DAY 1
Arrival in Sao Luis and transfer to chosen accommodation. The remaining part of the day you will rest or visit the city.
Overnight in Sao Luis. (B)
Sao Luis (Saint Louis) is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Maranhão. The city is located on Ilha de Sao Luis in the Baía de São Marcos an extension of the Atlantic Ocean.
Sao Luis, originally Saint-Louis, is the only Brazilian state capital founded by France (France Équinoxiale) and it is one of the three Brazilian state capitals located on islands.
Coordinates: 2.53 S, 44.30° W. Population: about 986,000 people.
DAY 2
Departure is between 6:50am and 7:40am from São Luís to the town of Barreirinhas (the entrance door to the "Lençóis Maranhenses" National Park) by a 4x4 car or mini-bus. We will travel along 270 km of paved road, the estimated duration of the trip is 4:30 hours. Accommodation at the chosen accommodation.
At 2:00pm transfer to the park of "Lençóis Maranhenses", you have to cross the river Preguiças by barge to reach the Park. The 4WD vehicle will bring you until the entry from where we have to continue on foot. The tracking goes through the "Blue Lagoon" (Lagoa Azul) and the "Fish Lagoon" (Lagoa do peixe) or the "Beautiful lagoon" (Lagoa Bonita). The return to the city is planned for about 6:00pm.
Overnight in Barreirinhas. (B)
DAY 3
Departure from Barreirinhas port at 8:30am by a motor boat you´ll go down the river Preguiças toward the ocean. The first stop is at Vassouras to see the Small "Lençóis" and the local fauna in the Tent of the Monkeys (Tenda dos Macacos). The second stop is at Mandacaru, a small village of fishermen. Here, from the top of a lighthouse (Farol da Preguiça) you will have a beautiful view over the Lençóis Maranhenses, the Preguiça River and the vast forest still preserved. Arrival at the beach of Caburé, lunch (not included) and bath in the sea or in the river.
Return to city after 3:00pm.
Overnight in Barreirinhas. (B)
DAY 4
Departure at 9:30am by an a/c 4x4 vehicle to the city of Tutóia which is located on the border between Maranhão and Piauí states. We will drive on the panoramic route for about 3.5 hours, following sand trails, which in the rainy season can be flooded, between exuberant beautiful landscapes, prairies, sand dunes and cabins of the natives of the desert. We will pass through the small city of Rio Novo and then continue on of paved road for 34km until the city of Tutóia, making a stop for lunch (not included) in the village of Lagoinha, in a simple but cozy restaurant located in front of a clear water lagoon.
Arriving at the port of Tutóia around 14:30, we depart in a fast boat to visit the "Delta das Americas" formed by the Parnaíba River and tributaries (border between Maranhão and Piauí states). We will pass throug islands, dunes, desert beaches and streams covered by mangroves where live thousands of crabs, native fisherman in their simple sailing canoes. The boat trip duration is about 4 hours during wich we will stops for swimming and taking pictures. It's a really fascinating trip!
At the end of the excursion, the sunset, from July to January, it's possible to see hundreds of scarlet ibises flying toward their nests in the forest, a truly amazing spectacle!
Overnight stay in Parnaíba (B)
DAY 5
Departure at 8:00am by an a/c 4X4 to the village of Jericoacoara driving on a panoramic paved road for 75 km until we reach the small town of Chaval characterized by houses built in the middle of giant monoliths, here we will stop for take pictures. Continuing the road until we arrive to the city of Camocim where we will cross the "Rio Coreaú" by a ferry boat. Continuing for other 40km stretch of coast, through trails, edging sand dunes, palm trees and coconut trees up to Tatajuba, where you will know the lagoon "Lagoa Grande" and proceed until we get the village of Jericoacoara.
The duration of the trip is 6 hours.
Overnight in Jericoacoara. (B)
NOTE: the duration of each visit is influenced by level of the tides and is decided at the moment of the excursion.
DAY 6
Leave at 9:00 am for a dune buggy excursion to visit Jericoacoara National Park and its famous beaches. Today we'll travel along sand roads, climbing dunes until arrival at Lagoa de Jijoca and Lagoa Azul where you can relax in hammocks in crystalline waters while drinking a delicious local caipirinha or cold refreshing coconut water.
Overnight in Jericoacoara. (B)
DAY 7
Leave around 12:00pm to Fortaleza. Today we will drive for approximately 6 hours on a paved road. The trip is divided into two parts: the first with a local vehicle (no air condition) going through trails until arrival in the town of Jijoca on paved road where we will depart via air-conditioned tourist mini-bus to the second part of the trajectory. Arrival in Fortaleza at about 7:00pm.
Overnight in Fortaleza. (B)
DAY 8
Transfer to Fortaleza airport according to your departure flight time. (B)
Interested? Ask a quotation for Tour Code: ROE8