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Brazil trip | The secrets of the northeast

  • Boutique
  • 18-day trip
  • From €7,350 p.p.
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Brazil trip | The secrets of the northeast

The north-east of Brazil is still visited by very few travellers. It is a stunning region with kilometres of sand dunes, surreal turquoise lakes, mangrove swamps, beautiful beaches, charming fishing villages and countless different species of birds. During this 19-day tour of Brazil, you’ll visit the most beautiful spots in the north.
Start your journey in the cosmopolitan city of Rio de Janeiro. Travel on to the north-east to stay in Santo Amaro and Atins, renowned for the breathtaking Lençois Maranhenses National Park. Discover Lençois Maranhenses on an excursion through the stunning National Park with its many lagoons and magnificent sand dunes. You’ll travel by jeep and boat to Parnaíba, situated on the Parnaíba River. Take a half-day excursion to the Parnaíba Delta, the largest river in north-eastern Brazil. The following days are dedicated to the beach village of Jericoacoara and the colonial gem of Olinda. Round off your trip with an unforgettable stay in Fernando de Noronha, where you can try your hand at spotting dolphins and relax on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. A perfect balance between adventure and the undeniable beauty of Brazil.

Travel programme

Travel overview

  • Day 1 Flight to Brazil and arrival in Rio de Janeiro
  • Day 2 – 3 Exploring the surroundings of Rio de Janeiro
  • Day 4 Flight to the north-east, stay in Santo Amaro
  • Day 5 Walk through the Lençois Maranhenses National Park
  • Day 6 Rio Preguiças & Caburé Beach
  • Day 7 Canto do Atins by 4x4 jeep
  • Day 8 Atins – Parnaíba Delta
  • Day 9 Boat trip through the Delta and ibis spotting
  • Day 10–12 Savouring the memories in Jericoacoara
  • Day 13 – 14 Jericoacoara – Olinda
  • Day 15–17 Beach closure in Fernando de Noronha
  • Day 18 Departure from Brazil
  • Day 19 Arrival
Day 1
Air travel to Brazil and arrival Rio de Janeiro
Day 2 to 3
Discovering the Rio de Janeiro area
Day 4
Flight to northeast, stay Santo Amaro
Day 5
Hiking through the Lençois Maranhenses national park
Day 6
Rio Preguiças & Caburé Beach
Day 7
Canto do Atins in 4x4 jeep
Day 8
Atins - Parnaíba delta
Day 9
Boat trip across the Delta and ibis spotting
Days 10 to 12
Afterglow in Jericoacoara
Day 13 to 14
Jericoacoara - Olinda
Days 15 to 17
Beach exit Fernando do Noronha
Day 18
Departure from Brazil
Day 19
Arrival

Accommodations

Experiences

Destinations

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a world-class city! This metropolis, where (beach) life goes on 24 hours a day, has so much to offer that even the ‘Cariocas’, the residents of ‘Rio’, cannot decide when asked to name their favourite feature of their city. Rio lies on a strip of land approximately 24 kilometres long, nestled between the mountains and the sea; lush greenery on one side and vibrant blue on the other. It is home to a population of 8 million who seem to have a monopoly on the concept of ‘Beach Beauties’: beach culture was invented in Rio.
The world-famous, 38-metre-high statue of ‘Christ the Redeemer’ stands high on the summit of Corcovado Mountain, from where it embraces the city in its arms and blesses it with an all-seeing eye. Sugar Loaf, the mountain shaped like a loaf of sugar, is one of Brazil’s most photographed sights.
Then there are the beaches; the best known and most popular are Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach. Copacabana boasts a four-kilometre-long beach, flanked by a bustling promenade lined with beach bars, cafés and a vibrant nightlife. On Sundays and public holidays, the beach road is closed to traffic and ‘Copa’ is transformed into one huge leisure area. The sultry bossa nova track ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ put Rio’s Ipanema Beach on the world map in one fell swoop. A golden strip of sand flanked by a wide promenade and numerous beach bars. People sit, chat, eat and drink there round the clock. Young and old alike stroll, play sport and flirt. The residential district of Ipanema is home to Rio de Janeiro’s finest shops and chic boutiques.
You’ll find a completely different atmosphere in the colourful Santa Teresa district, nestled in the hills of Rio de Janeiro. Steep cobbled streets, historic houses each with its own story, and cosy cafés and restaurants. The ‘bodinho’, the vintage little train, still chugs its way there from downtown Rio.
Rio’s world-famous carnival hardly needs any further introduction: it is the biggest and most spectacular festival in the world. In short: Rio is sensational!

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Brazil

Santo Amaro do Maranhao

Santo Amaro do Maranhao is located on the banks of the Rio Grande, a small town in the state of Maranhao in the north-eastern region of Brazil. Santo Amaro do Maranhao serves as a convenient base to explore the picturesque surrounding landscapes. It is known to be home to some of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. Visitors can take the 4-hour circular walk to Lagoa das Emendadas, or enjoy the closer and more accessible lagoons of Lagoa da Andorinha and Lagoa da Gaivota. Don't miss the chance to enjoy a refreshing swim, enjoy a beautiful sunset and take a boat trip to the Lagoon of the Americas.

State of Maranhão

Located in northeast Brazil, Maranhao state is characterised by dense Amazon rainforest, as well as some spectacularly beautiful beaches along the Parnaiba River and the Atlantic Ocean. The historic capital of Sao Luis state is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and visitors should definitely explore Cafua das Merces, with fascinating museum exhibits of the slave trade and Afro-Brazilian culture. The city is also known for its 19th-century market building, known as Casa das Tulhas, which now trades in a variety of typical Maranhao dishes and crafts. A visit to Maranhao would not be complete without a trip to the impressive Lencois Maranhenses National Park, which offers vast untouched wilderness areas with seemingly endless dunes, beaches, mangroves and lagoons.

Atins

Atins is located between the spectacular dunes of the Lencois Maranhenses and the Atlantic Ocean coastline. The place is known for its peaceful atmosphere, relaxed energy and it is one of the world's top destinations for kitesurfing. This remote town has sandy streets, endless dunes, palm-fringed beaches and the calm waters of massive sheltered lagoons. Atins serves as an excellent base for exploring the scenic surroundings, including the Lencois Maranhenses, where visitors can enjoy a range of adventure sports and excellent birdwatching. Popular activities include hiking, swimming, boating and kiteboarding.

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, situated in north-eastern Brazil, covers 1,550 km².
The rugged and unspoilt landscape is characterised by beautiful beaches, blue and green lagoons, and tall, white sand dunes. It’s a great place for hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and boating amongst the mangroves. During a visit to this park, you’ll be amazed by the enormous variety of birds and turtles. A paradise for photographers.

Barreirinhas

Located in the northeastern coastal state of Maranhao, the Brazilian town of Barreirinhas is an excellent base for visitors to explore its spectacular surroundings. From this river town, you can take guided tours to Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul, as well as trips to the beautiful Preguica River. The highlight of this area is the breathtaking Lencois Maranhenses National Park which is one of the most unique places in the world. It consists of more than 1,400 km of dunes of white sand with occasional surreal turquoise lakes in between. The rainwater that falls in July causes these distinct landscapes. Visitors can also spend a relaxing day at the popular Cabure Beach or for the more adventurous, take a 4x4 drive around the beautiful Lagoa da Esperanca.

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Parnaiba

Located in the northeastern Brazilian state of Piaui, the city of Parnaíba is an excellent stopover and base to explore its spectacular surroundings. This city has a picturesque colonial centre overlooking the Parnaíba River. Visitors can look forward to a range of wonderful activities, including: visiting the Parnaíba Delta. This river is the largest river in northeast Brazil and forms the border between the states of Maranhão and Piauí. The landscape consists of dozens of river islands with sand dunes, mangrove swamps and countless different birds and other animals. Furthermore, visitors can relax on the palm-tree beach of Pedra do Sal and explore the beautiful Portinho Lagoon. Parnaíba is the ideal place for adventurous visitors to enjoy some exciting water sports.

Jericoacoara

This idyllic beach village, originally inhabited by fishermen, consists of sandy streets lined with charming pousadas, boutiques, restaurants and bars. It is home to numerous creative souls who have turned life into an art form, which here consists mainly of enjoying oneself, relaxing and surfing. In the evening, the stars and the moon provide the street lighting; local law prohibits the use of ‘normal’ electricity for this purpose.
Visitors can look forward to a range of exciting water sports; exploring the Pedra Furada, an arch-shaped rock surrounded by sensational views of the beach and the ocean; and enjoying a breathtaking sunset from the popular ‘Sunset Dune’. Other popular activities include horse riding, authentic visits to local villages, beach buggy tours and Capoeira lessons.

Sand dune view Jeri beach by night

State of Ceará

Located in northeastern Brazil, with its mountainous interior and famous coastline, the state of Ceara has seen an incredible tourism boom in the past two decades. The fast-paced capital, Fortaleza, is full of museums and art galleries, but is best known for its vibrant nightlife and excellent beaches framed by dramatic red cliffs. The city lies roughly at the centre of a sublime 600 kilometres of coastline, which offers many wonderful places to visit. Chief among these is the isolated seaside resort of Jericoacoara, which offers access to an impressive beach; Cumbuco, an idyllic fishing village and major kite-surfing destination; and Canoa Quebrada, a beach village (and former hippie paradise) built into the surrounding sandstone cliffs.

Fernando de Noronha

The Fernando de Noronha archipelago is about a 1½-hour flight from Recife. This group of islands is renowned as one of the world’s best diving spots. But these beautiful little islands are also simply a feast for the eyes and the body: stunning, deserted beaches and crystal-clear seawater with an average temperature of 26°C all year round, where colourful fish, languid turtles and the rare spinner dolphin are more common sights than people.
On Fernando de Noronha, you’ll have plenty of time to dive, snorkel, walk, swim and simply enjoy the island’s natural beauty. The island covers just 17 km² and is therefore ideal for exploring on foot. The locals prefer to get about by buggy.

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Olinda

Located just north of the city of Recife on Brazil's northeast coast, the historic town of Olinda is one of the country's best-preserved and most picturesque colonial towns. The historic town of Olinda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Olinda, you have great views of neighbouring, modern Recife and the Atlantic Ocean. The town itself offers a wonderful glimpse into the country's colonial past. A walk through the historic centre is definitely recommended. Olinda is also the host city for Brazil's best carnival, where hundreds of parades invade the streets in festive atmosphere.

Recife

Recife, the city by the beach, is a destination you won't want to pass up. Its abundant charms will appeal to everyone from the carnival lover and the sun worshipper, to the gourmet and the shopaholic. The southern side of the city is a tourist hotspot, located along the famous Boa Viagem beach, a wide bay of azure waters backed by a busy promenade full of restaurants, hotels and bars. Also, Recife is perfect for those looking for sun, fun and festivities. To sample some of the local culture, visitors can explore the atmospheric Old Town or take a trip to Capoeira Pernambuco, a traditional martial art, while nature lovers should head to the world-famous forests of Pernambuco or the Recife Brazil Iberapuera Park, a perfect setting to relax and unwind.

Brazil trip | The secrets of the northeast

We offer this itinerary from €7,350 per person.
The price is indicative and is subject to factors including availability and travel dates.

Included

• Domestic flights as specified in ‘your itinerary’
• 17 nights’ accommodation in high-quality and distinctive properties
• All meals as mentioned in ‘your itinerary’
• All necessary private transfers as mentioned
• All excursions as mentioned in ‘your itinerary’, including a private tour of Rio de Janeiro, Lençóis Maranhenses, the Parnaíba Delta and exploring Fernando de Noronha by 4x4
• Entrance fees to national parks for scheduled excursions
• Booking fees (worth €50)
Positive impact of your trip:
• A contribution of €50 per person towards a positive impact via the Avila Foundation
• City walk in Olinda
• Accommodation at Yoo2 in Rio de Janeiro

Not included

• Intercontinental flights
• Room category upgrade
• Travel and/or cancellation insurance
• Seat reservations on flights
• Meals and excursions not specified
• Personal expenses
• Contribution to the emergency fund (€2.50 per booking)
• SGR contribution (€5 per person)

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