Amazon Adventures

Brazil

Chapada Diamantina

The most famous scrubland park, considered the heart of Bahia, succeeds in combining an impressive number of springs and water courses with an exuberant vegetation. Chapada Diamantina enables the choice of walking among caves, many waterfalls, natural chutes, mountains with stunning views, valleys and ravines. The major part of the trails are a heritage of the time when the region's prospectors opened up the Chapada, in search of precious stones. All these adventures have as central point the historical and preserved colonial city of Lencois. The beauty of the city of Lencois, which flourished during the Ore Cycle is mainly represented by its colonial mansions.

"Just completed the vacation part of our trip to Brazil and it was wonderful. The Chapada Diamantina part was the best and my wife agreed that we should return for another ecological vacation. Everything proceeded like clockwork and went very smoothly. Activities were tailored to our interests and abilities, and each day ended with a pleasant swim in a river or cave."
Dave Sibeck

The National park is locate 408kms from Salvador in the center of Bahia State, the main gateway city is Lençois, town that is a historical monument and a colonial gem, was founded during diamond period in 1844 and still keeps its mining (Garimpeiros) style. To reach Lençois by land is a long way by car, but amenized by visits on the way, such as: Reconcavo Baiano and its colonial cities Santo Amaro, Cachoeira & São Felix... also the trip by land is a great
opportunity to know and see part of the sertões – Caatinga, an endemic Brazilian ecosystem with a rare and exotic vegetation. Best time to go: Rainy period is December to March... But is a good time to see the waterfalls. If want to avoid the crownd of high season best time is April to May and August to October.

Chapada Diamantina Basic Package: 3 Days & 2 Nights
Economic Tour by Regular Bus – Departure/Arrival: SALVADOR

1st Day: At 06:30am pick up hotel/airport and transfer to Bus station, departure in regular Bus to Lençois (7hs approx), arrival at 1:30pm Welcome by local staff and transfer to Hotel. In the afternoon, walking city tour of Lençois; Serrano River and Primavera waterfall. Overnight with buffet breakfast.

2nd Day: At 08:30am Departure for Full Day Tour Chapada Highlights with Lunch Box. visiting Lapa Doce cave ( 1 km trek inside the cave); Pratinha Cave, and then transfer for lunch at Toca do Pato at Mucugezinho River, trek to the ‘poço do diabo’ (a big black lake); and Trekking up the Pai Inacio Hill (500mts). Night at leisure. OV/BB
OR... for trekkers…
2nd Day: At 08:00hs F/Day Sossego waterfall, with Lunch Box - 02 hours trekking through the canyons of Sossego River, stops for bathing and relax. At the end of our trail is the fantastic Sossego Waterfall, where we will have the lunch box. On the way back stop at Ribeirao do meio for a little bit of fun, at the natural slide rock. Night at leisure. OV/BB

3rd Day: 7:00am transfer to Bus station and regular bus ticket to Salvador. Arrival by 1:30pm aprox. Welcome by our staff and transfer to hotel or airport.

Private Tour Chapada – Departure/Arrival: SALVADOR

1st Day: At 8:00am. Departure by private car to Lencois, direct transfer. Arrive by midday. Lunch on the way and Accommodation. PM: Half day walking tour in Lençois and Serrano river with bathing at Natural Pools and Primavera waterfall. Night at leisure. OV/BB

2nd Day: At 08:30am departure for F/Day Chapada Highlights with Lunch Box: By car leaving Lencois to Mucugezinho River, trek to the ‘poço do diabo’ (a black lake); visit to Lapa Doce cave ( 1 km trek inside the cave); Pratinha Cave, a beautiful subterraine river and lake complex and Trekking up the Pai Inacio Hill (500mts). Night at leisure. OV/BB
OR... for trekkers
2nd Day: At 08:00hs F/Day Sossego waterfall, with Lunch Box - 02 hours trekking through the canyons of Sossego River, stops for bathing and relax. At the end of our trail is the fantastic Sossego Waterfall, where we will have the lunch box. On the way back stop at Ribeirão do Meio for a little bit of fun at the natural tobogan. Night at leisure. OV/BB

3rd Day: Morning at leisure and departure by private car, with Lunch box, to Salvador.

Chapada Diamantina 3 days and 2 nights - 2008 price per person in US$ High Season = Dec 2007 To Mar 2008, Low Season = Apr. To Dec. 2008
	2-3 people in double		3 people in triple		4 people in doubles		single supplement
	high	low	high	low	high	low	high	low
economic 4*	539	502	456	425	500	466	109	101
economic 3*	456	425	388	361	425	396	100	94
economic 2*	392	362	355	332	359	335	78	73
private 4*	754	702	631	587	695	647	109	101
private 3*	707	660	548	514	673	626	100	94
private 2*	631	587	522	486	589	552	78	73

Chapada Diamantina Basic Package: 4 Days & 3 Nights
Chapada Light Cultural Private Tour – Departure/arrival: SALVADOR

1st Day: At 8:00am departure by private car to Lencois, visiting on the way the `Reconcavo Baiano` area, surrouding the Bay of All Saints. With Sugar Cane, Tobacco and Cocoa plantations; walking tour of Cachoeira (hist city known as the bahia´s Ouro Preto); cigar factory and São Felix. Lunch (included at old Convento do carmo). Arrival in Lencois late in the afternoon. Accommodation. Night at leisure. OV/BB.

2nd Day At 08:30am Departure for F/Day Tour Chapada Highlights with Lunch Box. visiting Lapa Doce cave (1 km trek inside the cave); Pratinha Cave, and then transfer for lunch at Toca do Pato at Mucugezinho River, trek to the ‘poço do diabo’ (a big black lake); and Trekking up the Pai Inacio Hill (500mts). Night at leisure. OV/BB

3rd Day: At 8h30 Departure in a 4x4 to the swamp area of Marimbus - stop at REMANSO a small village that was in the past a Quilombo (place created in the colonial time by fugitive African slaves) the black community of Remanso, still maintain its tradition and roots. After a walking in the village, we will embark in rustic canoes that will be guided by local native paddling in the channels, lakes and rivers of Marimbus swamp.. Lot of birds and with luck we can watch local fauna... capybaras and rodents. Stop for Lunch box at Roncador waterfall and bathing. Meet our 4x4 and drive back to Lencois through the old mining road.OV/BB

4th Day AM: Return back to Salvador in private car…

Economic Tour by Regular Bus – Departure/Arrival: SALVADOR

1st Day: At 06:30am pick up hotel/airport and transfer to Bus station, departure in regular Bus to Lencois (7hs approx), arrival at 1:30pm Welcome by local staff and transfer to Hotel. In the afternoon, walking city tour of Lencois; Serrano River and Primavera waterfall. OV/BB

2nd Day: At 08:30am Departure for F/Day Tour Chapada Highlights with Lunch Box. visiting Lapa Doce cave ( 1 km trek inside the cave); Pratinha Cave, and then transfer for lunch at Toca do Pato at Mucugezinho River, trek to the ‘poço do diabo’ (a big black lake); and Trekking up the Pai Inacio Hill (500mts). Night at leisure. OV/BB

3rd Day: At 08:00hs F/Day Sossego waterfall, with Lunch Box - 02 hours trekking through the canyons of Sossego River, stops for bathing and relax. At the end of our trail is the fantastic Sossego Waterfall, where we will have the lunch box. On the way back stop at Ribeirao do meio for a little bit of fun at the natural tobogan. Night at leisure. OV/BB

4th Day: at 7:00am transfer to Bus station and regular bus ticket to Salvador. Arrival by 1:30pm Aprox. Welcome by our staff and transfer to hotel or airport.

SEMI ESCORTED: Means that part of the trip or package will be done with full escorted assistance. But it will not be with fully escorted by our tourguide or staff.

Private Tour Chapada – Departure/Arrival: SALVADOR

ITINERARY A:
1st Day: At 8:00am. Departure by private car to Lencois, direct transfer. Arrive by midday. Lunch on the way and Accommodation. PM: Half day walking tour in Lençois and Serrano river with bathing at Natural Pools and Primavera waterfall. Night at leisure. OV/BB

4th Day : AM: Return back to Salvador in private car…

ITINERARY B:
1st Day: At 8:00am. Departure by private car to Lencois, direct transfer. Arrive by midday. Lunch on the way and Accommodation. PM: Half day walking tour in Lençois and Serrano river with bathing at Natural Pools and Primavera waterfall. Night at leisure. OV/BB

3rd Day: Morning Trek in Serrano River and Primavera waterfall and Lunch in Lençois. After lunch Transfer by private car to IGATU – The ghost stone town, trek in the ruins of this old mining village then proceed by car to MUCUGE... visit the city and its famous landmark The Bizantine Cemetery. Accommodation in Mucuge. Night at Leisure. OV/BB

4th Day: at 7:00am Return back to Salvador passing by Poço Encantado, one of the best natural attractions of Chapada. (Lunch box included). Arrival in Salvador aprox. By 6:00pm.

ITINERARY C
1st Day: At 7:00am. Departure by private car to Lencois, passing by Reconcavo baiano with visits to Sugar cane and cocoa plantations; walking tour of Cachoeira, cigar factory and São Felix. Lunch (included at old Convento do carmo). After lunch drive through the drylands to MUCUGÊ village (South of Chapada). Arrival late in the afternoon. Accommodation and visit to the Byzantine Cemetery of Mucugê. Night at leisure. OV/BB

2nd Day: Early in the morning departure to the Never die flower project, to visit and trek on the natural gardens of the park. Then, we continue to one of the best attractions of Chapada, the poço Encantado. After lunch box we proceed to visit the ghost stone town of IGATU and the village of Andaraí. Arrival in Lençois and accommodation. OV/BB

3rd Day: At 08:30am departure for F/Day Chapada Highlights with Lunch Box: By car leaving Lencois to Mucugezinho River, trek to the ‘poço do diabo’ (a black lake); visit to Lapa Doce cave ( 1 km trek inside the cave); Pratinha Cave, a beautiful subterraine river and lake complex and Trekking up the Pai Inacio Hill (500mts). Night at leisure. OV/BB

4th Day: relax and private transfer directltly to Salvador with lunch included on the way.

Chapada Diamantina 4 days and 3 nights - 2008 price per person in US$ High Season = Dec 2007 To Mar 2008, Low Season = Apr. To Dec. 2008
	2-3 people in double		3 people in triple		4 people in doubles		single supplement
	high	low	high	low	high	low	high	low
economic 4*	631	587	548	514	599	558	166	154
economic 3*	548	514	480	448	521	485	166	139
economic 2*	467	436	425	396	434	404	118	109
private 4*	935	872	707	660	880	821	166	154
private 3*	872	814	642	599	826	768	151	139
private 2*	781	727	542	505	727	679	118	109
light cultural	934	869	695	647	868	808	154	142

Hotels 4 Stars: PORTAL LENCOIS: Located at the top of the City.
Swimming Pool, Sauna, Bar, Restaurant and mini-shopping. Rooms with AC, TV, Radio, Phone and private WC.
Hotels 3 stars: CANTO DAS AGUAS or HOTEL LENÇOIS.
Both located downtown, with Pool, Gardens with Nice view, Bar and Restaurant. Rooms with AC, TV, phone, Radio, FrigoBar and Private WC.
Hotels 2 stars: (lodges or pousadas): LAVRAMOR, CASA DA GELEIA, O VIOLEIRO or similar
Lençois and Pousada VERDE in Vale do Capão: Simple lodges. Rooms with Fan, TV, private WC and friendly service

BUS SCHEDULE:
Salvador / Lençóis
Mon. and Wed. - departs Salvador at 7am, arrives Lencois at 1220pm or departs Salvador at 1130pm, arrives Lencois at 550am
Tues. and Thurs. - same departures as above + departs Salvador at 130pm, arrives Lencois at 750pm
Fri. - Salvador at 7am, arrives Lencois at 1220pm, departs Salvador at 11pm, arrives Lencois at 510am
Sun. - departs Salvador at 730am, arrives Lencois at 1350pm or departs Salvador at 1130pm, arrives Lencois at 550am

Lençóis / Salvador
Mon.,Wed., Fri. - departs Lencois at 730am, arrives Salvador at 140pm, departs Lencois at 115pm, arrives Salvador at 7pm or departs Lencois at 1130pm, arrives Salvador at 630am
Tues., Thurs. Sat. - departs Lencois at 7am, arrives Salvador at 1220pm, departs Lencois at 130pm, arrives Salvador at 750pm or departs Salvador at 1130pm, arrives Lencois at 550am
Fri. - departs Lencois at 7m, arrives Salvador at 1220pm or departs Salvador at 11pm, arrives Lencois at 510am
Sun. - departs Lencois at 730am, arrives Salvador at 150pm or departs Lencois at 1130pm, arrives Salvador at 550am

THE BUSES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY - DEPEND ON THE DAY, THE TIME AND THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS BOOKED (COULD BE NOT OPERATE IF THERE ISN'T A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PASSENGERS). THE ROAD IS NOT AT THE BEST CONDITIONS. WOULD BE ADVISABLE DON'T TAKE THE BUSES FROM SALVADOR AT NIGHT (23:30). IT WOULD BE NOT SAFE.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
Tennis or hiking shoes;
Sandals to use after the trails;
Sunset protector and cap;
Torch with extra battery;
Bag to take during the tours with your camera, mountain lunch, water, and something you'll need during the tours;
Bath suit;
Sweater;
Rain cap;
Light clothes;
Little knife for fruits;
Water bottles;
Plastic bags;
Some medicine;
Mask and snorkel for dive at "Poço Azul"

When you'll prepare your luggage just take the necessary.