3-day Lençóis Maranhenses Trek
Planeta Exo
TripsBrazilLençóis Maranhenses

3-day Lençóis Maranhenses Trek

Brazil
2 Nights·3 Days
Lençóis MaranhensesHiking & TrekkingCommunity-Based Travel

Overview

This 3-day trekking itinerary across Lençóis Maranhenses National Park offers a beautiful journey through its vast dune fields. Over the course of the trek, hikers walk along the continuous white sand dunes and have the opportunity to rest and swim in the park's freshwater lagoons. The route traverses the varied landscapes of the national park, allowing for a sustained observation of its natural environment.

The extended duration of this trek includes overnight stays in the local oases within the park. Resting in the homes of the traditional residents provides a direct cultural exchange. This immersion allows hikers to observe the daily routines and lifestyle of the families who inhabit the interior of the park, adding a practical cultural dimension to the physical journey.

  • Full itinerary: 3-day crossing of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park on foot (Barreirinhas to Santo Amaro).
  • 2 nights in oasis communities (Baixa Grande and Queimada dos Britos).
  • Sunrise hikes, golden sunsets over the dunes, and total immersion in local culture.
  • Visiting and swimming in some of the most iconic lagoons of the park, including Lagoa do Cajueiro.
  • Activities led by highly qualified guides.
  • All-inclusive experience: homestay, transfer (from Barreirinhas or Atins), meals, and local guides.

  • More options: check out the 2-day and 4-day treks!

Itinerary

Day 1

Barreirinhas (or Atins) / Rio Negro / Baixa Grande Oasis

  • 4x4 transferBarreirinhas → Rio Negro · ~2 hrs · ~34 km off-road
  • HikingRio Negro → Baixa Grande · 6 km · 2–3 hrs · soft sand
  • SwimmingLagoon stops along the trail · ~1 hr total
  • SunsetDunes around Baixa Grande Oasis

Departure from Barreirinhas, Lençóis Maranhenses: PlanetaEXO's local partner will pick you up at your accommodation in Barreirinhas at 4:30 AM.

The 4×4 ride to the Rio Negro trailhead takes about 2 hours on off-road trails, with a stop along the way to watch sunrise over the surrounding landscape. Then, your Lençóis Maranhenses trek truly begins with a light 6 km walk (2–3 hours) that leads to Baixa Grande Oasis, with lagoon stops for cooling off. Expected arrival at the oasis: around midday.

After lunch and rest, the group returns to the dunes for another swim and sunset. Dinner and overnight at a local family's home.

Please note: instead of Barreirinhas, your trek can start in Atins. In this case, departure is at 7 AM. Confirm logistics when booking.

Meals included: Lunch / Dinner / Trail snacks

Aerial view of a clear green-tinted freshwater lagoon cutting between sculpted white sand dunes under a blue sky in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, with the water so transparent the sandy bottom is fully visible
A white Toyota 4x4 pickup with an open canopy bed carrying passengers crosses a vast expanse of pale white sand dunes under a deep blue sky with scattered clouds on the lencois maranhenses trek.
Five hikers with backpacks walking across rippled white sand dunes on the Lençóis Maranhenses trek, their footprints trailing behind them under a pale early-morning sky
A woman free-diving underwater in a crystal-clear shallow freshwater lagoon during the Lençóis Maranhenses trek, sunlight rippling across the sandy floor
Aerial view of the Baixa Grande oasis on the lencois maranhenses trek, with a dense island of green vegetation and a small settlement of thatched-roof structures nestled among vast white sand dunes under an overcast sky
Two hikers with backpacks walking across the white sand dunes of the Lençóis Maranhenses trek, with a shallow lagoon and sweeping dune ridges stretching to the horizon behind them
Crystal-clear green water of a freshwater lagoon on the Lençóis Maranhenses trek, with towering white sand dunes rising along the far shore under a blue sky
A man in a blue shirt and a woman in an orange shirt and hairnet lean out of a rustic whitewashed brick window with a thatched roof, smiling warmly at the camera during a lencois maranhenses trek homestay.
Aerial view of the Lençóis Maranhenses trek landscape at sunset, with white sand dunes casting long shadows across shimmering freshwater lagoons and a small group of hikers visible as tiny silhouettes in the foreground
A person in motion beside a crackling bonfire on a white-sand beach at night, palm trees silhouetted against a deep blue sky, during the Lençóis Maranhenses trek
A small group of travelers lying on white sand dunes watching the Milky Way arc across a dark, star-filled sky on a lencois maranhenses trek, with a faint glow on the horizon

Day 2

Baixa Grande / Queimada dos Britos

  • HikingBaixa Grande → Queimada dos Britos · 12 km · 5 hrs · soft sand
  • SunriseFrom the dunes between Baixa Grande and Queimada
  • SwimmingMultiple lagoon stops along the route

Early breakfast at 4:30 AM and departure on foot at 5 AM. The 12 km route between the two oases crosses long sections of open dunes and the narrow Rio Negro stream. Sunrise from inside the dunes is one of the most photographed moments of the trek.

Lagoon stops break the route—chances to swim, refill water, and rest in the shade. Expected arrival at Queimada dos Britos is around 10:30 AM. After lunch at the host family's home, the afternoon is free for rest in a hammock, swimming in the lagoons nearby, or walking the dunes near the oasis. Later, sunset from a viewpoint near the community.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Trail snacks

Aerial view of a woman floating on her back in a shallow, crystal-clear turquoise lagoon on the lencois maranhenses trek, arms raised toward the drone, with a curved white sand bank visible at the bottom of the frame
A small group of trekkers walks toward a low sun across wide white sand dunes on the lencois maranhenses trek, their long shadows and barefoot prints stretching back across the smooth sand
A solo hiker with a backpack and sun hat walks barefoot across white sand dunes on the lencois maranhenses trek, with a clear blue lagoon cutting between the dune ridges in the background
Aerial view of the lencois maranhenses trek landscape, showing vast white sand dunes interlaced with curving turquoise and emerald freshwater lagoons stretching to the horizon
Two tiny figures stand on a sweeping white sand dune during a lencois maranhenses trek, surrounded by a mosaic of lagoons and dune ridges stretching to the horizon under a clear blue sky
A weathered wooden footbridge crosses a shallow tidal channel bordered by low coastal shrubs and sandy banks on the lencois maranhenses trek route under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A group of backpackers wading knee-deep through a clear, shallow lagoon on the Lençóis Maranhenses trek, with a long white sand dune ridge stretching across the horizon under a blue sky.
Silhouette of a backpacker standing on the curved crest of a white sand dune during the lencois maranhenses trek, under a dramatic cloudy sky with the sun breaking through
Two travellers silhouetted against a deep golden sunset over the flat, water-streaked dune landscape of the Lençóis Maranhenses trek, one standing and one seated
A group of ten people standing in a row on open sand dunes, silhouetted against a vast star-filled night sky during a lencois maranhenses trek

Day 3

Queimada dos Britos / Lagoa do Cajueiro / Santo Amaro

  • HikingQueimada dos Britos → Lagoa do Cajueiro · 14 km · ~6 hrs
  • SunriseFrom the dunes (~5:00–6:00 AM)
  • 4x4 transferLagoa do Cajueiro → Santo Amaro · 15–20 km · 30–45 min

Day 3 of the Lençóis Maranhenses trek is the longest section. Breakfast at 2:30 AM, departure at 3 AM under headlamps. The first stretch crosses the dunes in cool air and brings the group to a high vantage point in time for sunrise.

The 12–14 km route includes multiple lagoon stops for swimming and rest. Expected arrival at Lagoa do Cajueiro is around 9:00 AM. From there, a 4×4 vehicle takes the group to Santo Amaro, marking the end of the journey. Expected arrival at 10 AM.

Please note: onward transport from Santo Amaro to São Luís (private transfer or shared vans at 4 AM and 1 PM) is not included and is arranged separately.

Meals included: Breakfast

Two hikers with backpacks silhouetted against a dusk sky, wading barefoot through shallow water on the lencois maranhenses trek
Four hikers with backpacks walking single-file up a vast white sand dune on the Lençóis Maranhenses trek, leaving a trail of footprints across the empty slope under a clear blue sky
Vast white sand dunes of the Lençóis Maranhenses trek glowing amber under a low golden sun, with a small freshwater lagoon curving between the dunes and tiny silhouettes of hikers scattered across the ridge in the middle distance
Sweeping white sand dunes of the lencois maranhenses trek casting deep blue shadows over a narrow freshwater lagoon at golden hour, with a pale hazy sky above

What is Included

  • Accommodation: 2 nights in local family homes in Baixa Grande and Queimada dos Britos (hammocks)
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and trail snacks
  • Transfers: 4x4 Barreirinhas/Atins → mouth of the Rio Negro, and end of trek (Lagoa do Junco/Cajueiro) → Santo Amaro
  • Activities & tours: Guided trek across the dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
  • Guide: Certified local guide
  • Insurance: Personal accident insurance (Porto Seguro)
  • Equipment & extras: Luggage transfer (1 piece per traveler) and a welcome gift (custom bag and cap)

Not included

  • Flights
  • Accommodation and meals before/after the trek (Barreirinhas/Atins, Santo Amaro and São Luís)
  • Drinks (water, soft drinks, beer) — available to buy from the host families
  • Personal equipment (trekking poles, backpack, headlamp)
  • Bilingual-guide upgrade (see Optional Extras)
  • Extra luggage transfer (see Optional Extras)
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, etc.) and tips
  • Any services not previously mentioned

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$ 500/ per person