A legendary Portuguese sailor, Nicolau de Resende, in an ongoing search for a treasure that would have sunk the hold of his ship, discovered instead a most unexpected wealth: the Parnaíba Delta. Saved by the Tabajaras natives after a shipwreck, he sent a letter to the King of Portugal, praising the exotic beauty of the site, trying to imagine for how long this natural wealth would be spared from man’s ‘progress’. Many centuries later, the Parnaíba Delta (also called Delta of the Americas) continues to be as beautiful and magnificent as in the distant past.

Within the same ecosystem, exist contrasting landscapes: rivers, lagoons, gigantic dunes, and waterlogged areas, deserted beaches with the whitest of sand and different kinds of mangroves, typical to the region. Not just fauna, crocodiles, monkeys, turtles, crabs and different species of birds (notably herons or guarás or red ibis which are typical to the region).
In general, the Delta is visited while on the road between São Luis (or the Lençóis Maranhenses) and Jericoacoara (or Fortaleza).

The ilha do cajú (Cashew island) constitutes one of the most incredible synthesis of the diversity of the delta das Américas.
Originally occupied by the formidable Tremembés Indians, the Island is then controlled by the Jesuits during the 17th century, and then sold after their expulsion from Brazil.
From then on, it changes hand until 1919, at which date it is sold to a young English entrepreneur, James Clark.
Its descendants, understanding the valor but also the fragility of their treasure, created a preserve at the end of the 20th century insuring the protection of the patrimony of ilha do cajú, nonetheless remaining a private property.

The city of Parnaíba is located on the banks of the Igaraçu River. This peaceful provincial town was an important commercial exportation center for Europe during the colonial period.
The city has extended from Porto das Barcas with imposing villas from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries properties of the “Voltarns Bons”, the powerful traders and farmers at that time. The wharves of Porto das Barcas constitute the entryway to this peaceful provincial city. The Port of Parnaíba today shelters art galleries, handicrafts centers and restaurants.
The Cathedral, The Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Monte Serrate and the Churches of the Rosary and of São Sebastião are evidence of the religious fervor of this quiet city.

After breakfast, we leave by 4WD across the caatinga (arid area characterized by short vegetation principally formed of cacti and prickly bushes) over sand tracks leading us, after an hour drive, to the small town of Tutoia. While we are visiting the market and the small pedestrian streets of Tutoia, our luggage is transferred to a motorboat and the boat is prepared for our departure for the island of Caju. It takes 1½-hour by boat (28 miles) between various islands of the delta to reach our destination. A car awaits us there to take us to the heart of the island where is located our pousada/shelter.
Ilha do Caju is one of the largest islands of the delta of Rio Parnaíba. Encompassing sections of the estates of Piaui and of Maranhão, the delta, counts 85 islands and offers a complexity similar to those encountered on the Nile or the Mekong. Over its 10,000 hectares, we encounter no less than five ecosystems: mangrove, dunes and lagunas, forest and salt water swamps. The island is protected since 1991 and is only accessible by boat.
After a hearty lunch, we leave at around 15:30 for our first ecological excursion in the company of local guide. During the 3 days that we will stay on the island, we have the option to do 4 excursions:

• Kayak excursion in the mangrove
• Ornithological observatory trek
• Horseback ride towards the village of Mocambo
• Initiation to the hunt of the caranguejo (small crab of the mangroves)
• And for the most courageous, nocturnal wildlife observation hike

When we return at sunset, about 18:00, dinner awaits us. Evening open.
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.

Day open dedicated to the exploration of the island. If we wake up with the sun, we will be able to appreciate the splendid show the birds give as they fly out in the morning, especially the guarás, red ibises emblematic of the area.
2 or 3 excursions can be organized during this day. To witness the vitality of the wildlife we will favor the transition times.
Before sunrise to drive out the awakening animals: armadillos, tamanduas (anteaters), fox, and monkeys…
Or late afternoon to attend the return of diurnal animals to their nest and the exit of the nocturnal ones.
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.

After breakfast, a motor canoe takes us across the Delta to Parnaiba. The guide/captain is often an ancient fisherman; he shows us the beauty and the secrets of his Delta. 2 to 3 hours by boat (37.5 miles) during which we become aware of the vitality and creativity of nature in this terrestrial paradise.
We stop at one of the 5 deltas of Rio Parnaíba and lunch on ilha das Canarias (canary island). We may be lucky and spot a few jacarés (alligators), red ibises or chameleons. In the middle of the afternoon we reach the Pier of Tatus then Parnaiba and our pousada.
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.