5-day Lençóis Maranhenses Hike

📍Departure at 8:30 am from Barreirinhas 

Ready to start the Lençóis Maranhenses Hike? It begins in Barreirinhas, about 4 hours from São Luís (approximately 237 km), where our vehicle will pick you up at 8:30 am. From there, we’ll set off on an exciting boat tour. 

Along the way, we’ll explore the Environmental Preservation Area (APA) of Pequenos Lençóis Maranhenses and stop at the charming villages of Vassouras and Mandacaru, a great opportunity to experience the vibrant community-based tourism that keeps these places so unique and full of life.

The adventure continues with a visit to the charming beach village of Atins, where we’ll have lunch and stay until 3 pm, enjoying the scenery and the local atmosphere. After this relaxing break, we resume our hike towards the village of Canto dos Atins, located within the National Park. This stage is 8 km long, about 2 to 3 hours, and leads us through a fascinating field of dunes.

Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to swim in the lagoons and appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us. The highlight of the day will undoubtedly be watching the sunset in the late afternoon. To end our first day, we will spend the night in Canto do Atins, a lodge that offers visitors a good structure and the experience of sleeping in hammocks. It is a meeting point for trekking groups from all over the world.

• Total distance by boat: 32 km
• Travel time by boat: approximately 2 hours
• Total hiking distance: 8 km
• Hiking duration: approximately 2 to 3 hours

Our second day begins in the early hours of the morning. At 1:30 am, we’ll have a light meal to fuel up before setting off. By 2:00 am, we’ll be on our way to the Baixa Grande Oasis. The goal is to reach the beach just in time to witness the sunrise — a truly magical experience that makes the early start more than worth it. Today’s Lençóis Maranhenses hike covers 28 km and will take around 9 to 10 hours, crossing endless dunes and remote landscapes.

We’re expected to arrive at the oasis around noon. This is one of the most remote inhabited areas in the park, home to just six families who live in harmony with the surrounding dunes and the restinga ecosystem. To truly experience the Lençóis Maranhenses crossing, we’ll spend the night with one of these families — a rare opportunity to connect with the local way of life.

After lunch and some rest, we’ll return to the dunes in the late afternoon for another swim in the lagoons and a chance to watch the sunset. Back at the house, we’ll gather for dinner and an informal chat to learn more about the community’s stories and traditions. And if you’re curious, don’t miss the chance to taste Tiquira, a strong cassava-based brandy that’s typical of the region.

 

• Total hiking distance: 28 km
• Hiking duration: about 9 to 10 hours

Ready for another day of adventure in the Lençóis Maranhenses? The day starts at 4:30 am with breakfast, essential to fuel us for the journey ahead. By 5:00 am, we’ll begin our 12 km hike, which will take around 4 to 5 hours to complete.

We’ll cross the dunes just as the first light of day appears. The trail leads us through the vast white sandscape and across the Rio Negro, a narrow stream winding through the desert. As we continue, we’ll be rewarded with a stunning sunrise and the chance to swim in some of the park’s most beautiful crystal-clear lagoons. Around 10:30 a.m., we’re expected to reach the Oasis — a small, lush patch of green in the middle of the sand — where a homemade lunch awaits.

After a well-deserved rest in the shade, we’ll return to the dunes in the late afternoon. There’ll be more opportunities to swim in the lagoons and to take in the quiet beauty of the landscape as the sun sets. In the evening, we’ll be welcomed into the home of a native family for dinner and an overnight stay — a simple, authentic experience that offers a glimpse into the local way of life.

• Total hiking distance:12 km
• Hiking duration: about 4 to 5 hours

On the fourth day of this trip to cross the Lençóis Maranhenses, we’ll start early with a call to leave at 3 a.m. for a 5 to 7-hour hike to the village of Betânia (18 km). Along the way, we’ll stop to watch the sunrise and take a refreshing dip in the lagoon.

Our adventure takes us to lunch in the village of Betânia, a real treasure in this incredible landscape. The village is special, not only because of its beauty, but also because it is next to the Rio Alegre and surrounded by endless lagoons. This day hike is designed to give you the full experience of this place, from sunrise to the Rio Alegre.

• Total hiking distance: 18 km
• Hiking duration: about 5 to 7 hours

Get ready for the last day of the Lençóis Maranhenses hike! We’ll start early, at 5:30 a.m., with a 15-minute boat ride down the Alegre River. Then, in this part of our adventure, we’ll hike 12 km to Santo Amaro, stopping along the way to swim, rest, and watch our last sunrise.

Around 10 am, we will arrive in Santo Amaro and end our walk through the Lençóis Maranhenses. This is the moment to look back and see all the incredible things we’ve done and places we’ve seen!

Whether it’s your first adventure in the Lençóis Maranhenses or not, this day promises to be unforgettable. Don’t miss these last hours of fun and reflection!

• Total distance by walking: 12 km
• Travel time by walking: approximately 5 hoursㅤㅤㅤ

🏁Arrival in Santo Amaro at 10 a.m