Chapada Diamantina

You will arrive today. Welcome to the vibrant capital of Bahia, where the colours of the streets and the rhythm of capoeira will stir feelings of joy in your heart. On arrival to Salvador you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Take a slow-walk to Pelourinho – the historic centre – and try acarajé, enjoy Bahian music and soak up the local vibe, on the main square of the first capital of Brazil! Bahia is a special state with a special feeling – everything is in slow motion here and one quickly embraces this relaxed pace of life. Put your holiday mood on!

After breakfast, discover the Bay of All Saints (Baía de Todos os Santos) by traditional boat. The trip will give you a different perspective on the city from the sea. Take a trip from Mercado Modelo to the nearby islands. Learn about history and the discovery journeys of the first Europeans in Brazil on the island of Itaparica. In comparison to the bustling Upper City, the islands are much calmer, with a slow pace. Finish the day watching a splendid sunset over the sea. On your return you have the opportunity to watch a traditional dance and folklore show which runs on specific days of the week. It is truly an wonderful experience.

After breakfast catch a short flight or take a longer bus ride to the pretty colonial town of Lençóis which is located right in the heart of Chapada Diamantina. Welcome to a fascinating landscape of table mountains, waterfalls, vast plains, caves, blue lakes and streams. This is a place to experience the great outdoors. After check-in, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Serrano natural swimming pools, a popular bathing spot for locals. The site is located just a short 15 minute walk from the centre, overlooking the town. Lençóis has many bars and restaurants and sometimes there is live music.

After breakfast, head out to one of the least-visited waterfalls in the region. The trail has only opened recently – this is a true hidden gem. The beautiful trail starts after 50 min of driving on a country road, taking you through the gorge to the bottom of Cachoeira do Mosquito. Enjoy a relaxation session under the streams of the waterfall. After lunch, you will head out to the Pai Inácio, one of the most spectacular table mountains in the chapada, just in time for sunset. Enjoy a stunning 360° postcard-view from the top of the plateau. At the top you will see many cactuses and orchids.

After breakfast in Lençóis, check out and head towards the idyllic village hidden in the mountains, called Igatu. On the way visit the blue lakes Poço Encantado and Poço Azul. These are crystal clear underground lakes, with blue waters, where the sunlight creates a spectacular light display. You can swim in the warm waters of Poço Azul. We recommend getting there early, to have more time to enjoy the site before the big groups of tourists arrive. After a picnic lunch, head out to Igatu, known as the ‘Machu Picchu of Brazil’. Visit the amazing open-sky art gallery and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the village.

Today start with an early breakfast and prepare for a full day of trekking, swimming and canyoning. After breakfast head to Cachoeira do Buracão, a second waterfall you will visit in the chapada. This is a spectacular waterfall roaring at the end of an adventurous canyon. The Buracão Waterfall is one of the most impressive in the whole park. After cooling off in the water, head back to the top and walk back on the beautiful trail where the driver will be waiting for you to take you back to Igatu. Enjoy a delicious Bahian dinner at a rustic restaurant in the village.

After breakfast prepare for a full day of spectacular sites: Rio Mucugezinho, Poço do Diabo, Gruta Azul, Gruta da Pratinha and Gruta Lapa Doce. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can slide from the top of the waterfall into the pool on a zipline or rappel down. You will stop for lunch at a local restaurant with a delicious buffet. Chopped cactus (palma) or green bananas with pieces of meat (de Godó banana) are a must. Don’t forget your swimming suit. Spend a relaxing day in the natural pools. Closer to the end of the day return to Lencois and have the evening at leisure.

After breakfast your driver will take you to Vale do Capão where you will start a picturesque hike to one of the highest waterfalls in Brazil. From May to September, the amount of falling water is less abundant and the wind creates a smoky effect, hence the name “Fumaça”. There are often rainbows, as the wind blows away the falling water. After enjoying the scenery, take a short ride to the Riachinho Fall for a relaxing shower! This evening is at leisure. Reflect on the past days, over a drink with the other travellers who have also explored the trails. Chapada Diamantina will leave you wanting to come back.

After breakfast, prepare for your way back to Salvador either by land or flight. Chapada Diamantina has many scenic trails which cannot all be covered in 9 days due to distances and we do not recommend rushing through. Each one of the gazillion of sights in the park are special and we would recommend to do balanced hikes, to enjoy and appreciate them. The hike along Vale do Pati is very soulful, the distant Fumacinha waterfall is very spectacular and many more. Come back for another hike on your next holiday.