Along the way....

Located 500 km west of Salvador the Chapada Diamantina is one of the most ancient geological places on this continent.
In this sedimentary basin, the slow and steady erosion of time and the elements has caused two notable effects:
It uncovered the diamonds, formed in the depths of the earth causing a "diamond rush" in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and giving the mountain range the name of Diamantina.
It has also created a magnificently wild landscape overflowing with flowers and bursting with life, protected by the 84,000 square kilometers of National Park.
The word "chapada" comes from "chapa" (slab), which echoes the shape of the "morros", the almost circular flat toped mountains (table mountains).
In between these colossal mounds reminiscent of Monument Valley, the plateaus are covered with low vegetation while typically lush tropical valleys, where most of the great rivers of the state of Bahia begin and wind their way from waterfall to waterfall, surround them.

Grandiose and wild Chapada Diamantina

This playground provides a variety of distractions and lends itself to a drive around the most famous sites (the Morro do Pai Inacio, the Cave of Lapa Doce, the Poço Azul and the Poço Encantado…); but better yet the best way to discover what the Chapada has to offer is on foot.
In six to eight days you can really appreciate what this area has to offer; be it walks across sand and earth or climbing a granite mountain with a view that will take your breath away.
Lodging is organized in the home of a local inhabitant; in the valleys where the paths are only wide enough for a donkey and where life moves to the rhythm of the land and this rare form of sincere and spontaneous hospitality full of kindness and respect still exists.
And as we have all understood, the true diamonds of the Chapada Diamantina are not hidden under the earth or at the bottom of rivers; they are simply accessible to those who open their eyes.

6 to 8-day trek

Day 1: SALVADOR – LENÇOIS

Departure from the hotel at 06:00 and transfer to the rodoviaria (the bus station). Bus departure at 19:00, 6 to 7-hour trip to Lençóis.
Upon arrival, we are welcomed by our local English-speaking guide, and we make our way on foot to the pousada located a few doors away from the bus terminal.
In the afternoon, walk through town. Depending on the shape and the desires of each one, we can also go for a hike towards the Grizante River and its crystal clear waterfalls (Cachoeirinha et Primavera) and the colored sand beaches (the same sand used for the confection of decorative bottles). On the way back, we stop at Halley well and its natural pools.
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.

Option: transfer by plane / every da at around 14:00 / 120 € per person / A/R 240 €.

Day 2: LENÇOIS - VALE DO RIBERÃO – CAETE AÇU

15.5 miles – 6 to 8-hour of actual walking– 600 meters of elevation gain – difficulty: moderate

We leave Lençóis in the morning and head Southwest, towards the heart of the natural park of Chapada Diamantina.
We follow the bottom and the hillsides of Riberão Valley, known to be covered with flowers a large part of the year.
Along the way, we encounter many opportunities to bathe in the waters of Río Riberão. We arrive in the afternoon in the village of Caeté Açú, spreading over a few miles in the hollow of Capão Valley.
All included (cold lunch). Night in a pousada.

Note: In addition to the classic trekking equipment (hiking shoes, backpack, rain poncho…), plan a sleeping bag type "meat bag" (in silk or fleece).

Optional day: CAETE AÇU - FUMAÇA – CAETE AÇU

9 miles – 4 to 5-hour of actual walking – 250 meters of elevation gain – difficulty: moderate

As soon as we leave the village, we encounter the steep slopes of the valley’s hillsides.
Once we reach the plateau, the hardest part behind us, we progress on flat terrain until we arrive at the edge of the precipice of Fumaça, one of the highest falls in Brazil with its 366 meters.
From the plateau, the fall spills its water into an enormous canyon covered with tropical vegetation.
We return to Caete Açu by following the trail we arrived on.
All included (cold lunch). Night in a pousada.

Day 3: CAETE AÇU - VALE DO PATI - CASA DONA MARIA

11 miles – 7 to 9-hour of actual walking – 250 meters of elevation gain – difficult

We leave the pousada in our 4WD and head to the end of the valley (5.6 miles).
The day starts by a one-hour ascent leading us to the Gerais do Vieira, long plateau covered in place by high grass, in others by tropical groves.
At its extremity, we turn to the right. The trail heads up the mountain following the hollow of quebra bunda, a steep hill of 150 meters, to reach the plateau of Rio Preto.
The ground is in turn sandy and dusty, and the vegetation very short. We progress easily on the edge of the plateau, and enjoy an advantageous viewpoint over the valley and the two enormous morros guarding it.
Later in the day, we descend via a spectacular and steep couloir in the Pati Valley that we have been watching from above until then.
A few more efforts and we reach Dona Maria and Sir Wilson’s place, where we stop for the night.
All included (cold lunch). Lodging with local host (basic comfort).

Optional day: CASA DONA MARIA - CASTELO - RIO FUNIS - CASA DONA MARIA

9 miles – 6 to 7-hour of actual walking – 500 meters of elevation gain – difficult

Day dedicated to the exploration of Pati Valley. In the morning, we climb up "serra da Lapinha", also known under the name of "castelo" (the castle), because of the shape of its summit resembling a medieval fortress.
The ascent, on the slopes covered with dirt and rocks, is demanding, but the reward is well worth the effort. Once on the summit, the 360 degree panorama over the valley and its surroundings is laid out in front of us.
After lunch, we return to the valley floor and follow Río Funis over a few hundred meters, until we reach a waterfall perfect for a swim. We return to Dona Maria’s early evening.
All included (cold lunch). Lodging with local host (basic comfort).

Day 4: CASA DONA MARIA - CASA SR MASSU

8 miles – 6 to 7-hour of actual walking – 400 meters of elevation gain – difficulty: moderate

We get back on the road and head south, under the shadow of the Castelo and of morro branco do Capão dominating the valley with their imposing statures.
We cross the whole valley, progressing along the stream running at its bottom, on a trail alternating short uphill and downhill. The tropical vegetation is dense, the setting magnificent.
In the afternoon we reach the home of Sir Massu, where we are, as always, welcome with hospitality mixed with reserve and respect.
All included (cold lunch). Lodging with local host (basic comfort).

Day 5: CASA SR MASSU – ANDARAI - IGATU

12 miles – 7 to 8-hour of actual walking – 550 meters of elevation gain – difficulty: moderate

We exit the valley by the ladeira do Império, impressive wall over which we progress following hairpin turns for a good three hours.
The warm-up is steep, but the rest of the day is less demanding, traveling through scenery varying as we change environment. After the narrow valley covered with tropical vegetation, we cross an area of groves and cacti.
We keep on going for a few more hours until we arrive at Andarai, a village born from the diamond rush of the 18th century.
There, a private vehicle awaits us to take us to Igatu (45 minutes), another garimpeiros (prospectors’) village.
After having sheltered hundreds of families until the 1950’s, Igatu was more or less abandoned and became a ghost town. Its repopulation started about ten years ago, and numerous houses have been restored, giving the village an undeniable charm.
All included (cold lunch). Night in a pousada.

Option: extra day (rest or trekking) in Igatu, ask us.

Day 6: IGATU – SALVADOR

Early morning, private transfer to Andarai where we take the bus towards Salvador (7 to 8-hour trip). No pick up upon arrival (it is impossible to know the arrival time with certainty).
Meals open (lunch on the road). Night in a pousada.

Note for those who want more... Exploration program

There is an option of a more demanding extension: Trek to the "official" Gold trail (this one is the smugglers trail) and then to Paraty.
Day 5: from the casa Estelina, reach the pousada Macelo (5-hour walk)
Day 6: Pousada Macelo – Campos de Cunha
Day 7: Campos de Cunha – Pico da Macela (unique view over the Bay of Paraty, from 2000 meters above sea level!) – and descent via the Trilha de Ouro (not as well preserved as the other but still visible) to the fazenda Murycana, from which we easily reach Paraty, a few miles below.

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