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A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY - BRAZIL'S NORTH EAST |
 1st Day – Recife, Olinda (no meals) - Arrival at Recife and transfer to Olinda. If there is time we will do a mini-city tour in Recife, on the way to Olinda. Check-in at the Pousada do Amparo (a member of the "Roteiros de Charme Association" – an exclusive group of the most charming and stylish Brazilian hotels) located on Rua do Amparo in the historic center of Olinda. This beautiful city contains an impressive collection of colonial architecture, which has been declared "Cultural Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO. Dinner (at guest's expense) will be at one of the excellent restaurants of Olinda. Overnight at the Pousada. |
 2nd Day – Olinda, Recife - After breakfast visit on foot the main churches and museums of the city and stroll down Rua do Amparo. This street is home to the ateliers of the foremost artists of Olinda – painters, sculptors and ceramists. This will be a good opportunity to acquaint oneself with and purchase works of art at accessible prices. Lunch at guests' expense. In the afternoon we will visit the atelier of the internationally acclaimed ceramist Francisco Brennand. Located in what was once a brick factory, this artist created a fantastic experience of close to 2000 sculptures spread out over gardens, lakes and  warehouses. On the days it is closed (weekends and public holidays) we can visit the Museu do Homem do Nordeste (Museum of the Northeastern Man). In the evening we explore the traditional, historic neighborhood of Pernambuco's capital. Recife Antigo has recently been restored and transformed into a lively gastronomic and cultural center. For dinner (at guests' expense), clients will be free to choose from a number of bars and restaurants located in that area. Overnight in Olinda. |
 3rd Day – Olinda, Igarassu, Ilha de Itamaracá, Cariri - A long but fascinating day! After breakfast we leave for the Charles Darwin Ecological Refuge, situated in the middle of exuberant forest, the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Rainforest). On a short walk through the forest, guided by biologists, you'll learn more about the animals and  plants of this endangered ecosystem. We will then proceed to Itamaracá Island to visit Forte Orange, built by the Dutch in 1631, and the Manatee Research Center to learn about this fascinating, highly endangered marine mammal species. Lunch (at guests' expense) will be at the nearby beach, giving the guests the chance to swim in the relaxing waters of the estuary. In the afternoon we depart inland to Cariri, a harsh, spectacular region where small lakes and huge boulders decorate the granite hills. Prehistoric people  and extinct animals (such as mastodons and saber-toothed tigers) once inhabited this land, and left their enigmatic mark for those who know where to look. At Fazenda Pai Mateus, comfortable ranch, you may like to try the firewood sauna before dinner. The food here is traditional, Cariri style, and the Sertão (Brazilian outback) sky, clear and bright. |
 4th Day – Cariri - In the morning, accompanied by a local guide we take a pleasant walk to "Saca de Lã", a unique and enigmatic rock formation. Afterwards, we visit Cabaceiras, a typical Sertão village.
Stroll through the streets, meet the local people and see the local handcrafts made from goat leather.
Late afternoon we'll drive to Pai Mateus, an awe-inspiring landscape where 70 huge boulders scatter an area once inhabited by early tribes and later by a famous 18th century shaman.
The sunset in this very special, mystical place is unforgettable. |
 5th Day – Cariri, Ingá, Areia, Pipa - Morning departure to Ingá (Paraíba State) to see Brazil's largest and most impressive archeological monument, a huge monolith inscribed with beautiful prehistoric petroglyphs. We then proceed to Areia, a small colonial town where houses  from the 19th and early 20th centuries have been preserved. We visit an ancient small theatre built with European cedar wood, and a sugar mill from the time of slavery. After lunch at a local restaurant continue to the fashionable coastal village of Pipa. The Hotel Ponta do Madeiro has a beautiful location close to a sea cliff 5 km north of Pipa on the way to Tibau do Sul. Dinner at guest's discretion (wide choice of stylish establishments in the village). |
 6th Day – Pipa - After breakfast we will visit the Ecological Sanctuary of Pipa where we take a short walk through the native forest that covers the ancient costal dunes. Should there be a high tide there is a good chance of spotting marine turtles that come to feed in the bay. Ponta do Madeiro beach is stunning, often deserted and home to dolphins most of the year. The rest of the day is free - to visit Pipa and it's shops, sunbathe at the Pousada's pool or read a book in your hammock. In the evening a special dinner program can be provided on request (guests´expense). In Tibau do Sul there is a cozy, romantic candlelit restaurant that offers for a maximum of 8 guests a very special "gastronomic ritual" - a procession of 6 unique dishes (starts at 9:15 p.m. and ends around 1:00a.m.). |
 7th Day – Pipa, Natal - After breakfast we proceed to Natal. On the way we make several short stops at: Nísia Floresta, to see a huge Baobab tree of African origin, Mirante dos Golfinhos (Dolphin look-out), a sea cliff with a unique view of the coast, and the Cajueiro de Pirangi, considered to be the largest cashew tree in the world. Arrive in Natal and check-in to the lovely Manary Praia Hotel (member of "Roteiros do Charme Association"), located overlooking Ponta Negra beach. Rest of the day free. |
 8th Day – Natal, Northern Coast - Participate in an exciting buggy tour along the northern coast of Natal, up to Cabo de São Roque considered to be the closest point of the South American coast to Africa. Tide permitting, then take a boat cruise to the spectacular  reefs of Maracajaú where you may snorkel among schools of colourful fish. Alternatively, we can go to the Ecological Park of Água das Dunas, a site of rare beauty where the local woodland meets the dunes and the lagoons of Genipabu (ideal for swimming). Lunch (guests' expense) will be in Maracajaú, or between Maracajaú and Genipabu. Late afternoon return to Natal. |
9th Day – Natal, airport - Free morning relaxing by the pool or at the beach. Afternoon transfer to Natal Airport. End of our services. |
 9th Day – Natal, Ponta do Mel - Morning departure to Ponta do Mel, a secluded fisherman's village situated 260 km (4 hours) north of Natal. First stop will be at João Camara town, where explanations will be given about the seismic activity of the region (faint earthquakes shakes the town daily!). Another stop will be made at the edge of a carnauba forest. Carnauba is a very useful indigenous palm tree that was responsible for the world phonographic industry boom in the first decades of the 20th century. It still has many different uses today. Visit a place where locals extract the wax using century old techniques. Early afternoon arrival at Pousada Costa Branca. Rest of the day is free so guest's can relax by the Pousada's swimming pool or go down to the beach to experience the solitude of this remote location. Dinner (at guest's expense) at the Pousada. |
10th Day – Ponta do Mel - After breakfast head west, following the beach up to the fishermen's village of Redonda. Close by we will see how the deep red earth of the Sertão mixes with the elegant white dunes. In the afternoon we visit the stunning sand dunes of Morro Rosado, where red and |
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12th Day – Natal, airport – Free morning. Guests can relax by the swimming pool or at the beach in front of the Hotel. Afternoon transfer to Natal airport. End of our services. |
"In wilderness is the |
The hotels (in brief) Pousada do Amparo, Olinda ( www.pousadadoamparo.com.br ) |
All About Cariri Ecotours
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