6-day Ultimate Chapada Diamantina Hike

📍Departure from the city of Lençóis at 7 a.m.

To Guiné (2-hour car ride), a peaceful little town where our adventure through Chapada Diamantina will truly begin. From this point, the group will move forward to Vale do Pati and will only be back when the third day comes to an end.

Hiking starts at 9:30 a.m., going up Subida d os Aleixos’ rocky path to reach Gerais do Rio Preto, where you can cool off in the river. Take a moment to enjoy yourself and rest for a bit before we trek to Mirante do Pati, one of the most beautiful and impressive views of Vale do Pati. Lunch will be served there.

Feeling warm? A nice and refreshing bath in the waterfalls of Rio Funil will send the heat and all your problems away. When night comes, we’ll settle in after dinner in a friendly local’s house to get some well-deserved sleep.

• Total hiking distance: 12 km (7.4 miles)

Breakfast will be served bright and early so you’ll have enough strength to follow through with our Chapada Diamantina hike, this time to Morro do Castelo, a steep climb to get to Gruta da Lapinha, at the very top of the hill.

It’ll be fairly dark there, so we’ll use flashlights to cross the cave until we reach Mirante do Castelo, another gorgeous lookout in Vale do Pati. Witnessing the seemingly endless landscape of mountains, vegetation and blue sky is an experience that should be relished and memorized. Enjoy every second of it.

• Total hiking distance: 8 km (5 miles)

The third day of our trip will start in great style: hiking to see Cachoeirão from above. When sunlight hits its several 300 meters tall waterfalls, enchanting rainbows are formed. The group will have a quick snack in front of this breathtaking view.

We’ll go back to Guiné, the charming little town from the first day. A car will pick us up and we’ll ride for about 2 hours until we get to Ibicoara, in the south area of Chapada Diamantina National Park. That’s where we’ll spend the night, since it’s closer to Buracão Waterfalls.

• Total hiking distance: 18 km (11 miles)

The car ride from Ibicoara to Buracão Waterfall entrance takes about 40 minutes – our departure will be at 9 a.m. When we get there, we’ll suit up with life jackets and swim through a crevice to reach the mighty 90 meter fall and other smaller falls. This is considered by many people as one of the most impressive views of the entire Chapada Diamantina, so make sure to enjoy the water, bathe in sunshine, take lots of pictures and savor the moment.

Can’t get enough of adventure? Then talk to one of our guides and tell them you want to get to the waterfall by rappelling. The adrenaline is otherworldly!

The group will return to Ibicoara by 6 p.m. to eat and rest.

• Total hiking distance: 7 km (4 miles)

You’ll start the fifth day at 7 a.m. to see one of Brazil’s most imposing waterfalls: Fumacinha Waterfall. The literal translation for its name is “little smoke”, due to the force of the water mixed with the wind, which creates a smoke-like effect.

This Chapada Diamantina hike is a hiker’s dream, but its high level of difficulty is not recommended for everybody. Following the riverbed and the stunning natural scenery, we’ll get to Fumacinha’s 105 meters fall, which is located inside a canyon. The resemblance to a sanctuary is remarkable. Swallow birds tend to fly around and through the waterfall, showcasing a magical dance performance. It doesn’t happen every day, so fingers crossed!

At 6 p.m., we’ll get on a car to Mucugê, a small town that will serve as our haven for the night.

• Total hiking distance: 18 km (11 miles)

The departure from Mucugê will happen at 8:30 a.m. A car will take us to famous underground lakes Poço Azul and Poço Encantado. The ride will last an hour and a half, give or take.

Poço Azul is probably Chapada Diamantina’s most famous place. There’s not a single soul that doesn’t fall in love with the crystal clear water that gets beautifully painted with blue when the sunlight hits the cave cracks. Snorkeling is a must here!

Swimming is not allowed in Poço Encantado, but you can still admire its fascinating beauty before our adventure comes to an end at 5 p.m., when it’s time to return to Lençóis.

Arrival in Lençóis at 5 p.m.

• Total hiking distance: step trails