Across the Atlantic, the Story Continues
So many of our Oheneba getaways have taken us to Africa. For our 10th anniversary, we’re following those connections across the Atlantic to Brazil, home to one of the world’s largest African diaspora communities. From Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa to the streets of Salvador, we’ll explore how generations of Black Brazilians have preserved and reimagined traditions that shape the country today. We’ll cook together, try our hand at Carnaval percussion, and make time for the places that hold difficult histories. It’s a journey through Afro-Brazilian culture that makes room for both remembrance and celebration.
Details, Please
Our journey begins in Rio de Janeiro. After a private transfer from the airport and some time to settle in, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner at a waterfront churrascaria with views of Sugarloaf Mountain. The next morning, we’ll ride the railway through the Tijuca Forest to Christ the Redeemer. Back in the city, we’ll roll up our sleeves for a hands-on cooking class and sit down together to enjoy the feijoada we’ve made.
We’ll take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for sweeping views of Rio before exploring Little Africa. At Valongo Wharf and the Pretos Novos Museum, we’ll pause to remember the Africans forcibly brought to Brazil through the transatlantic slave trade. We’ll also go behind the scenes of Rio’s Carnaval to see the costumes up close and try the dance steps and percussion ourselves.
After a free day in Rio, with an optional sunset sail on Guanabara Bay, we’ll meet up for an evening of live samba in Lapa.
Then we’ll fly to Salvador, where an African heritage tour through Pelourinho introduces us to the people, history, and traditions that have shaped Bahia’s capital. We’ll learn about Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion, over the course of a dedicated cultural experience. After a Bahian lunch, we’ll explore the Lower City, visit Bonfim Church, and browse the stalls at Mercado Modelo. That evening, the Bahia Folklore Ballet brings Afro-Brazilian traditions to the stage through dance, martial arts, and sacred music.
We’ll also spend a day in Cachoeira, a historic town on the Paraguaçu River in the Recôncavo Baiano. We’ll walk its cobblestone streets, visit local artisan shops, and share a country lunch at a traditional farm estate. On our final full day in Salvador, take time to explore on your own or join an optional percussion workshop with Didá Band. We’ll come back together for a Farewell Dinner of Bahian bites, including acarajé, and a caipirinha to toast our final evening in Brazil.
*Itinerary subject to change without notice.
Package Includes
-
Group Preparation Calls
-
Round-trip Airport Transfers
-
8 days/7 nights hotel accommodations - 4* or higher
-
Breakfast daily; 4 Lunches; 2 Dinners
-
Group Activities per itinerary
-
Private English speaking tour guide during sightseeing
-
Welcome Gifts & OET Souvenirs
Starting at $3,879/pp (double occupancy)
Additional Information
What's not included:
-
International Flights (Arrival-GIG/Departure-SSA)
-
Domestic Flight - GIG-SSA
-
Entry Visa
-
Travel insurance (STRONGLY encouraged)
-
Beverages
-
Meals not mentioned
-
Optional Activities
-
Gratuities & Tips (approx. $20 daily per person)
-
Items of a purely personal nature
Payments:
Guests will book with a low deposit and then make subsequent installment payments until the trip is paid in full. You may also choose to pay in full at the time of booking. Timely installment payments are expected. Two or more late payments will cause your booking to be subject to automatic cancellation without refund. Please notify us of any late payments within 5 days of due date.
We accept all major credit cards.
PAYMENTS ARE PROCESSED
EACH FRIDAY
*Example: If you authorize a payment on a Monday, it will not process until Friday. Please ensure you plan accordingly
Important Travel Information:
-
Flights to/from Brazil are not included. All travelers are responsible for booking their own international flights. We can assist with this, just let us know.
-
Flights must be booked by December 15, 2027.
-
Arrival on February 12th should be by 4pm to ensure you're included in our welcome events.
-
Riogaleão International Airport (GIG) is the arrival airport.
-
You should depart from SSA on February 19th no earlier than 8am.
-
Salvador International Airport (SSA) is the departure airport.
-
Travelers will receive their final travel documents 15 days prior to departure.
-
A valid passport with validity beyond your Brazil travel dates and at least two blank pages is required for travel.
-
You need a visa to enter Brazil. You must apply for and be approved for your visa before you travel.
-
Refunds will not be provided for cancellations due to passport and visa issues.
-
By booking this trip, all guests in your party are subject to our current Terms & Conditions. Terms are subject to change without notice.
-
Travel Insurance is strongly encouraged. Guests may purchase their own or our team can assist you with quotes.
Cancellation policy:
1-10 DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT (121+ days prior to trip departure): booking is fully refundable to the original form of payment.
11+ DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT or IF DEPOSIT IS MADE 120 DAYS OR LESS PRIOR TO TRAVEL: BOOKINGS BECOME 100% NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE.
*VITF membership may allow for a more flexible cancellation window. Please see your membership benefits for details.
Oheneba Events & Travel is not responsible for penalties or fees associated with cancelled bookings for any reason. We strongly encourage our travelers to buy Travel Insurance to protect your travel investment. We are happy to provide travel insurance quotes. All travelers must acknowledge FULL understanding of this policy when booking this trip. Any attempted charge disputes/chargebacks will automatically disqualify you from doing business with Oheneba Events & Travel LLC in the future.
If Oheneba Events & Travel is compelled to cancel this trip for any reason, all booked travelers will receive a full refund in the form of Future Travel Credit for another Group Getaway.