Belem & Ilha do Marajo

Embark on a captivating gastronomic journey through the vibrant city of Belém and the enchanting Ilha do Marajó in the north of Brazil, with this unique 10-day itinerary. Begin your adventure by flying into Belém, one of the gateways to the Brazilian Amazon, where you’ll explore the city’s rich colonial history, including visits to the Complexo Feliz Lusitania and the Neoclassical Teatro da Paz. Dive into the local culture with a visit to the bustling Ver-o-Peso market, and indulge in the culinary delights of the Amazon, from fresh açaí to exotic seafood. Experience the lush landscapes of Ilha do Marajó, home to diverse wildlife, scenic beaches, and cultural traditions like marajoara pottery and buffalo herding. Finish the trip with wildlife tours at a local buffalo ranch in Ilha do Marajo, before returning to Belem. This itinerary blends history, nature, and gastronomy for an unforgettable Amazonian experience. We can tailor this itinerary to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities.

10 Days – From £3,300 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Belem, Ilha do Combu, Soure, Belem

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
Mentioned hotels with breakfast (Browse More Hotels)
Full Board at Fazenda Nossa Senhora do Carmo
All the excursions and experiences mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers by car and boat on a private basis
All scheduled local ferry transfers (shared)
Entrance & guiding fees to all visited places
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Freebies
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. Return flights to Brazil start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year. Fly to Belem (BEL).

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 an email us at to check availability, discuss your references and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor the trip up to your plans and book other hotels. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, the exciting Amazon rainforest, the fascinating Pantanal, the culture of Bahia or the deep canyons of the south. For more Brazil travel inspiration check these itineraries .

When to Visit

The best time to visit Belém and Ilha do Marajó is during the dry season, which runs from July to December. During this period, you’ll experience more comfortable weather with less rain, making it ideal for exploring the city of Belém and enjoying outdoor activities on Ilha do Marajó.

From January to June, the region experiences its rainy season, which can make certain areas more challenging to explore due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Outdoor adventures will be limited.

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.

Marajo Buffalos

Marajo buffalos are part of the largest herding in Marajó, and are deeply integrated into the local culture and economy. In Soure, even the policemen do the security of the village riding in buffalos through the streets. At the farms the cowboys ride buffalos and horses.

Day 1 - Arrival in Belem

Today you will arrive in Belém, the capital of Pará, founded by the Portuguese in 1616 to defend the entrance of the Amazon from the French. This hot and humid equatorial city, lying just south of the equator, is nestled between the Guamá River and Guajará Bay. Belém is a surprisingly rewarding city, with shaded streets lined with mango trees, and its rich history is reflected in its impressive colonial architecture, museums, and monuments, from the Portuguese empire times to the belle époque masterpieces of the 19th-century’s rubber boom, earning it the nickname “Paris of the Tropics”, often disputed with Manaus. Overnight at Atrium Quinta de Pedras Hotel.

Day 2 - Acai Fair

In the early morning visit the bustling açaí fair in the Port of Belem, were 85% of Brazil’s açaí is traded. At 04:30 the market is already a hive of activity with porters carrying large baskets of açaí on their heads, as they unload the boats. Continue to the historic Ver-o-peso Market, the largest open-air market in Latin America, offering local vibes. After breakfast, take a guided tour through the historic center, home to colonial gems like Complexo Feliz Lusitania. Stroll along the stylish Estação das Docas for a scenic view of Guajará Bay, and visit the grand Teatro da Paz (open from Tuesday to Sunday), a symbol of Belém’s belle époque. Have lunch at Point do Açai. Savor Amazonian dishes featuring shrimp, tucupi, acai, and manioc flour. Overnight at Atrium Quinta de Pedras Hotel.

Day 3 - Ilha do Combu & Chocolate

After breakfast, depart to a riverside community to learn about manioc flour, tapioca and tucupi sauce. You will taste chibé prepared with freshly roasted flour, beiju, tapioquinha and manioc couscous. Return to Belém and take a boat to a restaurant with a great view of Belém, located on Ilha do Combu, a lovely forested island, known as the land of cacao and açai. After siesta, take a walking tour in the forest to collect Amazonian fruits such as cupuaçu, camu camu, tucumã, araçá. Next, visit a local chocolatier for an organic chocolate tasting experience. Return to the hotel to rest and then go for dinner at a renowned restaurant. Overnight at Atrium Quinta de Pedras Hotel.

Day 4 - Belem to Soure

Leave Belem in the morning at 07:00 and take the ferry to the beautiful island of Ilha do Marajó (2,5 hours), famous for its ceramics and free-roaming buffaloes. Enjoy sightings of hundreds of birds, capybaras, and monkeys. The sight of pink ibis flocks flying against Marajó’s green background is magical! Upon arrival in Camará Port, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, explore Soure, a charming fishing village, shaded by mango trees. End the day with a special dinner and a carimbó rhythmic dance on the beach. Overnight at O Canto do Francês Pousada.

Day 5 - Mangroves & Beaches

Today take a boat ride on Paracauari River to Furo do Miguelão, accompanied by a naturalist guide (3 hours). Enjoy close contact with nature and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the mangrove forest. You may spot howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, sloths, otters, pampas deer and birds. Next, continue to Vila do Pesqueiro where you will take a boat trip to the paradisiacal beaches Praia do Céu and Praia Caju-una. Take a long walk along this preserved isolated beach, enjoying the very warm water, a surreal landscape with beautiful coconut trees and many birds, amongst which the scarlet ibis. What a calm and exotic place! Return in the evening for dinner. Overnight at O Canto do Francês Pousada.

Day 6 - Buffalos & Cheese

After breakfast, depart to fazenda Sao Jeronimo. Have a fantastic experience along Boca da Glória River, riding, walking or swimming with the docile buffalos through the preserved mangrove forest and beautiful beaches (2,5 hours). You might spot wildlife during the trip as well. For lunch, you will have a practical cooking class with regional dishes including: tacacá and pato no tucupi, techniques of crab cooking and turu. Next, visit the marajoara cheese factory to learn the process of handling milk, rennet and the making Marajoara Cheese made with buffalo milk. Next, visit the artistic ceramic atelier of Ronaldo Guedes to learn about marajoara pottery. Discover the intricate techniques and rich cultural history behind these stunning creations. Overnight at O Canto do Francês Pousada.

Day 7 - Buffalo Ranch

Today visit a water buffalo ranch, located far away from civilization, up the Camará River (2,5 hours by boat). Along the way, take in the stunning natural beauty that surrounds you – lush greenery, shimmering waterways, and the serene sounds of the Amazonian landscape. Here you can have horse and buffalo riding tours. Boots are provided for swampy riverside excursions. Discover abundant wildlife along the riverbanks, such as capybaras, parrots, parakeets, morpho butterflies, piranhas, herons, barking monkeys, sloths, giant frogs, owls and more. The contact with nature is uncredible. Return to the farm for delicious home-cooked meals, with grilled pirarucu fish and buffalo milk dolce de leite. Overnight at Fazenda Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

Day 8 - Buffalo Ranch

Today explore the winding creeks by canoe, gliding through the calm waters, observing the vibrant ecosystem. What a beautiful place away from it all! Cast a line for some fishing, enjoying the thrill of catching local species in this abundant habitat. Don’t miss the opportunity for bird watching and wildlife observation. Keep your eyes peeled for colorful birds and elusive wildlife that inhabit this paradise. You will be looking forward to return to the farm-house for the delicious food. Take a night tour to spot wildlife and enjoy the tranquillity of the starry nights. Overnight at Fazenda Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

Day 9 - Return to Belem

Today return back to Belém after lunch. The trip takes 1 hour by boat from the farm to a local pier, followed by 20 min by car to Camará pier and then 2,5 hour trip to Belem. Upon arrival to Belém, check-in at the hotel and walk through the historic center. Visit Basílica de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré is a stunning church that holds the famous Círio de Nazaré festival, one of the largest religious processions in the world. You will have dinner at the Remanso do Peixe restaurant, known for its exquisite seafood dishes. Check the schedule of Teatro da Paz and perhaps see a live performance. Return to your cozy and elegant hotel. Overnight at Atrium Quinta de Pedras Hotel.

Day 10 - Departure

The transfer back to Belem Airport (BEL) will be organized according to your flight departure, after breakfast. Extend your stay in the Brazilian Amazon and fly to Santarem, discovering Alter de Chao and the while-sand beaches of Tapajos river. If you want to experience the Amazon in more depth, we also recommend the 7-day river cruise starting from Manaus. It is also worth spending a few days in the bustling city of Manaus, experiencing the fantastic phenomenon of the Meeting of the Water, take a day trip to Presidente Figueiredo for waterfalls and azure lakes and marvel at the sheer size of the giant Rio Negro River.

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