Best of Northeast Brazil

Welcome to Sao Luis, a city in northeastern Brazil located at the estuary of the Pindare, Mearim and Itapecuru rivers in Maranhao state. On arrival, you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is yours to head out and explore.

Tour Style: The majority of excursions on this tour are on a shared basis, meaning you will be joined by other travellers. See the Inclusions section for more information.

Sao Luis - Barreirinhas. Departing Sao Luis at around 8:00, you will make the scenic 4-hour journey through Babassu and Buriti plantations to Barreirinhas, located on the banks of the Preguicas River. After some time to check in and freshen up, you will head out for the afternoon to explore nearby Lencois Maranhenses National Park. From March to September, the national park fills with hundreds of lakes formed by rainwater.

Your included 4X4 tour takes you deep into the heart of Lencois, where you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery and enjoy a hike along the Lagoa Azul circuit. There's time for a swim in one of the lagoons too, and you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the sand dunes of the park. After your tour, you are transferred back to Barreirinhas for a leisurely evening.

Barreirinhas - Atins. Say goodbye to Barreirinhas as you transfer to the river bank at around 8:15, boarding a speedboat bound for the remote village of Atins. As you cruise along the Preguicas River, enjoy the surrounding scenery of mangroves, buriti palms and jucara trees, and keep your eyes peeled for a heron or kingfisher on the riverbanks.

Along the journey, you will stop in the municipality of Vassouras, where you can taste the freshest local coconut water and meet playful almost-tame capuchin monkeys. In the fishing village of Mandacaru, you can climb the 160 steps to the Preguicas Lighthouse for panoramic views over the dunes, river and ocean. Mid-afternoon, disembark and travel by 4X4 to your inn in Atins.

Atins - Canto do Atins - Atins. Atins and its surrounding dunes are a kitesurfing hotspot, so maybe you could use your free time this morning to give it a go?

At around 15:00, transfer in a 4X4 vehicle to Canto do Atins, a remote protected area where you can discover rolling dunes and temporary rain-filled lakes of the rainy season. Enjoy sunset in this beautiful area before returning to Atins for the night.

Atins - Parnaiba. This morning, board another speedboat to cross the river, reaching Cabure. From here, climb aboard a 4X4 vehicle to Tutoia, passing mile after mile of deserted beaches to reach Paulino Neves. From here, it's back aboard another speedboat to explore the Parnaiba Delta. Observe a crab hunting demonstration and pass a viewpoint at Sao Bernardo, where you can see a small church appearing in the middle of nowhere. Another stop will be made at Morro de Meio, where you can enjoy a swim. A lunch stop will be made at one of the lush islands of the Parnaiba Delta (lunch not included) before you arrive in the city of the same name.

Parnaiba - Jericoacoara. Departing Parnaiba at 9:00 in a 4X4 vehicle, you begin your journey to Jericoacoara. Along the way, travel through Camocim and take a ferry to Ilha do Amor. From here, pass miles of dunes and deserted beaches and make photo stops at Duna do Funil and Lagoa da Torta in Tatajuba. A stop for lunch (not included) is made by the lagoon in Tatajuba, where you can relax in comfortable hammocks. Boarding another ferry at Guriu, you reach Jericoacoara at around 15:00. After checking in to tonight's accommodation, the rest of your day is at leisure.

Jericoacoara - Jericoacoara National Park - Jericoacoara. This morning, you will head out of the city to explore nearby Jericoacoara National Park, stopping along the way at the Arvore da Preguica, a famous tree that is growing horizontally. Arriving at the national park, your morning will be spent exploring the stunning dunes of the park and swimming in some of the seasonal lakes that form here. Enjoy a lunch stop at Lagoa do Paraiso (lunch not included) before returning to Jericoacoara at around 14:00. The afternoon is at leisure.

Jericoacoara - Fortaleza. Your tour ends today after breakfast and hotel check out. An included transfer to Fortaleza Airport (5 hour drive) is provided.