Salvador, Bahia
Max 12 people
4 Hours
$150 USD
English/Portuguese
Meals, Souvenirs
"This wasn't just a tour; it was a deep dive into the soul of Salvador. The music, the people, the stories... truly a transformative experience."
— Maria S., Rio de Janeiro
Gain exclusive entry into the heart of Salvador's music scene—the communities and private spaces where Afro-Brazilian rhythms are born and thrive.
Connect with master musicians and storytellers who will share the rich history and cultural significance behind the beats that define Bahia.
Become part of the performance. Feel the energy firsthand as you join a vibrant, live jam session and celebrate the power of music together.
This package does not include meals or personal souvenirs. We encourage you to explore local eateries and shops during your free time!
Your unforgettable journey into the heart of Afro-Brazilian music awaits.
Each month features unique cultural celebrations. Choose your experience:
November 19-26, 2025
Airport transfer to accommodations. Evening welcome dinner in Santo Antônio Além do Carmo with program overview and meet your instructors.
Participate in historic march from Campo Grande to Pelourinho celebrating Zumbi dos Palmares and Afro-Brazilian resistance. Evening percussion class with Macumbinha introducing traditional rhythms.
Morning Afro-Brazilian dance class with Derica de Assis. Afternoon guided visit to Feira de São Joaquim market learning about traditional ingredients and cultural items.
Tour of Cidade Baixa including Igreja do Bonfim and Ribeira waterfront. Evening performance by Balé Folclórico da Bahia with pre-show cultural context.
Full-day boat trip to Ilha dos Frades and Ilha de Itaparica. Swimming, beach time, fresh seafood lunch, and relaxation.
Relaxing morning at Porto da Barra beach. Evening exploring Rio Vermelho district nightlife with local guide showing authentic spots.
Final traditional Bahian breakfast. Airport transfer with time based on your flight schedule.
November 19-30, 2025
Includes all 7-day activities PLUS:
All activities from the 7-day experience including Black Consciousness Day march, percussion and dance classes, cultural tours, island trip, and beach time.
Intensive percussion session with Junior "Pai de Santo" focusing on advanced techniques. Afternoon dance workshop with Kalaban on West African traditions.
Full day at Latin America's largest Reggae festival with VIP credentials. Top Brazilian and Jamaican artists performing.
Visit Afro-Brazilian Culture Museum for deeper historical context. Afternoon at Itapuã Beach, inspiration for famous bossa nova songs.
Personal time for shopping in Pelourinho, additional beach time, or optional activities. Peter available for recommendations and coordination.
Morning percussion and dance review session. Evening farewell dinner with live music performance by your instructors.
December 8–14, 2025
Arrive at SSA airport. Immediately immerse yourself in history, witnessing Brazil's oldest religious festival (dating to 1765). Observe the solemn mass and traditional procession. Evening: Welcome Dinner at Odoyá restaurant in historic Pelourinho.
Morning: Class 1 - Intro to Afro-Brazilian Percussion. More than rhythm; a journey into the spiritual heartbeat of African heritage. Afternoon: Guided walking tour of Pelourinho UNESCO World Heritage site. Evening: Feel the power of Benção do Olodum, the world-famous bloco afro's weekly public blessing and rehearsal.
Morning: Class 2 - Afro-Brazilian Dance. Connect to ancestral movements that blend sacred Candomblé traditions with contemporary expression. Afternoon: Sensory immersion at vast Feira de São Joaquim market. Evening: Free to explore Pelourinho's nightlife or relax.
Morning: Class 3 - Afro-Brazilian Percussion (Session 2). Afternoon: Tour Lower City (Cidade Baixa), including Igreja do Bonfim, Ribeira waterfront, and Mercado Modelo. Evening: Performance by Balé Folclórico da Bahia, acclaimed as "the best folkloric dance company on the planet".
Full-day boat trip to tropical paradise of Ilha dos Frades and Ilha de Itaparica. Perfect pause for relaxation on stunning beaches, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and enjoying the scenic, tranquil beauty of the Bay of All Saints.
Morning: Class 4 - West-African Dance, connecting to the roots of Bahian movement traditions. Afternoon: Relax at popular Porto da Barra beach. Evening: Dive into vibrant nightlife and creative scene of bohemian Rio Vermelho district.
Enjoy final Bahian breakfast and share memories before scheduled transfer to SSA airport.
December 8–20, 2025
Includes all 7-day activities PLUS 5 additional days
All activities including Festa da Conceição, classes, tours, and island trip.
Full day of artistic immersion with Class 5: Percussion and Dance, deepening technical skills and cultural understanding.
Morning: Class 6 - Afro-Brazilian Dance (Session 2). Afternoon: Pre-arranged, respectful educational visit to a terreiro de Candomblé. Gain profound understanding of Afro-Brazilian spirituality that underpins Salvador's traditions.
Morning: Visit MUNCAB (National Afro-Brazilian Culture Museum). Afternoon and evening at iconic Itapuã Beach, watching the sunset and enjoying local vibe.
Full day for personal interests. Revisit favorite sites, shop for souvenirs, or find quiet spot to journal and reflect.
Morning: Class 7 - Final Combined Percussion and Dance Class. Evening: Celebratory Farewell Dinner with live music in charming Santo Antônio Além do Carmo.
January 12–18, 2026
Arrive at SSA airport. Your journey begins with evening Welcome Dinner in charming, artistic neighborhood of Santo Antônio Além do Carmo.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy final breakfast filled with memories of procession before scheduled transfer to SSA airport.
January 12–23, 2026
Includes 7-day program PLUS extended cultural immersion
Including full Lavagem do Bonfim procession and all cultural activities.
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.
Full day of artistic focus with Class 5: Percussion (morning) and Class 6: Dance (afternoon) to deepen skills and understanding.
Day: In-depth tour of Cidade Baixa, revisiting Mercado Modelo and iconic Elevador Lacerda. Evening: Captivating performance by Balé Folclórico da Bahia.
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.
Enjoy final breakfast before transfer to SSA airport.
February 1–7, 2026
Arrive at SSA airport and transfer to accommodations in heart of action, Rio Vermelho neighborhood. Evening: Witness beginning of Festa as devotees start vigil and deliver first offerings to fishermen's colony headquarters.
Full-day immersion in Salvador's largest public Candomblé manifestation. Pre-Dawn (5 AM): Festival begins with traditional alvorada (fireworks). Morning: Vision in white and blue. Join thousands bringing flowers and gifts for Iemanjá, revered Queen of the Sea. Afternoon (4 PM): Experience deeply moving climax as flotilla of boats carries collective offerings to sacred ocean spot.
Morning: Well-deserved rest after yesterday's early, powerful start. Afternoon: Class 1 - Afro-Brazilian Dance. Evening: Attend Benção do Olodum rehearsal and feel rhythm reset your pulse.
Morning: Class 2 - Afro-Brazilian Percussion. Afternoon: Guided walking tour of Pelourinho historic center, seeing it in new light after festivals. Evening: Free for personal exploration.
Morning: Class 3 - Percussion (Session 2). Dive deeper into complex rhythms forming basis of Bahian music. Afternoon: Full day exploring Cidade Baixa: visit Igreja do Bonfim, try traditional sorbet on Ribeira waterfront, shop for authentic handicrafts at Mercado Modelo.
Morning: Class 4 - Dance (Session 2). Final chance to embody movements of Salvador. Afternoon: Relaxing boat trip to Ilha dos Frades and Itaparica for sun, sea, and reflection. Evening: Be enchanted by Balé Folclórico da Bahia performance, showcasing spectacular power of African heritage through dance.
Enjoy final breakfast, sharing memories of sea of flowers, before scheduled transfer to SSA airport.
February 1–12, 2026
All 7-day activities PLUS extended pre-Carnival immersion
Including full Festa de Iemanjá experience and all cultural activities.
Morning: Relax at classic, song-worthy Itapuã Beach. Evening: Truly special experience. Attend public rehearsal of Afoxé Filhos de Gandhy—"sons of Gandhi"—and immerse in their unique ijexá rhythm and powerful message of peace.
Day: Deepen skills with Class 5: Percussion (morning) and Class 6: Dance (afternoon). Evening: Fantastic night of live Samba and MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) at classic Rio Vermelho venue.
Morning: Visit CAIXA Cultural Salvador for contemporary art exhibition. Evening: City energy is electric. Feel building excitement experiencing pre-Carnival street party with local bloco rehearsal.
Morning: Class 7 - Final Combined Arts Class. Celebratory session integrating all rhythms and movements. Afternoon: City's energy palpable. Visit bloco headquarters to see massive costume displays and final preparations. Evening: Final Farewell Dinner celebrating incredible cultural immersion.
Enjoy final breakfast and depart on very first official day of Carnival. On scheduled transfer, glimpse city transforming with first trios elétricos (sound trucks) and crowds gathering.
Note: Itineraries are carefully designed around each month's cultural celebrations but remain flexible to accommodate weather, community schedules, and group preferences. Peter coordinates all logistics and provides real-time adjustments as needed.
