Great hikes of the Northeast in Brazil

On arrival in Salvador, a guide and vehicle will be ready to assist. After settling in, head out for a guided walking tour of the Pelourinho District, the fascinating Old Town of Salvador. Learn about Brazil’s colonial history and the Afro-Brazilian movement in Pelourinho, accompanied by an expert local guide. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pelourinho’s historical center boasts attractive churches, interesting museums, artists’ studios, and irresistible restaurants. Visit the house of famous writer Jorge Amado, the Pierre Verger gallery, and the studio of Goya Lopes, a textile designer from Bahia. After exploring Pelourinho, visit the Lacerda Elevator, an art deco lift connecting the upper and lower city. Enjoy panoramic views of All Saints Bay before descending for a visit to Mercado Modelo. After an introduction to Bahian culture, spend the evening at leisure before tomorrow’s journey to the stunning landscapes of Chapada Diamantina.

Today, depart early with a guide and private car to board a prebooked motorcoach and head west to the town of Lençóis, the gateway to the stunning Chapada Diamantina National Park. This charming old diamond-mining town is full of character with busy outdoor cafes and brightly painted colonial buildings, though the real highlights of this region wait in the neighboring park. The drive will be around 6 hours, plus stops along the way. So sit back and take in some of the surrounding scenery as you go.  On arrival in Lençóis, make your way to the hotel for check-in and relax for the rest of the day.

Rise early and drive 30 kilometers from Lençóis to begin your moderately/advanced challenging 5-day trip.
The first day includes a visit to the stunning Morrão in Serra dos Três Irmãos, one of Chapada Diamantina’s most spectacular peaks.
This 20-kilometer (approximately 8-hour) journey follows a centuries-old trail carved out by miners to transport diamonds around the region. The route to your Pousada in Vale do Capão offers breathtaking views and intriguing spots, passing pristine streams and the tumbling Águas Claras waterfall.

Today’s trekking begins with a scenic 6 km climb to an altitude of of 1,490 m above sea level to Cachoeira da Fumaça. The hike promises gorgeous views of the Vale do Capão, a region carpeted by emerald vegetation and dotted with pretty wild flowers. After the ascent, reaching the plateau brings the reward of the magnificent ‘Smoky Waterfall’, a towering jet of water that plummets for 420m before crashing onto the rocks below. The fine mist that then rises from the plunge pool earned this natural gem the apt nickname ‘Smoky’, due to the haze created by its power. Continue on to the waterfalls of Riachinho for a further 1km, before snaking your way back to the pousada in Vale do Capão.There’ll be plenty of opportunities to bathe in the pools at Riachinho, before heading back to overnight in Capão.

After fueling up on breakfast ahead of another exhilarating day of trekking, it’s time to set off towards the Vale do Patí, initially with a 9km cross-country drive to the trailhead. Here, the landscape is awash with verdant plains and table-top mountains; exotic flora, including bromeliads and evergreens; and undulating hills beyond the valley. Numerous viewpoints along the trail offer prime viewing of this picturesque vista. The 8-hour hike takes on around 24 km of trails, tackling a mix of terrain, with some pathways being more rugged than others. Any effort today is more than rewarded by the spectacle of scenery and crisp, clean air. Having absorbed the beauty of the Vale do Patí, the day concludes with a delicious homemade meal at the house of Mr. Wilson and Maria, who will provide authentic accommodation for tonight in their lovely home.

The trek winds through an enchanting forest, leading to the Funnel Waterfall, where a bottomless pool provides an irresistible spot to swim. After all the activity of the past few days, this serene lagoon is a welcome opportunity to relax and soak up this beautiful natural setting, resting weary legs in the most tranquil surroundings. Then, it’s onto the Morro de Castelo, a naturally-formed peak that resembles an old castle fort, and though the ascent to the summit is tough, the prize at the end is a spellbinding view across the Vale do Patí, which unfolds mile upon mile in front of you. After taking in these memorable panoramas, enjoy a gentle descent back to Mr. Wilson’s house for more delicious food and another stay overnight at his home.

It’s the final day of trekking in Chapada Diamantina, and the scenery remains breathtaking. The 22-kilometer climb to the Cachoeirão Valley offers stunning views and lush flora, followed by a refreshing swim in the Pati River. Today’s 22-kilometer track crosses the plains of Gerais do Rio Preto, heading towards Guiné, before descending to Morro do Beco, which commands the final sweeping vistas of the Chapada escarpment. After completing the final leg of the journey, a car will be waiting at the foot of the escarpment for the 90-kilometer cross-country drive back to Lençóis. Spend the final night in the Chapada, getting some much-needed rest before returning to Salvador the next morning.

Today, take the bus from Lençóis to Salvador to visit any restaurants, sites, or points of interest missed earlier in the tour.

Today, a driver will be available to carry you to the airport in time for your flight from Salvador to São Luis Airport, where a car will be waiting to take you to your hotel. There’ll be time to settle in before heading into town to get acquainted with the historical centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose cobbled streets are lined with charming colonial buildings. A walking tour of São Luis offers a fascinating insight into this attractive town, home to pastel-hued mansions, the neoclassical Arthur Azevedo Theatre and the Palace of Lions, a fortress built by the French and later transformed into a palace by the Portuguese. On top of its appealing architecture, São Luis exudes a lively Afro-Brazilian culture through a vibrant reggae scene and exuberant festivals. At the end of a busy day soaking up São Luis’ gems, spend the night in a local hotel before the journey to Atins tomorrow.

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel for the transfer to the remote fishing village of Atins, the starting point of your next trekking adventure. The transfer takes approximately 6 hours and is done in three stages, including a refreshing boat ride along the beautiful Rio Preguiças, during which you will be able to get close-up views of the plant covered river banks. After a stop at Vassouras to see the region’s natural dune-scape in miniature, you will visit the Mandacaru lighthouse and pass Caburé beach. Upon arrival in Atins, a support vehicle will be on hand for the short transfer to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the afternoon is spent at leisure in the small seaside fishing village, which has become a kite-surf hot spot these last years. Take in the laid-back atmosphere as you stroll around the sandy streets.

Today is best spent relaxing, preparing mind and body for the next days’ adventures. Alternatively, if you would like to get a first taste of the region’s unique scenery right away, set out on an optional horseback ride across parched landscapes, endless white dunes and crystal-clear
lakes. It’s hard to imagine a better way to explore this challenging terrain. Expert riders lead the way across the dunes to isolated settlements to meet the few people who have somehow managed to make a living amidst this vast wilderness. Stops are included for refreshing dives in dune lakes, each more astounding than the other. Before you return to Atins, enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the dunes.

Today you’re in for an early start, being picked up around 6 am for a 4×4 transfer along the coast to the mouth of the Rio Negro river, located some 20 km north of Atins inside the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. This is the starting point of the moderately difficult 3-day trekking tour that will take you to the remotest corners of the National Park, guaranteeing complete immersion in this wild terrain. The adventure begins with a scenic 4-hour hike inland to Baixa Grande, a wetland oasis in the heart of the National Park. Along the way, several stops are made to rest, bathe and appreciate the breathtaking views.  After settling into camp, enjoy a traditionally prepared meal for lunch. The rest of the day is spent at leisure, mingling with the locals, or simply taking in the surreal beauty of the surroundings. As the day draws to a close, enjoy the sunset from atop a nearby dune and contemplate the starry night sky before slipping into a cosy hammock for a good night’s rest.

After an early breakfast, hike 9 km (approx. 5 hours) through thick sand and past numerous dune lakes to Queimada dos Britos, an oasis in the middle of the National Park. Here, a resilient community of goat farmers tend to their livestock and live in hand-thatched homes, as if time has stood still. Take in the local culture, traditions, and traditional dishes while sharing the joys and challenges of rural life. Overnight in hammocks.

Leaving crisp and early, around 4 am, today’s 12 km (approx. 7 h) hike takes us to Betânia. This stretch is particularly scenic, as it passes some of the region’s biggest and most beautiful lagoons. Upon arrival in Betânia, there will be time to rest and refuel at lunch before being transferred back to São Luís for one final night. The lively bars and restaurants of the historic centre are the perfect place to relax after three days trekking in the Lençóis Maranhenses.

A transfer will be provided to the airport of São Luís for a flight to
your next destination.