From Salvador to Jericoacoara, across the wide-open landscapes of the Northeast
The trip begins in Salvador, the heart of Bahian culture, before heading to the Chapada Diamantina: waterfalls, caves, rivers and plateaus as far as the eye can see, best explored on foot.
It continues to São Luís and the Lençóis Maranhenses, then along the Route of Emotions via the Preguiças River and the Parnaíba Delta, all the way to the dunes and lagoons of Jericoacoara. A tour for lovers of nature and the great outdoors.
Trip at a glance
- Salvador and the Pelourinho, then a day at Praia do Forte and Projeto TAMAR.
- Four days in the Chapada Diamantina: the Marimbus, Morro do Pai Inácio, the Lapa Doce cave and the Cachoeira da Fumaça.
- The historic center of São Luís and the lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses.
- The Preguiças River down to Caburé, then the Parnaíba Delta and the evening flight of the scarlet ibises.
- Four nights in Jericoacoara for a relaxed finish.
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 in Salvador
Salvador
Welcome by our English-speaking guide and private transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Included: private airport–hotel transfer with English-speaking guide, accommodation.
Day 2 — Salvador, Upper Town and Lower Town
Salvador
A walk through the colorful lanes of the UNESCO-listed Pelourinho, including the São Francisco Church. The tour continues in the Lower Town: the Church of Bonfim, the São Joaquim market and the Lacerda Elevator.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private tours with English-speaking guide.
Day 3 — Praia do Forte and the sea turtles
Praia do Forte
A day in this village on the Bahia coast, with a visit to Projeto TAMAR, dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their habitats.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private tours with English-speaking guide.
Day 4 — To Lençóis, gateway to the Chapada
Salvador, Lençóis
Scheduled bus from Salvador to Lençóis, a village at the gates of Chapada Diamantina National Park. Walk to the natural pools of the Serrano River and discover the colored sands, a reminder of the diamond-prospecting era.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private transfers to and from the bus stations, scheduled bus journey, private tours with English-speaking guide.
Day 5 — The Marimbus and the Roncador River
Chapada Diamantina
By 4×4 to Vila do Remanso, then a ride in a traditional boat on the Santo Antônio River through the Marimbus, nicknamed the “Pantanal of the Chapada” for its rich birdlife. A short walk to the Roncador River and a swim in its natural pools.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private tours with English-speaking guide, picnic, admission fees.
Day 6 — Poço do Diabo, Lapa Doce and Pai Inácio
Chapada Diamantina
A swim at the Poço do Diabo waterfall (zip line or rappelling available depending on conditions), then about 850 m (2,800 ft) of underground walking in the Lapa Doce cave.
Climb Morro do Pai Inácio for one of the Chapada’s signature panoramas, and visit the nearby orquidário (orchid garden).
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private tours with English-speaking guide, lunch, admission fees.
Day 7 — Hike to the Cachoeira da Fumaça
Vale do Capão
About four hours of moderate hiking across the high plateaus to the Fumaça canyon and its spectacular waterfall. Picnic along the way and a swim at Riachinho.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private hike with English-speaking guide, picnic, admission fees.
Day 8 — Back to Salvador
Vale do Capão, Palmeiras, Salvador
Transfer to the Palmeiras bus station and scheduled bus to Salvador. Welcome and private transfer to your hotel.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private transfers, scheduled bus journey.
Day 9 — Flight to São Luís
Salvador, São Luís
Transfer to the airport and flight to São Luís. Welcome and private transfer to your hotel.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, Salvador – São Luís flight, private transfers.
Day 10 — São Luís, then Barreirinhas
São Luís, Barreirinhas
In the morning, a walking tour of São Luís’s UNESCO-listed historic center, with its 18th- and 19th-century mansions. In the afternoon, transfer to Barreirinhas, the gateway to the Lençóis Maranhenses.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private tour with English-speaking guide, private transfer.
Day 11 — Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul
Lençóis Maranhenses
By 4×4 to the foot of the Lagoa Bonita dunes, then a short walk to the lagoons. Excursion to Lagoa Azul, in another part of the park, with time for a swim.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private excursions with English-speaking guide.
Day 12 — Down the Preguiças River to Caburé
Barreirinhas
By voadeira (speedboat) down the Preguiças River to the ocean, with three stops: Vassouras and the Pequenos Lençóis, the village of Mandacaru, then Caburé, between river and Atlantic. Optional ATV rides or stand-up paddleboarding.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private excursion with English-speaking guide.
Day 13 — The Parnaíba Delta and the flight of the scarlet ibises
Barreirinhas, Parnaíba
Drive to Parnaíba, then a private boat trip through the delta’s river channels, mangroves and islands. In the late afternoon, hundreds of scarlet ibises fly into the mangroves to roost for the night.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private transfer with English-speaking guide, private boat excursion in the delta.
Day 14 — Along the coast to Jericoacoara
Parnaíba, Jericoacoara
Depart by 4×4 for Jericoacoara along the coastline. Check-in and the rest of the day free.
Included: accommodation with breakfast, private transfer with English-speaking guide.
Days 15 to 17 — Jericoacoara at your own pace
Jericoacoara
Dunes, beaches and lagoons around a village with sand streets. Optional extras: buggy rides or a visit to Lagoa do Paraíso and Lagoa Azul.
Included: accommodation with breakfast.
Day 18 — Departure via Fortaleza
Jericoacoara, Fortaleza
Private transfer to Fortaleza airport for your international flight. End of our services.
Included: breakfast, private transfer to Fortaleza airport.
Map
Included in this price
- 17 nights in hotels or pousadas, in a double room, with breakfast.
- Domestic flight Salvador – São Luís, airport taxes included.
- All transfers in the itinerary by private vehicle, except the scheduled bus journeys to and from the Chapada Diamantina.
- Private tours, excursions and hikes as listed in the itinerary, with an English-speaking guide where indicated.
- Excursions in the Lençóis Maranhenses and the boat trip on the Preguiças River.
- Private boat excursion in the Parnaíba Delta to see the scarlet ibises fly in.
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary and admission to the sites and parks.
Not included
- International flights (we’re happy to advise you).
- Meals and drinks not mentioned.
- Optional activities offered locally.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Travel, cancellation and repatriation insurance.
Nothing is set in stone: every step can be adjusted with our team.
One more night in the Chapada, a stop in Atins or a few beach days in Bahia: we’ll tailor the itinerary 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.
Standard / Guesthouse
- Bahiacafé Hotel — Salvador
- Casa Lavínia — Chapada Diamantina
- Pousada Jeri Dunas — Jericoacoara
Superior / Boutique
- Hotel Villa Bahia — Salvador
- Hotel Casa do Amarelindo — Salvador
- Pousada Vila Serrano — Chapada Diamantina
- Canto das Águas Pousada — Chapada Diamantina
- Hotel Luzeiros — São Luís
- Pousada Encantes do Nordeste — Barreirinhas
- Porto Preguiças Resort — Barreirinhas
- Pousada Vila Parnaíba — Parnaíba
- Casa de Santo Antônio Hotel Boutique — Parnaíba
- Vila Kalango — Jericoacoara
- Essenza Hotel — Jericoacoara
What to pack
- Light clothing suited to the heat and to walking in the wild.
- Closed-toe shoes for the Chapada hikes, sandals for the coast and the dunes.
- Swimsuit, light rain jacket and a small daypack.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and insect repellent.
Good to know
The order of visits and excursions may be adjusted depending on the weather, road conditions, sailing conditions and natural conditions.
Travel between Salvador and the Chapada Diamantina is by scheduled bus, with private transfers to and from the bus stations.
The hike to the Cachoeira da Fumaça takes about four hours and is of moderate difficulty.
In the Lençóis Maranhenses, the water level and appearance of the lagoons vary with the season and the rains.
Some activities in Jericoacoara or along the Route of Emotions are optional and may involve an extra charge.
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