4x4 adventure tour in São Luís and Fortaleza

Get to know the emblematic route between São Luis and Fortaleza. This itinerary explores the main cities between São Luís and Fortaleza. With this 4x4 adventure route, you will discover the most beautiful places of Santo Amaro, Lençóis Maranhenses, Jericoacoara and Atins. 

Do not miss the opportunity on the way to bathe in the lake of the Parnaíba Delta River, in addition to meeting beautiful crystal clear lagoons!

Day 1: Route from São Luís to Santo Amaro

Early in the morning (07:00 a.m.), this 4x4 adventure route begins. 

The first stretch is to Vila Sangue, a journey that will last 3 hours; then we will board a 4x4 vehicle to the city of Santo Amaro do Maranhão, for another hour on a dirt road. 

In the afternoon (15:00 hours) the 4x4 adventure route will take you to visit the Gaivota Lagoon, also known as the "Andorinha" lagoon.

Gaviota Lagoon Park

In a 30 minutes trip, on this section of the route, you will see marshes and large dunes in the background. On the way to the park we will contemplate one of the most beautiful landscapes, swim in the lagoons and watch the sunset. 

We will return to the hotel to spend the night in Santo Amaro.

Day 2: Lake route 

On this day of 4x4 adventure along the Santo Amaro stretch, after breakfast we will leave in a 4x4 vehicle to reach the Espigão and Betânia lagoons. There you can enjoy a swim in its crystal clear waters, also walk through the dunes and appreciate the flora and fauna that inhabit this park. 

• In this small community on the banks of the Alegre River it is possible to take a canoe ride (optional) and stop for lunch (chicken, lamb with coconut milk, etc... - optional). 

Return to the hotel in Santo Amaro for the night. 

Day 3: Drive to Barreirinhas

In the morning (10:00 a.m.) we will drive to Barreirinhas, the gateway to tourism in Maranhão located on the banks of the Preguiças River, a journey of about 4 hours. 

The 4x4 adventure route continues to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. This is located near the city and is a rarity for its magnificent sculpted dunes. 

 This park is located near the city and is a rarity for its magnificent naturally sculpted dunes and, from March to September, contains hundreds of lakes formed by the rainwater that falls in the season. 

We will start the tour in a 4x4 vehicle to reach the heart of the park, where we will walk along the circuit of the blue lagoon, making a stop to swim in the place and watch the sunset on the dunes. 

The return trip to Barreirinhas will be in the evening (approximately 19:00 hours). 

Afterwards, you can enjoy the evening in the quiet streets of the city or by the waters of the river and taste a delicious pizza in the restaurants of the city. 

Overnight in Barreirinhas. 

Day 4:Boat trip on the Preguiças River

In the morning (approximately 8:30 a.m.) we will take a boat trip along the Preguiças River. This stands out for its calm waters, there we will have a view of the bayous of the shore (a kind of water mass formed by old rivers), the mangroves (a natural nursery for fauna), the buritis, the Juçara trees (provides the famous açaí), the tucunzeiros (species of palm trees used in the production of brandy), and animals such as herons.

On this stretch we will make some stops in nearby communities: 

• The first is in Vassouras, also known as the little Lençois, a place where we can enjoy delicious coconut water and interact with the monkeys that live there. 
• The second is in Mandacaru, a small fishing village where we will climb 160 steps of the Mandacaru lighthouse to contemplate the panoramic view of the dunes, the river, the ocean and the typical vegetation.
• The third will be in Caburé, an arm of dunes located between the river and the sea and we will finish in the village of Atins to spend the night.

Day 5: Route to Canto do Antis

This 4x4 adventure day starts in the morning (09:00 hours approximately). We will leave in a 4x4 vehicle to Canto do Atins, the tip of the region, where we will walk along magnificent dunes that draw the geography of the park and we can refresh ourselves in the waters of the lagoons that are formed only during the rainy seasons. 

At noon you can stop at the Luzia or Antonio restaurants for lunch (not included) and try the famous grilled shrimp. 

Return to the hotel to spend the night in Atins.

Day 6: Drive to Parnaíba 

After breakfast, we will depart by boat from the city of Antis to reach the next village of Caburé. From this place we will continue in a 4x4 vehicle to the city of Tutoia. 

By road we will pass 15 km of deserted beaches, 5 km of beautiful dunes and more than 10 km of off-road tracks until we reach the small village of Paulino Neves, where we will continue by another 30 km of paved road to our destination. 

Upon arrival, we will board a boat to cross the Parnaíba Delta, a river that crosses the states of Maranhão and Piauí. 

• We will cross several roads formed by streams where we will have the opportunity to observe a demonstration of crab catching and also visit some fish cages used by the local population.

We will pass in front of São Bernardo Island, where we will see a small church in the middle of nowhere and finish the tour at Morro do Meio, where you can swim in the waters of Parnaíba. 

Lunch (not included) will take place on one of the Delta islands, according to the guide/driver. 

Upon arrival at the port of Tatus in the city of Parnaíba we will transfer to the pousada for the night.

Day 7: Drive to Jericoacoara 

After breakfast, we will leave in a 4x4 vehicle to Jericoacoara, with a scenic drive through incredible places such as Camocim, Love Island, Tatajuba, Guriú and Mangue Seco beaches. 

In this part of the adventure route, we will pass by dunes, ferry crossings and have a wonderful view of several deserted beaches (Lunch en route not included). 

Upon arrival, we will stay at the Jericoacoara Inn for the night. 

Day 8: Buggy Adventure

After breakfast we will go on a buggy adventure, a vehicle suitable for crossing the dunes and tour the Jericoacoara National Park. 

The first visit is the Tree of Sloth, a tree that grew under the influence of the winds, where you can take pictures.

Inside the Jericoacoara National Park, we can visit the seasonal lagoons that are formed during the rainy season, we will go to the Blue Lagoon for a swim and continue to the Paradise Lagoon for lunch (optional) and take a swim in crystal clear waters. 

We will return to the lodge to spend the night in Jericoacoara.

Day 9: The final stretch 

We will leave in a 4x4 vehicle to the city of Fortaleza, in a route that takes about 4 hours and a half, and we will finish at the hotel or the airport.

Enjoy 9 wonderful days along this exciting 4x4 route through wonderful places in Brazil. Book now this unforgettable adventure and live the unique experience of getting to know parks and crystalline lagoons. 

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