This tour is directed to adventurous, active participants with a yearning to get out and experience the surroundings firsthand. Encounter Brazil through hiking, rafting, boating, discovering waterfalls, biking, staying in hotels, pousadas (lodges) and camps. These tours take you through a real natural paradise and several historical sites in Brazil. The trip is intended for travelers in good physical condition, but participation in optional hikes and activities is not mandatory. You'll get to see wildlife, exotic plant life and rugged terrain up close. Many of these places may be unknown to you, but will always remain in your memory after you leave. They are incredibly beautiful places that the tours go to - unbelievably wonderful nature and welcoming cities.

1. Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Hiking tour up to Gavea Rocks and Tijuca Forest
2. Rio de Janeiro to Ouro Preto (MG) -
3. Ouro Preto to Mariana by bicycle, visit to Lavras Novas (old slave town) 4. Ouro Preto-Santa Barbara (MG), stay in Caraca NP (monastery from 1717)
5. Santa Barbara (MG) to Domingo Martins (ES) - National Park Pedra Azul (Blue Rocks), hiking and mountain climbing (the city was a German colony)
6. Domingos Martins to Itaunas (ES), hiking through dunes, beaches
7. Itaunas (ES) to Trancoso (BA) hiking to Arrail d' Juda
8. Trancoso (BA) to Valencia, boat to Morro de Sao Paulo and Boipeba
9. Morro Sao Paulo to Andarai (BA); visit Chapada Diamantina (nature park) - Lago Azul (Blue Lake)
10. Andarai to Mucuge en Capão - Visit Mucugê (Brazilian bison cemetery), afterwards to Caeté-açu
11. Capão to Rook waterfall
12. Lençois (BA)
13. Lençois to Salvador (BA)
14. Salvador - flight home

Day 2 - Today, we'll drive from Rio de Janeiro to Ouro Preto. Ouro Preto (which means black gold, as it got its start as a mining town) is located in the state of Minas Gerais. Ouro Preto, founded in 1698, is a baroque-style town with cobblestone streets, typical of some of the small towns that can be found amid the cool, mountainous wilderness of Minas Gerais. When many of the towns were founded, Baroque was the prevailing style of architecture and towns like Ouro Preto still reflect this intricate character. The town was also the epicenter of the early independence movement led by the martyr Tiradentes in the 1790s. In more modern times, the Mercosur trade agreement was signed here. Our drive today encompasses a full 500 km (310 miles). Along the way we'll see the unforgettable scenery of mountains and fields. Overnight in Ouro Preto.

Day 3 - Up for some biking? After some delicious pão de queijo (cheese bread, an amazing local specialty), we'll ride today through the valley to neighboring Mariana by bicycle; the ride is about 10 km (just over 6 miles), with enjoyable scenery along the way like waterfalls and grottos. Mariana is similar to Ouro Preto, in that it has preserved yesteryear's charm with its fountains, cobblestone streets and cathedrals built during the gold rush. Founded in 1696, Mariana has the distinction of being the first city of Minas Gerais. We will also have visit to Lavras Novas, an old slave town, a remnant of the slave economy that was prevalent in the area. Overnight in Ouro Preto.

Day 4 - From Ouro Preto, our journey takes us to the town of Santa Barbara, from which we'll make our way to the enchanting Caraca National Park. We'll overnight in the Colegio de Caraça, the hostel adjunct to the country's first gothic church, dating back to 1717. The Caraça Reserve covers an area of 27,000 acres, and is a preferred spot for activities like mountain climbing. Highlights here include the Cascatinha and the Cascata Maior (Little and Big Falls, respectively). Travel today will total 200 km (130 miles). Overnight at the Colegio.

Day 5 - From Santa Barbara we make the trip to Domingo Martins in the eastern coastal state of Espirito Santo. We'll be stopping in the National Park Pedra Azul (Blue Rocks) to take a hiking excursion and also have the chance for an optional mountain climbing trip there. Domingos Martins, also known as Campinho, originated as a German colony. The characteristic wooden houses lend the appearance of a German village. It has a small museum called the Casa de Cultura with items dating to the Pomeranian colonization of the area in the mid-19th century. Here, a hike is planned into the surrounding forest and hills. Total distance traveled today is 370 km (229 miles). Overnight in Domingos Martins.

Day 6 - From the Domingos Martins, our adventure continues to coastal Itaunas, a beach just north of Vitória, with huge sand dunes up to 30m (about 100 feet) high. Beneath these dunes, a small town lies; vegetation was cleared away to make room for farmland, but the town was quickly swallowed up by the shifting sands in the early 1970s. A hike through the impressive dunes and on the beach is planned. At times the steeple of the old church can be seen protruding from the sands. We'll drive 330 km (204 miles) today. Overnight in Itaunas.

Day 7 - We will travel from Itaunas about 350 km (217 miles) to the north to timeless Trancoso, a peaceful beach town in the state of Bahia, somewhat south of Porto Seguro. Trancoso has its origins in the 16th Century, when the Jesuits founded the village. We can go hiking 12 km (7 miles) down the beach to Arraial d' Ajuda, crossing some rivers in the journey. Marvel at the coastline, which remains in the same state as when it was first encountered by Portuguese explorers 500 years ago. The grandeur of the sea, the fishermen and palm trees will lead us to forget everything else; we are not responsible for travelers who leave the tour to stay here! Overnight in Trancoso.

Day 8 - From Trancoso we proceed to Valença, traveling 540 km (334 miles). After lunch, we will board a boat to visit Morro de São Paulo (Mount of St. Paul, also known locally as Morro), and later, Boipeba Island. This hidden paradise once attracted Dutch and French corsairs to hide in the peaceful coves; the green crystalline waters and coral reefs here are of unparalleled beauty. Morro continues to seduce visitors, and you won't soon forget this treasureland. There will be an excursion to the lookout rock and a view of the ruins of the fort. Overnight on Morro São Paulo.

Day 9 - Departing Morro São Paulo, we'll drive 370 km (229 miles) inland to Andarai. Andarai is part of Chapada Diamantina, a protected nature park in the heart of Bahia. It earned the name "Diamantina" from the Diamond Rush that started in the 1840s. Natural pools, immense caves, grottos, unique rock formations and waterfalls abound in this area. Not to be missed is the 412 m (1351 feet) high Cachoeira da Fumaça (smoking waterfall); because of the immense height, the water stream dissipates into mist. The area is sometimes called the "Brazilian Grand Canyon." One of the most famous images from the Chapada Diamantina is the breath-robbing view from the Morro do Pai Inácio (Mount of the Father Ignatio) of the surrounding plateaus. A visit to Lago Azul (Blue Lake) is planned as well. Overnight in Andarai.

Day 10 - Leaving Andarai to Mucugê and finally Capão (a total of 145 km - 90 miles). In Mucugê there is the only Brazilian bison cemetery. We'll see the beaches on the Paraguaçu River. Afterwards our group will drop in on Caeté-açu, a small town in the valley of Capão. A number of esoteric and alternative lifestyle communities have settled in this truly spiritual area, in which UFO sightings are not uncommon! Overnight at a local fazenda (ranch) in Capão.

Day 11 - Drive from Capão to the Rook waterfall. We'll go on a hiking excursion in the surrounding area. Return to overnight in Capão.

Day 12 - Today we'll drive to Lençois on the northern side of the Chapada Diamantina Park. It's a small town with colonial architecture and a good infrastructure for hospitality. Overnight in Lençois.

Day 13 - From Lençois, our group will set out early to drive to Salvador, Bahia. The distance traversed today will cover 425 km (263 miles). Founded in 1549, Salvador was the capital city of Brazil for over 200 years. Salvador is Brazil's third largest city, and was the country's busiest port until 1815. Its colorful, well-preserved colonial buildings are a sight to behold. The African influence in the food, music and culture is very apparent here. Salavador pulses with an African-tinged Samba beat; the percussion-heavy rhythms evolved from the music of the African slaves. Overnight in Salvador.

Day 14 - From our hotel, we will transfer to the Salvador airport just north of the city for our flight home. We trust that the places you've seen and the people you've met will be something you treasure for the rest of your life. Até logo!