Chapada Diamantina National Park landscape

On Foot through Diamond Canyon

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Salvador - Lencois - Chapada Diamantina - Salvador
Duration:
4 days / 3 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 679.- per person (excluding flights)

Discover the diverse Bahian landscape of Chapada Diamantina National Park: soak in the panoramic views across plateaus, trek past cool waterfalls and take a break on top of a table mountain. This area is popular among Brazilian tourists because of its pleasant climate and laid back atmosphere, but mostly because of its natural surroundings and hiking potential. You'll stay in the cowboy town of Lencois, once the home of local gold and diamond prospectors.

Day 1 – Salvador – Lencois

After your transfer to the Salvador bus station this morning you’ll embark on a 6 hour bus ride to Lencois. During the drive, you’ll mostly see cattle farms and sugarcane plantations. Most of the road is well maintained, but the last 60km of the road can get quite bumpy. You’ll spend the night in a comfortable colonial pousada decorated with quirky colours and ornaments. Its hill top location will give you a sweeping view of the town below. Your guide will visit you at your hotel to discuss your pick-up times for your excursions during your stay.

Day 2 – Chapada Diamantina National Park

After breakfast you’ll be collected from your hotel for the first day of your Brazil treks. You’ll visit canyons, waterfalls, caves, rivers and marshes. The eroded rocks and mountains resemble those of the Grand Canyon, however these are greener. Everywhere you turn you’ll hear birds chirping and water plunging down waterfalls. Then it’s time to lace up your hiking boots as you set off for a hike along the Lencois River. You’ll spend the entire day with a guide.

As you walk along the banks of a wide river you’ll see a collection of waterfalls. Don’t forget your swimsuit – some of the falls are great for cooling off in. During your hike you may have to scramble a bit at times, but you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view across the areas green hills. Your guide will also show you where people once searched for diamonds. Later on in the afternoon you’ll return to your pousada for a chance to relax and unwind in the garden.

Day 3 – Caves, Pai Inacio Mountain and night bus back to Salvador

On day 3 of your Brazil trek you’ll head out for a day trip in the area surrounding Lencois. You’ll visit several caves filled with dripping stalactites and stalagmites. Shine your torch on the clear pools of water in the cave and the entire cave will turn a radiant blue. If you’re up for some adventure, you can even go snorkelling through a maze of tunnels.

After lunch, your guide will take you to Pai Inacio Mountain, one of the area’s famous mesas. He’ll drive you as close to the plateau as possible, however you’ll still have a short climb ahead of you before you reach the top. The plateau resembles a lunar landscape overgrown with tropical plants. Once you’ve climbed to the top you can sit back and enjoy the view. This evening you will travel back to Salvador on the night bus, arriving early the following morning.