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Savor Brazil’s iconic cuisine, with hands-on cooking classes unlocking local culinary secrets from coast to rainforest

from US $ 6660 pp

Brazil Map

Tour Highlights

Bahian Cookery Class

Distillery Visit

Cocktail Class

Parrot Island

Cheese Factory

Farm to Table Cookery

Food Stalls to Fine Dining

about this tour

about this tour

This journey through Brazil reveals the deep links between food, culture, and place. In Belém, daily life centres around the river and its markets. At the docks, boats unload baskets of açaí, while nearby, Ver-o-Peso offers a wide array of produce, herbs, and items used in both cooking and traditional medicine. Local dishes such as pirarucu in coconut milk reflect the richness of Amazonian ingredients. Wildlife is part of the rhythm here - thousands of parrots leave their island roost each morning, while quiet canoe rides pass through mangroves and along working waterways. In Salvador da Bahia, culture lives in the streets, churches, and kitchens. The old town’s architecture tells the story of Brazil’s colonial and Afro-Brazilian heritage. Markets, galleries, and local bars provide a strong sense of identity. Meals are rich with flavour - dishes like moqueca and vatapá show a blend of African, Indigenous and Portuguese influences. A market-to-table cooking class adds another layer of insight. Tiradentes brings a slower pace. This small town is shaped by rural life, craft, and historic preservation. Visits to a cachaça distillery, organic farm, and cheese producer highlight longstanding traditions. In Rio de Janeiro, food and culture intersect across neighbourhoods. From beachside stalls to cocktail workshops, every stop brings new flavours and perspectives. Whether on mountaintops or backstreets, the country’s many influences are always present—layered, local, and alive.

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BAHIAN COOKERY CLASS Join a seasoned chef for a hands-on Bahian cooking class that starts with a visit to a local market, to choose produce, herbs, and seafood. In the kitchen, the chef shares advice and knowledge as you prepare Moqueca, a traditional stew made with saltwater fish, coconut milk, tomatoes, onions, and coriander. The recipe reflects a blend of African, Indigenous, and Portuguese influences that have shaped Bahian food. As you cook, you’ll learn about customs, traditions, and the role of food in Bahia’s coastal communities

  • 1

    Arrival Day

    You will be welcomed in the arrivals hall by your driver for private transfer to your hotel. Take the first day to unwind and relax after your flight and check out the local surroundings or simply put your feet up at the hotel. Belém is a major city in northern Brazil and the capital of the state of Pará, located near the mouth of the Amazon River. Positioned on Guajará Bay within a vast river delta, it features a tropical rainforest climate with heavy rainfall, especially between January and May. Founded in 1616 by the Portuguese as Feliz Lusitânia, Belém was one of the earliest European settlements in the Amazon region and gained significant wealth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries thanks to the rubber boom.

    You will be welcomed in the arrivals hall by your driver for private transfer to your hotel. Take the first day to unwind and relax after your flight and check…
  • 2

    Heritage of Belém

    An early start this morning for a real-life taste of Belém's fishing industry and markets. Departing the hotel at 5am, the day begins with a visit to the Açai fruit markets, observing the comings and goings of local boats as they bring in shipments of Açai berries, a delicacy of the Amazon, before moving to the fish markets of Ver-o-Peso, where the newly arrived haul will be on display. Ver-o-Peso is a local market with a difference; known as a place to source ingredients used in natural remedies and even witchcraft practices. Though also a busy food bazaar; the market is awash with stalls selling everything from potions made of vegetable roots, to crocodile teeth, bottled snakes and mystical amulets. This morning's walk will, however, focus more on the fresh produce, fruits and herbs which the market is also famed for, including a stop for breakfast and coffee while there. From the hubbub of the bustling food markets, it is on to some other points of historical and cultural importance throughout Belém, including the Basílica de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré, Museu Emílio Goeldi; a botanical, zoological and anthropological park home to more than 2,000 native plant and tree species, and the Museu de Arte Sacra; Brazil's finest museum of religious art. A well-earned waterfront lunch at a local restaurant offers another chance to sample a selection of local dishes, with a typical Brazilian buffet menu including "Pirarucu ao leite de coco", a mouthwatering dish of Pirarucu fish cooked in coconut milk; the perfect reward for a day of touring!

    An early start this morning for a real-life taste of Belém's fishing industry and markets. Departing the hotel at 5am, the day begins with a visit to the Açai fruit…
  • 3

    Parrots Island

    Another early start this morning for an unforgettable sunrise over Ilha do Papagaio, or "Parrot Island". As the name suggests; the island is densely populated with thousands of native Parrots who, every morning, make a daily commute to the mainland as the sun hits the sky. The sight of this migration and accompanying frantic squawking is a beautiful natural spectacle, and highly enjoyable way to begin the day. When all the birds have passed safely overhead, take a motorized canoe down the narrow creeks and mangroves of the surrounding waterways to explore the varied flora and fauna which line the riverbanks, while also observing the busy boat traffic of local tradesmen ferrying their merchandise up and downstream to be sold in the city's markets. Once back on dry land, the rest of the day can be spent at leisure, either relaxing along the promenade or visiting the Palácio Lauro Sodré state museum or Forte do Presépio, for a glimpse into the militarized colonial period Belém endured. This evening, Belém will offer no-end of eateries in cozy locations for you to choose from, particularly in the Old-Town

    Another early start this morning for an unforgettable sunrise over Ilha do Papagaio, or "Parrot Island". As the name suggests; the island is densely populated with thousands of native Parrots…
  • 4

    Flight to Salvador

    There will be a private transfer to the airport for the flight to Salvador da Bahia, where you will be met and taken directly to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin discovering the city at your own pace. Salvador, perched on the cliffs above All Saints Bay, was founded in 1549 and served as Brazil’s first capital for over two centuries. It became a vital port in the transatlantic slave trade, and today, its streets echo with the lasting influence of African, Indigenous, and Portuguese cultures. Nowhere is this more visible than in the Pelourinho district, where cobbled streets wind past pastel-colored colonial buildings and churches heavy with Baroque detail. The city is known for its deep spiritual traditions, from Catholicism to Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion still widely practiced. Salvador is also famous for its cuisine, shaped by African ingredients and flavors—dishes like moqueca (a coconut-based fish stew) and acarajé (black-eyed pea fritters) are local staples. With its coastal setting, historical depth, and rich cultural expression through music, dance, and food, Salvador offers a unique perspective on Brazil’s diverse identity.

    There will be a private transfer to the airport for the flight to Salvador da Bahia, where you will be met and taken directly to your hotel. The remainder of…
  • 5

    Guided Walking Tour of Salvador

    This morning's guided walking tour around the old town is an excellent way to understand the unique energy of this magical place and its people. The Pelourinho district is the starting point; located right in the heart of Salvador's historic center. Awash with colonial buildings and traditional churches dating from the 17th and 18th century; this UNESCO world Heritage site is an eminent example of colonial history and symbol of the black movement in Bahia. In addition to the churches, museums, galleries, and local artist studios, particular highlights of Pelourinho include; Novelist Jorge Amado's House, São Francisco Church and the Cathedral Basílica, with the traditional Cravinho Bar being a great place to pick up some native food along the way! The tour passes the Pierre Verger Gallery and the studio of Goya Lopes (a Bahian textile designer who seeks inspiration from African-Brazilian influences in Bahia) ideal if looking for locally produced artwork and artefacts. Finally, it is on to Elevador Lacerda, a famous 19th-century mechanical lift connecting the Upper and Lower parts of the City to this day. Having descended the Elevador Lacerda, relax and enjoy panoramic views of the All Saints Bay and Mercado Modelo. After a delicious lunch in one of the old towns many fantastic restaurants, which will include local delicacies such as vatapá, moqueca de peixe and bobo de camarão, other noteworthy highlights of the tour include the Fort of Santa Maria in the Barra district, the famous Bonfim church, and the traditional neighborhoods of Corredor da Vitória, Campo Grande and Piedade.

    This morning's guided walking tour around the old town is an excellent way to understand the unique energy of this magical place and its people. The Pelourinho district is the…
  • 6

    Bahian Cookery Class

    Foodies and budding chefs will love this local experience in Salvador, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the culture of a traditional community. Beginning at a local market with an expert chef, you will be responsible for bargaining and purchasing all of the ingredients needed for the dish, before returning to their private kitchen and begin the cooking! With the help of insider tips and guidance from your knowledgeable chef; mastering the delights of Bahian gastronomy will come throughout the tutorial, before sampling your own delicious creations for lunch. Moqueca is a much-loved staple of Brazilian cuisine, and is typical of the Bahian area. This beautiful stew of fresh salt water fish, coconut milk, tomatoes and coriander, showcases some of the many international influences in Brazilian food.

    Foodies and budding chefs will love this local experience in Salvador, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the culture of a traditional community. Beginning at a local market with an expert…
  • 7

    Salvador to Tiradentes, Minas Gerais

    This morning, the journey continues with a flight to Belo Horizonte Upon arrival, you'll be transferred by car to Tiradentes, a picturesque colonial town founded in 1702. Tiradentes blends the quaint charm of historic houses, antique shops and wildflowers, against the backdrop of lush mountains littered with excellent hiking trails. This sleepy town is the best-preserved example of period architecture in the region, and in the most serene of settings. Tiradentes, a city with a significant collection of Baroque art, received its name from the martyred hero of the Inconfidência Mineira (Minas Conspiracy) of 1789, against the Portuguese. His original name was Joaquim da Silva Xavier. Together with six conspirators, he plotted the independence of Brazil, but spies exposed the plan, which led to Xavier's execution. Once you have checked-in to your hotel, the remainder of the day is free for you to relax at your hotel or explore the town at your own pace.

    This morning, the journey continues with a flight to Belo Horizonte Upon arrival, you'll be transferred by car to Tiradentes, a picturesque colonial town founded in 1702. Tiradentes blends the…
  • 8

    Distillery, Farm & Cookery, Cheese Factory & Traditional Lunch

    Tiradentes is well-known for its connection with farming and food, with today's tour offering a look at some of the better known and tastiest produce of the region. Though the tour begins at 9.30am, the first stop is a visit to Brazils oldest distillery in Brazil; Engenho Boa Vista, located in the village of Coronel Xavier Chaves outside Tiradentes. The Mill and distillery date back to the 18th century, and are owned by Rubens Chaves, descendant of Coronel Xavier Chaves; the founder of the town, with the plant still producing some of the best sugarcane Cachaça (the main ingredient used in traditional capirinha's) to this day. From the distillery, on to Sitio São Geraldo, a working farm which specialises in organic juices, maize, vegetables and a fine variety of sausages. There will be a hands-on cookery class while at Sitio São Geraldo, with plenty of chance to enjoy some sampling as you go! The final stop is the Catauá Cheese Factory, where visitors can see every stage of cheese making, from the rearing and caring of the cattle, to the final storage and ageing process. Of course, more sampling of the finished article and option to purchase any personal favourites. The day is rounded off back in Tiradentes at around 3pm, with a leisurely lunch at the Padre Toledo Restaurant; known for its traditional tasting menu and long history of feeding the community with dishes using local, seasonal crops.

    Tiradentes is well-known for its connection with farming and food, with today's tour offering a look at some of the better known and tastiest produce of the region. Though the…
  • 9

    Day at Leisure

    Spend the day exploring Rio de Janeiro at your own pace. This is your opportunity to unwind, reflect, and tailor the day to your interests. You might choose to relax on the golden sands of Ipanema Beach, where the Atlantic breeze, rolling waves, and laid-back atmosphere provide the perfect setting for rest and people-watching. If you're feeling active, take a stroll along the beachfront promenade or dip into the warm ocean waters. Alternatively, take the chance to dive deeper into a place that left a lasting impression. Perhaps wander back to the hillside neighborhood of Santa Teresa, known for its bohemian charm, steep cobblestone streets, and abundance of street art, boutique shops, and tucked-away cafes. Art lovers might opt to revisit the National Museum of Fine Arts in the city center, where a more focused visit can reveal the depth of Brazil’s artistic heritage—from neoclassical masterpieces to modernist icons. Or, explore the Museum of Tomorrow, a strikingly futuristic space that blends science, innovation, and sustainability. Whether you choose to relax by the sea or re-engage with Rio’s rich layers, the day is yours to shape. Let the rhythm of the city guide you!

    Spend the day exploring Rio de Janeiro at your own pace. This is your opportunity to unwind, reflect, and tailor the day to your interests. You might choose to relax…
  • 10

    Food Tour of Rio de Janeiro

    Today is dedicated to a delicious exploration of Rio’s food scene, taking in some of the city's best street food, café's and traditional restaurants, with no less than 8 stops throughout the day, before finishing with a meal and cocktails in one of Rio's best eating establishments. Beginning in the Lapa neighbourhood, the tour begins with a scenic walk past the colourful bars of the district, and of course, the famous Selarón Steps, before sampling some Amazonian fruit juice and street food. Your guide will lead you through some of the cosmopolitan and traditional areas of Rio, stopping in at various eateries along the way, while also giving background to Brazil's more famous, and lesser known dishes. This is a full day wandering the city, exploring some of its many neighbourhoods and fantastic food, though will be taken at a leisurely pace to make the most of the experience.

    Today is dedicated to a delicious exploration of Rio’s food scene, taking in some of the city's best street food, café's and traditional restaurants, with no less than 8 stops…
  • 11

    Full Day Rio de Janeiro Tour

    This full-day Rio tour offers a contrasting experience, showcasing iconic landmarks and artistic neighborhoods. First, you'll visit the famed Christ the Redeemer statue. A cogwheel train will ascend Corcovado Mountain (Tijuca National Park) for breathtaking city views. Capture stunning panoramas of Copacabana, Ipanema, the Botanical Gardens, and Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon. As you descend through the lush Tijuca Forest, stop for photos at the Maracanã Stadium and Sambódromo. Afterward, a delicious lunch at Aprazivel Restaurant in Santa Teresa. Renowned for its organic, locally-sourced dishes and tropical ambience, the restaurant reflects the artistic spirit of the neighborhood. Following lunch, explore the charming streets of Santa Teresa. You'll visit art studios, bars, and iconic spots like Jorge Selarón's studio and Parque das Ruínas cultural center. Throughout the tour, learn about the creative process of local artists and gain insight into Rio's rich artistic scene.

    This full-day Rio tour offers a contrasting experience, showcasing iconic landmarks and artistic neighborhoods. First, you'll visit the famed Christ the Redeemer statue. A cogwheel train will ascend Corcovado Mountain…
  • 12

    Rio de Janeiro & Cocktail Class

    Set off this morning for the 5-hour drive south, to Rio de Janeiro, and the final leg of this gastronomic adventure. On arrival in the city, check into the hotel before learning the secrets of Brazil's best-known beverages with a 2-hour cocktail making class. Here, you will learn not only the ingredients and techniques of much-loved drinks such as the Caipirinha and Batida de Coco, but also some of the science behind the distilling of cachaça; a clear spirit made from sugarcane and used as the base for many of Brazil's signature recipe's.

    Set off this morning for the 5-hour drive south, to Rio de Janeiro, and the final leg of this gastronomic adventure. On arrival in the city, check into the hotel…
  • 13

    Departure Day

    You will be collected from your hotel for private transfer to the Rio de Janeiro / Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport for your return flight. Happy travels!

    You will be collected from your hotel for private transfer to the Rio de Janeiro / Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport for your return flight. Happy travels!

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Alejandro is our local expert on Brazil, having lived and breathed the heart of South America for 17 years. His extensive experience grants him an intimate understanding of the continent's diverse cultures, history, sights and scenes; from the Amazon's lush rainforests to the iconic Iguazu Falls. A lifelong passion for travel and tourism, ignited during his...
Alejandro
Alejandro

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