Brazil's Rainforest, Beaches & Historic Cities Tour - 13 Days

Highlights

• Take motorized canoe tours in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest
• Soak in the romantic atmosphere of one of Brazil's oldest cities, Salvador
• Hike to car-free villages and refreshing waterfalls on Tinharé Island
• Boat and kayak to several beautiful beaches around Morro de São Paulo

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Manaus, City Tour

Welcome to Manaus, the capital of Brazil's Amazonas Region and the starting point for excursions into the incredible Amazon Rainforest. Transfer to your accommodation and take some time to rest and refresh after the journey before getting out into the town to explore the city on a guided city tour that includes many of Manaus' most important, interesting, and beautiful historic buildings.

Start at the 20th-century Black River Palace, an opulent manor built by a former rubber baron. Learn about the significance of the region's rubber industry before continuing to the Museu do Índio (Indian Museum), where you'll explore the rich cultural heritage of Brazil's Indigenous population. Next is the 19th-century Customs House, followed by the Palace of Justice, which stands as an impressive testament to the region's judicial system. The tour will conclude at the Amazon Theater, a magnificent opera house adorned with a beautiful pink facade and colorful dome. 

After the tour, you'll have free time to check out the Museu da Amazônia (Musa), an extraordinary living museum within the Adolpho Ducke Reserve. You can also explore the Adolpho Ducke Botanical Garden, home to a rich variety of fauna and flora studied by the National Institute of Amazonian Research for over 60 years. Wander along the trails and visit the library, laboratories, aquariums, orchidarium, butterfly garden, and the 137-foot (42 m) tower for a stunning panoramic view of the rainforest.

Day 2: Transfer to the Amazon, Canoe Tour

This morning you'll be picked up from your hotel in Manaus and transferred to Ceasa Port, where you'll take a speedboat via the dramatic Meeting of the Waters. This is where the waters of the Negro River and the Amazon River meet, and the color of each is dramatically different. Stop to take some photos and learn about this place before continuing to the village of Careiro. Here, you'll continue overland to the Tupana River and finally take one last motorized canoe to your Amazon lodge, about 20 minutes away.

Upon arrival at the lodge, refresh with a welcome drink and settle into your accommodation. Enjoy a delicious Amazonian lunch and relax until the mid-afternoon. Then hop into a canoe for a tour of the area around the lodge, where you'll likely see some exciting wildlife, such as monkeys and sloths. Return to the lodge for dinner, but don't get ready for bed just yet: This is your chance to take a second canoe tour after dark to look out for nocturnal animals you probably missed during the day.

Day 3: Rainforest Activities: Nature Walk, Visit a Fishery

After a restful night's sleep in the Amazon, you'll fuel up for the day with a healthy breakfast of fresh produce, including fruit and other locally sourced items. Then board your canoe again and head to a place where you'll walk along an interpretive trail through the forest. Learn about the rich biodiversity of the Amazon and look out for various plants and native trees, many of which are used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Return to the lodge for lunch. 

After a well-deserved rest of the afternoon, you'll leave the lodge in a motorized canoe to visit a recreational fishery. This is where you'll meet the fish known as the queen of the Amazon's waterways: the famous piranha. Learn more about these fearsome but amazing creatures before returning to the lodge for a leisurely dinner.

Day 4: Rainforest Activities: Sunrise Tour, Visit Acajatuba Village

Rise early this morning to take a motorized canoe to a spot where you can see a beautiful Amazonian sunrise. Look out for birds and animals, such as porpoises, along the way. By rising early, you'll get to appreciate the wildlife that is most active in the mornings. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then take the canoe to visit a flour house where cassava root is turned into flour. This is a ubiquitous food in Amazonian homes, and you'll get to try a dish made from it.

In the afternoon, when the temperature has dropped, ride the canoe to the quiet community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, better known as Acajatuba Village. This small community on an island surrounded by the black waters of Lake Acajatuba is home to around 50 families. Meet one of the residents who will show you the Handicraft Center, which offers courses and manufactures handicrafts to help support the community. Also, visit the village's health center and the school to get a firsthand glimpse into how people in the Brazilian Amazon live.

Day 5: Dolphin Watching Tour, Transfer to Manaus, Fly to Salvador

Today you'll leave the Amazon, but not before one more nature excursion. After breakfast, take a canoe ride to an area known for enchanting pink dolphins. These intelligent creatures live in the Negro and Solimões River basins, but their survival is threatened. To support responsible tourism, you'll have a chance to see them in their natural habitat whirling and jumping in the water without directly interacting with them. 

Return to the lodge for lunch and transfer back to Manaus the same way you came. You'll then be transferred to the airport for your flight to Salvador, a coastal city that's the capital of the northeastern state of Bahia. Salvador is known for its tropical beaches, historic Portuguese architecture, and Baroque colonial-era churches. One of Brazil's oldest cities, it was founded in 1549 as the capital of the Portuguese colony of Brazil and has since grown into a modern, bustling hub. You'll be transferred to your hotel after your arrival.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You might want to just rest at your hotel, or you could take a walk along the popular Praia da Barra. This beach has natural rock formations that divide the water into pools, which are fun to swim or snorkel in. You can rent beach equipment here, and plenty of restaurants and bars are nearby.

Day 6: Walking Tour of Pelourinho, Evening Cultural Experience

Get to know Salvador better today on a guided walking tour of the historic downtown and the Pelourinho district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the most extensive collection of colonial buildings in Latin America. Walk along cobblestone streets surrounded by pastel-colored houses, visit the exuberant São Francisco Church, and see the Cathedral of Salvador's Rococo refinement. Then, continue to the Lacerda Elevator, a public elevator connecting the city's upper and lower parts.

After sundown, many locals head to the southern beach neighborhood of Rio Vermelho, affectionately referred to as the Bairro Boemio (bohemian quarter). This lively area is home to street food stalls, restaurants, botecos (casual spots to meet for drinks), and bars with live music. Embark on a four-hour guided evening tour during which you'll try local street food, visit a boteco, enjoy musicians, and perhaps even dance along the waterfront. 

Day 7: Salvador Market Tour, Cooking Demonstration & Lunch

In Salvador, there are few better ways to immerse yourself in the city than by visiting its municipal markets. The São Joaquim Fair is the largest such market in the city, and today you'll have an opportunity to tour this massive labyrinth of merchant stalls, produce vendors, and food purveyors. Rub shoulders with locals doing their daily shopping, try a fresh fruit suco (juice), or purchase authentic Bahian souvenirs. 

The market is also where you can find all the ingredients necessary to prepare Bahia's signature dish, moqueca—a rich seafood stew made with cilantro, lime, garlic, coconut milk, and dendê (red palm) oil. After you've visited the market, head to a local restaurant for a cooking demonstration in which the chef will prepare this dish right before you. Enjoy this delicious meal before heading back to your hotel for the evening.

Day 8: Boat to Morro de São Paulo, Sunset at the Tapirandú Fortress

Today you'll leave the city behind as you travel approximately four hours, via catamaran, from Salvador to the port of Morro de São Paulo, a village on the northern tip of Tinharé Island. After checking into your hotel, you can have lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a spa treatment, or relax on the beach before heading out again this evening.

Later, embark on a journey back to the 17th century as you explore the historic Forte de Morro de São Paulo. This strategic defensive structure was built to ward off Dutch invasions and protect the beautiful Baía de Todos os Santos. Officially known as the Tapirandú Fortress, you can witness the best sunset on the island from here. You might even spot playful dolphins performing acrobatic feats in the surrounding waters if lucky. If you're still feeling energetic, experience the lively nightlife at Morro de São Paulo after sunset.

Day 9: Boat Tour of Tinharé Island & Boipeba Island

On a full-day tour by boat, you'll visit some of Tinharé and nearby Boipeba Island's most beautiful beaches. The first stops are Garapuá, Moreré, and Cueira, where you walk around and dip into natural pools. Then stop for a fresh fish and seafood lunch at Boca da Barra. Next, sail toward Cairu to visit the Santo Antonio Convent, which was likely completed in 1658 and is an early example of Baroque architecture in Brazil. On the way back to Morro de São Paulo, stop at an oyster farm in Canavieira before finishing the day with some free time on dry land. 

Day 10: Hike to Morro Gamboa & Fonte do Céu Waterfall

Get active today on a fun, half-day hiking excursion along the path from Morro de São Paulo to Gamboa, which offers a mix of hills, beaches, waterfalls, and beautiful views. First, you'll start from your hotel and walk through the different neighborhoods of Morro, arriving at the road that leads to the Fonte do Céu Waterfall. Before leaving the last houses of Morro, take in the views of the mainland, appreciating the calm waters on that side of the island.

Once outside Morro, you'll arrive in a protected area home to native species. Make your way to the waterfall, where you can take a refreshing swim in the freshwater and relax in nature. Then, continue along a trail to the village of Gamboa. Visit the church, look around the center of town, and visit the Clay Wall beside the sea, known for its beneficial properties for the skin. After the tour, return to Morro de São Paulo on foot and enjoy some free time. 

Day 11: Paddle to Ilha do Caitá, Island Exploration

Explore the lesser-known Ilha do Caitá today. Located just in front of Morro's Third Beach, there are several ways to reach the island, including by kayak, stand-up paddle board, water bike, or even swimming. The crossing is usually calm, and if you're unsure which mode of transportation to choose, opt for a 20-minute kayak ride because of its speed and stability. On the way, observe the rays, starfish, turtles, sea urchins, and other marine life between the two islands. Consider renting snorkeling gear on the other side to get up close and personal with the underwater world.

Day 12: Free Day in Morro de São Paulo

Today is a free day to spend as you like in Morro de São Paulo. You might want to visit more amazing beaches for swimming and sunbathing or take a boat tour to explore the surrounding islands and see dolphins, turtles, and other sea creatures. In the evening, enjoy more of the nightlife and cuisine of Morro de São Paulo at its great bars and restaurants. You can dance, listen to live music, and enjoy the local food and drink. Try local dishes like moqueca (a seafood stew) or acarajé (a fried bean cake).

Day 13: Boat to Salvador, Depart

It's time to say goodbye to Brazil! After breakfast, take a catamaran back to Salvador. Admire the views and take in the sea air before arriving on the mainland and transferring to the airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!

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