Salvador and Hiking in Chapada Diamantina 7 Days of Culture, Hiking, and Beaches Brazil | Salvador da Bahia, Chapada Diamantina, Praia do Forte
This journey will expose you to the wide diversity of Bahia: the famous historical center of Salvador, adventurous tours in Chapada Diamantina National Park, and palm-lined dream beaches. Colorful little streets, waterfalls, caves, table mountains, tropical culinary specialties, and much more await you on this tour to the most beautiful places in Bahia.
Highlights
- Stroll through the colorful center of Salvador
- Explore the tropical mountains of Chapada Diamantina
- Swim in crystal clear rivers, waterfalls, and underground lakes
- Adore magnificent views from table-topped mountains
- Relax on Brazil's stunning beaches
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Salvador
Included: Airport Transfer (private)
Welcome to the tropical state of Bahia on the Atlantic coast of Brazil. Once you arrive at the airport, you will be picked up by your English-speaking guide who will take you to your accommodation in the heart of the old town of Salvador. During the transfer, your guide will provide you with the most important information and tips for your stay. Explore the colorful alleys and squares of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and let yourself be enchanted by the sounds of samba. We also offer optional, individually guided tours in Salvador focused on history and culture or you might even visit a capoeira school.
Overnight: Hotel Casa Amarelindo, Superior room
Day 2: Journey to Lencois and Walking Tour Along the Serrano River
Included: Bus Station Transfers (private), Bus Ride Salvador to Lencois (public, 6h) | Rio Serrano Walking Tour (private, 3h) | Breakfast
In the morning you will be picked up and taken to the city's bus station. Your guide will make sure that everything runs smoothly and will inform you about everything you need know regarding the bus ride to Lencois, which should take about 6 hours. Once there, you will be picked up directly from the bus station by your local English-speaking guide and taken to your accommodation. In the afternoon it will be time to explore the surroundings. Your guide will pick you up for a hike along the Rio Serrano, which runs directly past Lencois. The river bed offers wide rock formations and many natural pools and small waterfalls that invite you to go for a swim. The hike takes about 2 hours and covers 2.8 miles (4.5 km) with 360 feet (110 m) of altitude difference.
Lencois is a small quiet town with many nice restaurants and a picturesque colonial center. The rest of the evening is yours to explore the town on your own.
Overnight: Pousada Canto das Aguas, Deluxe river side room
Day 3: Caves, Natural Blue Pools, and Table Mountains
Included: Day Trip Caves and Morro do Pai Inacio (private, 7h) | Breakfast
Today you will go on a day trip to the caves of the Chapada Diamantina region. First, you will visit the Lapa Doce cave, followed by the Pratinha and Azul caves. In one of them there is the possibility to go for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water underground. In the afternoon, the day trip will continue with a short hiking tour through Morro do Pai Inacio, one of the most famous table mountains of the region with a wonderful view. This hike takes around 30 minutes and includes an ascent of 260 feet (80 m) in altitude.
Overnight: Pousada Canto das Aguas, Deluxe river side room
Day 4: Hike to the Fumaca Waterfall
Included: Hiking Trip to Fumaca Waterfall (private, 7h) | Breakfast
Today you will go with your guide by car to the western part of Chapada Diamantina. The ensuing hike takes around 4 hours to reach one of the highest waterfalls in Brazil: the Fumaca waterfall, which is about 1,150 feet (350 m) tall. Besides this altitude difference, you will walk around 7.5 miles (12 km). During the ascent and descent there are only a few small trees that provide some shade, but your guide will advise you in advance to go on the hike with a hat, sunscreen, and sufficient drinking water. Back in the valley you will visit the Riachinho, where you can end the day by swimming in one of the water basins before heading back to Lencois.
Overnight: Pousada Canto das Aguas, Deluxe river side room
Day 5: Return to Salvador and Further Trip to Praia do Forte
Included: Bus Station Transfers (private), Bus Ride Lencois to Salvador (public, 6h) | Breakfast, Dinner
Directly after breakfast, you will go to the bus station to head back to Salvador. You will arrive in about six hours and your English-speaking guide will be waiting for you. He will drive you to the small and tranquil coastal town of Praia do Forte, where your next accommodation will be directly on the beach. The rest of the day is yours to relax and you can take a short walk on the beach.
Overnight: Hotel Tivoli Ecoresort, Superior room
Day 6: Free Time at Praia do Forte
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
You can enjoy today as you wish. Relax on the beach or visit the small town of Praia do Forte. You will find small shops and many good restaurants offering local specialties of Afro-Brazilian cuisine. It is the perfect place to get to know the Bahian beach culture and end the trip with samba sounds.
Overnight: Hotel Tivoli Ecoresort, Superior room
Day 7: Departure from Salvador
Included: Airport Transfer (private) | Breakfast
Since most flights from Salvador do not depart until the afternoon or evening, you might have more time to enjoy the beach and relax under palm trees. According to your flight schedule, you will be picked up by your guide and taken to the airport in Salvador.
Included
- All transfers detailed above
- 3 day trips (with a private English-speaking guide)
- 1 night at Hotel Casa Amarelindo, Superior room
- 3 nights at Pousada Canto das Aguas, Deluxe river side room
- 2 nights at Hotel Tivoli Ecoresort, Superior room
- 6 breakfasts + 2 dinners
- Non-alcoholic beverages during meals at Hotel Tivoli Ecoresort
- Bus tickets Salvador – Lencois – Salvador
- Entrance fees for all included day trips
Not included are airfare, insurance, beverages, meals not indicated in the itinerary, tips, and personal expenses.
Info
- If you arrive early in Salvador, you can optionally book a private guided tour through the city.
- Due to the very shallow and rocky catchment area, the Fumaca waterfall carries very little water during periods of low rainfall. Usually, it rarely rains in the Chapada Diamantina region from June to November.
- August is the best time to see flowering orchids.
- In case of early departure times, it is possible that breakfast in the hotel will have to be omitted. In these cases, we ask the accommodation to provide you with a breakfast package to take with you.
Items to Bring
- Small backpack for day trips
- Sturdy shoes for hiking
- Shirts with long sleeves
- Long pants
- Light rain jacket
- Warm clothes for cool evenings
- Hat, sunglasses, and sun screen
- Sandals
- Water bottle
- Insect repellent
- Swimwear
This journey will take you to the most beautiful places in Brazil: the tropical metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, the spectacular waterfalls of Foz do Iguacu and the exceptional nature of the Amazon Rainforest. Many different and individual day trips and excursions are on the program. You will gain distinct impressions of Brazil's diversity, visit the most famous sights, and get to know the breathtaking variety of animals and plants of the jungle. Our local English-speaking guides will make sure that you have a great time and show you the best of Brazil.
Experience the unique and breathtaking nature and amazing variety of flora and fauna in the Amazon and the Pantanal in Brazil. On many different excursions you will explore the equatorial rainforest and one of the largest wetlands on earth by boat, jeep, and on foot. On this tour, wildlife observation and the experience of nature are in the foreground. Apart from exotic plants and giant trees, you will have the chance to see countless bird species, different monkeys, caimans, anteaters, tapirs, and even jaguars. Immerse yourself in the dense foliage of the Amazon Rainforest, explore the waterways of the Pantanal, and let yourself be enchanted by the wonders of Brazil's nature.
Visit one of the natural highlights of Brazil: the worldwide unique landscape of Lencois Maranhenses National Park. The wavy sand dunes spread like an endless bed sheet and give the region its name. This remote region between dunes and the ocean is home to indigenous villages and nature along rivers such as the spectacular Rio Preguicas.