7 Days in Chapada Diamantina: Waterfalls, Caves and Trails

The first activity of your 7-day Chapada Diamantina trip is a walk across the town of Lençóis. Walk past the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário and the former Sá family residence. The Afrânio Peixoto Museum fills in what the buildings do not say.

Designed to accommodate your arrival day, this brief late-afternoon walk wraps up just as Lençóis comes alive. Take advantage of the vibrant evening atmosphere to savor authentic Bahian cuisine, as the upcoming six days will keep you away from town until late in the afternoon.

Leave Lençóis for Vale do Capão, about an hour along the BR-242, and start at one of the Chapada Diamantina National Park’s entrances. The first hour of the trail climbs. After that, it flattens out and runs to the lip of Cachoeira da Fumaça, where the water drops 380 meters and mostly turns to mist before it lands

Enjoy the privileged view of Vale do Capão and Morrão from above. Snack at the top, then return by the same trail. The day ends with a swim at Riachinho Waterfall before the drive back to Lençóis, which is the point at which 12 km stops feeling long.

Meals included: Lunch and a trail snack

The longest driving day so far and the easiest on your legs: 1 km of walking in total, allowing access to the southern half of the park. Poço Encantado is a flooded cavern whose water is clear enough to see the rocks on the bottom several meters down. Poço Azul is the one you get into, floating face down in a life jacket over a submerged cave floor.

Both pools depend on light and on rain. Late in the day, drive on to Mucugê and stay the night, which is what makes day 4 possible without a 5-hour pre-dawn transfer. Mucugê is smaller and quieter than Lençóis, and its old center is worth the short walk before dinner.

Meals included: Lunch and a trail snack

An early start towards Ibicoara. The 6 km trail follows the Rio Espalhado and then drops into a canyon, where the walls close in and Cachoeira do Buracão falls into a pool at the end of it. Swim or float the last stretch to the base, which is the only way to see the fall properly.

This is the biggest driving day of the week at 520 km (the schedule runs to 8 PM). Lunch and downtime come after the canyon, then the drive back to Lençóis through country that stays empty most of the way.

Meals included: Lunch and a trail snack

The longest walk of the week and the least built-up on your 7-day Chapada Diamantina adventure. Águas Claras is 18 km through open country with the silhouettes of Morro do Pai Inácio and Morrão on the horizon for much of it. The driving is minimal (65 km), so nearly the whole day is spent on the trail.

At the turnaround, a natural pool offers the chance for a swim and a trail snack before the trek back. Return to Lençóis in the evening with no fixed plans, leaving you to choose between the town’s live music and outdoor tables or a quiet night in to recover from the 18 km walk.

Meals included: Lunch and a trail snack

Three very different places in one day. Gruta da Lapa Doce is first: an 850-meter traverse through a limestone cave, walked end to end. Then Fazenda Pratinha, where the river runs clear over pale sand and the Blue Cave sits at the head of it. Cave snorkeling, zip-lining, and kayaking are all available there at extra cost.

The day closes on Morro do Pai Inácio for sunset, which is the single most photographed view in the park.

Meals included: Lunch and a trail snack

An easy, flat trail takes you toward Cachoeira do Mosquito, where you can swim in the natural pool before stopping for a meal. Lunch is a traditional regional spread served at the Serra da Cravada restaurant.

Afterwards, drive to the Mucugezinho River. 20 minutes on foot brings you to Poço do Diabo for one final swim and then back to Lençóis, marking the end of 7 days in Chapada Diamantina on a high note.

Meals included: Lunch