Whether you’re curious about its historical significance, its vast size, its unique ecosystems, or the best ways to explore its landscapes and enjoy its activities, we’ve got everything you need to know. Get ready to learn more about Brazil’s top trekking destination and immerse yourself in the beauty and adventure that the tours of Chapada Diamantina have to offer!

1. Larger than some European countries

Chapada Diamantina National Park, located in the centre of Bahia, Brazil, covers an area of 38,000 square kilometres and is larger than some European nations. While it’s impossible to see it all in one visit, each sight within the park offers a memorable experience. Plan your visit strategically to explore its diverse landscapes!

Go to Chapada Diamantina and unwind in nature!

2. A historic diamond mining hub

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Chapada Diamantina was the world’s largest diamond mining area, and the local economy was primarily based on mining and “garimpo” (artisanal mining). Although mining ceased in 1996, it’s believed that only 12% of the region’s diamonds have been extracted. Who knows? You might just find a gem during your visit!

The mining practice profoundly shaped the culture and economy of the region.

3. Award-Winning trekking destination!

Vale do Pati is considered the best and one of the most beautiful trekking destinations in Brazil. It won the award for the best trek in the country from the Ministry of Tourism and is also mentioned as one of the top trekking circuits in the world! You can explore this Brazilian wonder with a 3 to 5-day trek. Take a look at the Vale do Pati trek options that PlanetaEXO has to offer!

4. A smoke phenomenon will surprise you!

Discover the Cachoeira da Fumaça, one of the largest waterfalls in Brazil! It gets its name from the enchanting spectacle of its waters dispersing into the air like smoke during the falling water. This breathtaking natural phenomenon is easily accessible with a day hike from the Vale do Capão district. Don’t forget your camera to capture this unforgettable view!

Chapada Diamantina invites us to discover breathtaking landscapes

See more about this waterfall and many others in our complete guide

5. It’s home to various species of plants and animals

Chapada Diamantina National Park is part of the Caatinga biome, which includes small thorny trees, grasses, and flowering annual plants. It’s home to some protected mammal species, like jaguars, giant armadillos, giant anteaters, capuchin monkeys, and Barbara Brown’s titi. The hummingbird, known as the hooded visor bearer, is endemic to this area.

Hummingbird Chapada Diamantina National Park

6. Activities for adrenaline junkies

Mountain bikers will find excellent roads and trails both inside and outside the Chapada Diamantina National Park, as well as good rock climbing. Get your adrenaline pumping!

From waterfalls and caves to trekking mountain trails, Chapada Diamantina is a playground for adventure lover

7. Perfect for a Digital Detox

The cell phone service in Chapada Diamantina National Park is spotty at best. So, this is the perfect opportunity to leave your phone on aeroplane mode for a bit, disconnect, and enjoy nature without distraction.

Disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the world in nature!

8. Cave Explorer’s Paradise

It’s home to the largest number of caves in all of Brazil, with more than 130 caves! The city of Iraquara has the largest speleological collection in South America. Turn on your flashlights and try to see everything around you!

Go to the underground of Chapada Diamantina!

9. Chapada Diamantina was once a sea!

1.8 billion years ago the Chapada Diamantina region was covered by the sea. The changes in the tectonic plates made “the sea turn into a sertão” and left the deep cracks and depressions that currently make up the geology of the region. Thus, the formation of sedimentary mountains began, through the action of winds, rivers, and seas, which gathered pieces of various stones and designed the local landscapes. That is a scenario of both history and beauty at the same time!

Explore the vast valleys of Chapada Diamantina National Park!

10. A guide is a must

Tour guides are essential if you want to learn more about the history, safety, and cultural facts of the Chapada Diamantina. With them, you can not only get to know this Brazilian wonder, which has many trails to explore, but also support the local communities and encourage responsible tourism.

Guides make sure you stay on track, ensure safety and enrich your trip.

Ready to Discover Chapada Diamantina?

Now that you know some cool facts about Chapada Diamantina, let PlanetaEXO connect you with our partner guides who are English-speaking professionals, ready to provide unforgettable experiences in Brazil’s National Park. Our guides not only enhance your adventure but also support sustainable travel and contribute to local communities. Discover our curated tours to Chapada Diamantina and start planning your journey today!

Read More

• How to get to Chapada Diamantina?
• What to do in Chapada Diamantina?
• 10 facts about the Pati Valley in Chapada Diamantina
• Vale do Pati Chapada Diamantina Travel Guide

The post 10 facts about Chapada Diamantina National Park appeared first on PlanetaEXO.

Amidst Chapada Diamantina, in the state of Bahia, Vale do Pati is a dream destination for trekkers all over the world. Hiking trails, waterfalls, rock formations and beautiful landcapes make this the perfect place for travelers seeking for adventure and full immersion in nature.

Check out 10 facts about Vale do Pati and see why this is one of the best spots for ecotourism in Brazil!

1 – Thousands of football fields can fit inside Vale do Pati

Chapada Diamantina National Park rangers over 152,142 ha, while Vale do Pati’s total area is 12,300 ha.

Let’s put it in easier terms: Vale do Pati is as big as 17,227 football (soccer) fields!

2 – Coffee cycle

The soil in Vale do Pati is known for excellent coffee harvests. In the heyday of the coffee cycle – one of Brazil’s most important economic periods – during the 19th century, over 400 families lived in the area. There was a school, a church and a city hall.

Scarce workforce and soil exhaustion caused by mass production prompted the downfall of the coffee cycle in 1930. Consequently, Vale do Pati was abandoned until the late 1970s. In 1985, the region was incorporated into the Chapada Diamantina National Park, but this time, only ten families called Pati their home. 

To this day, locals make a living from tourism activities, offering their own homes as a safe place for backpackers to rest – we’ll talk more about this below!

3 – Best hiking destination in Brazil

One of the main facts about Vale do Pati is its great hiking conditions. In 2010, Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism nominated it as the best hike in the country – and it’s also mentioned as one of the top trekking circuits on the planet!

Hiking in Vale do Pati is a given to get to pretty much all the tourist spots in the park. The good news is that there are options for expert hikers or people with no experience in this type of excursion. The trick is asking your tour guides for recommendations that fit your skills and desired itinerary!

4 – Vale do Pati waterfalls

The waterfalls in Vale do Pati are breathtaking and are considered essential parts of the trekking circuits. If you don’t bathe in a waterfall after a long hike, you’re not enjoying your vacation right!

Cachoeirão: its nearly 300-meter fall boasts several smaller waterfalls during the rainy season. To get the full experience, hike on the top side to catch the amazing view of the falls surrounded by mountains and vegetation. Then, explore closer to the well where the water pools.

Cachoeira dos Funis: fairly small, the 30-meter fall that pools into a natural well at the bottom is the perfect place to cool off and relax.

5 – Atlantic Forest

Vale do Pati is one of the few places in Chapada Diamantina where there still are remnants of the Atlantic Forest – in an area called Calixto – while most of the park is covered by the Caatinga and Cerrado flora, which proves the richness of the region’s biodiversity. 

The Atlantic Forest features unified treetops that create plenty of shade and humidity, dense vegetation, and a great diversity of mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Photo: Lucas Neves

6 – Stunning lookouts

Vale do Pati is beautiful everywhere, but two specific lookouts provide stunning panoramic views of Chapada Diamantina.

At 1600 meters high, Morro do Castelo is the highest point in Pati. To get there, visitors have to face a steep climb and hike around a cave (Gruta da Lapinha). Up until November 2024, hikers had to walk inside Lapinha, but the trail had to be altered for safety reasons.

To arrive at Mirante do Vale do Pati, the hike kicks off from Guiné, a small town with great access to the park. After passing through rocky paths, open fields, and the banks of the Rio Preto River, you’ll reach the lookout.

The journey isn’t easy, but the beautiful views of pristine nature are the reward you need to stay motivated.

7 – Nature lovers paradise

Although Chapada Diamantina offers hundreds of breathtaking landscapes, Vale do Pati is, undoubtedly, a true scene stealer. The amazing views, waterfalls, caves and hiking trails make it one of the most beautiful and unique places in Brazil.

Vale do Pati gathers everything a backpacker looks for in adventure, including isolation from the outside world, complete disconnection of digital devices and a new perspective on what Mother Nature is capable of.

8 – Authentic stay experience

There are no hotels, lodges, buildings, or stores in Chapada Diamantina. If you’re planning your vacation in Vale do Pati, keep in mind that you’ll stay in the locals’ houses.

Accommodations are modest, but still cozy and very clean. The authentic stay experience also includes home-cooked meals. If you’re interested in eating typical Brazilian food made by people who know everything about it, this is your chance!

By staying in people’s homes, you’ll get the full experience of what it’s like to live in nature. This is the perfect opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Bahia’s culture, learning all about your hosts’ day-to-day life.

9 – Sustainable way of life

National parks aim for the conservation of natural resources, which means things work a little differently on their premises.

In Vale do Pati, most electric/electronic devices are powered by solar energy, including cellphones, batteries, and lamps. The refrigerator runs on gas and the shower is cold – which, considering the warm temperatures of Chapada Diamantina, it’s totally fine.

Most supplies (food, household goods, solar panels, etc.) arrive in Vale do Pati on horseback, carried by donkeys, or even by the locals themselves. No cars making noise or polluting the air!

10 – Zero internet connection

The last fact about Vale do Pati is that there is no internet connection – cell or internet service aren’t able to arrive in such a remote area.

Chapada Diamantina is all about nature and human connections. You’ll have everything you need while you’re there – beautiful views, gorgeous waterfalls and underground lakes, several kilometers of hiking trails, cozy accommodations, and interactions with amazing people.  You won’t even miss scrolling on your phone!

@marcelino.dias

Come travel with us to Vale do Pati!

Now that you know all the important facts about Vale do Pati, it’s time to visit this fascinating place! PlanetaEXO is here to help you book the vacation of your dreams. Contact us and let the adventure begin!

Read More: 

• Vale do Pati Chapada Diamantina Travel Guide
• How to Get to Chapada Diamantina National Park?

The post 10 facts about Vale do Pati in Chapada Diamantina appeared first on PlanetaEXO.

But is it safe for women to travel alone? Of course, the choice of destination is the first step of the adventure. In Brazil, one of the most sought after destinations by adventurous women to travel is Chapada Diamantina.

Fernanda’s challenge began long before the 3-day trek in Vale do Pati. Facing many difficulties to get to Chapada Diamantina, this determined young woman from southern Brazil, living in Guatemala, found a way to get there. After all, visiting the most beautiful trail in Brazil was at the top of her bucket list. She arrived at the starting point in Guiné, where she met her guide Lucas, who briefed her on the hike and checked her equipment before starting the adventure. Fernanda didn’t know it yet, but it would be 3 beautiful days with lots of sun and absurdly starry nights.

The mountains and the landscape impressed Fernanda right away and excited her about the adventure of traveling solo in Chapada Diamantina that was about to begin. Walking through the Gerais do Rio Preto plateau she quickly reached the Vale do Pati Lookout and headed towards the Funis waterfall, the perfect time for a break, cooling off and enjoying a lactose-free picnic carefully prepared by her guide. Recharged, Fernanda continued the hike while enjoying a beautiful sunset. What a great way to end the first day![/vc_column_text]

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Waking up to the sound of birds is priceless! The adventure continued towards Morro do Castelo. This trail is considered one of the most beautiful and difficult in Vale do Pati, but not for Fernanda, who reached the top in about 1 hour – usually done in 2 hours. The ascent was quick for Fernanda, but she took the time to explore the caves and contemplate their 360° panoramic view. Guided by Lucas, Fernanda went to Poço da Árvore, another charming place where she enjoyed its natural pools and waterfalls surrounded by the valley’s canyons. Relaxed, Fernanda headed for the night’s stay, City Hall, where she felt at home, pampered as a member of Jailson and Maria’s family.

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chapada diamantina solo6

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After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the host family and start the ascent through the Prefeitura’s slit. This trail can be difficult and is not for everyone, due to its rough and rocky terrain and which can be very slippery and dangerous during rainy days. After enjoying a unique view of Morro do Castelo, Fernanda head to Cachoeirão Waterfall lookout a breathtaking scenery 260m high. Out of this world!

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chapada diamantina sozinha5

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“Fernanda really walks fast and was very interested in the stories of the region, so we stayed longer at the last stop to synchronize the descent with the sunset”. So reported the guide Lucas, who was impressed by Fernanda’s excellent physical preparation. Being able to close the adventure with the sunset seen from above Aleixo in the Sincorá mountain range is priceless.

The post Chapada Diamantina Solo? Read Fernanda’s story appeared first on PlanetaEXO.