Cassino to Chui Lighthouse Trek

9 Days / 8 Nights

Hiking Tours of Brazil

Our Hiking Tours of Brazil are all basic ideas that can be tailor-made to match your requirements. Any tour can include one or more destinations, and can be purely dedicated to hiking, although some mountains may include a little climbing that is still suitable for those without much experience. We can also arrange serious climbing trips. We can also mix them with other activities such as climbing, kayaking or tandem hang-gliding flights, some regular tourism, and some nightlife. We include all that you need during your trip, the accommodation with breakfast; all airport transfers and other road journeys; any activities and excursions with English-speaking guides and relevant entrance fees; plus some popular extras. For our Hiking Tours of Brazil, you only need to bring your favourite hiking boots and regular outdoor clothing and equipment. Any parts where a little climbing is necessary will include ropes, helmets and safety harnesses. All hikes and climbs are undertaken with an experienced, qualified local guide, with activity insurance included.

This unique trek takes you hiking on the sands at the edge of the ocean for 220km, on the longest beach on earth. The Lighthouse Trail is a trek to enjoy contemplation, wide open spaces, fresh air and a little wildlife too. The trek takes you to the very south of Brazil, the last beaches before the border with Uruguay, to hike during the day and camp under the stars at night.

All necessary equipment is included for your trek: tents (2 people sharing, or an extra payment for individual tents); cooking equipment; cook and assistant; trekking guide; first-aid kit; support vehicle; trek insurance.

Combines With: Rio Grande do Sul Canyons; Montevideo; Buenos Aires

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from $ USD

9 Days / 8 Nights

Destinations Visited

Porto Alegre & Rio Grande do Sul

Trip Style

Adventure

Activities Included

Hiking & Trekking
Wildlife Observation
Ecotourism
Beaches

Tailor Made Tours

All our Brazil and South America Tours, are completely flexible with regards to dates, duration or the tours, activities and accommodation that we can include. All the tours featured on our website are our recommendations based on our experience of how to make the very best of your time in South America. We can adjust these details in any way that you wish. We are here to organise a tour that suits you after all!

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Rio Grande do Sul!

Destination: Porto Alegre to Rio Grande

The Lighthouse Trek from Cassino to Chui begins with the flight to Porto Alegre, the state capital of Rio Grande do Sul, which borders Uruguay and also Argentina in the interior. On arrival you transfer by road for four hours around Lagoa dos Patos, the largest lake in Brazil, until you arrive in Rio Grande, the city that gave its name to the state. This small city sits on the southern end of the lagoon entrance, close to the ocean. An evening pre-trek briefing with your guides takes your through the details for departure in the morning and the subsequent hiking days. Dinner with your trekking companions follows before you can retire and prepare for the morning.

Day 2

The Longest Beach in the World…

Destination: Rio Grande to Praia do Cassino & Campsite 1

Your day begins early with the short road journey down to Praia do Cassino at the mouth of the lagoon entrance. This is one end of the longest continuous beach on the planet, with 220km between you and the end of it in Chui, right at the border between Brazil and Uruguay. The first day of the Lighthouse Trek has 32km of hiking along the flat sands close to the shoreline, beginning at dawn and, depending on the pace of the group, with arrival at the campsite sometime around 5:30pm. In between for the first day and every other, will come an hour\'s break for a trail lunch before continuining into the afternoon and until you reach the campsite for the first night.

Day 3

Campsite Companions

Destination: Lighthouse Trek Day 2

Each day begins with an early breakfast and the chance to watch the sun rise out of the Atlantic Ocean. All meals are included during the Lighthouse Trek, and camping and cooking equipment too, all of which is taken from point to point by support vehicle. This leaves trekkers free to carry only their own personal belongings in a day pack. The support vehicle sets up the lunch break and also continues ahead to strike camp each night, usually in the dunes at the back of the beach, or in a sheltered sandy valley if possible. A reunion is arranged each mid-afternoon should any of the group prefer to ride for the final part of the day to the campsite. Another hike of 32km.

Day 4

Solitude & Contemplation

Destination: Lighthouse Trek Day 3

The Lighthouse Trek from top to bottom of the longest beach on earth takes you through remote territory in the very south of Brazil. The beach has no villages, few roads leading down from the main highway inland, and is mostly protected from any development by the topography of dunes and coastal lagoons. There is little connection with the world outside your beach, no reception for mobile phones, and no internet connections during the trek! Solitude and contemplation are your constant companions during the days, as well as your trekking buddies, with around 180km of the trek done in deserted territory, 36km of those on Day 3.

Day 5

Lighthouses & Shipwrecks

Destination: Lighthouse Trek Day 4

The human features of the Lighthouse Trek include, of course, the lighthouses. There are 3 to light up this dark, empty stretch of coastline, one at each end and the isolated Farol do Albardão in the middle. Today\'s 36km finish at this handsome structure, owned and operated by the Brazilian Navy, whose permission is necessary (and not always guaranteed!) to enter and climb the stairs of the lighthouse. The need for such help along this part of coastal Brazil can be seen in the shipwrecks of the coast, with the photogenic Altair being the most visible. After scaling the staircase (hopefully), seeing the workings of the light, and enjoying the view from high up, you camp in the spill of Albardao.

Day 6

Lagoa da Mangueira

Destination: Lighthouse Trek Day 5

After waking up in the early morning with the light of Albardao still shining, the 33km of hiking today include some through the dunes at the back of the beach, with more vegetation in the form of fig trees appearing as you pass between the Atlantic Ocean and Lagoa da Mangueira behind. Lunch is eaten with a view of the lagoon, which - as with many of the Rio Grande do Sul coastal region - is full of birdlife and a renowned area for birders from all over the world. The Taim Ecological Station is another protected area of thriving birdlife. One of the beauties of the Lighthouse Trek is the amount of time and space you have to get to know the local ecosystem.

Day 7

Wildlife Encounters

Destination: Lighthouse Trek Day 6

The windswept beach trek gives you many days with ample opportunity to come into contact with South Atlantic wildlife, including this 32km one. Sea-lions can be found sunning themselves on the sand. Penguins often ride up the currents from the southern oceans following their food, and rest on the beaches before beginning their return. Foxes hunt crabs and lizards in the dunes, and birds will be around winter and summer. You may also spot dolphins and whales in the ocean. As well as live animals then many creatures wash up on the beach, including whales and small sharks. Skeletons, fossils and shells are also found along the whole length, some of which will remain a mystery!

Day 8

The Final Lighthouse at Chui!

Destination: Chui

The final day of your Lighthouse Trek begins with a special treat! A lie in… or perhaps more time in the morning to enjoy the dawn light. With only another 22km to hike, then camp is broken at 8am. As you approach the End of Brazil, you can visit the tiny village of Hermegildo, which has a small paleontology museum. This is also the place for lunch in Bar do Ze! Afternoon brings the final stretch with the Chui Lighthouse coming into view on the horizon, a sign that you are close to the border with Uruguay, and the end of 220km of beach hiking! A visit to the lighthouse comes before a farewell dinner with the group to celebrate completion of the Lighthouse Trek.

Day 9

The End of the Beach Trek...

Destination: Chui to Porto Alegre & Away

Your journey away from Chui could take you back via Pelotas to Porto Alegre to fly from there, or you could head south into Uruguay and either continue travelling, or fly out from Montevideo. The Lighthouse Trek has regular departures throughout the year, usually in April, October and November. For this year, the group departure dates are 1-9 April and 11-19 November 2017. Away from these group treks, then private trips would need to be arranged, so this is best done for larger groups. We can arrange this and also other great hiking options in Rio Grande do Sul, including the fabulous canyonlands of Itaimbezinho that make the border with Santa Catarina to the north.

Prices

* Domestic Flights Estimated Price
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** Prices Per Adult based on two people travelling and sharing accommodation
Simple B&B
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3 Stars
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4 Stars
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5 Stars
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* Prices vary depending on travel dates and flight availability. Peak periods in Brazil including Carnaval, public holidays and Christmas/New Year usually require a minimum number of nights, so in these cases itineraries may need to be changed. ** Domestic flight prices are estimated on typical values when reserved six months before travel. Prices can never be guaranteed until reservations are made, and do usually become more expensive closer to the travel period.

* Domestic Flights Estimated Price ** Prices Per Adult based on two people travelling and sharing accommodation

N/A

Simple

3 Stars

4 Stars

Luxury

On Request

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On Request

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On Request

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On Request

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* Prices vary depending on travel dates and flight availability. Peak periods in Brazil including Carnaval, public holidays and Christmas/New Year usually require a minimum number of nights, so in these cases itineraries may need to be changed.

** Domestic flight prices are estimated on typical values when reserved six months before travel. Prices can never be guaranteed until reservations are made, and do usually become more expensive closer to the travel period.