Exploring Brazil’s Northeast

Airport pick up and transfer to the hotel. Night at hotel Mama Ruisa (Santa Teresa). Deluxe Room.   Included: arrival transfer, room & breakfast

Your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel at 2:00pm to start the city tour. Today, you will start by going to one of the icons of the city: The Sugarloaf Moutain You will take the iconic cable car that leads to the top of the famous Sugarloaf Mountain (400 m alt.), which marks the entrance to the bay of Guanabara, and enjoy the view from the top.   On your way back to the hotel, the guide will give you a panoramic tour of the famous beaches of Rio, going by Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon, among others. You can also choose another region to visit, like Santa Teresa or downtown Rio if you want, don’t hesitate to decide together with the guide.   Return to the hotel at 6:00pm.   Night at hotel Mama Ruisa (Santa Teresa). Deluxe Room.   Included: english speaking guide, private transport, entrance fees mentioned in the program, room & breakfast

Your English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel at 09:00am to start the city tour. Today, you will start by going to one of the icons of the city: The Corcovado (el. 700 m.a.s.l.), world known symbol of Rio. Once up there, take the time to appreciate the unique and amazing panoramic view of the "cidade maravilhosa" (wonderful city).   On your way down, you’ll go through Santa Teresa, which used to be one of the wealthiest residential neighbourhoods of Rio, when the town was the capital of Brazil and all the principal institutions were located there. Walk through this area to get a taste of its quaint and old atmosphere. During the trip to Lapa, visit the coloured stairs or "Escadaria do Convento da Santa Teresa", decorated by Jorge Selarón.   Afterwards, you will visit the favela of Santa Marta in the Botafogo neighbourhood with your guide as well as a local who lives in the favela. These neighbourhoods are the result of the chaotic expansion that Rio lived through in the 20th Century. At the heart of these popular and "lawless" suburbs (the favelas are originally illegal land occupations), Brazilians organize themselves and live in a dignified and solitary manner. No voyeurism, you are welcome in the favelas where inhabitants want to make sure that their neighbourhoods aren't reduced to clichés such as drug trafficking or dangerous life. This visit will give you a different reality of Rio, a more real and complete view of the life of Cariocas different than the images of violence poverty which usually shown by the medias lacking of originality. The most extraordinary thing about favelas is how close they are from the fancy neighbourhoods.   Return to the hotel at 05:00pm.   Night at hotel Mama Ruisa (Santa Teresa). Deluxe Room.   Included: english speaking guide, private transport, entrance fees mentioned in the program, room & breakfast

Transfer to the airport 3 hours prior to departure. Flight from Rio de Janeiro (time and number to be confirmed). Flight Rio de Janeiro - São Luis not included (to be booked by you or contact us for a price quote). Arrival at São Luís airport and meeting with your Portuguese-speaking driver who will drive you to the hotel. Night at Casa Lavinia Hotel. Padronal Suite.   Included: departure transfer, arrival transfer, room & breakfast

In the morning, depending on your hotel location, you will be driven or you will walk with your English speaking guide to the boat which will ride you through São Marcos Bay. You will arrive at the ghost town of Alcântara. This historical town used to be bigger than São Luís in the XVIIIth century. Nowadays, it is the quietest historical center of Brazil. Former favorite holiday destination of rich landowners, its popularity declined in 1888, after the abolition of slavery. You guide will tell you the history behind each mansion, square and church: a real travel in time. Journey back to São Luís in the afternoon. Night at Casa Lavinia Hotel. Padronal Suite.   Included: entrance fees mentioned in the program, english speaking guide, shared transport, room & breakfast

Your driver will pick you up at the hotel or airport in São Luís to go straight to Barreirinhas (about 4h30 drive). Departure by private boat on the Rio Preguiças with your Portuguese-speaking driver. First stop at the "pequenos Lençóis" (the little desert of the Lençóis). The first sand dunes and lagoons of the park come into view. Small monkeys emerge from between the mangrove trees to greet you. You will then enjoy a panoramic view of the region from the Mandacaru lighthouse.   You will then continue your journey, crossing 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.   Arrive on the beach and transfer by 4x4 to the hotel.   Approximately 2 hours' journey with stops.   Night at La Ferme de Georges. Dune chalet.   Included: private transport, excursion (private), room & breakfast

Free day to enjoy Atins, its tranquility and heavenly beaches. Night at La Ferme de Georges. Dune chalet.   Included: room & breakfast

Early in the morning (around 3am), your local guide will collect you from your hotel. You'll start walking in the sand under a starry sky, illuminated by the glow of the moon. Depending on the time of year, you'll start to see the lagoons more or less quickly, but the spectacle is no less breathtaking. The best time to do the trek is from June to October, when the lagoons are full of fresh water.   The day continues with a swim and a hike to the Baixa Grande oasis. Depending on your walking pace, you'll arrive at the oasis by lunchtime.   In the afternoon, you will set off again with your local guide to discover other lagoons for a swimming break.   At the end of the day, you can watch the sun set on the summit of one of the nearby dunes.   Traditional dinner followed by a campfire to admire the stars.   Overnight with local people in an oasis in the heart of the park (basic comfort, shared shower and toilet). You will spend the night in a hammock. With a little practice, you'll soon feel comfortable for the night (tip: lie down diagonally!). Even at night, it will be mild in the Lençois desert, so you won't need a sleeping bag (a sheet will do).   5 to 6 hours' walking, depending on your level - around 20 kilometres   Note: your guide speaks no other language than Portuguese. He is a native of the region and knows every corner of the Lençois Maranhenses desert. Please contact us if you would like a French-speaking guide to accompany you on this trek.   Included: guide (hiking), private transport, dinner (no drinks), lunch (no drinks), room & breakfast

Like on the first day of trek, you will leave very early to avoid the heat and enjoy the sunrise during the walk. You will cross the oasis heading south towards Lagoa Bonita, walking between sand dunes and lagoons for 5 to 6 hours;   A 4WD vehicle will then take you to the small town of Barreirinhas (18 kms´ dirt trail, 45 minutes´ ride). Departure for a short 4x4 journey to Tutóia (approx. 1h30 drive). You will then board a small private motorboat to discover the Parnaíba Delta, also known as the Delta of the Americas. You will sail between the 80 islands, fine sandy beaches, lagoons and mangrove swamps where many animals live. You will gradually make your way through the Iguarapés, waterways that wind their way through the trees and mangroves (approximately 2? hours by boat). At lunchtime (not included), you will stop off at a traditional restaurant on an island in the delta.   At the end of the day, you will witness the flight of the delta's famous red ibises. Just before sunset, they arrive from all over the world in their hundreds and gather on a tiny island to spend the night (only from June to October).   Arrive at Port dos Tatus and transfer to your hotel.   Just before sunset, you will set off to observe the guarás (red ibises) that nest on an island in the evening. Your English-speaking guide Pedro will then take you into the canals for a night safari in search of caimans, which you will be able to spot thanks to their brilliant eyes.   You can enjoy the evening light and observe the many birds present in the Delta.   Duration: approx. 3 hours   Night at the Casa de Santo Antonio. Standard room.     Included: guide (hiking), private transport, excursion (private), english speaking guide, room & breakfast

Departure by private transport with Portuguese-speaking driver towards Camocim, the first stop of your day. You will cross the Coreaú river by ferry before entering the national park where the dunes begin.   Your journey continues through the dunes and along the coast to the village of Tatajuba and the lagoon of the same name, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim.   Enjoy the hammocks suspended over the lagoon. Lunch is recommended in one of the local straw huts, where you can sample the best lobster in the region! (lunch not included).   You will then cross the mangroves before crossing another river and making out the village of Jericoacoara, your destination, in the distance.   Check-in at your hotel.   Approximately 4 hours' journey.   Overnight stay at pousada Vila Kalango**** Comfort flat on the first floor   Included: excursion (private), private transport, room & breakfast

Free day in Jericoacoara. "Jeri", as it is known here, is wedged between the sea and the sand dunes. Stroll barefoot through the small village, where a peaceful and unique atmosphere reigns.   At the end of the day, you can admire the sunset over the large dune close to the village, a breathtaking landscape!   Overnight stay at pousada Vila Kalango**** Comfort flat on the first floor   Included: room & breakfast

In the morning, briefing on the buggy expedition itinerary and safety instructions with the expedition leader. Departure from your hotel to the starting point of the expedition, where you will take charge of the buggies (2 people per buggy, alternating driving).   You will take circuitous paths along the beaches towards Preá, from where you will begin to see your destination, the small village of Carai da Amontada (Icaraizinho).   Arrival and check into your hotel.   Distance covered: approximately 120 kilometres   Note: Portuguese-speaking expedition leader with some knowledge of French.   Included: excursion (private), local guide, private transport, room & breakfast

Depart by buggy for Caetano beach, passing through Moitas, another charming little fishing village. From Baleia beach, you will then cross the river to Mundaú, located at the mouth of the river, before continuing on to Fleixeiras, a fishing village where time seems to have stood still.   In the afternoon, you finally reach Guajiru, a picturesque fishing village, virtually deserted, facing reefs with natural pools inhabited by a myriad of small fish.   Distance covered: around 80 kilometres   Night at the Zorah Beach****   Included: excursion (private), local guide, private transport, room & breakfast

In the morning, departure by buggy for your last day of the expedition: you will drive along the Almecagas lagoon, then cross another ferry on the Rio Tinto, which merges with the Lagamar do sol, a seawater lagoon. You will arrive at Lagoinha (one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, with its viewpoint overlooking the bay).   You will continue your day in the direction of Paracuru, home to the kite surfers, before arriving in the village of Cumbuco.   Distance covered: around 90 kilometres   Included: excursion (private), local guide, private transport, room & breakfast

Your driver will pick you up by private transport to take you to Fortaleza airport. Approximately 45 minutes drive.   Included: private transport