Compare Route of the Emotions by Etours Brazil vs Brazil (North): See & Experience it ALL in 13 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1

Arrival in São Luis and transfer to Hotel Luzeiros São Luis or similar accommodation. Rest of the day at leisure before starting the route! The city of São Luis is divided into two areas by the waters of the river Anil. While the beaches are located in the northern part of the river, the main points of the city - its historic center - extend south of the river Anil. Including numerous examples of very well-preserved Portuguese architecture, this World Heritage Site is well known in particular for its unusual tiled buildings. To add to its charm, São Luis also has a rich culture: Afro-Brazilian influences can be found in local cuisine, in reggae shows and, most interestingly, in the traditions of Bumba Meu Boi, which are celebrated during the colorful annual festivals.

Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Barreirinhas. Departure in the afternoon in 4x4 for the tour of the impressive Great Lençóis. At the end of the tour, return to Pousada Boa Vista. The beautiful circuit of the lagoon, among all its beauties, is special because it allows you to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, 20 km from the city of Barreirinhas, its access is done in 4x4. The access road consists of a sandy path with vegetation on the sides. The 4x4 will take you to the place where you will start a guided hike to visit the lagoons that make up the Lagoa Bonita circuit.

Day 3

After breakfast, departure for the excursion on the Rio Preguiças arriving at Atins. The circuit of the Preguiças River is the most traditional tour in the region, with a natural beauty formed by palm trees, mangroves and dunes that line this river that flows slowly towards the sea. The tour includes four stages along its route, in front of the palm trees, in Lençóis, on the beach of Vassouras, at the Villa de Mandacaru and the last point is the beach on the Caburè peninsula. Free afternoon for leisure in Atins, an isolated fishing village, where the streets are sandy and where there is no public lighting.

Day 4

Breakfast at the Pousada. After breakfast, transfer to Parnaíba (Pousada Vila Parnaíba). After crossing the river and arriving at Caburé, a jeep will accompany you to Tutóia, from where you will take the boat that will take you to discover the Delta of Parnaíba. Located between the two states of Piauí and Maranhão, the Parnaíba Delta is the only one in the two Americas to flow into the open sea, the third largest oceanic delta on the planet (after the Nile and Mekong Delta). Five exits, eighty river islands, forests and mangroves with bare roots, thousands of palm trees, iguanas in the shade of shrubs, monkeys and some alligators: a veritable labyrinth of rivers and canals that you will cross in a boat below a sky interrupted only by the wings of birds, orange-billed caracara, kingfisher, vultures and green parakeets.

Day 5

Breakfast at the pousada. After breakfast, departure in 4x4 by the beautiful beaches of the extreme west of Ceará. Passing through the fishing village of Camocim. Stop in Tatajuba, buried by the tireless advance of the dunes. Lunch at the lagoon (not included). Continue along the beaches until Jericoacoara (Pousada Surfing Jeri).

Day 6

Today, a buggy ride will take you to discover Lagoa Azul or Lagoa Paraíso, where you can relax in the famous hammocks on the water and enjoy a day of total relaxation.

Day 7

Free day.

Day 8

Today you will move from Jericoacoara to Fortaleza. During the transfer, you will pass some beaches on the coast. Upon arrival, you will be accompanied to the Hotel (Crocobeach hotel or a similar accommodation.

Day 9

Depending on the time of your international flight, transfer to Fortaleza airport.

Day 1: Brazilian Heritage at its Richest

Our tour starts in Salvador. Although many head to Bahia for its tropical coastline and tasty caipirinha drinks, the state’s most popular destination is undoubtedly its capital. Salvador is home to Afro-Brazilian heritage at its richest: deep-fried seafood, festive drum-pounding sounds, mystical religious ceremonies, dance and an artistic form of martial arts called capoeira.

Day 2: The North’s Hangout Hotspot

Today we make a daytrip by boat from Salvador to Morro de São Paulo. We explore this vibrant island by foot, visiting the fort, lighthouse, shops and beaches. Free of cars, Morro de São Paulo is North Brazil’s hangout hotspot. It has a vibe to it which puts everyone there in a good mood.

Day 3: Charming & Colorful Portuguese Architecture, Inviting Music & Authentic Cuisine

Before relocating by flight and then by land to the resort town of Porto de Galinhas, we explore Salvador some more. This historic city is renowned for its crumbling yet nevertheless impressive Portuguese architecture. Salvador serves as Brazil’s second most visited urban destination after Rio de Janeiro. Today we are provided with a guided tour, exploring the sites and landmarks in depth. UNESCO declared the old town a World Heritage Site in 1985. Salvador is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas. There is much to see and enjoy: music blasting on the streets, authentic cuisine, charming squares, colorful buildings and more.

Day 4: A Multicolored Sandbar, a Church Planted Right on the Beach, Snorkeling & Splitting the Ocean in 2

As a daytrip from Porto de Galinhas, we head south along the coast. The first stop is a beach called Pontal de Maracaipe. There we see a multicolored sandbar. Next is the beach of Praia dos Carneiros. Its landmark is a historic church located in the middle of a long and sandy beach. Next is the beach of Praia Barra Grande. There we walk along sand which splits the ocean in two. Lastly, we visit a beach called Pontal do Maragogi. There we take a boat ride out to the sea so we can see the natural pools. Snorkeling gear is provided.

Note that some of today’s attractions and activities may need to be removed from the tour should the sea tides not be low enough.

Day 5: Buggy Riding on the Sand, Sailing to Natural Pools & a Colonial City’s Ambiance

Before relocating by flight and then by land to the fishing village of Jericoacoara, we do a couple of fun activities in Porto de Galinhas. We take a sailboat (a.k.a. jangada) to a nearby natural pool as well as go buggy-riding on the beach. Porto de Galinhas has been voted ‘Best Brazilian Beach’ for the eighth time in a row by the readers of Voyage & Tourism magazine.

Before heading to the airport in Recife, we also visit the colonial city of Olinda. Characterized by bright white churches, pastel-colored buildings, historic fountains and cobblestone streets and squares, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is spread across several small hills overlooking Recife. Incidentally, Olinda is one of Brazil’s three best locations to celebrate the world-renowned Carnival, along with Salvador and Rio de Janeiro.

On a side note, would you like to extend this 13-day tour by 3 days so you can visit the island of Fernando de Noronha? There is a direct flight there from Recife. The reason why Fernando de Noronha is not automatically included is because it is more of a ‘special interest’ kind of destination.

Even though there is a handful of attractions which make this island nice, ultimately it is best suited for families looking for relaxation and otherwise for those who like surfing.

Day 6: Lagoons, Beach Clubs, a Romantic Sunset & Nightlife

As an excursion from Jericoacoara by buggy, today we do the so-called ‘east route’ in this specific order: Prea Beach, Lagun Beach Club, Lagoa Paraiso (a.k.a. Paradise Lagoon) and Lagoa do Amancio (a.k.a. Loving Lagoon). In the evening, we walk to the ‘Por-do-Sol’ dune to watch the sunset over the ocean. Later we check out the nightlife. It is quite authentic.

Day 7: Wild Dunes, Sea Horses & a Place Like Nowhere Else on Earth

Leaving Jericoacoara, we are not taken directly to the hotel located in the town of Parnaíba. Instead, we make a lot of fun stops en route. Driving literally along the beach, firstly we are taken to a dock. There we get on a boat and search for sea horses. Next, we take a ferry crossing so we can reach an indescribable place called Mangue. There we see bizarre mangrove formations, swings, hammocks and visitors making crazy poses. After watching people go wild, we go sand boarding and dune bashing. Next, we check out a lagoon called Lagoa de Torta. We later visit Tatajuba Beach (a.k.a. Desert Beach) and then, Camocim Beach. Before reaching Parnaíba, we ride on some more sand dunes and otherwise make a ferry crossing at Coreau River.

Day 8: A Delta Voyage & Plenty of Exotic Coastline

Before relocating from Parnaíba to the town of Barreirinhas, we go on a boat cruise. Lunch is included on today’s tour. Barreirinhas is the gateway into Lençóis Maranhenses. This national park receives as many as 60,000 visitors a year. It includes 70 kilometers (43 miles) of coastline and an interior composed of rolling sand dunes. May through September, the valleys among the dunes are full with freshwater lagoons.

Day 9: A Pilot's View Over a Truly Unique Park & a Dawn to Dusk 4x4 Tour

Our morning starts with a flightseeing tour over sand dunes and lagoons. This just may be our most unforgettable adventure while at Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. The day continues with an adventurous morning-to-sunset 4x4 tour, checking out sand dunes and lagoons. We also have time for swimming. The lagoons in the park are often interconnected with one another, as well as with the rivers which run through the area.

Day 10: Desert Viewpoints by Boat & What an Incredible River

Before relocating by land to the city of Sao Luis, we explore Lençóis Maranhenses National Park some more. We spend the day doing a boat tour. The highlights are the river itself and the desert viewpoints. Few places on Earth can be compared to the unique physical features of this ecofriendly destination.

Day 11: Welcome to the Jungle!

We relocate by flight from Sao Luis to the city of Manaus and then take a drive to our ecolodge. Lodging in a vast rainforest is in itself an experience, as are going on river cruises to see wildlife. We have saved the best for last, meaning spending our final days of this grand tour exploring the Amazon.

Note that virtually all meals are included by the ecolodge during our stay.

Day 12: Being Approached by Pink Dolphins, Spotting Creatures & a Night Cruise

The Amazon is the world’s most renowned rainforest for good reason. The highlights for today are interacting with pink dolphins in their natural habitat and spotting a variety of creatures in the jungle. In the dark night, we take a boat cruise in search of caimans and other wildlife.

Day 13: Our Tour Ends Today After Exploring the Amazon Some More

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Manaus.