TOUR BASED IN LENÇOIS

Day 1

Lençois + Serrano Calderões natural pools + Salão de Areias Coloridas + Cachoeirinha / Primavera / Ribeirão do Meio

• 4 hours walk

Lençois, capital of the diamond-mining area known as “Lavras Diamantinas”: we stop to take in the cultural and historical aspects of the town, which was the world centre of diamond production at the beginning of the last century. However, the area surrounding Lençois also merits a visit on foot. The Caldeirões or Cauldrons of the Serrano were originally carpeted with diamonds but these days the area is more used to seeing people bathing in the water. We then visit the Salão de Areias Coloridas (Room of Coloured Sands) where rock formations deposit multi-coloured sands on the floor of the ‘rooms’ and then on to the Primavera waterfall, on the Rio Lençois. The small natural pool of Cachoeirinha with crystalline waters is hidden in the foothills of the Grisante Cordillera. Weather permitting we’ll follow the trail to the “Ribeirão do Meio” natural water-slide, a unique natural phenomenon of the river as it flows down the mountain slope. This leaves us just the end of the afternoon to explore the local craft shops and see precious stones and jewellery from the region. Lençois has a remarkably well-preserved 19th century architecture, which adds a special charm to this unique town. Overnight stay at the pousada.

Day 2

Tour of the region by car with easy walks: Mosquito Waterfall, Pai Inácio mountain peak and Poço do Diabo.

We drive across the northern part of the National Park towards the ‘fazenda’ where we find the Mosquito Waterfall. The place is a little wild but easily accessible, allowing you to take in the fantastic view. We can bask at the bottom of the 60m waterfall or swim in the river amidst the surrounding flora. Lunch is taken at one of the three sites. We then travel towards the Rio Mucugezinho and its famous Poço do Diabo (the well of Devil) that we discover after walking 25 minutes along the river and where it is possible to swim and cross the lake about fifty meters to reach the bottom of the waterfall, emotion for sure! Return to Lençois at the end of the afternoon after a detour to pass by the iconic picture-postcard image of the Chapada, the mountain of Pai Inácio.

Day 3

Fumaça Waterfall + Riachinho Waterfall

• 5 hours walk

• Ascent/descent: 700m

Depart by car after breakfast to the Capão Valley and the Fumaça Waterfall (1h30 drive). This beautiful hike on the high plains allows you to discover the richness of the local flora, appreciate the tree ferns, orchids and insect-eating plants and finally reach the magnificent canyon of Fumaça, one of the most majestic landscapes in the world. The drop of 400 metres protects a primitive forest where edible palm trees predominate. The view is spectacular and we stop to enjoy a picnic. Return to Lençois at the end of the afternoon after passing by the Riachinho Waterfall to enjoy a nice cool dip in the water after the trek.

PRICES/PERSON

Discovering the Chapada Diamantina

3 days / 2 nights | Accommodation in Lençois

Accomodation in Pouso da Trilha

Accomodation in Vila Serrano

Option without accommodation
The agency vehicle picks you up at your hotel/pousada.

Option in 2 days / 1 night: (days 2 and 3)

Price includes: english speaking guide, two nights’ accommodation with breakfast, picnic at the Fumaça, lunch at the restaurant by the caves, excursions mentioned by car or on foot, entrance fees on sites, accident insurance. Excludes lunch on the first day as well as dinner and drinks.

TOUR BASED IN CAPÃO

Day 1

Capão valley + Fumaça waterfall

• 5 hours walk

Departing on a one-day trek to one of the most remarkable sites of the Chapada Diamantina, this beautiful walk on the high plains allows you to savour the beauty of the local flora, appreciate the tree ferns, orchids and insect-eating plants before arriving at the magnificent canyon of Fumaça, one of the most majestic landscapes in the world. The rockface with its 400m drop protects a natural woodland where palm trees predominate. Enjoy the spectacular view whilst having your picnic in tranquillity: arriving from nearby Capão means we will be among the first to experience this view, which attracts visitors from the whole region. Return to the pousada at the end of the afternoon after visiting the Riachinho waterfall for a nice relaxing dip after the trek.

Day 2

Tour of the region by car with easy walks: Pai Inácio peak, Poço do Diabo and Lençois town

An extensive tour that begins with a visit to the impressive “Poço do Diabo” and its colossal waterfall, having followed the river for a short walk at a place called Mucugezinho. We then go to the charming colonial town of Lençois, whose façades, faithfully restored in pastel tones, give an insight as to how the town might have looked in its heyday as the diamond capital. Lençois has always attracted artisans of quality who are passionate about their work and you can visit workshops and meet a variety of local artists, from potters to photographers. There are many excellent restaurants and grills offering regional dishes (using cactus, goat, fish stews…). We visit the nearby Serrano natural pools known as the ‘Caldeirões’, as well as the giant rocks that form the ‘Salão de Areias Coloridas’. Returning via Pai Inácio mountain we see the entire Sincorá mountain range: reports suggest that the Chapada Diamantina extends over 130km in length. Overnight stay at the pousada.

Day 3

Trekking the high plains + Crystals Waterfall + Angelica Waterfall

• 4-5 hours walk

After breakfast we head off to Bomba, the last village at the top of the valley, where local people sell mangos and freshly made sugar cane juice. We then climb to the high plain with its vast natural reserve of fauna and flora: orchids and bromelias thrive whilst the surrounding mountains offer a refuge for pumas (sussuarana). We can also see the mountains of Pati which is home the last group of human settlers that still live within the National Park. After a picnic on the plains by the Ancorado riverbank with its red and gold reflections, the Tour continues to the Crystals Waterfall, a former refuge for hunters. At the end of the day we can swim in the “Poço Angelica”, where we will undoubtedly meet some walkers who stayed in and around Capão. Return to the pousada at the end of the afternoon. Note: possibility of a return bus to Salvador at 10.30 pm.

PRICES/PERSON

Discovering the Chapada Diamantina

3 days / 2 nights | Accommodation in Capão

Accomodation in Tatu Feliz

Accomodation in Pousada do Capão

Price includes: English speaking guide, two nights’ accommodation with breakfast, 2 picnic lunches for day 1 and 3, lunch at restaurant on the second day, excursions mentioned by car or on foot, entrance fees on sites, accident insurance. Excludes dinner and drinks.