For Women’s Month, meet Mariana Sampaio, a young solo traveler who explored Vale do Pati and the Amazon Rainforest
For Mariana Sampaio, a 26-year-old electrical engineer, “vacation” used to mean a simple break from the daily grind. But after a month spent traversing the rugged mountains of the Vale do Pati and the flooded forests of the Amazon, she returned with an entirely different definition: transformation.
As a Brazilian woman traveling solo for the first time, Mariana wanted to see what she was made of while ensuring she felt supported. That’s why she turned to PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil, and trusted us to coordinate back-to-back trips that would span thousands of kilometers.
From the high-altitude silence of Chapada Diamantina to the rhythmic pulse of the Amazon Rainforest, she found more than she was expecting. In celebration of Women’s Month, discover Mariana’s story below.
Finding strength in the mountains
The journey began in the heart of Bahia, at Vale do Pati, in Chapada Diamantina. For five days, Mariana disconnected from the digital world and pushed her physical limits further than she thought was possible.
Climbing the iconic Morro do Castelo was a true test of endurance. “The physical part was challenging,” she admits. “When I went back home, I didn’t exercise for a few days. My knee… I couldn’t even stand up straight.”
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But in the middle of that physical struggle, she found a different kind of strength—human connection. Within her trekking group, she formed an unlikely, profound bond with a German couple, Mary and Piet.
“It was as if it had to happen at that moment. I didn’t feel alone for a single second,” Mariana reflects, also recalling the connection with other travelers and tour guides.
👉 Read more: Why Brazil’s remote outdoors are becoming a haven for foreign female travelers
Where culture meets the jungle
As the mountain air gave way to the humid breath of the north, Mariana headed to a jungle lodge in the Amazon. If the mountains were about physical endurance, the jungle was about immersing herself in an entirely different reality.
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For her, the highlight wasn’t just the dense greenery or the diversity of Amazon animals—though she did photograph a small alligator and spot a giant snake—it was the people who call the river home. “What I liked most in the Amazon was the contact with the people… learning about their culture and how they live differently.”
She was fascinated by the daily rhythm of the river, particularly the sight of local children commuting to school by boat. There, she realized that she wasn’t just visiting a forest; she was witnessing a resilient way of life.
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Confronting the unexpected
Despite all the good things, solo travel in the wild obviously brings moments that test your nerves.
Deep in the forest, Mariana faced a moment of genuine terror when she was stung by a large wasp (marimbondo). “I thought, ‘Am I allergic?… I’m going to die here without the people I love,’” she recalls, now finding the situation funny.
But this is where the expertise of her guide became her lifeline. He stayed calm, monitored her reaction, and stayed by her side until the pain subsided. It was a pivotal moment of self-discovery when she realized she could handle the unexpected because she had a support system that truly knew the land.
👉 Read more: Ecotourism in Brazil boosts solo travel for women through planning and support networks
The spark of empowerment
Why take the risk of a solo adventure? For Mariana, the answer is simple: it’s the ultimate form of courage and self-confidence. She went into the trip as someone who was naturally more reserved, but she came back with a transformed sense of morale.
“Traveling solo changed my view of the world because when you live in a society that sometimes doesn’t allow women to dream, this is like the first spark of empowerment,” Mariana reflects. “It’s a true conquest to be able to look back and say, ‘I did this, and I did it alone.’”
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She encourages anyone hesitant about the “what-ifs” to look past the fears. “Life is only one… and today I know myself much more because I met other people.”
Her journey is a reminder that the most beautiful view isn’t just at the top of a mountain or the edge of a river, but it’s the person you become when you decide to go anyway. “If I can do it, you can do it too,” she completes.
👉 Read more: Women over 50 break stereotypes and prove that adventure knows no age
Find your self-confidence through travel with PlanetaEXO
Mariana overcame her fears and discovered a whole new side of herself by believing in her own capability. Deep in the wild Amazon or trekking across Vale do Pati’s trails, she got more than she bargained for.
As an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil, PlanetaEXO helps travelers from all over the world to explore nature in a responsible, fulfilling way. Prioritizing safety, comfort, environmental conservation, and the support of local communities, we work tirelessly to ensure authentic travel experiences. Contact us now!
