We’re waking up early to experience sunrise at Christ the Redeemer—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of view. Afterward, we’ll visit the stunning Dona Marta lookout for another dose of Rio's beauty. The rest of the day is yours to relax, explore, or grab an açaí bowl.

A slow, relaxed morning brunching, chilling & a meditation circle led by yours truly. We’ll head to the iconic Ipanema Beach to soak up some rays, sip on fresh caipirinhas, and maybe snag a super cute bikini from a local beach vendor. In the afternoon, we turn up the energy with a private samba class, then head straight to the legendary Pedra do Sal samba street party—live music, dancing, and pure Brazilian joy. 

Today we trade rooftop caipirinhas for mountain air. We’ll catch a morning flight to Salvador, followed by a 7-hour bus ride to Lençóis, the charming little town that will be our "base camp" for the next phase of the journey. 

We will meet Artur, our legendary hiking guide for the week. Tonight we will be staying in his hostel and repacking our bags for the adventures ahead.

This is where the trip shifts—from city glam to rugged magic. It’s a travel day, yes, but also the start of something wild and soul-filling. Welcome to the backpacker chapter.

Today we start our journey into Brazil’s hidden natural gem. Chapada Diamantina, the girls are on their way! We’ll drive a couple of hours through wild, rugged scenery to reach Buracão Waterfall—a jaw-dropping canyon you’ll hike into, swim through, and never forget. This is hands down one of my top 3 waterfalls ever. We’ll float through narrow rock corridors, feel the mist on our faces, and fully drop into nature mode.

We’ll break for a simple lunch in the mountains—think DIY sandwiches with a view. (Pro tip: we're about to get real creative with our sandwich game this week.)

In the evening, we’ll return to our cozy local homestay for a delicious, home-cooked Brazilian dinner. Think comfort food, mountain style, and stories shared over warm plates.

Today we venture deeper into Chapada’s wild heart with a hike to the stunning and lesser-known Herculano Waterfall. The trail winds through raw, untamed nature—and the reward is a powerful, secluded waterfall that feels like our own private paradise.

We’ll enjoy another simple trail lunch (yes, more sandwich mastery!), then head back to our homestay for a warm, homemade Brazilian dinner. After a full day in nature, there’s nothing better than good food, stories around the dinner table, and great sleep.

Today's a chill-er hiking day compared to the previous two days, just to give our bodies a bit of a rest.

We’re starting off the day with the famous Poço Encantado (Enchanted Well)—a crystal-clear underground pool inside a cave, where sunlight beams in and makes the water glow an unreal electric blue. It’s one of those surreal places that feels like it can’t be real... but it is. 

From there, we’ll head out to Papiaca Waterfall —a hidden gem with cascading falls, tranquil pools, and lush green surroundings. It’s the kind of place where you can kick off your shoes, jump in the water, and feel like time just slows down. Perfect for some much-needed grounding and connection with nature.

Lunch will be at Vale das Piscinas (Valley of Pools) —perfect for cooling off by the natural pools and soaking in the beauty of Chapada’s wild heart.

I didn't get to explore either of these this past year because we ran out of time... so excited that this will be a new adventure for ALL of us!

For our final day of hiking, we’re going out with a bang.

First up: Cachoeira do Mosquito. Don’t let the name fool you—this place is stunning. Tucked inside a rocky canyon surrounded by forest, the waterfall plunges into a beautiful natural pool that’s perfect for a refreshing dip after the scenic hike in. 

Then we’re heading to Poço do Diabo (Devil’s Well). Swim in the cool waters, stretch out on the sun-warmed rocks, or maybe go bold with a little rock jumping. Either way, it’s the perfect mix of adrenaline and awe.

Since it’s our last hiking day of the trip, this one’s about soaking in the moment. The views, the laughter, the sweat, the swims—all of it. Let’s make it count. 

We make our way out of little Lencois back to Salvador on a 7 hour bus. Our ending point will be Salvador International Airport (SSA) late afternoon/early evening.  

Departures and next adventures begin from here—with hearts full and legs maybe just a little sore. As always It's a "see you later, not a goodbye"!