Located in the heart of Bahia, Chapada Diamantina is cut by mountains, large plateaus, rivers, rapids, waterfalls, caverns and transparent pools of water. It has several springs sprouting from the rocky cliffs and more than 35 rivers – the largest are the Paraguaçu and Preto Rivers. Due to relief variations and to diverse forms of vegetation, the fauna is very rich and some species can be seen very easily, such as humming birds, parakeets, parrots, capybaras, and small lizards. It also has some small rodents, known as mocós (a kind of guinea pig) – which adapt to the environment, from the feet of calcareous hills to the plateaus, on the top of the mountain – and even some species of large mammals threatened with extinction, such as jaguars and pumas.

Chapada Diamantina’s attractions are countless, which make it difficult to choose where to start. One of these is the Enchanted Well, which is visited by the rays of the sun from 10:30AM to 12:30PM, which allows one to observe – through turquoise blue water – even the tiniest stones deposited 61 m deep. It is located in one of the many caverns in the area, and it is the Chapada’s most famous postcard, but bathing is prohibited there.

Another very famous geographic irregularity in the Chapada is Mount Pai Inácio, a natural belvedere from where it is possible, after a 20-minute walk uphill, to view and admire the Chapada Diamantina’s immense expansion. It is located 30 km (19 miles) or a 5-hour walk from downtown Lençóis.

There is also the Chapada Diamantina National Park, which occupies an area of 152,000 ha. The beauty found in the area is unrivalled. There are trails with different levels of difficulty – many of them opened by slaves, cattle drivers, and miners – but because there are no signs, the presence of a guide is fundamental, especially on the longer trails.

On all trips, beautiful orchids, bromeliads, common immortelle and cacti are a common sight among the abundant vegetation in the area. But remember: there is no infrastructure for visitor support in the Park. Thus, it is recommended that one always carry sandwiches and water, and not dispense with the help of a local tour guide. For those wanting to really enjoy each trip, a must are bathing clothes, cap or hat, sunscreen, trainers and flashlights with extra batteries – in case one should care to visit caves.

Sports on the Chapada


Canyoning
Canyoning on the Capivari waterfalls, 20 km (12 miles) from Lençóis, is one of the most sought after itineraries. The outing entails camping out for three days and two nights, and includes trekking and rappel from the waterfall, which is 37 m high.

The trek to Fumaça waterfall, a 48 km (30 miles) trip between Lençóis and Palmeiras, is one of the hardest outings. It lasts four days and three nights, and included in the program are the trek over the Vale do Capão and tirolesa – a 60 m descent using a steel cable – ending in a refreshing dip into the pool of water at the base of the waterfall
 

Climbing
Tourists who come to Chapada Diamantina looking for strong emotions will certainly be satisfied. Radical sports, such as cascading and caving are practiced in most waterfalls and caverns, with several levels of difficulty. Cascading on Fumaça waterfalls, in Palmeiras – a curtain of water 340 m tall and measuring 420 m from the pool to the top – is the greatest challenge, and it is recommended only for the very experienced sportsman.

Rappel
Rappel at Lapão Cave is the perfect attraction for those who have never practiced this sport, but are willing to learn. The cave is 4 km (2.5 miles) from Lençóis, and rappel is practiced at the cavern’s mouth, which is more than 50 m high and 1,200 m long. For the most experienced, another option is the Mount Camelo, one of the Chapada’s symbols, which is 1,050 m high. It is possible to do 240 m of rappel and 200 m more of cliff climbing.

Cave exploring tourism

Enchanted Well
This is a lake, 61 m deep, with dark blue waters. The best time for visitation is between April and September, when the cave receives more sunrays, between 10:30AM and 12:30PM. To observe the well – where bathing is prohibited – it is necessary to enter 80 m into the cavern down a steep incline.

Torrinha
This cavern has a great number of rare formations, such as stalactites of transparent crystal and aragonite flowers. In some points it is necessary to walk crouched down. There are three options of tours for visiting the Torrinha Cave, with different prices and durations.

Lapa Doce
This is an 850 m subterranean cave full of stalactites and stalagmites.

Da Pratinha
On this tour, it is possible, wearing a mask and floating vest, to visit the external lake and part of the river that crosses the cave.

Blue
This is a steep cliff with a lake in the background – or a funnel-shaped depression – where the sun shines between 2:30PM and 3:30PM. This can be visited together with Pratinha because they are close to each other.

Blue Well
This is a bluish coloured subterranean lake. The best time for visitation is between 1:30PM and 2:30PM, and access to it is easy.

Do Lapão
This cave is made of quartzite, with a 50 m diameter entrance. It is a 3-hour walk over difficult terrain – 5 km (3 miles) starting from Lençóis.