Welcome to Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon! Take a private transfer from the Manaus airport to your hotel in Manaus, known as the gateway to the Brazilian Rainforest. Meet the rest of your group over a delicious welcome dinner in one of Manaus’s best restaurants, overlooking the exquisite Teatro Amazonas opera house. This stunning music venue is said to have been commissioned by 19th-century rubber barons in order to entice the great opera singer Enrico Caruso to come and perform for them. 

Your day kicks off with a combination of speed boat rides and drives into Juma, deep in the Amazon. Witness the mesmerizing Meeting of the Waters, where the Solimões and Negro rivers flow side by side without mixing, and feel the temperature change as you cruise past this unique natural phenomenon. Arriving at your Amazon lodge, you’ll be welcomed with a delicious lunch blending regional and international flavors. Later, hop on a canoe and glide through the igarapés (creeks) and igapós (flooded forests), looking out for pink dolphins. You could opt for a refreshing dip too. This evening, embark on a nighttime expedition to spot caimans and other nocturnal wildlife. 

Start your day at sunrise, soaking in the dawn chorus of birds with binoculars in hand. After breakfast featuring tropical fruits and regional delicacies, set off on an immersive jungle hike led by an expert guide who will reveal some of the Amazon’s many secrets, from edible flora to medicinal plants. Back at the lodge for lunch, spend time exploring its unique architecture (it’s built on stilts), and gain an insight into local sustainability practices. In the late afternoon, set sail on a fishing trip and learn all about the native piranha as the sun sets over the river. You can have your own fresh-caught fish for dinner while chatting with a local guide and your co-travelers. 

Set out on a jungle hike this morning, spotting rare birds and wildlife. Stop for a delicious lunch cooked over an open fire in the middle of the forest, then take some time to relax in hammocks like the locals do. In the afternoon, we'll be welcomed into a local home to learn firsthand about indigenous culture and the Amazon’s medicinal plants. Learn how to prepare manioc flour, a local staple used to make a range of dishes from fresh breads to stews. Return to the lodge to relax amidst the sounds of the jungle and have dinner. 

After breakfast, make your way back to Manaus, stopping along the river en route to see giant native Pirarucu fish, some of which grow to 10 feet long and 440 lbs! Back in Manaus, enjoy free time to explore the city. For dinner, we recommend Biatüwi, a restaurant specializing in Amazonian indigenous food including fish stews, maniwara ants, and guaraná juice, made from red Amazonian berries. 

Say hello to São Luís, the colorful capital of Maranhão and your gateway to the breathtaking landscapes of the Lençóis Maranhenses! After landing and checking into the hotel, the day is yours to explore this UNESCO-recognized city brimming with Afro-Brazilian culture. Stroll through the atmospheric historic center lined with cobbled streets and pastel colonial mansions. Dive into the city’s lively reggae scene or try tiquira at one of São Luís many markets, an indigenous cassava-based spirit that has been made here for millennia. 

Head out towards to the seaside village of Tutóia, then set sail on a boat tour of the Parnaíba Delta. Experience a kaleidoscopic blend of landscapes: a mix of dunes, mangroves, islands, and even a slice of tropical Amazon rainforest. You'll visit the Port of Armadillos on Santa Isabel Island and glide through creeks and rivers, spotting monkeys, iguanas, and scarlet ibis along the way. Enjoy the delta sunset before returning to Tutóia for the night, where your accommodation is just steps from the beach.

Start your day with a short trip to Paulino Neves, nestled in the protected Rio Novo region. From there, embark on a 30 km off-road adventure through North-East Brazil's iconic dunes and hidden beaches. By midday, your journey ends in Cabure, a unique village built on a shifting sand-spit separating the river from the ocean. Cross the river to Atins, a once small fishing village now on the cusp of a tourism boom thanks to its proximity to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Check in to your hotel and enjoy lunch, before heading out in 4x4s to explore the nearby dunes for a breathtaking sunset. Return to your hotel for the night.

Today you'll be bedazzled by the beauty of our planet. Set off on a boat trip up the Rio Preguiça (Lazy River), passing the Mandacaru Lighthouse for sweeping 360° views of the different landscapes, and enjoy the mesmerizing color contrasts between these different eco-systems that rarely meet. Explore Vassouras, a fishing community known for its friendly monkeys, before heading to Barreirinhas. Check into your hotel, then hop into a 4x4 for an exhilarating ride across Rio Preguiça into the Grandes Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, home to the world’s only desert with freshwater lakes. Each one beckons travelers to trek across the sand and dive into its miraculous turquoise waters. This will be a day you will never forget. 

After an early transfer to São Luís, enjoy an afternoon tour of the city's historic center. This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts exceptionally preserved Portuguese colonial architecture and a unique rectangular street plan. Visit the Gastronomy Museum, and stroll through buzzing markets, sampling local delicacies like cachaças, liqueurs, and dried shrimp. Discover Giz Street, one of Brazil's most beautiful streets, and admire its colorful colonial palaces. Climb up to the City Lookout, situated on the rooftop of the old Bank of the State of Maranhão for sweeping views of the city. Wrap up your day with a farewell dinner at a rustic waterfront restaurant offering stunning views of São Marcos Bay and showcasing the exotic flavors of Maranhão cuisine. 

After 10 days of exploring some of Brazil’s many wonders, hopping from river to rainforest and epic sand dunes, it’s time to bid farewell to this tropical fairytale region and the friends you’ve made along the way. A private transfer will take you to Sao Luis Airport for your departing flight. Or if you fancy sticking around for more adventures, check out the Atlas Obscura Guide to Brazil for itinerary inspiration. Adeus, until our next adventure!