Chapada Diamantina

The Chapada Diamantina Tour is a 9-day private guided adventure itinerary in Brazil, starting in Salvador de Bahia. Combine the great outdoors experience with a bit of history and culture of Bahia, in the north-east of Brazil. This tour will take you from the vibrant capital city to the table-mountains of Chapada Diamantina, off the beaten track, to pure nature. Discover the upper and lower parts of Salvador and then head off inland, to Lencois, the gateway of the chapada. Swim in underground pools with crystal clear blue waters, marvel at the immense waterfalls and hike along scenic trails blooming with wild flowers. The program is well balanced to make sure you get enough rest between hiking and resting. You will stay in chic rustic pousadas and lunch will be packed away during the hikes. Don’t forget to bring a pair of good walking shoes and sun protection. A good level of fitness is required and we recommend this trip for adult travellers. Families with fit teenage children could also consider a simplified version of this itinerary.

9 Days – From £1,570 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Salvador, Lençóis, Salvador

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
Accommodation with breakfast & picnic lunches (more hotels HERE)
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Meals not mentioned in the description

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Brazil start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year. The starting point is Salvador Airport (SSA) which is connected by flight to major cities in Brazil, as well as to Buenos Aires and Lisbon.

For families and groups (starting with 5 pax), we can book domestic flights in Brazil, during the high season, and if the trip is part of a more complex itinerary. This is to ensure a seamless travel and no complications.

How to Book

Send us a message on WhatsApp (+44 7 308 449 233) or email us at brazil@boutiquetravelexperts.com to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, the exciting Amazon rainforest, the fascinating Pantanal or the deep canyons of the south. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

When to Visit

Best time to visit: year round, but during the summer (December to March) it tends to rain more and the waterfalls are fuller.

To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our Brazil Weather Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.

Day 1 - Welcome to Salvador

You will arrive today. Welcome to the vibrant capital of Bahia, where the colours of the streets and the rhythm of capoeira will stir feelings of joy in your heart. On arrival to Salvador you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Take a slow-walk to Pelourinho – the historic centre – and try acarajé, enjoy Bahian music and soak up the local vibe, on the main square of the first capital of Brazil! Bahia is a special state with a special feeling – everything is in slow motion here and one quickly embraces this relaxed pace of life. Put your holiday mood on! Overnight at Casa do Amarelindo.

Day 2 - Salvador

After breakfast, discover the Bay of All Saints (Baía de Todos os Santos) by traditional boat. The trip will give you a different perspective on the city from the sea. Take a trip from Mercado Modelo to the nearby islands. Learn about history and the discovery journeys of the first Europeans in Brazil on the island of Itaparica. In comparison to the bustling Upper City, the islands are much calmer, with a slow pace. Finish the day watching a splendid sunset over the sea. On your return you have the opportunity to watch a traditional dance and folklore show which runs on specific days of the week. It is truly a wonderful experience. Overnight at Casa do Amarelindo.

Day 3 - Salvador to Lencois

After breakfast catch a short flight or take a longer bus ride to the pretty colonial town of Lençóis which is located right in the heart of Chapada Diamantina. Welcome to a fascinating landscape of table mountains, waterfalls, vast plains, caves, blue lakes and streams. This is a place to experience the great outdoors. After check-in, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Serrano natural swimming pools, a popular bathing spot for locals. The site is located just a short 15 minute walk from the centre, overlooking the town. Lençóis has many bars and restaurants and sometimes there is live music. Overnight at Canto das Aguas.

Day 4 - Mosquito & Pai Inacio

After breakfast, head out to one of the least-visited waterfalls in the region. The trail has only opened recently – this is a true hidden gem. The beautiful trail starts after 50 min of driving on a country road, taking you through the gorge to the bottom of Cachoeira do Mosquito. Enjoy a relaxation session under the streams of the waterfall. After lunch, you will head out to the Pai Inácio, one of the most spectacular table mountains in the chapada, just in time for sunset. Enjoy a stunning 360° postcard-view from the top of the plateau. At the top you will see many cactuses and orchids. Overnight at Canto das Aguas.

Day 5 - Lençóis to Igatu

After breakfast in Lençóis, check out and head towards the idyllic village hidden in the mountains, called Igatu. On the way visit the blue lakes Poço Encantado and Poço Azul. These are crystal clear underground lakes, with blue waters, where the sunlight creates a spectacular light display. You can swim in the warm waters of Poço Azul. We recommend getting there early, to have more time to enjoy the site before the big groups of tourists arrive. After a picnic lunch, head out to Igatu, known as the ‘Machu Picchu of Brazil’. Visit the amazing open-sky art gallery and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the village. Overnight at Pousada Flor de Acucena.

Day 6 - Cachoeira do Buracão

Today start with an early breakfast and prepare for a full day of trekking, swimming and canyoning. After breakfast head to Cachoeira do Buracão, a second waterfall you will visit in the chapada. This is a spectacular waterfall roaring at the end of an adventurous canyon. The Buracão Waterfall is one of the most impressive in the whole park. After cooling off in the water, head back to the top and walk back on the beautiful trail where the driver will be waiting for you to take you back to Igatu. Enjoy a delicious Bahian dinner at a rustic restaurant in the village. Overnight at Pousada Flor de Acucena.

Day 7 - Lakes and Caves

After breakfast prepare for a full day of spectacular sites: Rio Mucugezinho, Poço do Diabo, Gruta Azul, Gruta da Pratinha and Gruta Lapa Doce. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can slide from the top of the waterfall into the pool on a zipline or rappel down. You will stop for lunch at a local restaurant with a delicious buffet. Chopped cactus (palma) or green bananas with pieces of meat (de Godó banana) are a must. Don’t forget your swimming suit. Spend a relaxing day in the natural pools. Closer to the end of the day return to Lencois and have the evening at leisure. Overnight at Canto das Aguas.

Day 8 - Cachoeira da Fumaça

After breakfast your driver will take you to Vale do Capão where you will start a picturesque hike to one of the highest waterfalls in Brazil. From May to September, the amount of falling water is less abundant and the wind creates a smoky effect, hence the name “Fumaça”. There are often rainbows, as the wind blows away the falling water. After enjoying the scenery, take a short ride to the Riachinho Fall for a relaxing shower! This evening is at leisure. Reflect on the past days, over a drink with the other travellers who have also explored the trails. Chapada Diamantina will leave you wanting to come back. Overnight at Canto das Aguas.

Day 9 - Back to Salvador

After breakfast, prepare for your way back to Salvador either by land or flight. Chapada Diamantina has many scenic trails which cannot all be covered in 9 days due to distances and we do not recommend rushing through. Each one of the gazillion of sights in the park are special and we would recommend to do balanced hikes, to enjoy and appreciate them. The hike along Vale do Pati is very soulful, the distant Fumacinha waterfall is very spectacular and many more. Come back for another hike on your next holiday.