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Trekking
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Barreirinhas
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Santo Amaro
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Hammocks
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Portuguese, English
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10
- Hassle-Free Booking
- Handpicked Local Partners
- Sustainable Travel
- Book with Flexibility
About the adventure
Get ready for an unforgettable hike in Lençóis Maranhenses that combines the wonders of nature with local culture! Your five-day trip begins in Barreirinhas, the starting point for the magic of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, and promises to be enchanting in every way, taking you through some of the most fascinating spots in the Maranhão region.
During the Lençóis Maranhenses hike, you’ll visit the welcoming communities of Vassouras and Mandacaru, where you’ll get a taste of local life, meet welcoming people, and learn about the sustainable tourism efforts that preserve this Brazilian natural treasure. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the beautiful beaches of Atins, where you’ll find crystal-clear waters framed by stunning dunes. If you only have a short time in this Brazilian natural paradise, you can also do our 3-day trek or our 4-day hike.
But the jewel of your Lençóis Maranhenses hike is yet to come. You’ll venture into the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and discover two oases with unique landscapes, full of white sand dunes and glistening lagoons that are sure to inspire you. It’s such an incredible landscape that it feels like you’ve entered another world. Ready to live this adventure?
Highlights of the adventure
- Visit two oases, the Baixa Grande Oasis and the Queimada dos Britos Oasis in the National Park.
- Combine natural and cultural beauty in 5 days of hiking in Lençóis Maranhenses.
- Visit the welcoming communities of Vassouras and Mandacaru and immerse yourself in the local culture.
- Discover the crystal clear waters of Atins Beach and its stunning dunes.
- Take a boat ride down the Rio Alegre to Santo Amaro.
- Stay with local families to learn about local traditions.
Day by day
Start your hike in the Lençóis Maranhenses at 8:30 a.m. in Barreirinhas with a fun speedboat ride. We’ll visit the APA (Pequenos Lençóis Maranhenses) and stop at the villages of Vassouras and Mandacaru. Here you can learn about the community tourism that keeps these places alive.
The adventure continues with a visit to the charming beach village of Atins, where we’ll have lunch and stay until 3 p.m., 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 takes 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 incredible experience of sleeping in hammocks. It is a meeting point for trekking groups from all over the world.
Our second day will start early! At 1:30 a.m., we’ll have a small meal to give us energy for the day ahead, and at 2:00 a.m., we’ll make our way to the Baixa Grande Oasis. The goal is to reach the beach in time to witness the spectacular sunrise, a truly magical moment. Get ready for a 28 km hike that should take between 9 and 10 hours.
. We’ll arrive at the oasis around noon, where you’ll see up close how the locals live in harmony with their environment. The area, with its sand dunes and unique restinga ecosystem, is home to just six families, and to truly experience the Lençóis Maranhenses Trail, you will spend the night with one of these local families.
During your free time, explore and talk to them to learn about their traditions. Don’t forget to taste Tiquira, a local cassava brandy. This adventure promises a deep connection with nature and culture, providing an authentic experience in Lençóis Maranhenses.
Hammocks
Are you ready for another day of hiking in the Lençóis Maranhenses? Today our adventure starts very early, at 5:30 a.m., but before that, at 5:00 a.m., we will gather for a hearty breakfast, essential for the day of activities that awaits us. Today’s itinerary includes a 12 km hike that will take between 4 and 5 hours. During this route we will have the privilege of watching the sunrise and we will cross the Rio Negro, a unique opportunity to understand its importance and dynamics in the context of the desert. Our route also includes a visit to Ponta do Peadouro, an area known for its high dunes that offer a spectacular view of the region.
Our destination, the oasis Queimada dos Britos, is a small village of 14 families that belongs to the municipality of Santo Amaro, in Maranhão. The landscape has typical sandbank vegetation and during the flood months the village is partially submerged, creating a unique and fascinating morning of exploration.
We plan to arrive at the charming village on the edge of the dunes around 11am, marking the end of another leg of our journey. Here we will have the unique opportunity to stay with a local family, eat our meals, sleep in hammocks and experience local customs and hospitality first hand.
Are you ready for another day of crossing the Lençóis Maranhenses? We’ll start early with a call to leave at 2 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 hike 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.
Get ready for the last day of hiking in the Lençóis Maranhenses! We’ll start early, at 5:30 a.m., with a boat ride down the Alegre River. This part of our adventure is 12 km long and will take us to Santo Amaro, where we’ll stop along the way to swim, rest and watch our last sunrise.
Around 10 a.m. 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!
What is included?
- Experienced local guide
- 4-night accommodation in hammocks
- Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Transfers during itinerary
- Travel Insurance
- Private tour Barreirinhas > Atins on a speedboat
What is not included?
- Drinks
- Breakfast on the first day and lunch and dinner on the last day
- Anything else not mentioned in the included items
Frequently Asked Questions
The nearest airport to Lençóis Maranhenses is located in São Luis.
You have multiple options to reach Barreirinhas. You can book a private transfer when finalizing your booking on our platform. Alternatively, more budget-friendly options like shared vans and buses are available, which you can book directly. For more details, please refer to our blog post on how to get to Lençóis Maranhenses.
We offer the convenience of booking a private transfer via our platform. Additionally, there are shared vans that depart at 4:00 am and 1:00 p.m. every day, which you can book directly. More information is available on our blog
If you’re traveling with additional luggage that you won’t need during the hike, our partner has you covered. They provide a luggage transfer service from Barreirinhas to Santo Amaro at a cost of R$50 per piece. If you plan to return to Barreirinhas after the trek, our partner also offers luggage storage for R$30 per item. Please note that payments for these services must be made directly in cash on-site.
As a solo traveler, you have multiple ways to book your adventure. You can opt for a “Guaranteed” departure date listed on our website. If those dates don’t align with your schedule, you have the option to start a new group by picking a date of your choice. We recommend doing this as early as possible to enhance the likelihood of your chosen departure being confirmed. When booking, select the “Pay Deposit” method, where you’ll be required to pay a 20% deposit based on a single rate. This will secure your departure, and the remaining balance will be determined by the final group size, invoiced 7 days before your trip starts. Should you decide to cancel due to changes in the group size affecting the cost, a 5% fee will be deducted to cover credit card processing expenses.
Yes, you can book a private group. To do so, please fill out the inquiry form on our platform, and we’ll get back to you with the details.
While most of our guides are not fluent in English, we do our best to accommodate English-speaking guides for international groups. If a bilingual guide is essential for you, we offer the option to book a translator at a cost of R$550 per day.
Mineral water, soft drinks and beer are not included in the package. You can buy them and pay directly to the families where you will be staying. We recommend that you bring cash, preferably small change.
Our support points offer simple, home-cooked meals that typically include rice, beans, pasta, and a variety of animal proteins like free-range chicken, goat, pork, fish, duck, etc. The availability of these items may vary based on local conditions.
Absolutely! We can cater to various dietary restrictions such as vegetarian diets and food allergies. Please inform us of your needs at the time of booking so we can make the necessary arrangements.
During a trek in Lençóis Maranhenses, the accommodations in the oases are rustic and integrated with nature, aiming to offer an authentic experience. Visitors stay in the homes of local families who reside in the oases. The accommodations are simple and include shared bathrooms. Guests sleep in hammocks, which are placed under covered structures and come with blankets for added comfort. Some of the homes also have beds available that can be arranged on-site and paid for directly to the host.
Most of the journey is on foot, as it’s a hiking tour. However, we do include all necessary transfers from your accommodation in Barreirinhas to the starting point and one at the end to Santo Amaro. Please note that transfers from Santo Amaro to São Luis or back to Barreirinhas are not included in the package.
To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable hike, please consider packing the following items:
- UV-Protective Clothing: For sun protection.
- Hat: To shield your face from the sun.
- Sunglasses: For eye protection.
- Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher is recommended.
- Rain Gear: A lightweight rain cover for unexpected showers.
- Backpack: A 30L, 40L, or 60L backpack to carry your essentials.
- Trekking Pole: For added stability on uneven terrain.
- Hydration: A 1.5L water bottle or a large hydration pack.
- Swimsuit: For enjoying the lagoons.
- Headlamp: For better visibility in low-light conditions.
- Snacks: Pack cereal bars, nuts, and fruits for quick energy.
- Footwear: Consider sandals like Papetes or Hawaiian flip-flops.
- Socks: For added comfort during the trek.
- Beach Towel: Compact and quick-drying is best.
- Personal Care Items: Basic hygiene products.
- Medications: Any personal prescriptions or over-the-counter meds you may need.
Packing Tips:
- Avoid heavy items like laptops, excessive clothing, and bulky toiletries. Less is more!
- Aim for a backpack weight around 4kg for optimal comfort.
The best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil largely depends on what you’re looking to experience. Here are some general guidelines:
Lagoon Season: June-September
Best for full lagoons but expect crowds.
Less Crowded: October-November
Fewer tourists; some lagoons may be dry.
Budget-Friendly: December-February
Lower prices, fewer lagoons, and more rain.
Read more in our blog, when is the best time to visit Lençois Maranhenses
We aim to provide a personalized experience by assigning one guide for every 8 people. If your group exceeds this number, we will add a second guide at no additional cost.
Yes, the day usually starts early to avoid the strong sun. Most days offer free time from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, allowing you to explore the surroundings of your accommodation, read a book or take a nap at one of the hammocks.
The trek can be physically demanding, involving moderate to long distances over challenging terrains like sand dunes and freshwater lagoons.
In case of an injury, we will provide the necessary support for your safe evacuation, which may include transport via quad bike, 4×4, or other means as required.
At PlanetaEXO, we hold environmental sustainability in high regard, which is why we’ve chosen a partner who aligns with our values. Our partner in Lençóis Maranhenses shares our dedication to responsible and community-based tourism.
Their team consists of highly experienced guides and drivers, ensuring a service that is both responsible and welcoming. As a family-owned business native to Barreirinhas, they have a genuine passion for showcasing the unique beauty and diversity of the Lençóis Maranhenses region. They work closely with local organizations to promote tourism that not only benefits the community but also respects and values local cultures.
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Australian - 5 day Lençois Maranhenses
By Douglas Costellofrom AustraliaJuly 25, 2024Reviewed Tour 5-day Lençóis Maranhenses Hike
I recently completed Planeta Exo's 5-day hike across Lençóis Maranhenses, and it was an incredible experience! The stunning landscapes, from endless sand dunes to pristine lagoons, were breathtaking. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, providing I recently completed Planeta Exo's 5-day hike across Lençóis Maranhenses, and it was an incredible experience! The stunning landscapes, from endless sand dunes to pristine lagoons, were breathtaking. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, providing insights into the unique ecosystem and local culture. One highlight was the small group size, which made the experience feel personalised and intimate. The accommodations along the route were rustic but comfortable, adding to the adventure without sacrificing too much comfort. The meals provided were delicious and offered a taste of regional cuisine. However, getting from São Luís to Barreirinhas was a bit challenging. While Planeta Exo's blog post explains the process, booking ahead requires a CPF number, making it difficult for foreigners to arrange transportation in advance. Additionally, the guides and the majority of the group did not speak English, which sometimes led to missing critical information. For instance, I didn't get the memo to purchase water the night before the second day (which is the longest portion of the hike) and almost missed out. Fortunately, an English teacher had signed for our group hike, and kindly translated when necessary. If you're not fluent in Portuguese, I recommend brushing up on some key phrases or bringing a translation app to avoid any misunderstandings. Despite these minor issues, the hike itself was an unforgettable journey through one of Brazil's most unique landscapes. Highly recommended for nature lovers and adventure seekers! …read more read lessDate of Experience: July 20, 2024
Cancelation Policy
- If you cancel within 7 days of booking the tour or extra services, you’ll receive a full refund, minus any credit card processing fees. However, if the tour is scheduled for the days immediately following your booking, no refund will be provided.
- For cancellations made up to 5 days before the start of the tour or extra services, you’ll receive a partial refund. A fee of 20% of the total tour cost will be deducted to cover operational and logistical expenses, as well as any cancellation fees with our partners.
- Cancellations made after the specified time frames will not be eligible for any refund.
