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Chapada Diamantina is a mountainous region situated in the center of Bahia State and where almost all of the major rivers that drain directly east to the Atlantic Ocean are formed, such as Paraguaçu, Jacuípe, and Rio de Contas rivers. These waters tumble from the tops of the mountains and flow through the hills forming bubbling waterfalls and transparent natural pools.
The regional vegetation is exuberant, being composed of species from both the dry caatinga and mountainous regions, with many bromelias, orchids, and “sempre-vivas” straw-plants.
Many of the natural attractions of the region are quite fantastic, such as the Fumaça Waterfall with its 380 meters of free-falling water, or the magnificent Poço Encantado. There are so many attractions that you can chose to visit caves, swim under waterfalls, go trekking along the old mining trails, go horse-back riding, or practice adventure sports. Among its valleys and peaks the Chapada hosts esoteric and alternative communities such as Capão Valley. The two highest peaks in Bahia State are in the Chapada: the Barbado Peak at 2,080 meters (the tallest in all of northeastern Brazil) and the Almas Peak at 1,958 metros.
The principal tourist attraction for most everyone who visits the Chapada is just walking and breathing pure air and admiring the landscape. The green spaces in the mountains always surprise you with crystal pools or colored sands, beautiful mountains, flowers and exotic plants with their enchanting beauty. The village of Igatu will prick your curiosity in the midst of the ruins of a lost city constructed in stone on the mountainside.
The rivers of the Chapada Diamantina are the color of brandy – due to their high concentrations of organic acids resulting from the decomposition of the plant material produced by the rich mountain vegetation. But be assured: the water is pure and clean and you can drink from the mountain streams without any worries.
The National Park was created in 1985 and covers 152,000 hectares in the Serra do Sincorá Mountain Range, within the municipalities of Lençóis, Palmeiras, Andaraí, Itaete, and Mucugê. The conscious ecological tourism there makes the Chapada one of the best destinations for visitation, while at the same time helping to preserve nature at its best.
The Chapada Diamantina is part of a larger geological formation known as the Espinhaço Range. It takes the general form of an extensive high plain, with average altitudes between 800 and 1,200 m above sea level. The mountains of the Chapada cover an area of approximately 38,000 km², representing about 7% of the total area of Bahia State, and they serve as the divide between the waters of the São Francisco River basin and the rivers that drain directly to the Atlantic ocean, such as the Contas and Paraguaçu Rivers.
The Chapada wasn’t always and imposing mountain range. Approximately one billion six-hundred million years ago this area was a coastal delta area where rivers, winds, and waves sculpted the landscape. The innumerous layers of sandstone, conglomerate rock and limestone that are exposed today in the Chapada Diamantina represent the activities of environmental agents over geological time. In the streets and sidewalks of the towns of the Chapada you can always find undulated stones that reveal the action of wind and water that passed over ancient sand beds.
This is the picture-postcard of the Chapada, where you have a 360º view of the mountains and high plains of the region.
The tallest free-falling waterfall in Brazil (380 m), with a magnificent view of the mountains and lowlands to the east.
When a direct shaft of sunlight penetrates the pool it gives off an indescribable blue light and illuminates the rocks at the bottom of a 40 m deep pool.
This pool lights up in much the same way as the Enchanted Pool, with the advantage that you can go swimming there.
This lake in the midst of the dry lands has incredibly crystalline waters, and you can swim, go cave-diving, o use the zip-line.
This limestone cavern has many beautiful and rare formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
This cave is rich in speleothems and has many large rooms. Different tours are available that last from one to five hours.
This region is considered the Everglades of the sertão (dry region) of Bahia State. Visitors will be able to see a diverse cross-section of the local fauna and flora during the boat ride along the Santo Antonio River.
A wonderful waterfall and marvelous pool just outside of Capão Valley.
The trail that leads to this valley is considered one of the prettiest in the world. For those who like trekking and want to see some wonderful landscapes, this is the trail to take. Tours can last up to five days.
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