Tours

Essential Salvador (Upper City Tour)

Discover the essential sights of Salvador on a half day tour tracing the development of the city from its simple beginnings to the what is now the third largest city in Brazil. After hotel pick up with private Essencial Salvador takes you to the mouth of the immense bay and then via elegant tree-lined avenues and bustling city streets to the Pelourinho, a Unesco Heritage site and the largest complex of colonial architecture in the South America. We leave the vehicle at the Muncipal Square, by the towering Lacerda Elevator, with great views of the bay stretching out to the lower city, and stroll through the narrow, bustling streets lined with buildings in pastel shades of an age gone by, soaking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant city. We visit the church of São Francisco with its exuberant gold-leafed Baroque interior and the Pelourinho square, the heart of the old town.

The Lower City: Another Perspective

The Lower City tour offers another perspective of the sprawling city, taking us to the quiet waters of the Itapagipe Peninsula where life moves at a slower pace than the bustling upper city. Fishermen fish from dug out canoes, locals collect shellfish at low tide, schooners lie at anchor, all protected by the famous Bonfim church, one of the most important churches of pilgrimage in Brazil and deeply syncretised with the Candomblé. (visit). We continue to the Monserrat district with its panoramic view of the city and on to the Mercado Modelo, a thriving market for local artifacts and souvenirs. This is also where you can test your bargaining talents!

This excursion complements the Essencial Salvador tour.
Please note that the Church of Bonfim is closed on Mondays.

Bahia by Night at "Solar do Unhão"

A night focussing on the wealth of Bahian culture, a showcase of the multiple African traditions still so much alive in Bahia. Hotel pick and drive to the 18th century colonial complex Solar do Unhão, a family holding that had its own church, sugar mill, manor house and slaves. quarters. Dinner is buffet of international and Bahia cuisine served in the area that was once the warehouse. The presentation begins with the sacred dances of the Candomblé, then puxada de rede in honour of Yemanjá, the goddess olf the sea, followed maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance from the cane fields. The highlight of the show is an exhilarating display of capoeira, the stunning martial art/dance of Angolan origin. The show ends with the samba de roda, a spinning, swirling version of this exuberant national dance.

Duration of show: 1 hour 15 mins approx.
Not available on Sundays

Bahia By Night: Dinner in Pelourinho and Show by Balé Folclórico da Bahia

The Bahia Folklore Company (Balé Folclórico da Bahia) is one of the most respected folklore dance troupes in the world. The company performs in the intimate Miguel Santana Theatre in the Pelourinho in a seamless presentation of the multiple African traditions that underpin Bahian culture. We will see the sacred dances of the Candomblé; puxada de rede, a song by fishermen in honor of Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea; maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance with its origins in the cane fields; capoeira, a martial art/dance of Angolan origin and the samba de roda, a spinning, swirling version of this exuberant national dance.

After the show diner will be served in one of the many fine restaurants in the area.

Show time: 20:00.
Duration of show : 45 mins.
Dinner : 21:00
Return to hotel: 22:30
Not available Tuesday or Sundays

Cachoeira: A Day in the Heartland

We leave the city behind to explore the farming hinterland on the western side of the All Saints. bay. This is the land of sugar cane plantations, peaceful colonial towns and busy country markets, a day of insights into the life in rural Brazil.

We drive north out of the city and then head west, stopping at busy country market town of Santo Amaro. We continue our drive westwards through rolling hills to Cachoeira, the jewel of the Bahian hinterland. Once a busy riverport town, Cachoeira provided an essential supply link to Salvador both in the era of sail and later railroad, but the road system bypassed the town, leaving it the tranquil haven that it is today, nestled in the deep valley of the Paraguaçu River.

After lunch we take a walking tour of the town, with an opportunity to browse in some local wood carvers stores.. Like Salvador, Candomblé plays an integral part in the life of the town, epitomised by the Sisterhood of the Boa Morte, a sorority which traces its origins back to the time of slavery.

We cross to the western bank of the slow moving river and visit the Danemann Cultural Center where we can also see world class cigars being expertly rolled.

A journey back in time to the Brazil of yesteryear.

Praia do Forte and The North Coast

The scenic Coconut Highway leads to Praia do Forte, a fishing village 80 kms north of Salvador, home to some of the best beaches in Bahia. En route we stop at Barra do Jacuípe where river meets the ocean. Continuing north the appearance of the distinctive white sands of the mysterious restinga vegetation, signals that we are approaching Praia do Forte. We visit the Sapiranga reserve where we learn of the delicate restinga ecosystem. We then visit the ruins of the imposing Garcia D.Ávila castle (1556), once the home of the largest landowner in the New World, set on the lands of what was the first farm in Brazil. From here we have a panoramic view of the northern coastline. Lunch times sees us in the village of Praia do Forte. After lunch we visit headquarters of the TAMAR Project, the national sea turtle preservation project and one of Brazil.s most successful ecological programs. The visitors. center provides a unique up-close view of these majestic animals. Then time to relax on the beach or browse in the many local handicrafts stores before returning to Salvador.

Schooner Tropical Island Cruise After our transfer from the hotel, we board a comfortable schooner and cruise to two of the 36 islands in this sparkling bay, a day of rest and relaxation with great views of the city both on the outbound and homeward journies. Our first stop is Frades (or Monk's) Island. Virtually unhihabited, the island is home to some of the best beaches in the bay. Here we have ample time to swim in the warm inviting waters, or relax in the sun or the shade, and there is never a cold drink too far away! Then we continue our cruise to the larger Itaparica Island for lunch. After lunch transport will be available to take us to the colonial town of Itaparica just a short distance away for a light walking tour of the charming waterfront town. We return to the schooner, raise anchor and set off for Salvador with the setting sun flooding the city in its warm glow.