Route of the emotions with a rental car

Day 3: São Paulo – São Luis 

In the morning you will be taken to São Paulo airport. Here you will board your domestic flight to São Luis. In São Luis a local employee will be waiting for you to take you to the hotel. São Luis is an important export port of minerals from the Amazon region. The city was used by the Portuguese as a trading center and this can still be seen today by the numerous classical buildings that the city has. Despite the economic growth, the city has lost none of its historical character. In the historical center you can make a walk in the Praia Grande district where you can see the Portuguese influence in the narrow streets. In this part of the city you will also find the Museum de Artes Visuais where you can see visual arts from the state of Maranhão and from Europe. 
Overnight stay: Grand São Luis | bed & breakfast

Day 4: São Luis – Santo Amaro

(approx. 230 km | 4 hours drive)
After breakfast you will be picked up and taken to the airport where a rental car will be waiting for you. You will use it during the rest of the journey. On your own you will discover the special route of emotions that crosses four national parks. Today you will drive by rental car to Santo Amaro, a relatively unknown place from where you can visit the national park of Lençois Maranhences. Lençois Maranhences is an immense desert at about 70 km from the coast with a total area of 155 thousand hectares. The park consists of dunes, mangroves, marshes and lagoons. A rare geological formation with a unique ecosystem. The dunes, sometimes up to 40 m high, form a beautiful landscape together with the numerous and colorful lagoons that form during the rainy season (from December to May). A 4x4 is compulsory in the national park. If you would like to visit the park, you can also do so with a guide. Visiting this natural wonder is a wonderful adventure. 
Overnight stay: Pousada Rancho das Dunas | bed & breakfast

Day 5: Santo Amaro – Barreirinhas

(approx. 90 km | 2 hours drive)
After breakfast you will travel from Santo Amaro to the town of Barreirinhas. While the sun sets, the promenade along the meandering river Preguiças, with its restaurants and craft stalls, is the place to go. 
Overnight stay: Porto Preguiças Resort | bed & breakfast

Day 6: Barreirinhas – Atins

Today you travel to Atins. Situated between the mouth of the river Preguiças and the seas of ever-changing dunes, Atins is virtually cut off from civilization. Leave your rental car at Atins and you'll be taken on a boat trip along the Preguiças River. It's a scenic trip along the river Preguiças towards the coast. Along the way several stops are made at the fishermen's settlements, including a stop in Vassouras, Mandacaru and Caburé. From the riverbank, you will be taken by 4x4 over deep sandy paths to your accommodation. Apart from a few pousadas, excellent Italian restaurants and quirky bars, Atins is a remote and peaceful settlement away from the masses. 
Overnight stay: La Ferme de Georges | bed & breakfast

Day 7: Atins

Today you have a day off. From Atins you can make several excursions in the park. This can be done by 4x4, on a horseback or on foot. If you are looking for even more adventure, you can make a multi-day trekking through the national park Lençois Maranhences where you will spend the night in hammocks!
Overnight stay: La Ferme de Georges | bed & breakfast

Day 8: Atins – Parnaíba

(approx. 190 km | 4 hours drive)
Today you travel from Atins to Parnaíba. In the morning you will take the boat back to Barreirinhas and pick up your rental car. It's a 4 hour drive to Parnaíba. We recommend you to leave in the morning, because the spectacular delta excursion leaves in the afternoon, which is definitely worth it. The Parnaíba delta forms an archipelago of more than 75 islands, dunes, lagoons and towering mangrove forests. In the afternoon you will make an unforgettable journey through this delta to witness a true spectacle of nature: swarms of Red Ibises that gather at the end of the day to travel around one of the islands. 
Overnight stay: Casa de Santo Antônio | bed & breakfast

Day 9: Parnaíba – Nationaal park Sete Cidades

(approx. 150 km | 2.5 hours drive)
About 150 kilometers inland from Parnaíba the Sete Cidades National Park is located. Savannah landscapes and impressive rock formations are characteristic for this area. From the visitors centre you can take various routes on foot or by car to various viewpoints and archaeological sites. Because of the heat we recommend you to visit the park at the end of the afternoon, moreover the setting sun colors the rocks beautifully. You will spend the night here in a simple but charming accommodation in a rural environment. 
Overnight stay: Oca Tocarijus Eco Resort | bed & breakfast

Day 10: Nationaal park Sete Cidades – Nationaal park Ubajara

(approx. 135 km | 2.5 hours drive)
Today you will drive two hours further inland towards the Ubajara national park. This is the smallest national park of Brazil and it is located on the edge of the Ibiapaba plateau. The park is covered with evergreen rainforest and is home to several endangered species, including the red howler monkey, oncilla (small spotted cat) and puma. From the visitor's centre several guided hiking trails lead to (cold) waterfalls, viewpoints and caves. 
Overnight stay: Pousada Gruta | bed & breakfast

Day 11: Nationaal park Ubajara – Jericoacoara

(approx. 280 km | 5.5 hours drive)
After these inland nights you will drive back to the coast today. You will continue to Jericoacoara, which is affectionately called Jeri. Jericoacoara is a secluded beach. Despite its remote location, the sandy streets and alleys of Jericoacoara are full of charming accommodations, lively bars, quality restaurants and artisan boutiques. Access is only possible by 4x4, so leave your rental car in Jijoca where a local employee will be waiting for you to take you to your accommodation. Jericoacoara, discovered in the 70's by hippies, artists and freebooters, is becoming more and more famous, but over the years it has managed to retain its charm as a small fishing village. Let yourself be enchanted by the most spectacular sunset you will ever see and enjoy a fresh cocktail while lying on one of the many white sandy beaches.
Overnight stay: Vila Kalango | bed & breakfast

Day 12: Jericoacoara

This day is scheduled off. Enjoy your stay in Jericoacoara. There are several activities you can undertake, such as a trip to the Blue Lagoon, which is considered one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. The water discolors as it gets deeper. The colors vary from almost transparent on the beach to deep blue in the middle of the lagoon. Swimming here is a true moment of relaxation, as the water has a pleasant temperature and the idyllic surroundings are calm and soothing. You also have the opportunity to snorkel here. Furthermore, you can visit Lagoa do Paraíso, where you can swim, relax and have something to eat at the excellent local restaurant. 
Overnight stay: Vila Kalango | bed & breakfast

Day 13: Jericoacoara – Fortaleza - Amsterdam

Your Unique Journey through Brazil comes to an end. You will be brought to your rental car and drive to the airport of Fortaleza (approximately 300 km | 5.5 hours drive). This drive also takes you along the coastline, where the beaches, dunes and kite surfers dominate the landscape. You will pass several small and somewhat larger villages, where you will see the lifestyle of this region again and again. Everything continues at a steady pace. Once you arrive at Fortaleza airport, you drop off your rental car and board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam.  

Day 14: Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.