Bahia Cycling Tour

The Bahia Cycling Tour is a 7-day private guided tour in Brazil. Cycle along the scenic road around Baia dos Todos os Santos in Bahia, escorted by a professional cycling support team. Finish off on the tropical rustic beaches of Morro de Sao Paulo. Baia dos Todos os Santos is a wide and deep bay that enchanted navigators, pirates and colonists and aroused the interest of the Portuguese for being an excellent natural harbor. Its strategic location drove the foundation of the first capital of Brazil, Salvador. Start the cycling tour in Salvador and continue to the picturesque towns of Santo Amaro and Cachoeira, crossing fantastic remote colonial villages and farming areas of sugar cane, tobacco and cacao. Rivers and ruins of the past appear on the way, like magic. Continue to São Francisco do Paraguassu, Maragojipe, Nazaré and Jaguaripe. Explore the wild beaches of Garçez and bike along the whole island of Itaparica. Finish the trip by relaxing in Morro de Sao Paulo for a few days. The accommodation is based on a mixture of small rustic hotels and luxury hotels which are placed at the right spot on the itinerary. The tour is suitable for active travellers of all ages with a good level of fitness.

07 Days – From £1,600 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Salvador, Santo Amaro de Bahia, Cachoeira, Jaguaripe, Itaparica, Morro de Sao Paulo

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
Accommodation with breakfast (more hotel HERE)
Meals: all lunches, sometimes dinner, where appropriate
Bike mechanic or/ experienced Bike Tour Conductor, depending on the number of participants
Water and fruits supply during biking
Car/truck assistance during biking
Classic street bike 21 speed according with the size of the client
Bike bag for personal use, if requested
Personal squeeze or water bottle
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Meals not mentioned in the description

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. This trip starts and ends in Salvador de Bahia. Fly to SSA Airport from all the major airports in Brazil. Return flights to SSA start from £500 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year.

For families and groups (starting with 5 pax), we can book domestic flights in Brazil, during the high season, and if the trip is part of a more complex itinerary. This is to ensure a seamless travel and no complications.

How to Book

Send us a message on WhatsApp (+44 7 308 449 233) or email us at brazil@boutiquetravelexperts.com to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the exciting Amazon rainforest, the fascinating Pantanal or the deep canyons of the south. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Bahia is anytime, but it is good to avoid the period between April and July because of the rain.

To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our Brazil Weather Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.

Day 1 - Welcome to Salvador

Today you will arrival in Salvador where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. A colorful and bright city, Salvador captivates with the happiness of Afro-Brazilian culture. This unique charm is a consequence of the mixture of many cultures. The icon of Bahia, Pelourinho, is located In the Upper Town and has a lovely architecture with colorful houses and colonial churches, besides having a delightful gastronomy and special music. A walking tour is the best way to visit the historical centre of Salvador, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start at Municipal Square with the beautiful lookout of the city. Continue to Terreiro de Jesus Square, visit Basilica Cathedral and the baroque church of Cruzeiro of Saint Francis. There are also a few museums showing the greatest expressions of Bahian syncretism. Overnight at La Villa Bahia.

Day 2 - Santo Amaro & Cachoeira

Biking – 41 km – After an early breakfast, depart by car to the historic village of Santo Amaro, where you will meet the team and start the first biking day. Santo Amaro is a beautiful colourful place with colonial buildings and an impressive church, it is the birthplace of Samba de Roda, a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity. On the day you will visit the local market; stop at a settlement to learn about agriculture and community work. Lunch box is provided. Luggage will be transferred to the next hotel. Arrive at the hotel. After some relaxing time, explore the good nightlife of this amazing African heritage site. Overnight at Pousada Convento do Carmo.

Day 3 - Cachoeira

Biking 46 km – Transfer to Opalma road and start biking along Paraguassu river (23km), stopping for refreshments and visiting the communities of Quilombo do Cassange and Santiago do Iguape. You will be crossing scenic sugar cane plantations, beautiful villages and colonial farms. Visit the remote village of São Francisco do Paraguassu, a colonial site with an impressive convent. Relax and swim in the river, then have a home-made Bahian lunch prepared by a fantastic cook. After lunch, cross Paraguassu river by ferry to the tobacco port of Maragojipe. Upon arrival, bike back to Cachoeira by a hilly road along Paraguassu river, passing by São Felix (23 km). Enjoy the rest of the day at the pool. Overnight at Pousada Convento do Carmo.

Day 4 - Itaparica Island

After an early breakfast you will be taken by car to the port to catch a boat to the Island of Itaparica, stopping at Medo Island. This tropical place is is home to white sandy beaches, thick green forests and stunning ocean views. It offers a rural escape, where tiny villages, scenic waterfronts and colonial churches take the place of beach umbrellas and pushy vendors. Arrive at the historic village of Itaparica, disembark and take a short bike city tour. Then continue biking (37km on flat roads) through the island to Cacha-Pregos, the last village of Itaparica. Fresh fish and vegetables lunch will be served on route. Arrive at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Alma Tropical.

Day 5 - Itaparica to Morro de Sao Paulo

After breakfast, you will be transferred by car to the historic town of Nazaré das Farinhas. Visit the village and then and start biking (40 km) with stops for lunch. On the way you will visit a local school, a cheese factory and farming areas. In the early afternoon you will arrive at the Gaibim. Here you will take the speed boat to the paradise island of Morro de São Paulo. On arrival, the porters will take your luggage to the 3rd beach. This is a car-free village. After check-in, enjoy the great atmosphere of the Second beach and the vibrant village. In the evening visit the area of Igreja da Nossa Senhora Da Luz, is a beautiful white and blue church. Settle at one of the nearby cafes and enjoy the evening. Overnight at Vila dos Orixas.

Day 6 - Morro de Sao Paulo

Today you will have the whole day to explore the paradise beaches or just relax after 4 days cycling. There are plenty of beaches for every taste and preference to explore and get a tan. One can practice lots of sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking etc. To get a different view of this island paradise, head up to the famous lighthouse, Farol do Morro. It takes a bit of stair-climbing up the hill to reach the top but the views. After climbing up the hill to see the lighthouse, take the zipline all the way to the First Beach, while enjoying great views on the way down. Wear your swiming suit as you’ll land directly in the water. Overnight at Vila dos Orixas.

Day 7 - Back to Salvador

After breakfast you will take a catamaran back to Salvador, departing at either 11am or 13pm. Your transfer to the local pier will be arranged to correspond to the departure of the ferry. The journey back to Salvador takes 2 hours. There is also an option to travel by a small plane if requested (good option to have great views of the bays below). You will be picked up at the pier and will be transfer to the airport or to the pousada in the city centre, should you wish to extend your stay in Salvador for a few more days. We recommend visiting the in-land areas of Bahia, such as Chapada Diamantina to discover its table mountains, blue-water lakes and enchanting waterfalls. The nature is splendid and the region is very rich in unique sights.