Chapada

The Chapada Diamantina (officially Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina, created 1985, 152,000 ha, Bahia state, 380 km west of Salvador) is one of Brazil's most spectacular national parks — a 60-million-year-old plateau sculpted by erosion into table mountains (chapadões) with vertiginous cliffs, traversed by canyons, limestone caves and waterfalls among the country's highest. The name comes from diamonds extracted there in the 19th century (1840-1880 peak) before the global market collapse — old mining towns (Lençóis, Mucugê, Igatu) are now perfect bases to explore the park.

Lençóis (10,000 inhabitants, 380 km from Salvador, 6h by bus) is the main base for most visitors. This small colonial town founded in 1844 during the diamond rush preserves its paved historic centre, colourful baroque-style houses and relaxed tourist village vibe. Here you organise excursions (trekking agencies, ICMBio-certified guides mandatory for most sites) and find most accommodation (pousadas €30-150/night by standing). Vale do Capão (60 km from Lençóis, 1h30 by road + track) is the hippie-chill alternative — 1,500-inhabitant village nestled in a green valley at 1,000 m altitude, alternative community since the 1970s, perfect base to access Cachoeira da Fumaça from the top (shorter 6h round-trip trail vs 14h from Lençóis).

Waterfalls and caves are the park's gems. Cachoeira da Fumaça (Smoke Waterfall, 380 m, Brazil's second highest) — access from top via Vale do Capão (8 km RT, 6h, vertiginous panorama on free fall). Poço Encantado (Enchanted Cave, 60 m deep, 35 m deep underground lake of crystal cobalt blue) — accessible only May to August between 10:30am and 12:30pm when a daylight ray enters through ceiling opening and illuminates water in fairy spectacle (mandatory guided visit, €50-80/person, 4h from Andaraí). Poço Azul (Blue Well, 14 km from Encantado, same phenomenon but more accessible, snorkelling possible). Pratinha (crystal underground river, floating swimming with vest and snorkel in semi-submerged cave). Lapa Doce (850 m limestone cave). Gruta do Lapão (South America's longest quartzite cave, 1 km).

Trekkings are the great specialty. Pati Valley (3-5 days, Brazil's most emblematic trek, crossing of a lost valley inhabited by a hundred families, grand panoramas, nights with locals in basic shelters — €200-400/person all-inclusive). Travessia Diamantina (5-7 days, complete park crossing, for experienced trekkers). Morro do Pai Inácio (1,120 m, the park's emblematic mountain, easy 1h round trip, spectacular 360° panorama, essential sunset, €8/person). Cachoeira do Buracão (vertiginous canyon with 80 m waterfall, possible rappel descent).

The park's fauna and flora witness semi-arid caatinga climate and transition to cerrado — endemic orchids (sempre-vivas), candombás (typical shrubs), maned wolf, armadillos, ocelots, over 350 bird species including Andean condor and several hummingbirds. The region benefits from annual dry climate (semi-arid), with very marked rainy season November to March which revitalises waterfalls.