The Archaeological Sites of the Chapada Diamantina 7 days

Chapada Diamantina tablelands © Ariane Janer

Chapada Diamantina, or Diamond Highlands, consists of extensive, but broken, high plateaus sculpted by erosion over millions of years into canyons and rocky cliffs that soar from 400 to 1700 meters (1.300 to 5500 feet). The park's attractions include sandstone caves and a rich and exotic fauna and flora. Located 400 km (250 miles) west of Salvador, Lençóis is a XIX century small village, which was considered the diamond capital in the peak of the mining era. The well-conserved town is the starting point for any visit to the Chapada Diamantina National Park with 152,000 hectares (650 square miles).

Relics of diamond rush days and ghost towns are among the most important archaeological records of the region’s frontier-mining culture. Archaeologists are beginning to explore a century and a half of precious stone hunters’ lifestyle and the site histories. Recently discovered and much older archaeological sites in the Serra das Paridas, 36km from Lençóis, have extensive collections of rock art that reveal early human settlement in Brazil. During many years of exploring the Diamond Highlands, our guide, Roy Funch has collected considerable archaeological information about the region.

Roy Funch, a Biologist as well as an amateur archaeologist, has been living in the Chapada Diamantina since 1978, where he works as a guide, craftsman, researcher, writer, and translator. He was the first Director of the Chapada Diamantina National Park, which he was instrumental in establishing, and continues to dedicate himself to environmental issues in the region. He wrote the book "A Visitor's Guide to the Chapada Diamantina Mountains", and is listed as one of the best local guides in the region. He can explain about the interesting rock formations, the flora and fauna, not to mention the archaeology in the region.

“It is simple, but after days of thinking about these structures from an archaeological viewpoint, it appears as a complicated, precious relic.”
Archaeology Magazine about Chapada Diamantina:
Letter from Bahia: Diamond Rush by Samir S. Patel

Serra das Paridas © Volta ao Parque

Salvador was the first capital of Brazil, from 1549 to 1793, and witnessed the blending of European and African cultures. It was also, from 1558, the first slave market in the New World, with slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations. The city has managed to preserve many outstanding Renaissance building, brightly coloured houses which listed the city as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Program Summary

Day 01
INBOUND - SALVADOR
Arrival in Salvador. Check-in at hotel. Bahia by night with folklore ballet at Miguel Santana Theater in the Pelourinho area and dinner at local restaurant. This showcase is of the different African traditions still so much alive in Bahia.

Overnight: Tropical da Bahia Hotel.

Day 02
SALVADOR – LENÇÓIS - RIBEIRÃO DO MEIO
Transfer by bus Salvador-Lençois. Check-in at Hotel de Lençóis. After lunch, a walking tour to Ribeirão do Meio River, 3,5km (2.1mi.) from downtown Lençóis, by way of a shaded trail and fairly level trail. The Ribeirão do Meio is a tributary of the São José River and forms many rapids and cascades and there is a smooth and slippery conglomerate rock formation that serves as a natural slide into a large, deep pool.  Walking tour around the historic town of Lençóis.

Overnight: Canto das Águas Hotel

Day 03
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE - SERRA DAS PARIDAS - OS IMPOSSÍVEIS FARM - MOSQUITO WATERFALL
Departure in the morning for a 1.5 hr visit to an Archaeological Complex located 43km (37mi.) from Lençóis.  There are many interesting archaeological sites open for visitation with thousands of rock drawings, and the surrounding area offers the possibility of sighting wildlife, such as monkeys, deer, snakes, and birds.

After a 20km (12.4mi.) car ride along the Estrada do Café (Coffee Road), we will visit a model farm with mineral water from the mountains, organic agriculture, tropical fruits, and with energy generated by a waterwheel.

A homemade lunch will be served, including fruits, sweets, honey, and juices.
After lunch, we’re off to the Mosquito Waterfall.  Close to the waterfall, the river flows through high and steep canyon. There’s a geological fault in the mountain structure, where the regular parallel rock’s layers were totally altered by a sudden drift of the earth's crust. Up ahead the beautiful 60m (197ft.) Mosquito Fall.
3km (1.8 mi.) trekking - level: regular

Overnight: Canto das Águas Hotel

Day 04
GRUTA DA LAPA DOCE CAVE– MUCUGEZINHO RIVER– MORRO DO PAI INÁCIO MOUNTAIN
After breakfast, departure to the Lapa Doce cave.  The cave is approximately half a mile long with speleological formations of rare beauty, including a mix of red and white speleothemes. The Lapa Doce cave is located 70km (43 mi.) from Lençóis, in Iraquara county. After the Lapa Doce we go on to the Mucugezinho River with its numerous natural swimming pools, cascades, and an impressive waterfall and canyon - the beautiful Poço do Diabo (the Devil's Pool}. The Mucugezinho River starts within the limits of the National Park, and gathers the waters of many small, cold, and clear streams coming out of the surrounding hills. 

Before our next tour, we will stop for lunch at Posto do Pai Inácio.  The Morro do Pai Inácio Mountain is considered the main landmark and natural outlook point of Chapada Diamantina.  It is located in the very center of Bahia State and gives a panoramic view of a large part of one of the most important geological formations in the region.   

We’ll also visit the Grão de Luz and Griô projects in Lençóis - prize winning  organizations (from Unicef and Banco Itaú) that work with education and socialization (benefiting over 700 children) as well as tourism.  These organizations have greatly contributed to improving the lives of children in the region. It also helps teenager and young people with socialization and work insertion projects.

Overnight: Canto das Águas Hotel

Day 05
MARIMBUS - REMANSO - RONCADOR RIVER

After breakfast, departure in 4x4 vehicle to the swamp are 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 walk 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 with lots of birds and local fauna. We will visit the Roncador River and walk upstream to visit dozens of natural pools great for swimming and some of the most fantastic rock formations imaginable. Lunch at a Roncador farm. Return to Lençóis in 4x4 vehicle (18km / 11mi.).

Overnight: Canto das Águas Hotel

Day 06
LENÇÓIS / SALVADOR
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Salvador. On the way, we will visit one of the most important center for tobacco and sugar-cane production in the 16th Century, the Reconcavo Baiano - the area surrounding Salvador´s city. The regions has a lot of river, old colonial farms and historical cities which we will visit, like Cachoeira (known as the Bahia´s Ouro Preto) and Santo Amaro. After arriving in Salvador, a special farewell dinner will be served at Paraíso Tropical Restaurant. The restaurant has nearly 6,000 fruit trees that are used to season the typical dishes from Bahia.

Overnight: Tropical da Bahia Hotel

Day 07
SALVADOR - OUTBOUND
After breakfast, transfer to airport.

SUGGESTED EXTENTION

Itacaré - 5 days

General Information

Capacity:	Minimum of 10; Maximum of 15 travelers
Program Level:	Easy to Moderate Program
Guide Language:	English. Others languages upon request
Included:	Transfer Salvador/Lençóis/Salvador in an air conditioned; 4 nights accommodation with breakfast; meals mentioned in the program; rooms with air-conditioning, TV, and private bathroom; all entrance fees; English-speaking guide
Not Included:	Air tickets to/from Salvador, beverages, medical expenses, hospitalization, or insurance
Personal Gear:	T-shirt, jeans or track suit, shorts, sneakers or hiking boots, raincoat, swimming suit, hat, and towel.
Distance:	400 km (250mi.) from Salvador by paved highway
Transfers:	By car, van, or microbus according to groups necessity.