Located 75 miles to the West of Salvador, Cachoeira represents some of the Baroque anthology of the country.
It is the cradle of Brazil and has preserved its narrow streets and 17th Century’s houses.
Nestled between the shores of Rio Paraguaçu and the foothills, Cachoeira is at the heart of the Recôncavo, fertile area that, thanks to its sugar and tobacco plantations, played a preponderant role in the history of Brazil.

Departure at 09:00, in a private vehicle, with our English-speaking guide towards Cachoeira, one of the colonial pearls of the Nordeste, two hours away from Salvador (75 miles).
Shortly after departure we drive inland and start to feel the typical ambiance of Recôncavo Baiano.
This wealthy agricultural area was one of the first in Brazil to be colonized and exploited by the Portuguese. On our way to Cachoeira, we cross sugar cane, manioc and tobacco plantations, some of which many centuries old.
Town visit: convent Do Carmo, church of Terceira Ordem das Carmelitas, IPHAN museum, Hansen Bahia foundation, casa de Camara …
Our guide helps us discover the rich historical past of the town, which was for a time the capital of the state of Bahia, and included among its inhabitants some famous individual like Anastacia, symbol of the slave resistance, or Ana Neri, one of the pioneers of humanitarian work.
We cross Rio Paraguaçu to stroll through the narrow streets of São Felix, across the river from Cachoeira. Visit of the Dannemann cigar factory, over two centuries old, and offering an exhibit of contemporary art.
On the way back to Salvador (2 ½ to 3-trip), we stop in Santo Amaro, birth town of musician Caetano Veloso, where we visit the museum of do Recolhimento de Nossa Senhora dos Humildes (collection of Saint ornaments handmade by the local women). We return to Salvador at the end of the day.
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.
Note: Museums are closed on Sundays and the cigar factory on Mondays and Sundays– there is a cattle market on Saturdays.

Departure at 09:00, in a private vehicle, with our English-speaking guide towards Cachoeira, one of the colonial pearls of the Nordeste, two hours away from Salvador (75 miles).
Shortly after departure we drive inland and start to feel the typical ambiance of Recôncavo Baiano.
This wealthy agricultural area was one of the first in Brazil to be colonized and exploited by the Portuguese. On our way to Cachoeira, we cross sugar cane, manioc and tobacco plantations, some of which many centuries old.
Town visit: convent Do Carmo, church of Terceira Ordem das Carmelitas, IPHAN museum, Hansen Bahia foundation, casa de Camara …
Our guide helps us discover the rich historical past of the town, which was for a time the capital of the state of Bahia; among its inhabitants some famous individual like Anastacia, symbol of the slave resistance, or Ana Neri, one of the pioneers of humanitarian work.
We cross Rio Paraguaçu to stroll in the narrow streets of São Felix, across the river from Cachoeira. Visit of the Dannemann cigar factory, over two centuries old, and offering an exhibit of contemporary art. Return to Cachoeira for the night.

In the morning, we descend Rio Paraguaçu by motorboat (2 to 3 hours cruise depending on the boat used and the tide strength) towards São Francisco, sleepy little village on the shores of Rio Paraguaçu.
We discover a different lifestyle, and a complete change of scenery, which can be disorienting.  There are no other tourists around.
After a hearty traditional lunch at Doña Enaide (crab, coconut, dende oil (palm oil)…), we have the choice between an afternoon horseback ride or a trek on the nearby trails (to be coordinated with the guide). We cross plantations, cascades, fazendas and their enormous cattle, and encounter some of the inhabitants of the Recôncavo.
At the end of the day, a pirogue tour along the mangrove, in the company of fishermen in search of siris, the local fresh water crab. At the end of the day we set our hammock up above the village. Near the basic shelter in which we will spend the night, we lit a campfire to grill fish or brochettes.
If we are lucky, one of the nearby inhabitants will visit to exchange a few words or sing for us to the sound of his guitar.
Meals included (barbecue dinner). Night in hammock.
Note: during the rio descent by boat, we are only in the company of the boat captain; our English-speaking guide will travel by road with the vehicle, and meet us in São Francisco de Paraguaçu.

In the morning, we leave camp to return to São Francisco, where awaits the vehicle that takes us back to Salvador (2½ to 3-hour trip). On the way, we stop at Santo Amaro, birth town of musician Caetano Veloso, where we visit the museum of do Recolhimento de Nossa Senhora dos Humildes (collection of Saint Ornaments handmade by the local women). We return to Salvador in the middle of the day.
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.