A) Overnight stays in the Valley of Capão at the Candombá Hotel

REMARKABLE HIGHLIGHTS :

. The Fumaça Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Brazil (400 meters). Three hours’ trek.
. The city of Lençois, the Diamond Rush, the local gastronomy. The Pai Inácio mesa.
. The High Plateaus and the heart of the National Park (a four hours’ trek ). The splendor of the Capão Valley and the charming calm of the Candombá Lodge.


Day 1 : The Capão Valley and the Fumaça Waterfall

Our trekking starts after a tropical breakfast and shall lead us to one of the most remarkable sites of the Chapada. A two hours stroll on the High Plateaus enables us to appreciate the great variety of the local flora : tree-ferns, orchids, carnivorous plants... We shall then come across the incredible canyon of the Fumaça. From the top of the waterfall, along the 400 yards decline, we shall discover the primitive forest growing in this watery and shaded environment. From our towering position we shall enjoy a savoury outdoor lunch before some strolling and winding our way down to the Pousada. As an option we invite you to take benefit of our Indigenous Sauna (“sweat-lodge”) with eucalyptus steam.

Day 2 : Discovery of the Region, the Pai Inácio Mount and the city of Lençois

After a confortable car ride we approach the charming colonial city of Lençois. Reviving an ancient custom, the façades bordering its narrow streets have been painted in many different pastel shades. We may thus imagine the 19th century ambiance of this small North-Eastern rural settlement which became one of the world’s richest Diamond Mining and trading centers. Our-a-days, Lençois is renowned for the quality of life and the entertainment its offers, as well as the passionate reactions it sucitates. Strolling in the animated lanes we may visit some of the many handicrafts shops. After lunching on a succulent grill of local beef in a typical “churrascaria”, we shall drive to the Pai Inácio, the imposing mount which came to be known as the symbol of the whole region. From its top we shall be able to enjoy a breath-taking vista on the whole range of the Sincorá mountains. With dusk we shall reach the Pousada Candombá in time for a well earned rest.

Day 3 : Trekking throughout the High Plateaus

Our trekking towards the small village of Bomba starts after a satisfying breakfast at the Hotel. From there we climb to the immense natural reserve on top of the High Plateaus. Orchids and bromeliads have marvelously adapted themselves to this unique environment. In the surrounding mountains some whitish pumas (“sussuaranas”) may still hide. At the end of this first leg of our hike we catch sight the Valley of Pati, home to a completely secluded and unique human community inside the National Park. By late afternoon we should be able to reach the Pousada and enjoy the rest and confort it offers. The return bus to Salvador leaves at 10:30 P.M. from Palmeiras.

B) Overnight stays in the colonial city of Lençois

Day 1 : Lençois the capital of diamond extraction

The whole day will be dedicated to the discovery of this small town which was once the world center of diamond mining. The waters of the Serrano River have carved many pits and “saucers” inside the river-bed in which local children use to frolic, unconscious that these small pools were once found to be literaly lined out with gems of all sizes. From Lençois we shall walk to the renowned Hall of the Coulored Sands, a display of all hues and shades inside set in various caves, and to the Primavera Watershed on the Rio Lençois. We shall lunch downtown before strolling between the many small shops proposing handicrafts, raw gems and jewelry.
The afternoon’s trip will lead us to the natural Water-Slide of Ribeirão do Meio on which youngsters get a foamy kick. By dusk we shall be back to the Pousada for a well earned night of rest.

Day 2 : The Fumaça waterfall

Our day starts after breakfast with a car ride through the Valley towards the bottom of the Fumaça Waterfall. During a two hours’ hike on the High Plateaus we shall admire the great variety of the local flora among which tree-ferns, orchids et carnivourous plants. We shall then stumble upon the amazing canyon of the Fumaça, certainly one of the most breathtaking vistas in the World. From the top of the waterfall, we shall gaze down the 400 yards abysm on the slopes of which strives a small virgin forest. Before returning, by late afternoon, to Lençois, we shall enjoy a lofty outdoor lunch and some more strolling.

Day 3 : The Pai Inácio Mountain, the Torrinha Cave and the Lake of the Pratinha

A car ride through the region, with a stop at the speleological park of Iraquara, will bring us to the enchanting Cave of the Torrinha, said to be one of Brazil´s most beautiful visitable Caves.
Sightseeing of very rare geological formations such as aragonite and gypsite.
Leisurely stopover for lunch by the turquoise blue waters of the Pratinha Lake in which you may enjoy a refreshing swim.
As an option we propose a scuba diving discovery of the immerged caves or a cable slide jump.
By the end of the day, we shall reach the Pai Inácio Mountain, the iconical geological formation of the region. From its summit you will be able to discover the whole range of the Sincorá cordillera.
The return bus to Salvador leaves at 11:30 P.M.
 

THE VALLEY of CAPAÕ – THE HIGH PLATEAUS – THE VALLEY of THE PATY : 3 DAYS TREKKING

Average daily walks of 5 to 6 hours.
Level of difficulty : medium.


Day 1 : From the Valley of Capaõ to the High Plateaus and the Valley of Paty

Departure by Jeep from the Travel Agency at 8:00 A.M. to the village of Bomba, the starting point of the track to the Valley of the Paty.
Crossing through the High Plateaus of the Vieira which show on their wavy surface innumerable streams of cristaline water. From the start of the 19th century and for more than a hundred years, these wide plains have been the setting of extensive cattle breeding and gold mining activities.
Pick-nick and river swim in the Gems Waterfall.
Our path then follows the mule-drivers’ trail from which one will can enjoy a flabbergasting view of the complete Range of the Pati Mountains, one of the most isolated areas of the Park. There, is to be found an endemical mountain-flora consisting of carnivorous plants, altitude orchids or “immortal” flowers (Paepalanthus). Several couples of rare birds of prey, known as “Gavião pé de Serra”, inhabit these lofty surroundings.
The overnight accomodation is provided by local inhabitants in shared rooms (no electrical light, clean sheets and blankets). The meals are prepared by a local cook from her home-grown greeneries.


Day 2 : Wanderings and discoveries in the Valley of the Paty

After a typical breakfast, we shall climb the Serra das Cabras (Goats Mountain), pass through a 300 yards long naturel tunnel and discover a surprising vista over the down-hill side of the valley. Our altitude will then be of nearly one mile over sea level (1 470 meters). There, bromeliads of all sorts will be seen hanging from the branches of century old trees, reminding a mysterious amazonian forest. With the help of binoculars we will be able to spot the huge “Araponga” birds. These are among the largest rain-forest birds and have elected these mountains as their dwelling.
The nearby Valley of the Calixto is the home to bands of Howler Monkeys (“Bujios” or Alouatta Caraya).
By noon we shall make a halt for a outdoor lunch surrounded by the mountains summits.
The program may be modified depending on rainy weather. In such a case, we suggest the visit of ancient City Hall of the valley which is also used as a refuge for wayfarers. Nearby is found a temple dedicated to the Umbanda, afro-roots religion.
By late afternoon we shall return to our starting point after visiting the Funis Waterfall (see picture) which displays the most suitable scenery for a cool swim and some relaxing moments.


Day 3 : From the Valley of Paty to the Cordilhera of the Esbarrancado (Range of the Ravine) and the village of Guiné.

After breakfast we start towards the Black River, renowned to have delivered some the largest sized diamonds on earth. There we shall take some time for a welcome dive and a luck-try search for a foresaken diamond (!). Ancient dry-stone buildings are testimonies to the intense mining activity which took place in these area during the nineteenth century. The Red-Tie Humming Bird is endemical of the region and can be easily spoted faring from flower to flower. Large arborescent ferns draw their heavy shades on the hill-tops. We shall go through the Gorge of Beco) which is the western gate to the Chapada and from which a 50 miles wide vista over the Cordilhera of the Barbado and the steeply decline to the hamlet of Guiné reveals itself to our eyes.
We shall Return riding a Jeep through the “Sertão” savanas, the famous dry lands so typical of the interior of the State of Bahia. Our arrival at the Agency is due by 7:00 P.M.
 

Average daily walks of 5 to 6 hours.
Level of difficulty : to medium to high.


Day 1 : From the Valley of Capão to the Waterfalls of the Rio Preto and onwards to a altitude Base-Camp.

Leaving the Agency at 8:00 A.M. to the village of Bomba, we reach the starting point of the track to the High Plateaus.
We then follow the ancient trail of the diamond miners up to the Rio Preto hill-tops, taking advantage of a superb vista towards the Sincorá Range, the dorsal spine of the Chapada. This is the ocasion to admire some five hundred years old plants well adapted to the recurent bush-fires, the famous “Canelas de Ema” (Veloziae), along with carnivourous plants and highland cactae. We may also spot a “Seriema”, the famous road runner bird.
In our wanderings we shall come across the greenery covered, amazing dry-stone constructions abandoned throughout these mountains by the diamonds extractors of old.
By late afternoon we shall set camp by a lovely waterfall which shall bestow on us the coolness of its clear waters. After a relaxing outdoor supper you will freely choose to spend the night either in tents accomodating three persons or right beneath the extraordinarily bright stars’ gaze.

Day 2 : Climbing to the highest summit of the Park

After breakfast we start our ascend winding up-stream through the Black River bed. On our way to the top we shall come across an ancient refuge of diamond miners. As we climb, the whole range of the cordilhera starts revealing itself to our eyes. Culminating at 1 724 meters, our trek leads to the breathtaking full circle vista of the entire Chapada Diamantina. We shall wish, at this point, to enjoy a moment of complete peace and contemplation followed by a well earned pick-nick snack !
In the greenfields around us, we shall spot strange looking altitude adapted orchids of many bright colours. The shy “mocos”, small rodents, inhabit these escarped cliffs.
In the late afternoon we shall retreat to our base-camp, refresh ourselves in the waterfall and enjoy some welcome rest. The supper will soon be served on the spot and we shall prepare ourselves for one more outdoor enchanted night.

Day 3 : From the Base-Camp to the Dula Waterfalls and onward to the village of Guiné

After breakfast we start for a long walk across the High Plateaus. The Dula Waterfalls shall offer us a watery ambiance for our lunch-time pick-nick. The nearby “Pau de Moco” Forest adds a tropical touch to the idyllic surroundings. The Gorge of the Beco is the only access to the western side of the Chapada. We go onwards for a steep and vertiginous descent towards the village of Guiné framed by the typical “Sertões” (savanas) of north-eastern Brazil.
We should arrive at Caeté-Açu by 7:00 P.M. after a pleasant ride by Jeep.
 

1) The Torrinha Gruta, the Pai Inácio Mountain and the Poço do Diabo (“Devil’s Pit”) :
A car ride throughout the Region brings us to the Torrinha Gruta inside the speleological park of Iraquara. This immense natural cave is renowned as one of Brazil’s most amazing. Inside it are found world unique aragonite and gypsite layers. The Poço do Diabo greets us for a refreshing bath and for an adventurous plunge along a cable-slide. By late afternoon we return to the city after a visit to the iconic Pai Inácio Mountain from the top of which the entire Sincorá Range reveals itself to our eyes.

2) The Fumaça Waterfall and the Riachinho river :
Arriving in the Capão Valley after a one hour and a half car-ride, we reach the bottom of the Fumaça Waterfall. A two hours’ hike towards the High Plateaus allows us to admire the great variety of the local flora, among which tree-ferns, orchids et carnivorous plants. At the end of our climb, we arrive to the edge of the vertiginous canyon of the Fumaça, certainly one of the most breathtaking vistas in the world. From the top of the waterfall, we are invited to gaze down the 400 yards abysm inside which a small virgin forest nests itself.

3) The Enchanted Well (“Poço Encantado”) and the Village of Igatu :
The Poço Encantado natural pit, near the township of Itaeté is a true geological marvel. It reveals its full magic when a ray of sunlight penetrates through the vault and illuminates the eery waters of the subterranean lake. You can assist to this breathtaking phenomenon during the september to may period. A visit of the village of Igatu is then proposed. From this ancient center of diamond extraction, subsits only a disturbing array of ruins melting themselves away inside the rocky countryside. A visit to the Gem Mining Museum (Museo do Garrimpo) located in a restaured luxous house permits us to grasp some of the perturbed History of the place. We shall lunch on the spot before the hour and a half ride back to Lençois.

4) The flooded Plains of Marimbus
Sailing on an engine-less boat allows us a close view of the inundated plains. There, strange snail-eating birds of prey fare among the Victoria regia, the largest known floating plants. The imposing “sucuri” or “anaconda” – the aquatic boa constrictor - and its favorite prey, the “capivara” (the biggest rodent on earth) share this extroardinary swamp environment.

5) The Sossego Waterfall
This trek is considered of medium to high difficulty, the more so, on a rainy day. Its allows us to reach an enchanting watershed hidden away in the folds of the Serra do Veneno. We access to it through a lengthy canyon which cliffs are lined up with remaints of a tropical forest, home to many orchids and some towering trees.

6) The Rio Serrano, the Coloured Sands Hall, the Waterfalls of Cachoeirinha and Primavera, the natural water-slide of Ribeirão do Meio
A day full of activity and adventures is dedicated to the discovery of all the curiosities and attractions of Lençois and its vicinity. Deep pits carved down by the fiery waters conceiled until the last century incredibely big diamonds. The Coloured Sands Hall is a cool cave lined with concretions of all shades and hues. The not so distant Water-Slide entices all youngsters to test their skills and nerve with a commanding plunge.
 

Per Person CHARGES for the TOURS

 140 €

135 €

 160 €

170 €