WHAT’S THE TRIP ABOUT?

This will be the third time Katumba will be taking a group from Liverpool to Brazil. Each trip has been unique in its own way in terms of aims, activities and so on. For this one, we have taken all that we learned from the previous two very different trips to find what we think will hit the sweet spot: a relaxed but exciting way to experience a different culture, combined with some of the things we love – drumming and carnaval!

Read on below for activities, dates, prices and how you can get involved…

WHEN & WHERE?

MID-FEBRUARY: Carnaval in that area starts as early as January, BUT carnaval proper (or the last few days of carnival) are from the 21st to the 26th of February (‘ash Wednesday’).

Our programme of activities runs from around the 12th to the 25^th February, with suggested arrival on the 11th and departure on the 26th. Travellers can be flexible on those dates to a degree (say, you can only stay for a week, or you can only arrive after the 11th, or you want to stay on in Brazil after the 26th and do your own thing).

12th-14th or 15th: Arrival & Maracaipe Beach paradise

15th-25th: Recife/Olinda (accommodation is in Recife. We’ll be going to Olinda as a group for different activities in hired group transport

26th: Departure

WHAT WILL WE DO?

🥁 MUSIC 🥁

We’ll be joining an amazing local group in some of their carnaval prep activities, D’Breck! Doing workshops, learning from their musicians, attending some of their open rehearsals and seeing how they do carnival! We’ll also be visiting other local groups who play different styles such as samba, maracatu, coco, frevo and sambareggae.

🕺🏽 MOVEMENT 💃

We were told this was one of the best activities on the last trip! We’ll do a session (or two) with a truly inspiring guy born and raised in the Afro-Brazilian movement tradition. He also does incredible community work changing people’s lives through movement in a very very poor area of Olinda. We’ll also be watching lots of streets performances and taking part in traditional communal dances like ciranda, coco, maracatu etc..

🎉 CARNAVAL 💥

We’ll be spending carnaval in both Recife and Olinda where the magic happens: joining in the street fun, it’s where carnival ‘blocos’ take you with them up and down the streets with all sorts of incredible rhythms, dance and stuff you can’t even begin to imagine!

🌴 EXPLORING 🗺️

Going such a long way, you can’t miss out on exploring the beautiful area we’ll be staying in: nature reserves, beaches, waterfalls, shows, day trips & activities – there’ll be plenty to choose from! Or you can just chill on the beach too sipping your caipirinha!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 GIVING BACK 🇧🇷

Some of you may be familiar with the idea of responsible tourism which ‘aims to minimize tourism’s negative impacts on the environment and maximize the positive contributions tourism can make to local communities”. Last time, the group decided to take some donations such as toys and school materials and delivered them in person to the kids in the favelas; we have a few options this year for those going to choose from including environmental activities.

WHO CAN COME?

Anyone is welcome (over the age of 18). Previous travelling experience will be helpful but not necessary. Brazil can be a dangerous country and travellers must be aware of the risks. We will mostly travel as a group but some independence and self-awareness will be required.

HOW MUCH?

Around £1100*per person. Price will be fixed once we know how many are going, e.g, if single, twin, triple rooms (and small fluctuation due to currency conversion at the moment £1=R$5.30

*This price includes Drumming & Movement workshops with local bands and facilitators, venue hire, translator, co-ordinator, admin, any necessary instrument hire, accommodation (in a twin room. If you prefer a single room, this can be arranged at an additional price).

*This price doesn’t include flights, Airport transfer, food, sun cream, bikinis, souvenirs, beer or caipirinhas 🙂

AIR FARE

Currently you can get a flight from Manchester to Recife (with a stop in Portugal) for £540 return!!! Check Skyscanner, departing Manchester on the 11th of February returning on the 26th. P.S overnight stay in Portugal on that (or any leg) hotel is provided by TAP FREE OF CHARGE.

SIGN ME UP!

If you’re seriously interested in joining us for this trip of a lifetime, or have any questions that aren’t answered here – please get in touch using our contact form before midnight Sunday 1^st December 2019.

Check out Maria’s blog for insight into our last trip to Brazil in 2017!

FURTHER QUESTIONS

Do I have to do everything that’s in the programme?

Nope. It’s totally fine for you to skip some of the things in the programme if it’s not your cup of tea.

Can I bring my partner?

Everyone is welcome! But you’re envisaging a romantic get-away for two, then this is not the trip for you both!

Can I bring my kids?

Unfortunately this trip is not suited for children. We would need to design and programme a different trip that would accommodate minors, including company insurance cover, etc…

our last trip