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Trekking
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Barreirinhas
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Barreirinhas
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Portuguese, English
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Hammocks
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10
- Hassle-Free Booking
- Handpicked Local Partners
- Sustainable Travel
- Book with Flexibility
About the adventure
Welcome to your 2-day trip through the Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil! We start in Barreirinhas, the gateway to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Get ready to discover and be enchanted by a unique natural environment!
Our first stop is the Baixa Grande Oasis. Here, a local family will welcome you and give you a real taste of life in the region. Feel the simplicity and beauty of this place and be sure to taste the local cuisine, which will add a delicious touch to this incredible hike.
You’ll also have the opportunity to admire the white dunes and crystal-clear lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses. This scenery is perfect for those who love photography and nature and is ideal for those who want to relax and enjoy a landscape that seems out of this world.
This itinerary includes an intense hiking route of around 30 km (approximately 10 to 12 hours in total). If you prefer a less demanding adventure, check out our other 2-day Lençóis Maranhenses package.
If you want to spend a little more time in this Brazilian natural paradise, you can also take our 3-day trek or our 4-day hike.
Join us on this 2-day trip through the Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil. It’s a unique opportunity to get close to one of the most beautiful places in Brazil and to connect with nature in a respectful and conscious way. Are you ready for this adventure?
Highlights of the adventure
- Immerse yourself in the unique landscapes of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and the Baixa Grande Oasis.
- Mix natural and cultural beauty in 2 days of hiking in Lençóis Maranhenses.
- Explore white sand dunes and crystal clear lagoons perfect for swimming and photography.
- Interact and stay with local families to learn about local traditions.
Day by day
📍Departure from Barreirinhas at 5am
On the first day of our 2-day trip to the Lençóis Maranhenses, we will leave Barreirinhas, which is about a 4-hour drive from São Luís. Check here how to get to Barreirinhas from São Luís.Our transport will pick you up from your accommodation at 5am.
In 4×4 vehicles, we head directly to the National Park, where we will spend 2 hours on off-road trails to the Rio Negro. During the rainy season (February to May), take the opportunity to contemplate the surrounding landscape. It is an impressive work of nature, resulting from the decomposition of organic matter, such as leaves, bushes, and trunks, which release humic and fulvic acids, giving the waters of the Rio Negro a dark color.
On the way, we’ll make a special stop to enjoy the sunrise, a unique moment of natural beauty. The adventure continues with a 6 km hike, between 2 and 3 hours, towards the Baixa Grande oasis. Along the way, we’ll stop to cool off in the lagoons and relax a bit. We expect to arrive at the oasis around 10:30 am.
Once there, you’ll meet local families who live in this incredible place. During your free time, explore and chat with them to learn about their traditions, and don’t forget to taste Tiquira, a local cassava brandy. This adventure promises a deep connection with nature and culture, providing an authentic 2-day Lençóis Maranhenses trip experience.
After a well-deserved rest and lunch at the oasis, we’ll continue our journey through the dunes. This will be the ideal time for more swimming in the lagoons and the highlight of the day will undoubtedly be watching a magnificent sunset in the late afternoon.
To round off our first day, we’ll spend the night in a hammock in the home of a local family in the oasis, witnessing first-hand how the locals live in harmony with their natural environment.
- Total distance by vehicle: 12 km
- Travel time by vehicle: 2 hours (approximately)
- Total hiking distance: 6 km
- Hiking duration: 2 to 3 hours (approximately)
Good morning adventurers! Our second day in the 2-day Lençóis Maranhenses trip will start very early, but trust me, it will be worth it! A hearty breakfast will be served at 2:30 a.m. and will fuel us for an exciting 24 km ride ahead. We’ll be leaving at 3 a.m. and expect the hike to take between 7 and 9 hours, with several stops along the way, including refreshing swims and opportunities to admire the incredible sunrise.
As the sun rises a little higher and we cool off in some of the lagoons, we will arrive at the village of Lagoa Bonita around 11:00. This place will be our lunch stop where we can refuel, have a laugh and maybe even make some new local friends! It’s the perfect place to relax and talk about the morning’s adventures over a delicious Maranhão meal.
After lunch and a short rest, our 4×4 vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Barreirinhas.
🏁Arrival in Barreirinhas around 2 pm
- Total distance by vehicle: 15 km (return)
- Travel time by vehicle: 2 hours (approximately)
- Total hiking distance: 24 km
- Hiking duration 7 to 9 hours (approximately)
What is included?
- Overnight stay in your chosen accommodation (hammocks at a local’s house or camping)
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Transfer from Barreirinhas to the starting point of the trek
- Transfer from the end of the trek to Santo Amaro
- Experienced local eco-guide accredited by ICMBio
- Personal accident insurance (Porto Seguro)
What is not included?
- Drinks
- Breakfast on the first day
- Lunch and dinner on the last day
- Accommodation in Barreirinhas
- Any items not mentioned in the included items
Accomodation
Accommodation during this adventure is more than just a place to rest; it’s part of the experience itself. After a day of exploring the landscapes of Lençóis Maranhenses, your time to relax in the oasis will feel like a well-deserved reward. Sleep in hammocks or under the stars, surrounded by nature’s quiet beauty, and let this remote paradise redefine your idea of resting.
If you choose to stay with a local family, you’ll enjoy a cultural immersion like no other. Sleeping in a hammock might seem unconventional, but it’s surprisingly comfortable and deeply connected to the rhythm of life in this region. As you unwind, you’ll also have the chance to learn about the local way of life, making this option as enriching as it is relaxing.
Hammocks and blankets are offered by the local hosts. Their houses are equipped with essential structures for your stay, such as showers, outside showers, restrooms, electricity to recharge your electronic devices, food, and drinks.
For those seeking an adventure and a peaceful retreat, camping on the dunes offers a different kind of magic. Imagine falling asleep under a canopy of stars, far from the distractions of modern life. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with nature and experience the serenity of Lençóis Maranhenses in its purest form—a moment of peace you’ll carry with you long after the trip ends.
Whether you opt for the warmth of a local family’s hospitality or the quiet thrill of camping in the dunes, your nights in Lençóis will be unforgettable.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses is May to September, when the lagoons are full and perfect for swimming. This is when the park’s unforgettable scenery of turquoise lagoons and white dunes appears at its best.
From October to December, lagoons begin to dry and the landscape changes. Between January and April, the rains return, refilling the park, though trails can be muddy and visits more adventurous.
👉 Read our blog post about the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses
All visitors arrive first at São Luís (SLZ), the capital of Maranhão. The airport has international status but no regular overseas routes. International travelers connect through Brazilian hubs like São Paulo, Brasília, Recife, or Fortaleza before flying to São Luís.
From São Luís, it takes about 4 hours by car or van to Barreirinhas. It is the main gateway, with strong infrastructure, hotels, and tours such as 4×4 excursions and boat rides to Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul.
On multi-day treks, travelers experience a more authentic stay inside the park itself. In the oases of Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande, local families host visitors in hammocks, with home-cooked meals and simple facilities.
Camping is also possible on certain routes, offering complete immersion in the dunes under the stars. These options are basic, but they provide an unforgettable connection with the park’s landscapes and its traditional communities.
👉 Explore our full E-book with essential tips for your travel to Lençóis Maranhenses
2 days let you see a glimpse of Lençóis Maranhenses, swimming in the lagoons, exploring the oases, and walking through the dunes. With 3 days, you can balance visits and more immersion in villages with time to rest between tours.
For combining different bases, 4-7 days are recommended. This allows deeper exploration and a more complete experience of the park. More days also allow you to connect Lençóis with other destinations through the famous Rota das Emoções, linking Maranhão with the Delta do Parnaíba and Jericoacoara.
To ensure your experience is smooth and comfortable, we’ve prepared a checklist with everything you need to bring:
Clothing and Accessories
- Lightweight long pants: Allow for mobility.
- Long-sleeved shirts with UV protection: For protection from the sun.
- Socks: Bring more than one pair to ensure comfort on consecutive days.
- Wide-brimmed hat or cap.
- Scarf or buff: For protection from the sun, dust, and sand.
- UV protection sunglasses: Essential for long periods of sun exposure.
- Swimwear: For swimming in the lagoons along the way.
- Sandals or flip-flops: For walking and resting.
- Light rain jacket: Especially useful between February and June.
- Microfiber towel: Lightweight, compact, and quick-drying.
- Sunscreen and lip balm with high SPF: Preferably use biodegradable products.
- Insect repellent: Essential, especially at the end of the day.
- Earplugs: To help you rest in shared spaces.
Travel essentials
- Cash: Local communities do not accept cards.
- Personal medication: Including any medication you take regularly.
- Personal hygiene: Shampoo, soap, toothbrush, etc.
- Power bank: To charge your electronic devices. Access to power is limited.
- Small reusable bag or container: For storing your trash.
Equipment
- Small backpack (up to 30L): To carry your personal items during the expedition.
- Walking stick (optional): Helps with balance and reduces effort.
- Waist bag or fanny pack: Ideal for carrying items you need quickly.
- Headlamp or flashlight: Useful at night or in low-light areas.
- Water bottle (minimum 1.5L), or a hydration system.
- Snacks: Cereal bars, nuts, or dried fruit to keep your energy up.
- Light raincoat: For you and your backpack.
Packing Tips
- Avoid excess weight. Ideally, your luggage should weigh around 4kg (about 8.8 lb).
- If you have extra luggage, consider our partner’s luggage transfer service. They can store your luggage and deliver it to Santo Amaro or Atins. All payments for these services are made in cash.
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One of the best experiences ever
By Gabriele Giorgiofrom ItalyAugust 26, 2025It has been an amazing experience. Trekking around the lencois with remain in our hearts forever. We had a guide that has been fantastic, always smiling and English speaking, and on top of that, a It has been an amazing experience. Trekking around the lencois with remain in our hearts forever. We had a guide that has been fantastic, always smiling and English speaking, and on top of that, a wonderful photographer! I recommend this experience to everyone, you will remember it forever! …read more read lessDate of Experience: August 26, 2025 -
We will certainly always recommend
By Evanisefrom BrazilJanuary 18, 2025Our guide, Louro, was extremely attentive, careful and kind to us. We will certainly always recommendDate of Experience: January 18, 2025 -
Excellent
By Eduardofrom BrazilJanuary 8, 2025Excellent travel experience! 10/10!!! 👏🏻👍🏻Date of Experience: January 08, 2025 -
Exceptional service and a perfectly organized trip!
By Dan Cenovicfrom FranceSeptember 10, 2024
Top-notch experience and incredible organization, I highly recommend it!Date of Experience: September 10, 2024 -
Exceptional tour with knowledgeable and friendly guides
By Klaas Prakkefrom NetherlandsSeptember 1, 2024Amazing experience. Especially Giovane and Patricio as tour guides were extremely helpful, kind and had clear knowledge and experience to give our group the best experience possible.Date of Experience: September 01, 2024 -
Fantastic experience
By Elisabetta Torossianfrom United statesAugust 20, 2024
Fantastic experience, the tour was well organized, and the guides were great. Physically intense though, if someone wants to do the 2-day experience in Lençóis, it's better to be fairly fit. The best experience of Fantastic experience, the tour was well organized, and the guides were great. Physically intense though, if someone wants to do the 2-day experience in Lençóis, it's better to be fairly fit. The best experience of my trip to Brazil! …read more read lessDate of Experience: August 18, 2024 -
I recommend them!
By Jessica Tfrom BrazilAugust 1, 2024I did the Lençóis crossing and it was sensational! Extremely professional and experienced. I recommend them!Date of Experience: August 01, 2024 -
Enjoyable Trek with a Helpful Host
By Diane Le Ster & Charles Milletfrom FranceAugust 31, 2023
We really enjoyed the trek and views and our host was very nice and helpful in tending to Diane’s feet that were bruised from walking barefoot in the sand.Date of Experience: August 22, 2023 -
Great Trek and Stay, but Oasis Time Could Use More Activities
By Vittoriafrom BrazilAugust 28, 2023
The trek was really nice and staying at the families as well. I would have added more activities while at the oasis as the time There was a lot and if I didn’t have a The trek was really nice and staying at the families as well. I would have added more activities while at the oasis as the time There was a lot and if I didn’t have a book or something to spend the time I think I would have been a little bored. The only other thing was the price, maybe too expensive for this kind of experience. Anyway, I would recommend it! …read more read lessDate of Experience: August 22, 2023 -
Recommended! Team is professional and helpful
By Leonard Chaixfrom FranceJuly 20, 2023
PlanetaEXO was really professional planned everything in order we have the best experience. We really enjoyed our time with our guide Geovane. PlanetaEXO and Geovane help me also when I asked them in order to PlanetaEXO was really professional planned everything in order we have the best experience. We really enjoyed our time with our guide Geovane. PlanetaEXO and Geovane help me also when I asked them in order to plan another trip I had to make. They found me all the accommodations I needed, thank again for that. I recommand. …read more read lessDate of Experience: July 27, 2023
Cancelation Policy
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If you cancel up to 15 days before the start of the tour or extra services, you will receive a full refund, minus any credit card processing fees.
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For cancellations made 15 days or less before the start date, a partial refund will be issued. In this case, 40% of the total cost will be retained to cover operational, logistical, and partner cancellation fees.
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Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the start date are non-refundable.
