By Laís Oliveira
Translation: Mallory Adragna
A paradise of lush nature that catches your eye. This is the first impression of almost all visitors who arrive at this spectacular place located in the backlands of Bahia. Also known as Chapada Diamantina National Park, it covers an area of 1,520 km² and is one of the favorite destinations for nature lovers in Brazil.
Located approximately 7 hours (477 km) by car from the capital of Bahia, Salvador, Chapada Diamantina is home to an incredible number of waterfalls, caves, caverns, canyons and natural pools with breathtaking views. In addition, there are trails, from the short to long, that require energy and an adventurous spirit to explore these breathtaking places.
If you want to get to know Chapada without hiring a tourism company, it is advisable to rent a 4×4 car at least, from the cities nearby, or as best option, Lençóis, the “capital of Chapada” the largest around. You also can consider a stay in Mucugê, Andaraí, Ibicoara, Palmeiras, Rio de Contas and in the villages of Igatu and Vale do Capão.
One of the biggest tourist attractions is the waterfalls. Among the most famous is Cachoeira da Fumaça, located in Vale do Capão. To get there, you have to walk a 4 mile trail. From the top of the hill, the waterfalls in free fall from a height of 1145 feet is spectacular.
Another highlight is the Sossego Waterfall, located in the city of Lençóis. To get there, you need to hike 4.5 mile to a trail along the banks of the Ribeirão River – over rocks. The waterfall is only 49 feet high, but forms a huge pool for those who dare to take a great dip.
The caves in the region are another spectacular site in their own right. To name five of the most famous, we have: Caverna dos Impossíveis, Gruta da Pratinha, Gruta do Lapão, Poço Azul and Gruta da Lapa Doce. It is worth being careful, because despite the beautiful blue and crystal clear waters they are surrounded by rocks and crevices – the underground lakes can easily reach more than three hundred feet deep. You can also be able to see caves with cave paintings and the “Fundo do Poço”, which contains the bones of prehistoric animals. Many tourists take advantage of the caves to go diving and are enchanted.
The hills are incredible places to watch the sunset and capture unique moments in photographs. Morro do Pai Inácio is one of the most famous. It is located in the city of Palmeiras, is 3500 feet high and to get there you need to climb for 20 minutes. Even though it is a little steep, it will be worth the whole hike, as it offers 360° of breathtaking landscapes.
Just like Pai Inácio, other hills attract the attention of tourists for trails and adventure sports, such as Mount Tabor (Morrão), Calumbi (Morro do Camelo) and Morro Branco do Paty. The cities around Chapada Diamantina have colonial architecture buildings, living reminders of the wealth of the diamond era that made Brazil the world’s leading producer of diamond at the beginning of the 20th century.
The trails opened by prospectors decades ago are now used by trekking enthusiasts from all over the world. Don’t be fooled, you can still find old prospectors there who knew the time when riches flowed from the mountains.
If you don’t want to buy travel packages, it is extremely important to look for guide associations present in all locations in the region. They should be contacted to carry out any tour within the Chapada for reasons of safety and environmental protection.
*For airline tickets from the U.S to Brazil or Latin America, customized travel packages, hotels and cruises, please visit our travel agent page or contact Magali Da Silva directly by phone or whatsapp: 1 (323)428-1963 – e-mail: magali_at_soubrasil.com.
Facebook Comments