid directly on site.   Night at pousada Rancho do Peixe. Coqueiral Bungalow.   Included: dinner (no drinks), local guide, lunch (no drinks), private transport, room & breakfast

We resume the beach route towards Moitas. Gradually, we move away from the village, facing deserted, vast, and wild beaches. We drive through wind farms, weaving between these giants, whose benefits are controversial for the locals. The state of Ceará, with its constant and strong winds, is a key player in wind energy production in Brazil, significantly contributing to the national wind capacity.   Night at the Pousada Pais Tropical. Standard bungalow.   Included: dinner (no drinks), local guide, lunch (no drinks), private transport, room & breakfast

🌟 Today we move away from the beaches and venture inland, exploring this part of the Route of Emotions very little-explored. We explore new ecosystems, take a boat through the mangrove, and then walk along a red dirt path to the village of Mosquito. By venturing into these lands, we immerse ourselves in this vibrant, wild nature, and meet its inhabitants. We stop at Dona Jo's house for a moment of exchange and discovery. Rosa does ceramics and offers us a demonstration of her artisanal skills.   Rosa lives with her family, and at the back of her workshop, we pass through an inner courtyard and a garden full of fruit trees. Can you recognize all these fruits, each more unknown than the last?   We meet Dona Rosa's son and his family, who offer us a cafezinho and tapioca. Some say it's the best they've ever eaten!   We then head back towards the coast.

Night at the Pousada Pais Tropical. Standard bungalow.

Night at the Pousada Pais Tropical. Standard bungalow.   Included: dinner (no drinks), local guide, lunch (no drinks), private transport, boat transfer, coffee break, entrance fees mentioned in the program, room & breakfast

We hop back into our buggies for the last day of the expedition, skirting the beaches, from village to village, to reach the small town of Cumbuco, for a gentle return to reality and urban bustle. Night at Vila Coqueiros hotel. Standard room.   Included: local guide, private transport, room & breakfast

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel to head towards Fortaleza Airport. Approximately 45 minutes drive.   Included: private transport