Embark on a Visual Odyssey: Lençóis Maranhenses Photo Tour
Welcome to a journey like no other, where the lens becomes your portal to a world of surreal landscapes, ethereal beauty, and captivating moments. The Lençóis Maranhenses Photo Tour invites you to unlock the extraordinary secrets of one of Brazil’s most iconic natural wonders, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
Nestled in the northern region of Brazil, Lençóis Maranhenses is a masterpiece of nature, known for its otherworldly, ever-shifting sand dunes, and crystalline lagoons that paint an artist’s palette of blues and greens across the landscape. This unique and ethereal destination provides a photographer’s dream canvas, where each day unveils new vistas, colors, and textures. Images you will get will be bestsellers as prints and highlight any gallery.
Our carefully crafted itinerary will take you on a six day adventure, from the vibrant streets of São Luís to the heart of the park’s remote villages, offering unparalleled opportunities to capture the essence of Lençóis Maranhenses through your camera lens. You’ll immerse yourself in sunrise and sunset photography sessions, astrophotography under pristine night skies, and the exploration of hidden gems within this natural wonder. Simplicity at its best – with gentle curves of white sands.
Led by experienced guides, this photo tour will not only hone your photography skills but also deepen your connection with the landscape and the local culture. Join us on this visual odyssey and create images that will last a lifetime, as we journey through the ever-shifting sands and luminous lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses, where the boundaries between reality and dreams blur into one.
Come, let your camera capture the magic of Lençóis Maranhenses, and leave with memories that will stay etched in your heart forever.
Photos by Daniel Kordan from the same itinerary we did in August 2023. The tour is led by Brazilian talented photographer and guide Anselmo Hoffman with the help of local licensed NP guides.
Day 1, 3 June
Arrival in São Luís (São Luís International Airport). Overnight in São Luís.
On the first day, you’ll arrive at São Luís International Airport, the starting point of your photo tour. After your arrival, you’ll check in to your accommodation in São Luís, where you can relax and prepare for the adventure ahead. Meeting and transfer from the airport to hotel on a recommended flight.
Day 2
São Luís to Barreirinhas
Your day begins with an early morning departure by car to Barreirinhas, the gateway to the stunning Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll have the opportunity to take an afternoon panoramic flight over the park, providing a breathtaking overview of the unique landscape. Those who are not taking the flight will be taking photos at nearby amazing white sand dunes with lagoons in between. We will split the group 2 persons per flight on a Cessna type small airplane – so everyone will have a flight in different days.
Day 3
Barreirinhas
Sunrise near Barreirinhas or another scheduled airplane flight in the morning. You’ll then travel to Santo Amaro, a charming village about a 2-hour drive from Barreirinhas, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 4
Start of the Photographic Tour Inside the Park
Today marks the start of your photographic exploration within Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. You’ll rise early to capture the first light of the day as the sun rises over the iconic dunes and crystal-clear lagoons. After the morning photography session, you’ll return to your hotel for a hearty breakfast. Following a well-deserved meal, the afternoon and evening will be dedicated to further photography in the dunes and lagoons of the park. As the day draws to a close, you’ll embark on a trip to a small village located within the park, offering a unique opportunity for astrophotography under the clear night sky. You’ll spend the night in this picturesque village. This night you will stay with a very friendly local community. Sleeping in hammocks in oasis in a billion stars hotel 🙂
Milky way shots by Anselmo Hoffman, our guide.
Day 5
Sunrise and Sunset Photography in Lençóis Maranhenses
You’ll once again greet the day with a sunrise photography session in the park, capturing the breathtaking beauty of the dunes and lagoons in the soft morning light. After your morning shoot, it’s back to the village for breakfast. Following this, you’ll set out to photograph the enigmatic Black River, renowned for its abstract shapes, colors, and infinite patterns. You’ll return to the village for lunch, and in the evening, the dunes and lagoons will become your canvas once more for a magical sunset photography session. As night falls, you’ll have the opportunity for additional astrophotography, making the most of the clear and pristine night skies. Your accommodation remains in the village for another night.
Day 6, 8 June:
Photography of Sunrise Over the Dunes and Lagoons
On the final day of your photographic journey, you’ll capture the sunrise over the majestic dunes and serene lagoons, ensuring that you’ve immortalized the essence of this unique natural wonder. After your morning session, you’ll return to Santo Amaro. From there, the group will begin the journey back to São Luís International Airport, ensuring your safe return home, arriving by 2 pm to SLZ airport.
This comprehensive itinerary provides a perfect balance of photography opportunities, unique experiences within Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, and a chance to explore the region’s captivating culture and landscapes.
This workshop focuses on maximising your output of photos – which are brilliant as prints. Lencois is still untouched and unique nature paradise.
Price: 3900 USD per person
Where do we stay
In Sao Luis, Barrhenias – good hotels, and nights in the desert in oasis with very friendly homestay, sleeping in hammocks.
Photography Level
- Beginners and advanced photographers
- DSLR / mirrorless / drone support in some areas
Tour Include
- Single rooms in hotels
- Private transportation in the desert and transfers from and to SLZ airport
- 3 standard meals and non-alcoholic beverages per day
- Unlimited bottled water
- Site entry fees (if applicable)
- Photography guide
Tour Exclude
- International flight and local flight to SLZ airport (Sao Luis)
- Entry visa if applicable
- Travel insurance private
- Alcoholic beverages, personal expenses, tips
- Scenic flight – around 500-800 USD extra
- Services and transportation are for listed activities only
- Charges will be applied for any additional requests
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We strongly recommend you to get a Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel and the Workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $300 service charge. If you cancel and the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop:
full refund minus $300 service fee.
75 days or more :75% refund 60 days or more: 50% refund
Less than 60 days: no refund Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
What to bring
Gear:
– DSLR or mirrorless camera with tripod and remote shutter release – 2 cameras recommended to minimise lens exchange
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes or architecture photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 100-400 mm
– Drone is recommended
Wear:
– Waterproof and windproof jacket (light, will be around 20-35 C), strong winds
– Waterproof pants
– Warm down-jacket and thermal pants
– Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photography workshops
Tour leaders – Anselmo Hoffman
Anselmo Hoffmann is a travel and nature photographer.
Young and with a very singular look, his interpretation is artistic and surprisingly sensory.
He travels the world in search of remote and epic places to compose his photography. The journeys to acquire his beautiful images take days, scouting challenging locations for the best composition and light. Mountains, lakes, forests and animals are some of the main themes of her beautiful images.
The interpretation of natural landscapes transcends the senses, immediately connecting the viewer with his works. The feeling is being in the same place, experiencing the same incredible sensations that the artist experienced.
Many of his photographs have received major international awards recognized by FIAP (Federation Internationale de L’Art Photographique), PSA (Photographic Society of America) and IAAP (International Association of Art Photographers), as well as publications in magazines such as National Geographic.
Her work is active, and all the beauty she shows is intended to move and inspire, generating a sense of belonging and care for the planet.
