Brazil Vacation Package - Salvador, Praia do Forte and Morro de Sao Paulo (8 Nights)

With this package you can discover three of Bahia's most sought after destinations - Salvador, known for its history, culture and beauty; Praia do Forte, a quaint fisherman village, known for its beaches, restaurants and artisan shops; and the magical island of Morro de Sao Paulo, a tropical paradise lush with ferns, palms and exotic birds, which has good walking and horseback trails and where you can see dolphins jumping through the waves from the ruins of a colonial fort at sunset. The city of Salvador, the village of Praia do Forte and the island of Morro de Sao Paulo are three destinations that will give you a glimpse of what the state of Bahia has to offer. Bahia is the main Tourism destination in Brazil and is known for its rich history, culture and unexplored nature. This package includes comfortable lodging in a pousadas and hotels, and cultural and nature tours with a private English speaking guide.

Day 1:

You will arrive in Salvador and check into the charming historic hotel Catharina Paraguacu. After that you might want to relax and take your time to enjoy the bohemian neighborhood, or even visit the beach and sample the Bahian delights of the beach huts. We suggest you have lunch at the Yemanja Restaurant for traditional Bahian food. In the afternoon, a complementary stress release massage at your hotel will totally relax you and let you unwind in preparation for the evening's entertainment. You will experience Bahia by night, having dinner at the Solar da União (a sea front UNESCO fort), also the venue of the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia, where you can enjoy Brazilian food and drinks and a folkloric show. This show features an excellent presentation of local perspectives from capoeira to samba, ancient slave dances, and even a sample of candomblé, a religious rite typical in this region.

Day 2:

Today you will begin your journey through Salvador visiting Pelourinho, the historical district of the city, followed by a delicious Bahian lunch. Then you will visit the Mercado Modelo in Cidade Baixa. The Mercado Modelo is a handicraft market that used to be the merchandise and slave-trading outpost of the city. Here you can buy many handicrafts and local products. Make sure you visit the dungeon below the market where the slaves were kept prior to sale. We suggest dinner at the Lambreta Grill, an award winning seafood cafão.

Day 3:

On the last day in Salvador you will check out of the hotel Catharina Paraguacu and be transported by a private vehicle to Praia do Forte. The journey takes roughly an hour, and when you arrive you will check into the Pousada Farol das Tartarugas. We suggest having lunch at 'Bar do Souza'; try their delicious and famous 'bolinhos de peixe' (Bahian-style fish cakes) and/or a fish or shrimp moqueca (Bahian stew). After lunch we suggest you visit the TAMAR PROJECT (turtle NGO) Visitor Center and then on to Papa Gente's Natural Pools for snorkeling (the best time to go is during low tide). You will have worked up a hardy appetite so, we suggest having dinner at the Fata Morgana restaurant (Spanish food).

Day 4:

Today you will be taking an 8-hour nature tour. Begin by exploring the region of Sauipe, where you will take a 4-Wheeler Tour (1 adult per 4-wheeler) through the Atlantic rainforest vegetation along a river. During the ride, there will be a stop at the Sauípe River for a swim and to try the rapids on inner tubes. The 4-Wheeler Tour will be followed by a typical Bahian lunch at the fisherman village of Diogo. Then you will take a canoe trip down the pristine river of Imbassai, which is surrounded by snow-white dunes.

Back at Praia do Forte, we suggest you have dinner at Japa, an excellent Japanese Restaurant followed by a stroll around the main street of the village to visit the shops and cafes.

Day 5:

• Today you may choose between one of 3 tours: Horseback riding, Sauipe River Catamaran, or Sauipe Adventure Expedition.
• 1. 3.5-hour horseback ride will begin by taking you through a lake, then along sand dunes, followed by a trail through tropical forest to the Castelo Garcia D'Avila and finally winding down and along the beach back to the village.
• 2. 7 km Catamaran ride to the mouth of the River Sauipe, passing through beautiful areas of coastal rainforest vegetation and mangroves. A specialist guide will tell you about the various ecosystems and you will have the opportunity to swim and do a bit of bird watching.
• 3. The Sauipe Expedition will take you on a hike through local wetland vegetation to the banks of the River Sauipe, where you will board native wooden canoes and row to the mouth of the river, with the help of a specialist guide. You will have a chance to enjoy a refreshing dip in the river or sea, before returning to your pousada in a 4x4 vehicle.
• The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy Praia do Forte. You may want to take this opportunity to visit the Castelo Garcia D'Avila, the impressive ruins of a castle belonging to the first land-owning farmer in Brazil.

Day 6:

After breakfast you will check out of the Pousada Farol das Tartarugas and say goodbye to Praia do Forte. You will then be driven in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to the Salvador airport from where you will be taken to the Aerostar hangar where you will take a small plane to the island of Morro de Sao Paulo. The flight will take approximately 20 minutes and on arrival you will be met by a driver and taken to the second beach, from where you will be met by a guide from your hotel who will accompany you to the Hotel Portalo. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy your first day on this tropical island. Watching the sunset from the old fort is a must and you may even be fortunate enough to see dolphins.

Day 7:

Today you will be taken on a full day tour by boat to the beautiful island of Boipeba and its famous “Natural Pools”. The Natural Pools are coral reef pools located about 1km off shore from the island, which at low tide are about waist deep and teeming with fish. Also on this trip you will have the opportunity to have lunch in one of the many beach huts. Departing from the third beach, this boat trip takes approximately 40 minutes to reach Boipeba. With many deserted, white sand beaches, strewn with coconut palms and clear, crystal blue waters, the island of Boipeba resembles a tropical paradise. A guided walk on the island to see some of these stunning deserted beaches is also offered. After spending the day in this haven of tranquility and relaxation, your journey back to Morro de Sao Paulo will be via the inner island river, with a visit to the historical city of Cairu. (lunch is not included)

Day 8:

After breakfast today, your tour will be a horseback ride along the Bromeliad Trail passing through various different areas of island vegetation. You will take the inner island trail to Encanto Beach, with stops on the way to observe bromeliads, orchids, and other exotic flora. You will also have an opportunity to stop for a swim in the sea. The return trail is via the island's beaches, back to your hotel. (Approximate duration of tour is 3 hours). In the afternoon we recommend walking the trail to the lighthouse to see the magnificent view of Morro's beautiful beaches.

Day 9:

On your last day in Morro de Sao Paulo your flight for Salvador leaves after lunch, so the morning is free to enjoy the beaches and the calm, crystal waters of this exotic paradise. In the afternoon you will be taken to the airport where your flight for Salvador leaves at 13:10. We are certain that you will have enjoyed your trip and we look forward to seeing you again in Brazil.