This is not a vacation. It is a homecoming. Walk the streets where history breathes, where the roots of Samba run deep, and where the heartbeat and soul of Africa pulse, unbroken.
The Keeper of Keys
A legend from the historic Federação community, being the main percussion teacher in the Mamadele Foundation and former member of Timbalada. He is a living library of the rhythms that put Bahia on the global map.
The Embodiment
After touring Asia and Europe, Derica is back home in Salvador, Bahia to teach Brazil's favorite rhythm: Samba. She shows you how to use movement not just as steps, but as a language to unlock the stories in your own body.
The Virtuoso
From the Garcia favela to stages in 20+ countries. He is your bridge between the street and the traditional, translating the "magic" of Salvador into techniques you can take home.
Explore the cultural sites of Salvador on our interactive map, or contact us to learn more.
This is not a "watch from the bus" tour. This is your initiation. We've designed your journey in three phases to move you from observer to participant, balancing deep immersion with the celebration it deserves.
Meet the Mestres: You won't just see the masters, you'll join them. Visit the neighborhoods where your instructors live, share meals, and learn the rhythms in the very communities where they were born.
Join the Festivals: You'll be part of the living culture, whether that means joining the 8km procession of Lavagem do Bonfim or giving offerings to the sea goddess at the Festa de Iemanjá.
Historic Pelourinho: Walk the 16th-century colonial streets of Brazil's first capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and understand its layered history of resistance and pride.
The Rhythms of Resistance: Understand why the music exists. You'll learn the sacred polyrhythms of Ijexá from Candomblé and the celebratory, inclusive circle of a Samba de Roda.
The Sensory Source: Explore the Feira de São Joaquim, one of Brazil's largest Afro-Brazilian markets. Connect the history to your senses—smell the sharp, rich dendê (palm oil) and discover the sacred herbs and crafts.
Insider's Nightlife: We show you the real Salvador. Experience the bohemian bars of Rio Vermelho and live samba performances—always with your guides, who know the authentic local spots, not the tourist traps.
Island Decompression: We balance the energy of the city with a full-day boat trip to Ilha dos Frades and Ilha de Itaparica. This isn't just a "day off"—it's where you process your transformation, relaxing on pristine beaches with fresh seafood and connecting with your group.
See the detailed day-by-day itinerary, meet our master instructors, or contact us to secure your spot.
Every day is designed with intention. High-energy immersion days are balanced with restorative "decompression" moments, so you stay energized and never burned out.
✨ Click to expand and view detailed itineraries
Sun, Jan 12 • Airport transfer and welcome in Santo Antônio
Arrive at SSA airport. Your journey begins with evening Welcome Dinner in charming, artistic neighborhood of Santo Antônio Além do Carmo.
Mon, Jan 13 • Pelourinho tour, dance class, and Olodum rehearsal
Morning: Guided walking tour of Pelourinho's colorful, colonial streets (UNESCO World Heritage site). Afternoon: Class 1 - Afro-Brazilian Dance. Evening: Feel earth-shaking power of Benção do Olodum rehearsal in Pelourinho.
Tue, Jan 14 • Percussion class, São Joaquim market, festival prep
Morning: Class 2 - Afro-Brazilian Percussion. Afternoon: Visit sprawling, authentic Feira de São Joaquim market. Evening: Prepare for main event with detailed historical briefing. Receive your traditional white t-shirt and fitas do Bonfim (wish ribbons), followed by local live music performance.
Wed, Jan 15 • Salvador's most important syncretic festival
Full-day immersion into Salvador's most important syncretic festival. Morning: Join faithful for early ecumenical service. Join iconic 8km procession to Colina Sagrada (Sacred Hill). Climax: Witness powerful ritual as baianas wash church steps with scented water—profound public symbol of purification. Afternoon: Celebrate at massive, joyous street festival.
Thu, Jan 16 • Boat trip to Ilha dos Frades
After intensity of Lavagem, this day for necessary rest and integration. Full-day boat trip to idyllic Ilha dos Frades and Itaparica. Let gentle sea breeze and calm turquoise waters restore your energy.
Fri, Jan 17 • Classes and authentic Afro-bloco experience
Morning: Class 3 - Percussion & Class 4 - Dance. Re-engage with artistic side, integrating festival energy. Afternoon/Evening: Authentic cultural pilgrimage to Liberdade-Curuzu neighborhood for Ensaio do Ilê Aiyê, Brazil's revolutionary first Afro-bloco.
Sat, Jan 18 • Final breakfast and airport transfer
Enjoy final breakfast filled with memories of procession before scheduled transfer to SSA airport.
Jan 12-18 • Full Lavagem do Bonfim procession included
Including full Lavagem do Bonfim procession and all cultural activities.
Sun, Jan 19 • Barra Beach and É o Tchan celebration
Morning: Relax at Barra Beach and scenic Solar do Unhão Beach. Evening: Attend Êta Festival, major music event celebrating 30 years of legendary band É o Tchan at Arena Fonte Nova.
Mon, Jan 20 • Full day percussion and dance focus
Full day of artistic focus with Class 5: Percussion (morning) and Class 6: Dance (afternoon) to deepen skills and understanding.
Tue, Jan 21 • Cidade Baixa tour and Balé Folclórico
Day: In-depth tour of Cidade Baixa, revisiting Mercado Modelo and iconic Elevador Lacerda. Evening: Captivating performance by Balé Folclórico da Bahia.
Wed, Jan 22 • Combined arts class and farewell dinner
Morning: Class 7 - Final Combined Arts Class. Bring together all rhythms and movements in celebratory session. Afternoon: Free for personal interests. Evening: Celebrate journey with Farewell Dinner in lively Rio Vermelho district.
Thu, Jan 23 • Final breakfast and airport transfer
Enjoy final breakfast before transfer to SSA airport.
Note: Itineraries are carefully designed around each month's cultural celebrations but remain flexible to accommodate weather, community schedules, and group preferences.
Meet the master instructors who will guide you, or get in touch to secure your spot.
Bahia is intense, loud, and unapologetically real. We manage the grit so you can access the glory. We act as your "Cultural Fixers," handling the logistics so your creative bandwidth is preserved for the art.
We don't just drop you in the city. We give you the "street smarts" download—private, vetted advice on where to go and how to move. You get the authentic reality without the unnecessary risk.
Friction is the enemy of immersion. Our private transport team moves you through the city's sprawl effortlessly, ensuring you arrive at every session fresh, safe, and ready to play.
You are never "lost in translation." Your guides don't just translate words; they translate the culture, meanings, and rituals in real-time.
Your all-inclusive investment in transformation. No hidden fees. No surprises.
Perfect for focused festival immersion
per person
Full cultural immersion residency
per person
All prices include accommodation, instruction, transport, and support. Flights not included.
Find the person below who sounds most like you. That's your future self talking.
Solo Traveler from NYC
I wanted the grit and the real culture, but I was worried about navigating Salvador alone. This wasn't a 'tour'—it was like having a backstage pass. The 'Guided Independence' strategy meant I had the street smarts to navigate the city like a local, not a target. I felt completely safe, but never coddled.
✓Verified Student
Drummer from London
I usually hate organized trips because they feel fake. I was skeptical about the 'safety bubble' concept. But it was perfect. The logistics were invisible—they just removed the hassle so I could focus on the drumming. I got the authentic reality without the unnecessary risk.
✓Verified Student
Connecting w/ Roots from Atlanta
Bahia is high-voltage. Without this structure, I would have been overwhelmed. The private transport and vetted zones were game-changers. They allowed me to dive deep into the intensity of the rituals during the day, and then decompress in total safety at night.
✓Verified Student
Experience the raw energy of Bahia inside a safety bubble. We bridge the gap between the chaotic beauty of Salvador and the comfort you need to enjoy it.
Consumer protection and transparent billing. Pay in USD with secure payment processing.
Real humans, zero bots. WhatsApp support from your first inquiry through your return flight.
Curated, walkable neighborhoods and verified maps so you are never unintentionally wandering alone.
All group movements run in private, air-conditioned transport from airport pickup to temple visits.
Bilingual guides and cultural interpreters translate both the language and the meaning in real time.
Full refund window before arrival so you can commit without anxiety.
You have 14 days to cancel for ANY reason—full refund, no guilt.
We also guarantee this will be the most authentic cultural experience of your life, because you'll live it with the masters who created it.
That's how confident we are.
We limit each session to 12 participants to ensure a personal, impactful experience. The next step is to choose the path that's right for you.
Not ready? Or just have questions? Send us a text, email, or WhatsApp. A real person will answer—no bots, no pressure. We're here to help you figure out if this is the right journey for you.
