The northeast side of Brazil is a very popular destination, however, the state of Paraíba is still a not well known area if we compare to the others states of this region and still has many surprises left, from cinematographic landscapes, to the hospitality and sympathy of the people.
In this Expedition we are going to visit two completely different regions. From the dried outbacks in the countryside, to the abundance of water in the coast. From the leather craftsmen in “Cariri”, to the seafood fishermen. The differences and similarities of the rich culture of Paraíba make this photographic tour unique.
Main information
Pre-registration
Please fill in the form at the bottom of this page and we will notify you as soon as the dates are set
Estimated dates
October/November 2025
Starting in João Pessoa
Ending in João Pessoa
Group size
Up to 7
Highlights
The charming Cabaceiras village
The mystical Lajedo de Pai Mateus
The Ribeira district, the tannery, and small artisanal leather workshops
The famous "Roliúde Nordestina" sign
Cowboys in their traditional leather attire
Ingá and the rock carvings
Barra do Mamamguape and the morning fishing where the river meets the sea
The Expedition
In the first part we will visit the outbacks, known as “sertão” in Brazil. It has a warm climate, undergrowth vegetation, but it can also surprise us, and even be found green and full of life. Over there we'll stay in the rural area of Cabaceiras, a city that has been movie set of many national acclaimed films, such as “Auto da Compadecida” and “Cinema, Aspirinas e Urubus”, among others. For this reason, it is also known as the Roliúde Nordestina - “Hollywood from Northeast”, a place where real and imaginary stories mingle.
We’ll visit the “Lajedo de Pai Mateus”, a place that seems to be part of another planet. This may sound like a sensationalist magazine headline, but Lajedo has infinite possibilities for incredible photographs and it’s one of those places that you can only realize the magnitude of it once you’re there, walking along the huge rocks, having a spectacular view of the “sertão”, with an orange sunset. A perfect place to disconnect from the world and to inspire us to photograph during our next days.
Still in the countryside, we are going to visit some villages of the region and the small leather workshops and the techniques that they have been working for a long. Leather is a very important source for the locals, as the region has the lowest rainfall in the country and we'll encounter cowboys working the land, guiding cattle across the ranch in their distinctive garb, designed to shield them from the prickly cacti and other thorny vegetation that abounds in the region.
But as Paraíba is not just about the outbacks, our second half of the trip will be on the north coast, a coast that is not mainstream in national tourism. Our stop will be at Barra do Mamanguape, where the river meets the sea. There, we’ll also visit a protection area, and visit the Potiguara territory, the oldest indigenous reserve in Brazil, and one of the few indigenous people that have inhabited the same place since the colonization.
Reviews
Mateus Picanço - Manaus, Brazil
“Exploring a new place with photographers is my favorite kind of tourism. Joining the Paraíba Expedition with ASA 55 was an enlightening experience. I truly immersed myself in the region's culture and natural beauty at a contemplative pace. I bonded with the group and caught a glimpse of other photographers' creative visions.
Whether you're a photographer or not, this experience is worth every penny. The sightseeing is amazing, the food is soulful, and the people organizing the expeditions are awesome.”
Request your spot
Would you like to discover an authentic Brazil? We’d love to hear from you :)