Rio, Salvador & Lencois Tour

12 Days
From $ 1,799

About this SAAT Travel tour: Rio, Salvador & Lencois

The Rio, Salvador and Lencois trip takes you to two of Brazil’s most exciting cities, as well as giving you a taste of the stunning countryside of the country’s Northern region. Starting in Rio you’ll soak up  the city’s unique atmosphere, visiting all the highlights including Copacabana and Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado and the iconic statue of ‘Christ the Redeemer’. Then it’s north to Salvador, the beating heart of the country’s vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture, before heading inland to Lencois and the Chapada Diamantina National Park. The striking countryside of this protected area includes dramatic flat-topped mountains, vast sweeps of forest and spectacular waterfalls and cave systems. On the Rio, Salvador & Lencois trip you’ll experience some of the most excitingly diverse landscapes and cities of the incredible Brazil.

  • Day 1

    Touchdown in the Marvelous City


    Rio de Janeiro

  • rio copacabana view
  • Upon touchdown in Rio you will be welcomed by one of our representatives and shown to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to spend either relaxing at your hotel or heading out to explore the nearby beaches, boulevards and boutiques. Ask your specialist for recommendations of interesting places to visit. Sunset in Rio is spectacular and the best place to experience it is with the locals on one of Rio's many beaches. As the sun sets and the mountains begin to cast long shadows over sea and sand under a stunning pink and golden sky, order yourself a caipirinha, sit back and enjoy the show.
  • Day 2

    Tijuca Forest & Corcovado


    Rio de Janeiro

  • rio statue day
  • After breakfast you'll begin your day with a trip through Tijuca, the largest urban forest in the world, which covers the mountains overlooking the city in a blanket of deep green. You'll then continue on to the top of Corcovado, the 710m mountain that is home to the iconic statue of 'Christ the Redeemer'. From here the views of Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, the beaches and the Atlantic Ocean are breath-taking. You'll then return to your hotel and have the afternoon and evening free to enjoy the beaches, and perhaps head out to the dancing district of Lapa for a little Samba and a caipirinha or three. (Meals - B)
  • Day 3

    Sugarloaf Hike


    Rio de Janeiro

  • rio sugarloaf mist
  • The dramatic Sugarloaf Mountain is a well-known Rio landmark. Today, instead of standing in line to ride the aerial cable car with dozens of others, you will have the unique experience of reaching the summit on foot. Starting with a stroll along the beautiful shoreline to warm up, you'll begin a 300m hike to the stunning Sugarloaf summit. From the top the views over Guanabara Bay, Copacabana Beach and up to Corcovado are about as spectacular as you can get. This tour can be extended to a full-day adventure, either kayaking to an island five miles from Sugarloaf or rock-climbing and rappelling. Note: Those not up for the hike can opt to take the cable car to Sugarloaf's summit. (Meals - B)
  • Day 4

    Relaxing in Rio


    Rio de Janeiro

  • rio ipanema beach
  • A free day in Rio is full of possibilities - boat trips, hang-gliding, art tours, football matches and of course the failsafe option of sun, sea and sand at one of Rio's top beaches. You could also head out of the city and spend a day in Petropolis, the mountain town where the Emperors of Brazil spent their summers, or pick up a new skill and take some Brazilian cuisine or dance classes. Other options include heading into the nearby mountains for whitewater rafting, horse-riding, mountain biking or trekking. Just let us know how you prefer to spend your time and we can help make it happen. (Meals - B)
  • Day 5

    Arrival in Bahia


    Rio de Janeiro to Salvador

  • salvador bay view
  • After flying over the beautiful coastline of Bahia in Brazil's Northeast you'll arrive in Salvador, the first capital of Brazil (until Rio took over in 1763, followed by Brasilia in 1960). Upon arrival you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax at your hotel or take a stroll around the city centre. Be sure to ask for some restaurant recommendations and spend your first evening sampling the wonderful cuisine of Bahia.
  • Day 6

    Salvador City


    Salvador

  • salvador pelourinho
  • After breakfast you will begin a guided tour of the city's historical and architectural sites. Beginning at Barra's lighthouse and fort at the entrance of All Saints Bay and continuing on through the streets of the lower city. The tour continues on foot through small squares and narrow streets lined with colorful colonial buildings, to Pelourinho, in the heart of the city. Along the way you'll see the Orixás sculptures created by the Bahian artist Tati Moreno, visit the popular Fonte Nova football stadium, make a stop at the Modelo craft market where you can you browse for souvenirs, and see the Nossa Senhora do Rosario dos Pretos Church. (Meals - B)
  • Day 7

    Inland Road-trip


    Salvador to Lencois

  • lencois sunset
  • After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel for the five hour journey to Lencois. The road west from Salvador passes through the flat, dry lands of the Sertao, the Brazilian desert interior, to the old diamond mining town of Lencois. The area around the town, and the National Park of Chapada Diamantina, is a green oasis amongst the dusty outback. Flat topped mountains rise up to 1600m, and the valleys between them are covered in lush forests with spectacular waterfalls and cave systems. After checking in at your hotel the evening is free for you to explore the cobbled streets and colorful houses of the town. (Meals - B)
  • Day 8

    Subterranean Exploring


    Lencois

  • lencois cave
  • After breakfast you will head into the Chapada Diamantina National Park to visit the impressive Lapa Doce cave with its amazing rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites. From here you'll visit Pratinha Farm for lunch and a swim in the crystal clear waters of Pratinha River, before making a short journey on to the Poço do Diabo waterfall. You'll round off the day with a short hike to the top of Pai Inácio peak where you'll have an incredible 360 degree view of the park as the sun begins to set. You'll return to your hotel in the evening where you can relax and enjoy dinner. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 9

    Wetland Wildlife


    Lencois

  • lencois chapada view
  • The Chapada Diamantina National Park has a wide variety of habitats and today you will explore the marshland area around the Roncador River. Known as a mini version of Brazil's vast pantanal wetlands, the area is home to a wealth of plant, bird and animal life. Setting out this morning in small boats you will be able to see some of this wildlife at close quarters. After lunching at the Roncador Farm you will visit the Roncador River Waterfalls where we will stop for a swim and sunbathe before returning to Praia do Forte in the afternoon. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 10

    Diamantina Mountains


    Lencois

  • lencois cachoeira fumaca
  • Today you will take a guided trek to the top of Cachoeira de Fumaca, one of Brazil's highest at 400m. The journey begins in the village of Caete-Acu from where you'll follow a 2km path from the valley to the flat top of Serra do Sincora. The views across the valley and to some of the other cliff tops are stunning. For the next 4km you'll be walking along the flat top of the mountain, until you reach the Cachoeira da Fumaca Falls. On the way back you'll stop for a swim in the Riachinho Waterfall before returning to your hotel. (Meals - B, L)
  • Day 11

    Back to Salvador


    Lencois to Salvador

  • salvador city view
  • After a relaxed breakfast you will begin the day's journey back to Salvador through the stunning interior landscapes of Northern Brazil. Arriving back in Salvador in the late afternoon you can either spend the evening relaxing at your hotel or head out to enjoy the nightlife of the city. Make the most of one last Bahian style meal and perhaps hit the one of the live music bars in the Pelourinho district. (Meals - B)
  • Day 12

    Back to Rio and Home


    Salvador to Rio de Janeiro

  • rio samba show
  • After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport for your flight back to Rio. Once in Rio you can connect with your flight home. This tour can be combined with any of our other fantastic destinations in Brazil or South America - how about seeing the incredible force of nature that is Iguazu Falls or exploring the exciting Argentine capital of Buenos Aires? (Meals - B)
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