Chapada Diamantina National Park

Day 01. Salvador - Lencois. At 06:30 AM pick up at your Salvador's hotel and transfer to a bus station, departure in a regular bus to Lencois (7hs approx). Lencois is the main town surrounded by the park and therefore is the main gateway. Arrival at Lencois at 1:30 PM. and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, walking city tour of Lencois and sunset at Morro do Pai Ignacio (Father Ignacio's Hill). From there you can have some of the most spectacular views of Chapada, with a series of flat mountains that are so characteristic of this landscape. The massive quartz pieces have undergone and resisted the erosion that began in the Pre-Cambrian period, forming towers of minerals known as "TEPUY" by the local Indians of the Maracas and Cariris tribes, which dominated the region before the arrival of the first settlers or bandeirantes, around the year 1750. Lencois was granted Historic Heritage status and is considered the capital of diamonds - one of the biggest references among Bahia's cities connected with mining. The houses reveal Lencois aristocratic opulence that lived off the riches and prestige from diamonds. Walk around town and get to know a little of its history and architecture, visiting churches, shops and crafts.Overnight at Lencois

Day 02.Lencois - Tour of the Caves and Waterfall. After breakfast - departure at 8:30 AM by a 4WD Toyota (20 km) to the river Mucugezinho with its numerous natural swimming pools, cascades, and an impressive waterfall and canyon - the beautiful Poco do Diablo (the Devil's Pool). The Mucugezinho River starts within the limits of the National Park, and gathers the waters of many small, cold, and clear streams coming out of the surrounding hills. After that, you go to Lapa Doce Cave, 1 hour of passage - 800 m, observing rock formations. The cave is approximately half a mile long with speleological formations of rare beauty, including a mix of red and white speleothemes. Then driving another 9 km- we are visiting the cave "Pratinha", with its transparent water. It is a result of limestone formations; there you can practice swimming with mask and snorkel at a distance of about 200 meters, the site also has a zip, both are optional. After that walking to the Blue Grotto located within a walking distance from Pratinha. When the sun rays start to enter it and reach the water, they create magic colors. Even kids would remain surprisingly quiet admiring this wonder. There is a connection between this grotto and the lake. Return to Capao. Overnight at Village of Capao.

Day 03. Capao Village - Fumaca Waterfall. After breakfast at around 8:30 AM, we will leave to the Waterfall of Fumaca, one of three main waterfalls of the country. Equivalent to a 112-story building, the Fumaca Waterfall looks like smoke when looked at a distance. This happens because the volume of water is not sufficient to overcome the drop of 380m (1,247ft) and constant wind catches the falling water drops and throw them back up in a curtain of mist. In the afternoon return to Lencois. Overnight at Lencois.

Day 04. Lencois - Marimbus Tour Canoe - Andarai - Xique of Igatu. After breakfast at 8:30 AM we will leave for the ride to Marimbus, which is a large marsh with many beautiful interconnected lagoons. This eco- system has been called a "small Pantanal". The tour presents a unique place in Chapada Diamantina: a wetland in the middle of the backlands with waterfalls, river rapids, many types of birds and fishes to be admired, exuberant landscapes and relaxing moments. We will go down for 2 hours in a rowing boat down the Rio San Antonio to the encounter with the beautiful Rio Roncador, where we will enjoy bubble baths in potholes and waterfalls in the late afternoon. Then we will make an off-road deviation by the old mining road up to Andarai. Andaraí is the second main city of Chapada Diamantina and it is known for the colonial architecture - its houses and mansions sheltered the barons of the diamond in the age of splendor in XVIII Century. Natural sceneries surround this lovely, quiet town. Its architecture is protected by the Institute of the National Artistic and Historical Patrimony. After leaving this city, we will go to Xique-Xique de Igatu, also known as the Brazilian "Machu Picchu". The ancient town of the Xique of Igatu is the main historical reference on the diamond cycle in the State of Bahia. The main attraction today is the small old town itself, with its stone houses and streets paved with the same material, stuck amid mountain ranges. Overnight at Xique of Igatu.

Day 05. Xique-Xique de Igatu. After breakfast explore the waterfalls, the ruins, the art museum, a living museum of the mining of diamonds and a great place for swimming. Overnight at Xique-Xique de Igatu.

Day 06.Igatu - Buracao-Mucuge. After breakfast at around 8:30 am, depart for the Waterfall Buracao (95 meters fall), passing first by the Byzantine Cemetery in Mucuge, the sharp constructions painted in white, sprinkled by the green vegetation that covers the immense rock of the Plateau. This cemetery is the only one in Byzantine style to be found in the American continent. We will have to ride about 100 km to Ibicoara, a town near the waterfall. On the way there are 30 km of dirt road with beautiful scenery that will take us to Rio Espalhado, from which we will take a 1 hour walk passing by several waterfalls to the Cachoeira do Buracao (Big Hole Fall). The waterfall Buracao impresses not only with the force of water that falls, but also with the immense and magnificent canyon that is formed around it. Local snack and baths. In the afternoon we will come back to Mucuge. Overnight at Mucuge.

Day 07.Mucuge - Viva Forever Project - Poco Azul Pool - Lencois. After breakfast at 8:30 AM we will go to the Park of Project-Viva Forever, based on studies and scientific research of fauna and flora, conservation and management of evergreens, flowers currently threatened with extinction. The Park has beautiful waterfalls such as the Piabinha and Tiburtino, a must to be visited. Later we will go to Poco Azul, an underground pool with crystal-clear water and excellent limestone formations where swimming is allowed. Late on the afternoon return to Lencois. Overnight at Lencois.

Day 08. Lencois - Salvador de Bahia City. Morning at leisure to explore Lencois at your own pace. Our recommendation to make a short hike up the Lencois River from the bridge that will take you to the Serrano swimming holes composed of little pools of pink conglomerate rock. About .5km (.25 miles) further up the river, there's the largest Hartley natural pool. A short and very pretty walk beyond that reveals a small tributary coming in from the right, the Grizante Creek. Follow that up and you'll come to Primavera Falls. Return to your hotel. You will be transferred to the bus station to leave to Salvador de Bahia City. Bus back to Salvador at 1.30 PM. Arrive in Salvador at 7 PM and transfer to the hotel or airport.

• Package rates vary depending on time of the year you travel. Please request them.

Price per person
Triple occupancy TPL	Request
Double occupancy DBL	Request
Single occupancy SGL	Request

Included:

• 7 nights Hotel Accommodation
• 7 breakfasts
• Daily snack
• 1 lunch at Poco Azul
• 2 dinners at Igatu
• All tours as described in the itinerary
• Transportation and boat
• Professional guides (Russian, English, Spanish, German, French)

Milavia International is very selective in the choice of the vehicles within each destination. We understand that the mode of transportation must be not only comfortable but also permit a good observation of the wildlife and panorama around you. The road tours will be operated by air-conditioned vans or off-road vehicles, except when not available.

Recommendations:

• Be in a good physical shape and have a disposition for long hikes.
• Protect your skin with solar filters before starting the hike.
• Carry enough water for the trek for it is a hot weather region.
• Even though the region is not a yellow fever focus area, we recommend that all passengers take the vaccination 10 days before the departure. As the vaccination can cause reactions, talk to your doctor before taking it.
• Never go alone. It is necessary to know the basic first aid and orientation techniques.
• Do not forget to pick up your garbage and to bring it with you until finding a place in the city where to dispose of it properly.

What you should bring:

• Shoes well-closed around the ankles
• Two pairs of comfortable walking shoes with rubber soles
• Light clothes for the hiking
• Light and ventilated thick cotton socks
• A hat or cap, a warm jacket against cold or a rain coat depending on the season
• Swimming suit is important because almost each trek passes through or arrives at a river stream or waterfall.
• A small back pack with: sunglasses, solar protector, band-aid, repellent, drinking water, camera, diving mask, towel, regularly taken medicine
• Plastic bags for garbage during hiking

Observation:

• The local average annual temperature is 23ºC (73ºF). The best time to visit is from March to October, when there is little rain and the chances of enjoying the tour are greater.
• Electrical power in the area is 220V.
• There is cellular phone signal.

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