- 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
Contact one of our specialists + 44 (0) 20 3958 6120
DUNES, RIVERS & BEACHES: ANOTHER BRAZIL
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.
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.
Route
Flight to Rio
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.
Rio
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.
Rio - Sao Luis
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.
SAO LUIS - BARREIRINHAS
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.
LENCOIS MARANHENSES
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.
BARREIRINHAS - ATINS
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.
BARRA GRANDE - JERICOACOARA
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.
Return Flight
Bid a fond farewell to Brazil today as it's time to embark on the journey home.
A la carte
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
A Rough Idea of Price
- International flights with a scheduled airline
- Airline taxes and fuel surcharge
- Flights Rio-Sao Luis
- Private airport/hotel transfers
- Transportation by private vehicles and boats in the north-east
- Private transfer between Jericoacoara and Fortaleza
- Three-night stay in Rio in a double room, breakfast included
- Overnight stay in Sao Luis in a double room, breakfast included
- Two-night stay in Barreirinhas in a double room, breakfast included
- Overnight stay in Atins in a double room, breakfast included
- Overnight stay in Barra Grande in a double room, breakfast included
- Two-night stay in Jericoacoara in a double room, breakfast included
- The discovery of arty Santa Teresa in Rio, accompanied by a local
- Entry tickets for Corcovado
- Our local Concierge service
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