Itacaré 5 days

Cocoa tree at Itacaré © Roberto Mourão

The tropical vegetation in Itacaré is exuberant. There are many forests, rivers, and waterfalls to be discovered. The region has rich dense forests with one of the highest bio-diversity of the planet. Thanks to the cocoa era, the forest was preserved. The cocoa tree is a short tree that has to be cultivated in the shade, so, for economic reasons, the forest in this specific area was well preserved. The cocoa cultivation is being abandoned due to declining international prices and a plague called Vassoura de Bruxa, which is devastating plantations and changing the natural balance of the region. The forest has now a stronger value, with its noble wood rather than the environment of the decadent cocoa culture. The county has 746 km2 of territory and about 20,000 inhabitants, 60% living in rural areas. The port serves mainly for fishing, Itacaré's main activity. With the declining cocoa culture, the town is turning toward tourism.

Program Summary

 Day 1
Arrival and transfer from Ilheus airport to Pousada Aldeia da Mata in Itacaré; Check into the pousada, and departure to an afternoon tour; option to do a canoe or a canopy tour, appreciating the sunset at the end. Option for dinning at the Estrela do Mar Restaurant. Overnight. (B)

 Day 2
Breakfast; Departure to the 4 beaches tour (Hawaizinho, Engenhoca, Itacarezinho, Camboinhas), and Tijuipe Waterfall. After a short transfer to the beginning of the trail, start a 40 minutes walk in the jungle until getting to Engenhoca Beach, preferred for surfing. Continuing the journey, walk for 40 more minutes along the coast until getting to Havaizinho, Camboinhas, and Itacarezinho Beaches (level 2). At Itacarézinho beach, the group will have lunch and enjoy themselves at one of the most beautiful beaches out of town. The transfer will pick the group up and take them to Tijuipe Waterfall, where we can get a refreshing shower. The way back home will be by car. Overnight at the Pousada. (B)

Day 3
Breakfast. Walking from the Pousada to the Coroinha Beach for 10 minutes. Embark on rustic canoon, going upstream during 1:15min, where we'll appreciate the surrounding landscape, mangroves, and afterwards, arrival in a local ranch. There, we'll walk on a cocoa plantation, getting to know the process that the cocoa seeds go through to become the raw material for the chocolate factory.  Besides, tourist will have the opportunity for trying some of the tropical fruits; see the construction of the rustic canoon, the Dende oil (greatly used in Bahian cousine). Tour continues on the river crossing, to another ranch; stop for a short walk to a 26mt (85ft) waterfall, and its natural pool. Time for swim. Return with stop in a local restaurant aside the river. Optional lunch for local dishes. Return to Pousada after a siesta. Arrival back at the pousada at 3:30pm. (B)

Day 4
Breakfast. Departure from Itacaré around 09:00, ride the ATVs for six kilometers. At this point, the guide will give all the instructions to get to our final destination (30km-19mi.), which is the charming little town of Taboquinhas, where the rafting begins. After the instructions and some training time, we will be ready to feel the excitement of facing the rapids of the Contas River. After two and a half hour ride, it will be time to get back to Taboquinhas. Option to have lunch in a simple restaurant to appreciate local food. (B)

Day 5
After breakfast, morning to relax and get ready for transfer out Pousada/Airport according to your departure flight. (B)

*Tour activities subjected to change on its chronological order, due to climates and operational conditions.

General Information

Capacity:	Minimum of 1 traveler
Guide Language:	English speaking. Other language upon request
Level:	Easy to Moderate Program
Included:	Transfer in/out, 4 overnights in air conditioner room, refrigerator, and private bathroom; Tours and meals (only breakfast) mentioned in the description. Guide
Not Included:	Drinks, tours not mentioned above, and extras expenses
Personal Gear:	T-shirts, cap, shorts, hiking shoes, jeans or tracksuit, swimsuit, sunscreen and mosquito repellent