| Day 1. (Sun) – Petrolina |
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The legend says that, who drinks of the water of the San Francisco, never more leaves to come back to Petrolina. And the legend becomes a fact. With its limpid warm waters, the River San Francisco is one of the great attractions of Petrolina, the city that more grows in the northeast. Try a stroll of boat for the edges of the city and the islands, the center of art and culture Ana of the Figureheads, the Museum of the Hinterland and the magnificent vineyards. |
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| Day 2. (Mon) – Petrolina / Serra da Capivara |
| After breakfast we set off in the direction of the Serra da Capivara National Park. Archaeological sites show human occupation from 50,000 years ago, 30,000 years before man came from Siberia. The main attractions of the park are 260 archaeological sites, with 30,000 rupestrian paintings catalogued and which are considered to be World Patrimony by UNESCO. The landscape is noted for its diversity of the scenery. Leaving the tableland we find enormous sharp declivities and typical rock formations. Visit to the American Man Museum, which has the results of 30 years of investigation in the archaeological and palaeontological fields, showing the evolution of man, the climate and the landscape in America. There are tools, ceramics, archaeological remains (such as human bones, funerary urns and mummies), and moulds of rupestrian work. |
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| Day 3. (Tue) – Serra da Capivara |
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Today’s visit is to the Capivara Gorge with its magnificent archaeological sites, rich in rupestrian paintings. We follow a trail through dense vegetation to “the big mouth of the parrot” where we will find rocky shelters with unequalled prehistoric paintings. The sites on the “circuit of the small deer” are reached along a steep trail, but we will be rewarded by blue paintings, which are unique in Latin America. Then, to finish in grand style, we will pass through The Parrot’s Lair, the first archaeological site found in the park. |
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| Day 4. (Tue) – Serra da Capivara |
Visit The Drop of the Perforated Stone, a 100-metre canyon, with various archaeological sites. In The mouth of the Perforated Stone we can see the oldest remains of occupation in the Americas. This is the principal attraction with handrails and nocturnal illumination. The visit to the heights of Pedra Furada is steep, but we will be rewarded by the view. We will visit Baixão do Sítio do Meio, the second most important in the Park, with rupestrian figures more than 25,000 years old. Here a worked stone hatchet was found which is 9,200 years old. We will also pass through the Baixão das Mulheres, a 60-metre canyon with three archaeological sites, noting their rupestrian paintings.
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| Day 5. (Thurs) – Serra da Capivara |
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After breakfast we take the trail to Rodrigue’s Cauldron and The Canoes to appreciate the peaks and valleys of impressive ravines. The Rodrigue’s Cauldron is a reservoir with 2 archaeological sites with rupestrian paintings. In the afternoon we can see the ritual of the Swallows as they return to nest for the night, with their exquisite aerial acrobatics and characteristic calls. Return to the hotel for the night and to typical delicious Northeastern dinner: free-range chicken, roast goat and mutton or jerked beef stew. |
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| Day 6. (Fri) – Serra da Capivara |
| Today we will walk through the Baixão da Perna, a 40-metre canyon, noted for its 12 archaeological sites and we won’t miss the visit to Toca de Cima do Pilão, a small grotto illuminated by solar energy. Fossils have also been found here. |
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| Day 7. (Sat) – Serra da Capivara/ Chapada das Mesas |
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Morning trip to Mesas Tableland, typical scenery of brazilian savannah, showing magnificient waterfalls, rocky formations reminding natural giant sculptures and rupestrian paintings. We will travel to a unique chapter in brazilian culture, history and natural beauty. The miscegenation of blakes, europeans and aboriginal tribes is presented in all that defines the identity of Maranhão: handcrafts, typical boats, dances and music. Welcome to Maranhão!!! |
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| Day 8. (Sun) – Chapadas das Mesas / The Tocantins River |
| Our tour begins by visiting River-Bed Island. Then, we go on towards the meeting of the rivers Tocantins and Manoel alves Grande. We will make use of this part to visit “Morro do Chapéu” and “Torre da Lua” hills, and observe the natural beauty of the rivers in this region, where you can see river dolphins, including the pink ones. Sailing on Manoel Alves Grande River, we will visit the typical riverside houses. Coming back to Carolina, we will have a fascinating view of the sunset in back of Morro do Chapéu, a wonderful scene in Mesas Tableland. |
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| Day 9 (Mon) – Chapada das Mesas / Blue Well |
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Aproximately one hour from Carolina, we are going to visit Riachão township and learn about its history, culture and customs. We will take the gravel route to Santa Bárbara Waterfall Complex, where we will follow a five-minute soft track to the rock ”Dedo de Deus” and look thoughtfully at it. Then we will have a short dive beneath the clear waters of Poço Azul. We will go on to Santa Bárbara waterfall, where we can climb rocks and descend by rapelling to a fantastic bathing area. |
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| Day 10. (Tue) – Chapada das Mesas / Prata Water Fall |
| Excursions in a 4x4 vehicle to Prata Waterfall. On the way we will see extremely beautiful hills and stop to contemplate the tableland. We will also visit a self-sustainable farm. There we will see a small animal-traction sugar mill and learn how to make rapadura. We will walk through the tableland, passing by Morro do Gavião Preto, a place with a great number of bird’s nests, and to the Morro das Figuras natural observatory, from where we will take a sight of a very beautiful landscape in Mesas Tableland. Soon after, we will take the route to Prata Waterfall, where we will hike lightly cross the Farinha River in cables and take a bath. |
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| Day 11. (Weds) – Chapada das Mesas / São Romão Waterfall |
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Our tour begins in a 4x4 vehicle to São Romão Waterfall. On our way we will see extremely beautiful hills and stop to contemplate the tableland. Then we will go hiking and, as soon as we get to the river, we will look thoughtfully at the most beautiful waterfall of the region: the São Romão Waterfall. Soon after, we will cross behind the waterfall on rocks and admire the high nests, from where we will be able to observe the swallows flying. |
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| Day 12. (Thrus) - Chapada das Mesas / São Luiz |
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| Day 13. (Fri) – São Luiz / Guara’s Reserve |
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Morning visit to the Guara’s Forest, where small rivers are used as streets. The traditional fishman’s boats of the region make a flaring parede of colors and forms in the forest of the “Guarás”. The secular knowledge of naval carpentry are testified in the shipyards. You will find an area of unique beauty with desert beaches, where migratory birds take refuge during part of the year. Nothing matches the emotions of gettings to know all the personally. |
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| Day 14. (Sat) – São Luiz / Alcântara |
The city of Alcântara on the other side of the São Marcos bay is also a great local port, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to another time. There you can admire wonderfull residential buildings, Churches and monuments, testimony of another era. In Alcântara you can see the street paved with original cobble stones imported from Portugal, many mansions and colonial houses, the “Pelourinho” (a column where slaves where publicly punished), the local prison, and ruins.
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| Day 15. (Sun) – São Luiz / Historic Tour |
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São Luiz is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating places in Brazil. Walking through the streets, climbing the hills and turning the corners of the old city, you’ll find yourself transported to the colonial times and find out for yourself why, although it was founded by the French, São Luiz is the “most portuguese of the brazilian cities. Morning visit to D. Pedro II Square, Historic Center, Leões Palace and “La Ravardiere”, Justice Palace, Catedral, Churches of “São João”, “Rosário dos Pretos”, “Da Anunciação”, “Santo Antônio” and “Remédios”, Cristo Rei Palace, Culture Center and Mercês. |
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