| Starts | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
|---|---|
| Ends | Fortaleza, Brazil |
| Region | Brazil |
| Duration | 14 days |
| Tour Operator | Intrepid Travel |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Rio de Janeiro & Finishing: Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to Brazil. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 1 pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Enjoy a walking tour of the busy neighbourhood of Copacabana with your group leader. In the free time afterwards, perhaps head to the botanical gardens of Jardim Botanico, take the cable car to Sugar Loaf mountain or head up Corcovado Hill to the statue of Christ the Redeemer for incredible views over the city. Note: If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Day 2 - Starting: Salvador & Finishing: Salvador
Take a two-hour flight north to the Afro-Brazilian city of Salvador. Once you’ve checked in to the hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore the city. If you need some direction, please ask your group leader for recommendations. Perhaps check out the colonial architecture of the Sao Francisco Church and Convent or head to one of the city’s local beaches. Flamengo is pristine and attracts surfers with its huge waves, but be careful with your personal belongings, as pickpockets have been known to operate in this area.
Day 3 - Starting: Salvador & Finishing: Salvador
Today, head to the neighbourhoods of Pelourinho and Santo Antonio Alem do Carmo early in the morning. Take a walking tour of Pelourinho, Salvador’s World Heritage-listed historic centre, and observe its 17th and 18th-century architecture. Taste a delicious local speciality of aracaje (black-eyed pea fritters) and enjoy some free time around the markets. If your group is in town on a Tuesday, join in the music and dancing that take place on ‘Blessed Tuesdays’ in the plazas of Pelourinho.
Day 4 - Starting: Salvador & Finishing: Salvador
Today you’re free to do what you like. Perhaps see some art at the Museu de Arte da Bahia or relax along one of Brazil’s largest stretch of beaches. The martial art of Capoeira combines elements of dance, music, acrobatics and philosophy, and is prominent in Salvador. You can enjoy a show or even take part in a class yourself. You may even come across performers practising in the streets.
Day 5 - Starting: Lencois & Finishing: Lencois
Take an early morning bus to Lencois (approx 6 hours) - our base to explore Chapada Diamantina National Park. We arrive around lunch time and the rest of the day is free for you to relax in this charming colonial town. Perhaps take a walk along Lencois’ old aqueducts or visit the charming Nossa Senhora do Rosario Church, the only church in the village. Lencois is a lot quieter than Salvador and provides an ideal respite before a full day of walking ahead.
Day 6 - Starting: Lencois/Chapada Diamantina NP & Finishing: Lencois/Chapada Diamantina NP
This morning, head out to explore the surroundings of Lencois on foot. Swim in the natural pools of the Caldeiroes, created as water diverts from the mountains. Head onwards to the waterfall of Cachoeira da Primavera, where the group will stop for lunch. In the evening, enjoy some local food in the village and relax.
Day 7 - Starting: Chapada Diamantina NP/Overnight Bus & Finishing: Chapada Diamantina NP/Overnight Bus
After breakfast, transfer by car to the grotto of Gruta da Torrinha for a cave walk. At the grotto of Pratinha e Gruta Azul there’s an option to snorkel. After lunch, head to Rio Mucugezinho for a short walk to the natural pools and waterfalls of Poco do Diabo. Watch the sunset from the viewpoint of Morro do Pai Inacio before returning to Lencois to take an overnight bus back to Salvador (approx 6-7 hours).
Day 8 - Starting: Fortaleza & Finishing: Fortaleza
On arrival into Salvador, fly to Fortaleza on Brazil's far-north Atlantic coast. Settle into your hotel and use the rest of the day to explore the city in your own time. Perhaps head out into the surrounding countryside to visit the Cachaca Museum, which provides an interesting look into Brazil’s sugarcane history.
Day 9 - Starting: Fortaleza & Finishing: Fortaleza
This morning, take a walking tour of Fortaleza’s central market, which is a great place to pick up souvenirs or locally made handicrafts and clothes. In the afternoon, perhaps get out of town to enjoy the unique sand formations and cliffs of Morro Branco beach. The evening is free to do as you please.
Day 10 - Starting: Jericoacoara & Finishing: Jericoacoara
In the morning, travel by bus to the trendy beach town of Jericoacoara. As the town is surrounded by sand dunes and its streets are paved in sand, the only way in or out is by 4WD. Late in the afternoon, climb the ‘sunset dune’ of Por Do Sol with the group to watch the sun go down, and perhaps enjoy a refreshing caipirinha afterwards.
Day 11 - Starting: Jericoacoara & Finishing: Jericoacoara
Today, hike to Pedra Furada, an arched rock right on the beach in Jericoacoara National Park. Along the way, witness the coastal scenery merge into farmland, and see donkeys grazing and goats scaling rocky cliff faces. The hike doesn’t cover much distance, but the terrain can be quite challenging, so please wear comfortable footwear.
Day 12 - Starting: Jericoacoara & Finishing: Jericoacoara
Take a day trip by 4WD through sand dunes to Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Paraiso. While away the hours with a book in a hammock suspended over the clear water of the lagoons. You can also choose to snorkel in the shallow waters. There are cafes by the lagoons so remember to bring some money with you.
Day 13 - Starting: Fortaleza & Finishing: Fortaleza
Travel back to Fortaleza in the morning and enjoy some free time exploring this huge city. Perhaps head to the Metropolitana Cathedral to discover the beautiful stained-glass home of Brazilian Catholicism. The cathedral can hold up to 5,000 people at a time. In the evening, you might like to enjoy one final dinner with your group.
Day 14 - Starting: Fortaleza & Finishing: Fortaleza
There are no activities planned for the final day and you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time.
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