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9 Day itinerary in Brazil, South America

São Luis to Jericoacoara - Trekking & 4x4 Adventure

Quite unique among the many tours which dissect the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, this trip will have you not only exploring some of the most irresistible and scenic highlights of Lençóis on foot but will also include an overnight stop in the heart of the park itself, a rare treat indeed. Cover... Read More

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CamilleRenata

By Camille and Renata

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Average
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Recommended Age

Minimum 10
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Operated in

English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

São Luís

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Hiking

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Outdoors & Nature

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Hike and swim in a place with unique formation of dunes and clear waters lagoons

2

Overnight at the National Park and watch an unforgettable sunrise from the dunes

3

Navigate the Delta do Parnaiba to observe the typical flora and some animals of the local fauna

4

Enjoy the most amazing sunset of northeastern Brazil in Jericoacoara

Itinerary

Mid-Range Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place Arrive at São Luis

Airport arrival at São Luís, the capital of the state of Maranhão, and transfer to the hotel. After check-in we will go on a city tour in São Luis historical center, an important architectural complex of the 18th and 19th centuries, home to near 3,500 houses protected as World Heritage Sites since 1997. We’ll visit the Church of Sél; Squares Benedito Leite and Dom Pedro II; Fonte do Ribeirão, Arthur Azevedo Theater, Palace of the Lions, Street Portugal (especially the Portuguese tiles) and Giz Street; Beco Catarina Mina and Quebra Bundas, among other sites. Overnight at your accommodation.

Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Luzeiros São Luís
Day 2

place São Luis to Lençois Maranhenses

Morning departure to Barreirinhas, with a stop for breakfast, where a four-wheel vehicle will take us to the entrance of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Lunchtime. We continue on 4WD up to the starting point of the trek. We walk for 3h (approx 4Km) through a landscape of dunes and clear blue lagoons. While swimming in one of the crystalline pools, we are able to contemplate the sunset over the dunes. At night, we set up tents, and have dinner on the slopes of the dunes. Overnight stay in tents.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Camping
Day 3

place Lençóis Maranhenses

In the morning, we can watch the sunrise from the dunes. After breakfast, we continue trekking through the park for 3h30 (approx 5km), taking time to swim. Arrive at one of the towns within the park, Baixa Grande, where lunch is served, and everybody enjoys the afternoon getting to know the community and share with them. We spend the night in the house of a fisherman.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Homestay
Day 4

place Lençóis Maranhenses - Atins

After breakfast, we trek for 3h30 (approx 5Km) over the dunes to Negro River. Once at the beach, a four-wheel vehicle is waiting to take us to the small fishing town of Atins. In the afternoon, we have free time to relax on its beaches. Overnight at your accommodation.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Pousada Jurará
Day 5

place From Atins to Parnaíba

In the afternoon, transfer from Atins to Parnaíba. We will take a speedboat until Caburé and continue by magnificent dunes to Tutoia Beach. Then, we board on a speedboat at Ilha das Canarias. In case of rain, the luggage is protected in plastic. After approximately 1h of navigation through the waters of the Parnaíba River, where we can observe the typical flora of the Delta and eventually some animals of the local fauna, we arrive at the Morro do Meio with its dunes that separate the waters of the Parnaíba River from the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There is a 20-30 minute stop for a hike over the dunes and if we want, a river bath. We continue for another 5 minutes by boat to the Ninhal dos Guarás, an islet in the middle of the river where the beautiful Guarás birds come to spend the night. This spectacle of Nature begins around 4:30 p.m. and ends at sunset at 5:30 p.m./5: 45 p.m. At the end of the flight of the birds, we’ll take a boat tour on the Delta do Parnaíba, passing through the igarapés and igapós, watching the beautiful sunset. Overnight at your accommodation.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Pousada Casa de Caboclo
Day 6

place Parnaíba to Barra Grande

Transfer from Parnaíba to our pousada in Barra Grande. We leave in the morning from Parnaíba to Barra Grande, most of the route being over a paved road. Upon arrival to the “Capital dos Ventos” (wind capital) will see why it’s the perfect place to do windsurfing. The transfer ends at our pousada. Overnight at your accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Pousada BGK
Day 7

place Barra Grande to Jericoacoara

We leave in the morning from Barra Grande to Jericoacoara on a four-wheel drive, most of the time traveling on paved road. The journey will continue through a landscape of dunes until we finally arrive at Jericoacoara, which has the most amazing sunset of northeastern Brazil and beautiful beaches surrounded by dunes. The trip ends at our pousada. Overnight at your accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Pousada Naquela Jericoacoara
Day 8

place Free Day in Jericoacoara

Free day to explore this forgotten Northeastern town, where the rhythm of life changes and the unique landscape will dazzle the visitor. In the midst of sand dunes and lush vegetation, we will be able to take part in many activities according to the travelers’ interest, like horseback riding, yoga classes, surfing, or trips on four-wheel-drive vehicles over the surrounding beaches such as Tatajuba. Above all, we will enjoy the peace and authenticity of this location. Overnight at your accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Pousada Naquela Jericoacoara
Day 9

place Jericoacoara - Next Destination

Transfer from our accommodation in Jericoacoara to Jericoacoara airport.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Hotel Luzeiros São Luís
  • Pousada Jurará
  • Pousada Naquela Jericoacoara
  • Pousada BGK
  • Pousada Casa de Caboclo
  • Homestay
  • Camping

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (8)
  • Lunch (2)
  • Dinner (2)

Transport expand_less

  • Private transfers with a bilingual guide from São Luis to Parnaíba
  • Private transfers only driver (portuguese speaking) from Parnaíba to Jericoacoara

Activities expand_less

  • Activities as listed on the itinerary

Extras expand_less

  • 24h Emergency contact line in English and Spanish

Not Included expand_less

  • Drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Travel insurance
  • International & domestic airfare and airport taxes
  • Optional excursions
  • Meals not specified in the "Included" section

About Camille

TEAM LEAD

+1 Local experts

verified Baboo Certified

star_outline 5 (9 reviews)

Expertise: 

Cycling

Kayaking

Hiking

Rafting

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Yoga

Wellness retreat

Outdoors & Nature

Classic Sights

Food & Drink

I'm born and raised in Brazil and I have over a decade's experience planning customized travel itineraries to this amazing country, always thinking of providing our travelers with a pure, authentic, responsible, and unforgettable experience!

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$2,214.00 USD