DAY 1: ITALY - RIO DE JANEIRO
Depart from Italy by intercontinental scheduled flight to Rio de Janeiro. Arrive on the day, transfer and check into the hotel (Windsor Excelsior).
Seductive, energetic, cheerful, Rio de Janeiro, the "cidade maravilhosa," is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the unique way in which the natural environment and urban landscape have managed to blend together. The city's symbol is definitely Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain, but it is also known for Sugarloaf Hill and the long beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. The bustling old town holds splendid buildings of architectural interest. On a naturalistic level, the Jardim Botânico and Morro Dos Irmãos, the mountain on the coast, are worth mentioning. Overnight.
DAY 2: RIO DE JANEIRO
In the morning, depart in the direction of the world-famous Corcovado Hill, which is reached after skirting the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Once you reach the base of the hill, you set off on a comfortable little train to reach the highest part, and from here, thanks to a panoramic elevator, you reach the base of the most celebrated symbol of Brazil and the city of Rio de Janeiro, Christ the Redeemer-one of the New Seven Wonders of the World-which dominates the entire bay, offering breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. Lunch at a typical churrascaria. In the afternoon, visit Sugarloaf Mountain, where a cable car takes you to a vantage point that offers unparalleled views of the city's most famous beaches, Corcovado and downtown. Return to the hotel.
Overnight.
DAY 3: RIO DE JANEIRO
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, walk to explore the historic center of Rio de Janeiro. The walk includes a visit to many points of interest, such as the São Bento Monastery, Candelaria, Praça XV, the "Travessa do Mercado," the Imperial Palace (Paço Imperial), the cultural center located in the beautifully restored Banco do Brasil, the Casa França-Brasil, Ouvidor Street and Gonçalves Dias Street with the traditional Colombo Coffee Shop. Return to the hotel around 4 pm. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight.
DAY 4: RIO DE JANEIRO - SAO LUIS
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport. Depart by flight for Sao Luis, capital of the state of Maranhao. Arrival, transfer and accommodation at the hotel (Praiabella). Tour of the city and the colonial old town of São Luís, one of the most fascinating in Brazil: the more than 3,500 historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, covered in the characteristic majolica tiles (azulejos) have earned São Luís recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner at a typical restaurant and overnight stay.
DAY5: SÃO LUÍS - BARREIRINHAS
Breakfast in hote.
Departure by paved road by tourist bus to Barreirinhas, the starting point for a visit to Dos Lençois Maranhenses National Park, a spectacular geological area unique in the world, consisting of dunes of fine white sand up to 40 meters high interspersed with lagoons of fresh, crystal-clear water that accumulates during the rainy season. Arrive in Barreirinhas, a small and quiet town located on the edge of the park and on the banks of the beautiful Rio Preguiças that flows placidly toward the mouth. Hotel accommodation (Pusada Porto Preguica).
In the afternoon visit Lagoa Azul reachable in about half an hour. We travel by 4x4 vehicles to the edge of the park and continue on foot to the lagoons where there will be time to enjoy a swim in the clear water, even more special in the late afternoon with the magical light of sunset. Once back in Barreirinhas, we recommend trying one of the quaint little restaurants on the bustling riverfront.
Overnight.
DAY 6: BARREIRINHAS
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free morning for optional activities (a flyover of the Lençois area is possible).
In the afternoon, continue exploring Lençois National Park by reaching by 4x4 to the area of Lagoa Bonita, which is relatively remote but offers the most beautiful overall views of the landscape. You travel for about an hour, passing numerous fords that occur along the way; once you get out of the 4x4 and pass a steep dune on foot, a panorama awaits you that encompasses the entire dune and lagoon complex on one side and the dense forest on the other. Free time to walk on the white dunes, swim in the warm, clear water or simply contemplate the late afternoon spectacular with the magical light of sunset. Return to Barreirinhas and overnight stay.
DAY 7: BARREIRINHAS - RIO PREGUIÇAS - CABURE - ATINS
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the pier and depart by tourist boat along the Rio Preguiças visiting the village of Vassouras where you can take a short walk on the dunes of the Pequenhos Lencois and meet the many monkeys that inhabit the small town. Continue along the river to Mandacaru, with its many handicraft stores to Caburè, located on a tongue of sand between the sea and the river mouth and by boat to Atins. Arrival and accommodation in simple facility (Pousada do Irmao) with electricity not guaranteed (good spirit of adaptation required).
Overnight stay.
DAY 8: ATINS - CABURE - DELTA DEL RIO PARNAIBA - PARNAIBA
Breakfast.
In the morning depart by boat to Cabure and continue by 4x4 along a beautiful stretch of ocean-beaten beach to Tutoia. In the afternoon we continue by boat through the Rio Parnaiba Delta, the second wonder of this region, between the states of Maranhao and Piaui. The Rio Parnaiba flows into the Atlantic Ocean, forming a vast delta where alternating tides regulate the lives of the population and continually change the geography of these lands. Opportunity to see how people live in this unusual environment, to walk on small sand dunes suspended between the river and the ocean, and to witness the marvelous spectacle of the guaras, beautiful fire-red birds that return to their nests at sunset. The navigation ends in the port of Tatus and continues to the city of Parnaiba. Hotel accommodation (Pousada Villa Parniba).
Overnight.
DAY 9: PARNAIBA - JERICOACOARA
Breakfast at the hotel
Continue by 4x4 over back roads, deserted beaches and fishing villages, to arrive, after crossing numerous waterways and sand dunes, at the lively resort of Jericoacoara, usually called Jeri, which has become famous in recent years for the beauty of its beach dominated by a high dune on top of which it is now traditional to climb to enjoy the view at sunset time. Hotel accommodation (Pousada Surfing Jeri).
Overnight stay.
DAY 10: FREE DAY IN JERICOACOARA
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free day to explore Jericoacoara, a small village in the state of Ceará 280 km north of Fortaleza, the end point of the Route of Emotions. It has become very famous in recent years but has remained very quaint with its sandy streets, very lively and fun with small restaurants, craft stores, kiosks and places to dance.We recommend lunch at one of the small fish restaurants in Preà a village near Jeri and a walk along the beach to Pedra Furada, a characteristic rock formation; a buggy excursion to visit the surroundings of Jeri, Lagoa Azul, Lagoa do Paraiso, Lagoa do Coracao and Lagoa do Amanco.
Overnight.
DAY 11: JERICOCOARA - FORTALEZA - ITALY
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer by regular scheduled bus to Fortaleza airport and departure by scheduled intercontinental flight to Italy. Meals and overnight stay on board.
DAY 12 : ARRIVAL IN ITALY
Arrival in Italy.
