Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Alternative Brazil
Rio, the North-East and Jericoacoara

Rio de Janeiro - North-East Brazil

DUNES, RIVERS & BEACHES: ANOTHER BRAZIL

Starting from between £3,375 to £4,645 per person for 11 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • The dunes of Lençois Maranhenses, the beaches of Jericoacoara: magnificent landscapes
  • Swimming in the lagoons, sailing on the river, chilling on the sand: a journey to recharge the batteries
  • A colonial house in Santa Teresa: your charming accommodation for experiencing bohemian Rio
  • Concierge, private transfers and our other usual additional services
Rio de Janeiro, urban beaches, sun culture, body worship. And, perched high up above, far from the hustle and bustle, another Rio, a Rio from before the beach: the hillside district of Santa Teresa, inhabited by artists and surrounded by forests. Shiny pavements, villas with stucco pediments and tropical gardens planted with banana trees: Santa Teresa has a village atmosphere and a bohemian spirit. Heading for the North-East, and Sao Luis. Separated from the mainland by a narrow strait, the island is the capital of the state of Maranhao, it is also the only city founded by the French in Brazil. The Portuguese took over the city as early as 1615, and, if Sao Luis retains traces of the first inhabitants of the island, with its glazed painted tile-paved alleyways, it is the Portuguese influence that dominates. Then join Barreirinhas, in the bends of the river Preguicas, and the Lencois Maranhenses, a desert of white sand that experiences - with 24 inches of rain a year - more than Glasgow. A geological quirk that produces a landscape of dizzying beauty: infinite dunes of white sand, where the wind constantly changes the contours - and, in the clay-lined hollows of the dunes, freshwater lagoons, translucent or dark blue; paradise beaches in the middle of the desert! You then sail through the mangroves lining the Rio Preguicas, the suitably named 'lazy' river, following the indolent rhythm of its meanderings - a mangrove forest with countless roots, small straw houses, and canoes owned by the indigenous people who live on the river - and on to Jericoacoara, a former fishing village bordered by immense dunes of fine sand and coconut trees, the mecca of the 70s hippies, now the world capital of windsurfing and kitesurfing. The less sportily inclined can just relax in front of the ocean: the beach has been ranked as one of the ten most beautiful in the world by the Washington Post.

YOUR TRIP

What would Rio be without the Christ of Corcovado? Since its opening in 1931, Christ the Redeemer, designed by the French sculptor Paul Landowski, has been considered the symbol of Rio. We have planned a visit as part of your itinerary - a cog train takes you through the rainforest of Tijuca, the largest urban forest in the world, to the famous statue, overlooking the city, 2288ft above sea level. Also included in the itinerary, a private tour of arty Santa Teresa, accompanied by a local guide who introduces you to its artistic workshops. In the North-East, visit the rounded dunes of Lencois Maranhenses, meander along of the river Preguicas, spend time on the slopes and beaches of Jericoacoara. Throughout you have transport able to adapt to each environment: car, boat, 4x4, depending on what's needed. And throughout your journey, you have the contact information of our local Concierge, who can be reached at any time, to advise you or arrange any last-minute plans.
Surfboards in Buzios - Brazil © chupacabra/Fotolia
Surfboards in Buzios - Brazil © chupacabra/Fotolia
Sao Luis - Maranhao - Brazil © lazyllama/Fotolia
Sao Luis - Maranhao - Brazil © lazyllama/Fotolia
National Park Lençois Maranhenses - Maranhao - Brazil © Ariane Citron/Fotolia
National Park Lençois Maranhenses - Maranhao - Brazil © Ariane Citron/Fotolia
Sao Luis - Maranhao - Brazil © Peeter Viisimaa/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sao Luis - Maranhao - Brazil © Peeter Viisimaa/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Jericoacoara - Ceara - Brazil © Droits reservés
Jericoacoara - Ceara - Brazil © Droits reservés
Red bird in National Park Lençóis Maranhenses - Brazil © diegograndi/stock.adobe.com
Red bird in National Park Lençóis Maranhenses - Brazil © diegograndi/stock.adobe.com
Sea in Brazil © Droits reservés
Sea in Brazil © Droits reservés

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Three nights' accommodation in Santa Teresa. In an exuberant garden, a house where the 19th century has left its mark. The style of the decor is cool and colourful. At the window, Guanabara Bay, which shines in the sun. With this view, breakfast on the terrace is a opportunity that you simply can't ignore. Just below, a lovely swimming pool, perfect for relaxing in the evening. The spacious rooms overlook the garden.

Included in the itinerary - A visit to Christ the Redeemer. Christ the Redeemer is the symbol of Rio. A cog train takes you up through the rainforest of Tijuca - the largest urban forest in the world - to the famous statue that, with its head in the clouds, dominates the city, 2288ft above sea level. And on arrival, a knockout view of Rio and its bay, the Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. A visit to arty Santa Teresa, accompanied by one of its inhabitants who will guide you through its cobblestone streets, where time seems to have stopped in the mid 20th century, and to its artists' workshops.
Things to see and do - a visit to the Museu de Arte Moderna, built in 1960 by Alfonso Eduardo Reidy, and a must for its perfect architecture - buy a bikini at Bumbum - chill on the beach of Ipanema - observe trends in contemporary art at the Anita Schwartz Gallery - see the Maracana Stadium and the huge concrete cone of Sao Sebastiao Cathedral, Rio's twin temples - indulge in churrasco (grilled meat) and feijoada (black bean stew) - shop in the bohemian district of Lapa: home to Portuguese colonial houses in faded colours have been reinvented as second-hand clothes shops, vintage shops and antique galleries, where splendid mid-century Brazilian furniture can be found - sip Amazonian fruit juice in the cool of a rear courtyard in Leblon, after an afternoon shopping.

Flight to Sao Luis. Founded by the French as Saint Louis in 1612, the capital of Maranhao has preserved an exceptional colonial centre. A grid plan, wrought iron balconies, glazed painted tiles: the overall effect is enchanting. Overnight accommodation in a modern hotel, a short distance from the beach. Abandon yourselves to relaxation by the beautiful pool, lulled the sound of the nearby waves. Inside, modern design and lots of light; in the rooms, beautiful proportions and muted shades. The main restaurant serves international cuisine with Brazilian touches.

Included in the itinerary - Meet with your guide/driver and drive along the bays and across the plains, to the peaceful town of Barreirinhas, nestled in the lazy bends of the Preguicas River, where the bright whiteness of the dunes is punctuated by lagoons with translucent, green or dark blue waters. Spend two nights on the banks of the Preguicas River in a hotel with simple comfort, beautiful swimming pools, and spacious bungalows.
Optional - A flight over Lencois Maranhenses. By plane, the dunes and lagoons of Lencois Maranhenses look like a work of art.

Included in the itinerary - A day discovering Lencois Maranhenses National Park in a private 4x4 vehicle, 600 square miles of pristine sand dunes, dotted with embedded blue lagoons - it's an extraordinary landscape. You'll reach Barreirinhas after swimming in a lagoon at sunset.

Included in the itinerary - Cruise along the Rio Preguicas by speedboat to Atins, a fishing village between the mouth of the river, the ocean and the national park. Its main street is an avenue of white sand flanked by palms. After walking along the beaches where sea turtles nest and crab-filled mangroves, have another foray into the Lencois Maranhenses, for a swim in the lagoon. After lunch and a refreshing nap in a hammock in Canto do Atins, return to Atins, where you spend the night in a charming, warm pousada (inn), where you'll be welcomed as friends.

Departure by 4x4 to reach Camocim, crossing the river Coreau by ferry, then visit the hidden village of Tatajuba with its dunes, coconut plantations, and lagoon. Arrival in Jericoacoara in the middle of the afternoon and your accommodation for two nights on the sand in Prea is in a hotel designed by windsurfers, which combines a friendly atmosphere and great comfort. The thatched bungalows, constructed from local materials, nestle between the coconut grove and the sand, at a decent distance from each other, for added privacy. Worth mentioning are the tasty, ultra-fresh breakfasts.

Bid a fond farewell to Brazil today as it's time to embark on the journey home.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

TIJUCA, A RIO FOREST

Hiking with a private guide in Tijuca National Park. As beautiful as the ocean in front of it, Tijuca, the largest urban forest in the world, coats the hills that create the backdrop to the city, and supplies it with water, fresh air and clouds. Just a couple of miles from Copacabana and Ipanema, it is a forest rich in hundreds of endemic plant species, a part of the world inhabited by monkeys, snakes and parrots. You'll be taking a path that leads to one of Rio's most spectacular peaks: Pedra Bonita. Along the way, you will discover reforestation plots and coffee farms. At 2275ft the view of the city is breathtaking.

Optional - half day

Why visit Brazil with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Brazil

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The estimated cost for this trip starts from £3,375 to £4,645 per person. All of our holidays are tailor made so prices will vary dependent on a number of factors, such as seasonality, level of accommodation and how far in advance you book. The final cost will vary according to several factors, including the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £4,020 per person.

100% tailor-made holidays

Understanding Your Needs

Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday

Personalisation

We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities

Our Services

All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges