From Jericoacoara to the Pantanal, by way of the Lençóis and Brasília
A long, off-the-beaten-path journey: Jericoacoara, Barra Grande and the delta, Atins and the Lençóis Maranhenses, São Luís, the modernist capital of Brasília, five nights in the northern Pantanal and a final stop in Rio.
This itinerary is based on a trip our team actually organized: every stop, every hotel and the length of each stay can be adapted to your dates and what you’d like to do.
Trip at a glance
- Jericoacoara, the Parnaíba Delta and the village of Barra Grande.
- The Grandes Lençóis from Atins, the Preguiças River and the lagoons of Barreirinhas.
- São Luís and Brasília, from colonial heritage to modernist architecture.
- Five nights in the northern Pantanal, in search of the jaguar.
- Rio de Janeiro to finish, with sightseeing and free time.
With Brazil Vip
An itinerary built with you, at your own pace and within your budget.
Bookings and logistics handled from start to finish.
Assistance 7 days a week during your trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival and drive to Jericoacoara
Fortaleza, Jericoacoara
Welcome at Fortaleza airport and drive to Jericoacoara (about 5 hours), the final stretch by 4×4 across the sand.
Included: private transfer, accommodations.
Day 2 — Jericoacoara by buggy
Jericoacoara
Buggy excursion east of Jericoacoara: Pedra Furada, a natural arch carved by the sea, the dunes, and the lagoons with hammocks set right in the water.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private buggy excursion with a local guide.
Day 3 — Free day in Jericoacoara
Jericoacoara
Beach, lagoons and sunset from the big dune: soak up the village atmosphere.
Included: accommodations with breakfast.
Day 4 — The Parnaíba Delta, then Barra Grande
Jericoacoara, Barra Grande
Drive to Porto dos Tatus, then an afternoon by speedboat through the Parnaíba Delta, among islands and mangroves, until the scarlet ibises take flight. Overnight in Barra Grande.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private excursion, transfers.
Day 5 — Free day in Barra Grande
Barra Grande
Beach, mangroves, seahorses, or kitesurfing for enthusiasts, in a village that is still unspoiled.
Included: accommodations with breakfast.
Day 6 — From Barra Grande to Atins
Barra Grande, Atins
Drive to Atins (about 6 hours), a fishing village at the edge of the Lençóis Maranhenses dunes.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private transfer.
Day 7 — The Grandes Lençóis from Atins
Atins
A day by 4×4 on the two most popular routes from Atins: Ponta do Mangue and its Tropical, Esmeralda and Gorjeta lagoons, then Canto de Atins and Lagoa do Gavião.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private excursion with a local guide.
Day 8 — Along the Preguiças River to Barreirinhas
Atins, Barreirinhas
Boat trip on the Preguiças River: the Pequenos Lençóis at Vassouras, the Mandacaru lighthouse and the Caburé peninsula, all the way to Barreirinhas.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private excursion with a local guide.
Day 9 — Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul
Barreirinhas
By 4×4 to the foot of the dunes, then a walk across the white sand to Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul, with a swim and sunset over the dunes.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private excursion with a local guide.
Day 10 — From Barreirinhas to São Luís
Barreirinhas, São Luís
Drive to São Luís (about 4.5 hours). Check in at the hotel; the rest of the day is at leisure.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private transfer.
Day 11 — São Luís, then fly to Brasília
São Luís, Brasília
Half a day in the UNESCO-listed historic center of São Luís and its azulejo-covered façades. Flight to Brasília in the late afternoon.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private tour with an English-speaking guide, São Luís – Brasília flight, transfers.
Day 12 — Brasília, the modernist capital
Brasília
From the model superquadra to the Burle Marx garden, then the Esplanada dos Ministérios, the cathedral and Three Powers Plaza: the city imagined by Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private tours with an English-speaking guide.
Day 13 — Fly to the Northern Pantanal
Brasília, Cuiabá, Northern Pantanal
Early flight to Cuiabá, then a drive along the Transpantaneira to the lodge, near Porto Jofre. First wildlife sightings along the way.
Included: full board, Brasília – Cuiabá flight, shared transfer.
Days 14 to 16 — Safaris in search of the jaguar
Northern Pantanal
Boat outings from Porto Jofre on the rivers where jaguars come to hunt, plus lodge activities: watching giant otters, caimans and birds.
Included: full board, group activities with an English-speaking guide.
Day 17 — Hike in the reserve
Northern Pantanal
A hike of about 2 hours in the lodge’s reserve, rich in birdlife, then another outing on the water in the afternoon.
Included: full board, group activities with an English-speaking guide.
Day 18 — Fly to Rio de Janeiro
Northern Pantanal, Cuiabá, Rio de Janeiro
Drive to Cuiabá airport, then flight to Rio de Janeiro. Welcome and transfer to your guesthouse.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, Cuiabá – Rio de Janeiro flight, transfers.
Day 19 — Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro
Cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain for a panorama over Guanabara Bay, then up Corcovado to Christ the Redeemer and one of the finest views of the city.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private tours with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees for Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Day 20 — Free day in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Beaches, neighborhoods, restaurants: enjoy Rio at your own pace, or add an excursion if you like.
Included: accommodations with breakfast.
Day 21 — Santa Teresa and the historic center
Rio de Janeiro
A walk through the hilltop neighborhood of Santa Teresa, with its colonial houses and artists’ studios, then the Selarón Steps, Lapa and the historic center.
Included: accommodations with breakfast, private tours with an English-speaking guide.
Day 22 — Departure via Fortaleza
Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza
Transfer to the airport and flight to Fortaleza, where your international flight departs. End of our services.
Included: breakfast, transfer, Rio de Janeiro – Fortaleza flight.
Map
Included in this price
- 21 nights in hotels, pousadas and a lodge, with breakfast; full board in the Pantanal.
- Domestic flights São Luís – Brasília, Brasília – Cuiabá, Cuiabá – Rio de Janeiro and Rio de Janeiro – Fortaleza, taxes included.
- Private transfers as per the itinerary; transfers to the lodge arranged by the lodge.
- Private excursions with a local guide in the Northeast; private tours with an English-speaking guide in São Luís, Brasília and Rio; group lodge activities with an English-speaking guide.
- Entrance fees for Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Not included
- International flights (we’re happy to advise you).
- Meals and drinks not mentioned.
- Optional excursions and activities.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Travel, cancellation and repatriation insurance.
Nothing is set in stone: every step can be adjusted with our team.
More nights at one stop, a different hotel category or an extra destination: we’ll adapt this trip with you.
Customize this tourSuggested accommodation
Hotels are indicative. We confirm them when we prepare your quote, based on your dates and availability, and they may be replaced by properties of an equivalent category. We can also tailor the choice of hotels to your preferences and budget.
Superior / Boutique
- Pousada Encantes do Nordeste — Barreirinhas
- Hotel Luzeiros — São Luís
- Jaguar Eco Lodge — Northern Pantanal
- Gerthrudes Bed & Breakfast — Rio de Janeiro
- CasaLô Hotel — Jericoacoara
- Pousada BGK — Barra Grande
- Pousada Convento Arcádia — Atins
- Brasília Palace Hotel — Brasília
What to pack
- Light, comfortable clothing, swimsuit and sandals.
- Comfortable shoes for sightseeing and closed-toe shoes for the Pantanal.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat or cap.
- Insect repellent, long pants and long sleeves, and binoculars if you have them.
Good to know
The order of visits may be adjusted depending on flight schedules, weather and local conditions.
The lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses are at their fullest from June to September; jaguars are mostly seen from July to October. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
In the Pantanal, activities are in groups with an English-speaking guide.
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