Lençóis Maranhenses 4-day trek: Dunes & lagoons tour in Barreirinhas

Walk the dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses, sleeping in the villages where locals live

A 4-day ecological trek through the south side of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, starting from Barreirinhas. You walk sandbars and dune fields, visit lagoons and desert communities, and paddle kayaks down the Alegre river on the final day. A Portuguese-speaking guide leads the route. Children from age 7 are welcome. Accommodation is in villages along the way, and the trek includes transport, meals, snacks and a trash bag for waste.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Barreirinhas to Lagoa Bonita

• Meet at participant's inn
• Travel by 4x4 to Lagoa Bonita
• Walk on dunes visiting lagoons
• End morning at Mocambo village
• Stay overnight at native's home

Day 2: Mocambo to Barraca do Ediel Trek

• Have breakfast
• Depart toward Ediel tent
• Visit lagoons and desert landscapes
• Visit local communities for cultural exchange

Day 3: Mocambo to Rancharia Trek

• Have breakfast before sunrise
• Start 15km trek toward Santo Amaro
• Visit lakes and landscapes
• Visit historical sites in the park

Day 4: Rancharia to Barreirinhas via Kayak

• Walk from Rancharia to Betânia
• Take kayaks to Santo Amaro
• Descend Alegre river
• Return to Barreirinhas by car
• End tour

The experience

The trek begins at the park entrance near Barreirinhas, where a 4x4 vehicle takes you to Lagoa Bonita to start walking the dunes. On the first day you cross sandbars and dune fields (the landscape that shows how Lençóis Maranhenses actually formed), and end at the village of Mocambo, where you stay with local families. The walk is short enough to settle in before dark.

Days two and three push deeper into the park. A 6km trek on day two takes you from Mocambo toward the Ediel tent, passing lagoons and visiting communities along the way. The guide arranges cultural exchange with desert residents. Day three is longer, 15km before sunrise toward Santo Amaro, and passes through places tied to the park's history. You sleep in Rancharia village. On the final day you walk between Rancharia and Betânia, then switch to kayaks for a 3-hour paddle down the Alegre river to Santo Amaro, where a car returns you to Barreirinhas.

The trek requires at least moderate fitness. Spinal injuries, pregnancy and poor cardiovascular health are contraindications. You carry a trash bag throughout to remove waste you produce. Trail snacks are provided each day, but accommodation and meals beyond snacks are not included in the price.

What’s included

• 4x4 transport between Barreirinhas and Bonita Lagoa.
• a Portuguese-speaking guide for all 4 days.
• single and double kayaks for the 3-hour Alegre river descent.
• trail snacks each day.
• a trash bag for waste you produce.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 03:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (60 to 64 years) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 14 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guidePortuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Costa Leste EcoAventura

Is this one for you?You start from Barreirinhas without needing a car (the 4x4 picks you up at your inn), and sleep in villages rather than camps, which means you travel lighter and stay with residents instead of carrying a tent. This suits travelers staying in town who want to trek deep into the park without the logistics of self-catering or camping gear.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

11 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (7 to 14 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Alegre river paddle like on the final day?

The Alegre river descent takes 3 hours by kayak (single or double kayaks are available), and follows the walk from Betânia village to Santo Amaro, where you exit the park and drive back to Barreirinhas.

Do I need my own camping gear or accommodation?

You stay in villages along the route (Mocambo on night one and Rancharia on night three) with local families. No camping is involved. Accommodation and meals beyond daily trail snacks are not included, so you'll need to arrange those separately or confirm what the operator provides.

How long are the walks each day?

Day one is a short walk to Mocambo village; day two covers 6km to the Ediel tent; day three is 15km before sunrise toward Santo Amaro; day four includes a walk from Rancharia to Betânia before switching to kayaks.

What happens if I'm not fit enough for the trek?

The operator recommends at least moderate physical fitness. Travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health should not book this trek.

Is the guide Portuguese-speaking only?

The guide speaks Portuguese. If you need another language, contact the operator before booking to confirm availability.