Best Experiences In Latin America From Rio De Janeiro To Salvador

Day 1: Rio De Janeiro

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro, one of the most wonderful cities in the world. We will meet you at the Rio Galeao International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. Your tour starts with a group meeting at 6 pm at the hotel reception. If you arrive early, you will find plenty to see and do. The whole day is yours to enjoy Rio as you please. Top recommended activities include: a panoramic cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain, a Colonial Gems of Rio city excursion, or a visit to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Otherwise, you can also opt to relax on the popular urban beaches or savor a beer or caipirinha at one of the many street-side cafes.

Day 2: Ouro Preto, Petropolis

Settle in for an 8 hours drive to the elegant old colonial mining town of Ouro Preto. On the way, make a stop at Petropolis, the cool hillside destination for local Cariocas escaping the heat of Rio. Ouro Preto is a captivating place to explore, as the surviving colonial buildings are excellently maintained and the city is free from modern development that follows the rule “any new buildings must be built in line with the city’s historical aesthetic”. There are numerous old mines that are open for travelers, providing an impression of how life was for the miners all those years ago. You will get 2 hours two hours to explore the Museu Imperial, explore the former Imperial Palace, walk around the city, or visit the Palacio de Cristal where the last slaves of Petropolis got freedom.

Day 3: Ouro Preto

Today get ready for a half-day guided tour of Ouro Preto, the first Brazilian city to be considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. The afternoon will be free at your leisure to enjoy. You might like to walk around and explore the baroque churches, see the underground mines, or explore the charming Mineralogy Museum. Alternatively, visit the nearby village of Congonhas to view the extraordinary statues of the Twelve Prophets by Aleijadinho, an expert sculptor who worked despite losing his hands to leprosy. There are also some excellent local cafes and restaurants. Don't forget your camera today, as this is one of the most scenic cities on the itinerary. At the day's end, come back to your hotel.

Day 4: Tres Marias

Travel through the Brazilian countryside today. After a full day's driving, you will arrive at a nice camping spot near the Tres Marias, a vast reservoir of Brazil.

Day 5: Brasília

Proceed to the capital, Brasilia. In the morning, enjoy a guided tour of this entertaining World Heritage-listed city, which was planned and built to be the Brazilian Government's headquarters in 1960. The whole area is laid out to resemble a plane and boasts some outstanding, futuristic cathedrals and monuments. To really admire the plan of the city and its odd shape, take a tour up the television tower for a picturesque view of the city. The Metropolitan Cathedral, shaped like a crown of thorns with angel statues hung from the ceiling, should not be missed, nor should the blue stained glass of Dom Bosco Cathedral be missed. Other interesting buildings include the National Congress and Senate, the Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial and the unbelievable JK Bridge. At the end of the day, settle into a hotel on the edge of the city.

Day 6: Alto Paraiso

After a morning tour of the city, drive for about 3 hours to reach the chilled-out city of Alto Paraiso. This will be your center for exploring the Chapada dos Veadeiros. Alto Paraiso is crossed by Parallel 14  and has given birth to some strange stories of spaceships and aliens. Tonight your accommodation ill be at a well-equipped campsite.

Day 7 to 8: Chapada Dos Veadeiros National Park, Alto Paraiso

Spend two full days to explore the national park. The Chapada dos Veadieros is one of Brazil's hidden gems, one of the oldest and most impressive tropical ecosystems in South America, home to stunning waterfalls, rock formations, caves, and grottoes. You'll visit the Vale da Lua or the Valley of the Moon, so-named for its lunar shaped rock formations. This area is ideal for hiking, horse riding, and cycling, and of course, swimming in some refreshing natural pools. It is said that due to the presence of high amount of quartz in the ground, the park shines from space! Wildlife enthusiasts can keep an eye out for the Rhea (Brazilian ostrich), Seriema, Tapeti, Armadillo (Tatu Canastra), Anteater, Capybara (Capivara), Tapir (Anta), Green-Beek Toucan, Black Vulture, and King Vulture.

Day 9 to 10: Lencois

Over the next two days, we will travel overland across the central Brazilian countryside towards the city of Lencois and the beautiful Chapada Diamantina. On Day 9 we will aim to travel nearly 500 kilometers and stop at a nice bush camp along the way.

On Day 10 we aim is to travel 400 kilometers and stay in an eco-tourism campsite in the laidback city of Lencois. On arrival, spread your legs and familiarize yourself with this wonderful old diamond-mining town, your gateway to Chapada da Diamantina National Park.

Day 11 to 12: Chapada Da Diamantina National Park, Lencois

Lencois's friendly residents, great restaurants, cobbled streets, and vividly colored buildings make it a pleasant place to explore on foot. The Chapada Diamantina, just a short trip away, could easily be regarded as one of the best national parks in South America, and Lencois is the ideal base for hiking, biking or kayaking adventures in the park. Valleys of lush green adorned with bright tropical flowers surround a mountain range of twisted red-rock formations undoubtedly present the best experiences in Latin America. Various small rivers carve their way through the highlands, splashing over waterfalls and natural slides. There are also various caves to explore, some many kilometers long.

Day 13 to 14: Itacare

Continue to the coast today, arriving in the charming beach town of Itacare. It's situated just south of Salvador, in the cocoa region of Bahia state. With its beautiful Atlantic rainforest, eco-friendly cafes and bars, and 20 miles of picturesque beach, this is an enchanting place relax and unwind for a couple of days. Interested surfers won't have to look very far for a wave to catch, and the water is pristine and warm.

Day 15: Salvador

Today we drive approximately 7 hours to reach the beautiful town of Salvador da Bahia. Salvador is a lively and exciting place to visit, with its rich colonial architecture, solid street food scene, fabulous music, and awesome Capoeira, so there's plenty to keep us busy for two days. Apart from the historic importance of the town, there are some great beaches to visit nearby, but you should surely try to get to a 'Candomble' evening while you are here. Candomble is a famous religious cult in the region, and the ceremonies offer an interesting insight into the culture of this area. Salvador is also famous for its magnificent Carnival and other festivities, but the nightlife is just amazing here at any time of the year. Tonight's accommodation is a hotel located just by the old center of Pelourinho.

Day 16: Salvador

The tour comes to an end today. If you are leaving in Salvador, we will transfer you to Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhaes International Airport.