Chapada Diamantina, Brasil

Author: Daniel R.
Date of Trip: March 2004

It was my first trip in the Chapada Diamantina National Park in Brasil. We organized a trip of 8 days, and later we travelled to the beach to take some rest. But, if I would be traveling again, I would like to be walking at least for 9 days or more. It’s so colourful and beautiful, and the local people are so friendly. They take care of everything in a way that I had never seen before.

Really, I would like to invite everybody! If you are planning this trip, don’t hesitate to contact me. This is not a trip for “seeing and coming back home” — this is a trip for feeling, enjoying, making friends, relaxing, and also for finding or changing oneself.

The most famous wasteland park, considered the heart of Bahia, succeeds in combining an impressive number of springs and water courses with an exuberant vegetation. Chapada Diamantina enables the choice of walking among caves, many waterfalls, natural chutes, mountains with stunning views, valleys and ravines.

The major part of the trails are a heritage of the time when the prospectors of the region opened up the Chapada in search of precious stones. All these adventures have as central point the historical and preserved colonial city of Lençóis. The beauty of the city of Lencois which flourished during the Ore Cycle is mainly represented by its colonial mansions.

Hikes are very varied, mixing matchless beauty with legends and mysteries. Such as the Morro do Pai Inacio which bears this name due to a legend telling that a slave, fleeing from his colonel because he fell in love with his wife, threw himself into the abyss and from where a dazzling sunset can be seen.

In addition, Rio Serrano, Cachoeira Primavera, Salão de Areias (from where the local population removes sand of varied colors for craftsmanship), Cachoeira do Sossego, Escorrega, Poço Encantado, Grutas da Lapa Doce e da Pratinha, Poço Azul, Remanso…and Cachoeira da Fumaça, where the water does not have sufficient volume to overcome the drop of 370 meters and the force of the wind cooperates in transforming the water into vapor, a real spectacle.

Vegetation varies between the wasteland and the fields replete with flowers like orchids and bromelias. Which means that the Chapada is the most in adventure and integration with nature.

Our itinerary:

1st Day
Arrival in Lençois. Transfer to the Hotel Canto das Aguas.

2nd Day
After breakfast, we walked to the Serrano River, Primavera Waterfalls, Cachoeirinha and Salao de Areias. Lunch. In the afternoon, we visited the workshops of the local craftsmen, and – accompanied by a local guide – had a look at the historic places of Lencois.

3rd Day
Breakfast and transfer to get to know the Encantado (Enchanted) well and the Azul (Blue) well.

4th Day
After breakfast, we left for the Sossego Waterfall, a trail of about 14 km (going and returning), walking along a dazzling canyon, along rocks and beautiful wells, until we reached the extraordinary Sossego Waterfall. On our way back, we went through Ribeirão de Melo with its Escorrega and mad good use of this opportunity to dive into this waterfall.

5th Day
With a chartered vehicle, we drove to the Lapa Doce grotto and the Pratinha grotto, whose crystal-clear green water invites us to refreshing dives. Snack. On our way back, we admired the sunset over the Pai Inacio Hill.

6th Day
With a chartered vehicle, we left for Capão valley. There we experienced the Fumaça Waterfall, whose 382 Mts. of height don’t produce the necessary capacity for the water to descend, thus transforming the water into stream, which – while being forced by the wind to ascend – forms a beautiful colored spectacle. Snack. Returned to Lençois.

7th Day
After breakfast we leave for Remanso ( the Pantanal of the Chapada) with a chartered vehicle. By boat, we are doing down the river (about 2 hours) until the point where it meets the Roncador river (one of the most beautiful of Lençois); thereafter a walk to the Roncador waterfall. Snacks. We returned late in the afternoon.

8th Day
After breakfast, we transferred to the Lençois airport.

But, if I were going to do it again, I would like to walk nine days. It’s just so nice and so secure too.