Diamond Highlands

"Brazil"


Chapada Diamantina - Lencoi - Brazil "Chapada Diamantina" (Diamond Highlands) is a continuation of the "Espinhago" Mountain Range in the state of "Bahia". Located 400 kilometres to the west of "Salvador", these highlands are an immense oasis with flowered hills, luxuriant valleys and perennial river amid the barrenness of the backlands. Visitors who climb the lush slopes feel as if they are in a make-believe world: 84.000 square kilometres peppered with crystal-clear waterfalls, gorges, caves, dens and rocky hills. The "Chapada" is best explored with a local guide: some of the most beautiful sites can only be reached on foot. In the middle of the "Chapada": "Lencois", a precious town nowadays small and cosy, but once Brazil's diamond centre. Just as all mining centres, it grew and developed in a confused and disorganized manner. Its name originates from the large number of cloth tents that characterized the first settlers' camps. Seen when coming down from the surrounding hills, these tents gave the impression of sheets lying on the rocks to dry. In its heyday, "Lencois" was of great importance to the European jewel trade, a busy town where French was spoken. Today "Lencois" still retains its rich architecture and a distinctive regional culture.

Chapada Diamantina - Lencoi - Brazil DAY 1:
Pick up at your hotel or at the airport in Salvador de Bahia, and transfer to the bus-station for the 7-hour ride to Lencois by local bus. Upon arrival, the visitor walks to Pousada Canto das Aguas.

DAY 2:
Full day to trek in Lencois and the surrounding area. Walking along the riverbeds of the Grizante and the Lencois the visitor discover the spring waterfall and admire the coloured sand. Returning to the city via Serrano, to take a delicious natural massage bath. (B). Chapada Diamantina - Lencoi - Brazil

DAY 3:
The cave region is situated about 75 km from Lencois. The day starts at the cave of Lapa Doce, with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. We continue with the Silver Cave where we swim in an underground river with crystal clear water. The break of sunbeams at the Blue Cave provides a spectrum of colours, a unique natural phenomenon. In the afternoon, we climb the Morro de Pai lnacio, and enjoy a spectacular view over the Chapada. (B)

DAY 4:
At 08h:30 am the bus leaves Lencois for the 7-hour ride back to Salvador. Pick-up at the bus-station and transfer to the hotel. For those who wish to stay longer, additional days can be arranged upon requests.(B)

Rated: Easy.


Tour Tariff
Room type SGL DBL TPL
USD $ 434 $ 334 $ 281
EUR € 360 € 277 € 233
GBP £ 243 £ 187 £ 157
(*) Price last updated on 16 November 2004. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .
(**) 2 participants minimum


Included: Transfer airport-hotel to bus terminal, transport to Lencois by local bus, shared accommodation in a guesthouse, breakfasts, guided excursions

Not included: other meals

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