Swan Hellenic unveils 2027 cultural expedition voyages exploring Brazil’s most magical secrets, from remote coastal settlements to the mouth of the Amazon.
SH Vega is renowned for its unique comfort and quite luxury, it’s also the perfect size to navigate the Amazon Mouth Breves Narrows, a magnificent river world inaccessible to larger vessels.
Swan Hellenic has announced an extraordinary series of four 2027 cultural expedition voyages for intrepid travellers to explore Brazil’s most captivating landscapes, from golden beaches and vibrant villages to the untamed beauty of the Amazon. The first sailing is in April 2027 and the remaining three from October to November.
What’s more the last three voyages can be daisy-chained to create a uniquely immersive 29-night exploration from Bridgetown (Barbados) to Paramaribo (Suriname), the Salvation Islands and then along the coast of Brazil deep into the mysteries of Amazonia, concluding in Rio de Janeiro.
But there’s also good news for those who can’t bear to wait until 2027. There is still remaining availabilityfor one 2026 Brazil voyage, the iconic Soul, Samba and Sea: Journey to the Heart of Brazil (Salvador de Bahia to Rio de Janeiro), departing in late October 2026. Prompt booking is recommended.
Swan Hellenic’s discovery opportunities in this magical region range from Bridgetown, vibrant capital of Barbados, to Salvador de Bahia, cradle of Afro-Brazilian heritage and Brazil’s first capital. Then there’s the historic city of Paramaribo, capital of Suriname, and Île du Salut in the Salvation Islands, the setting for the classic film Papillon starring Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen. Here you travel back in history, admiring the enchanting, cobbled streets and colorful colonial architecture of its UNESCO-listed Pelourinho historic center.
Adventurous travelers can experience the richness of Amazonian biodiversity in reserves like the Rio Cajari Extractive Reserve, where the land is publicly owned, but the inhabitants have the right to traditional extractive practices such as hunting, fishing and harvesting wild plants.
You can even take your explorations offshore in the Abrolhos Marine National Park, a sanctuary of remarkable biodiversity and a breeding ground for humpback whales. However, the real highlight is that you can venture upriver to explore the mouth of the Amazon and heart of the rainforest, navigating the secluded Breves Narrows which are inaccessible to all but a few ships. Here you may be lucky enough to spot rare pink dolphins, as well as explore historic Portuguese forts, the surreal dunes and lagoons of the UNESCO heritage site Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and the colonial elegance of the UNESCO-listed city of São Luís.
But that’s not all. There’s Bahia’s coast, with the pristine beaches of Itacaré and the boho-chic retreat of Trancoso, nestled in lush Atlantic rainforest. And further south there are the wonders of glamorous Búzios, the crystal-clear waters of Arraial do Cabo and the incredible energy of Rio de Janeiro – home to the Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and the legendary beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.
Here are the itineraries that weave these extraordinary destinations together, combining nature, culture and history in extraordinary adventures.
The 6-night Soul, Samba and Sea: Journey to the Heart of Brazil (inclusive prices from USD 4,025) is the only 2026 voyage in the region with remaining availability. Departing Salvador de Bahia on October 25, 2026, and docking in Rio de Janeiro on October 31, 2026, it will call at Itacaré, Trancoso, the Abrolhos Archipelago, Buzios and Arraial do Cabo. Travelers will gain unique experiences of Brazil’s vibrant culture, pristine beaches and marine biodiversity in Swan Hellenic’s typical effortless style.
The first voyage in 2027 is the 9-night standalone cultural expedition voyage Amazonia in Depth & Lençóis Maranhenses, (inclusive prices from USD 6,035), departing Fortaleza on April 17, 2027. The discoveries begin in Itaqui, followed by the Rio Cajari Extractive Reserve before entering the mouth of the Amazon to explore a magical world, from Aquiqui to Gurupa and the varied ecosystems of the Furo do Cujuba and Breves Narrows, concluding in Belém on April 26, 2027. This is a gentle expedition voyage offering in-depth discovery, including six days of immersive rainforest exploration.
Then, in October 2027, comes the first of three exceptional voyages that can be daisy chained if desired to create an unforgettable twenty-nine-night exploration of this extraordinary region, where every place visited offers a wealth of unique experiences and discovery opportunities.
Amazon River Expedition: A Cultural Cruise (inclusive prices from USD 10,550), departs Bridgetown on October 5, 2027, to explore Paramaribo, the Salvation Islands, Macapá, the Rio Cajari Extractive Reserve, Furo do Cujuba, Afuá and the Breves Narrows to reach Belém on October 16, 2027. This 11-night voyage brings guests six days of amazing Amazon experiences combined with serene coastal navigation and rich cultural insights.
Travelling upstream from Belém on October 16, 2027, the 12-night Expedition Brazil: From the Amazon Delta to Bahia Shores (inclusive prices from USD 8,195) includes a six-day navigation of the Amazon commencing in the Breves Narrows Thousand Islands region, then sailing on to Afuá, Itaqui, Fortaleza andCabedelo to conclude in Salvador de Bahia on October 28, 2027.
The final voyage in this series is the 6-night Soul, Samba and Sea: Journey to the Heart of Brazil (inclusive prices from USD 4,100). Following the same acclaimed itinerary as the 2026 cultural expedition voyage of the same name, this journey showcases Brazil’s cultural richness and stunning Atlantic coastline, departing Salvador de Bahia on October 28, 2027 and calling at Itacaré, Trancoso, the Abrolhos Archipelago, Buziosand Arrial do Cabo before reaching beautiful Rio de Janeiro on November 3, 2027.
Unveiling the in-depth discovery opportunities offered by each extraordinary voyage, Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito commented: “We’re incredibly proud of these expertly-curated itineraries. Travelling in exceptional comfort and a refined atmosphere of quiet luxury, guests will be treated to immersive journeys at a relaxed pace through the heart of Brazil. Each voyage benefits to the full from SH Vega’s boutique expedition ship dimensions and our deep commitment to sustainability, taking our guests to discover places beyond the reach of almost all other ships, so they can see what others don’t.”
For more information about Swan Hellenic, please contact your Travel Professional or visit www.swanhellenic.com
Featured Experiences
