In the hinterland of Salvador, just outside of the town of Lençóis, lies the Chapada Diamantina, or Diamond Plateau, a mountain range running north-south through the state of Bahia. Valleys of lush green dotted with bright tropical flowers surround a mountain range of twisted red-rock formations reminiscent of the American Southwest. Numerous small rivers carve their way through the highlands, splashing over waterfalls and natural slides. There are also numerous caves, some many kilometers long. Many are quite popular, some just being discovered, some restricted yet to geologists who are trying to figure out just how they and the rock formations they contain were formed.

The Chapada Diamantina is a 152.000 hectare National Park and it has been the subject of two extensive studies by the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew in England for its unusual and very varied flora. The dramatic table-topped mountains provide stunning views of the region. There are innumerable rivers and waterfalls, amongst them the famous Smoke Waterfall, the tallest in Brazil, with a fall of 412 m (1.350 feet), and so called because of the fact that the water from the falls evaporates before reaching the ground. The drive from Salvador takes about six hours and is in itself a lesson in geography, geology and botany. You leave the dense, low tropical vegetation of the coast and drive inland through the fertile pasture lands of the Recôncavo to the Sertão with its scrub land and dramatic cacti and finally up into the Chapada with its stunning variety of wild orchids and bromeliads.

The history of Lençóis begins around the year 1845, during the Cycle of the Diamond - when prospectors seeking for fortune founded a modest village in the area of the Chapada Diamantina. At one stage it had a population of 30.000 but as a result of the discovery of diamonds in South Africa, the town began to go into decline. Still today the city preserves its colonial houses, as well as other constructions from the nineteenth century. The architectural group is mostly composed of ranch houses and two-storied houses. The rhythm of the arcades repeats itself in the facades, and form part of the Market located on the Nagôs Square, by the shores of the Lençóis river. The town has been designated a National Monument for its important examples of residential architecture from the nineteenth century.

A construction from the ends of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century, it composes, together with the bridge over the river, the access to the historical nucleus of the town of Lençóis which was, in its heydays, the capital of the diamond and the third most important town in the state of Bahia. Listed as a historical treasure, Lençóis still keeps alive the memory of the heydays of the mining exploration in the area. Considered the "Capital of the Diamond", the town reveals, in its streets of stone – a stronghold of the colonial-styled houses – a part of Brazil's history.

1- Depart Salvador - Arrival in Lençóis
Economic Package: Meet and greet at the hotel in Salvador. Leave the hotel at 06:00am and transfer to the bus station. There you'll embark the regular bus line to Lençóis at 07:00am and arrive approximately at 02:00pm. Reception at the bus station and transfer to your hotel, check in and accommodation.

Private Package: Meet and greet at the hotel in Salvador. After breakfast, leave the hotel at 08:00am. In the afternoon arrival in Lençóis, check in and accommodation.

Thereafter you'll visit the main places and cultural attractions of the town – one of the most preserved historical villages of the XVIII century in Brazil, with traces of the old French architecture. Proceed to discover the region of Serrano with many little relaxing massage pools – 1 km light trekking – and explore the interesting Colored Sand Complex, from where the artists take the sand to make their handcrafts. Back to the hotel.

2- Lençóis
Early breakfast and departure to Mucugezinho, a beautiful ecological sanctuary with waterfalls and natural swimming pools surrounded by exuberant flora. Once there, you'll walk along the riverbed until reaching the Poço do Diabo – a big black lagoon. After you'll proceed by car to know and explore the mysterious Lapa Doce cave with stunning stalagmites and stalactites (1 km beautiful rock formations), the amazing floated Pratinha cave, and the Pratinha lake with crystal clear waters. Time for relax, bathing and a lunch box. At the end of the afternoon on the way back to Lençóis, proceed to climb up the Morro do Pai Inácio, a beautiful mountain/hill where you'll find a big variety of exotic plants - wild orchids and others. From the top you have a wonderful view over the canyons and mountains. If you are lucky you can have the most beautiful sunset of the region. Back to the hotel.

3- Lençóis
Early breakfast and departure to explore the canyons of the Ribeirão and trekking along its river bed until reaching the Sossego waterfall – 2 hours trekking – considered one of the most beautiful sites of the Chapada Diamantina. Time for relax, bathing and a lunch box. On the way back to Lençóis, proceed walking by the canyons to reach the Ribeirão do Meio, a very interesting waterfall with a big slippery plain rock, wich forms a kind of toboggan, straight down into a natural swimming pool. Time for relax and bathing. Back to the hotel.

4- Depart Lençóis - Arrival in Salvador - Next City
Economic Package: Early breakfast, check out and departure at 06:00am to the bus station. There you'll embark the regular bus line back to Salvador at 07:00am and arrive approximately at 02:00pm. Reception at the bus station and transfer to your hotel or the airport in Salvador. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.

Private Package: After breakfast you'll have time to relax or explore the town. Check-out and transfer back to your hotel or the airport in Salvador. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.

Land-Only prices in US-Dollars per person in double occupancy (single supplement available), including:

• Economic Package: Regular roundtrip transfer Hotel in Salvador/Bus station in Salvador/Hotel or Airport SSA in Salvador featuring air-conditioned vehicle with driver only. Transfer Bus station in Salvador/Lençóis/Bus station in Salvador by regular bus line without guide.

• Private Package: Private roundtrip transfer Hotel in Salvador/Hotel in Lençóis/Hotel or Airport SSA in Salvador featuring air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide (car at disposal since Salvador).

• All mentioned activities in Lençóis/Chapada Diamantina as per description with experienced English speaking guide.

• Lunch box on the excursions at the second and third day - light and energetic snack package with fruits and sandwich.

• Visitation taxes at the National Park Chapada Diamantina.

• Accommodation in the hotel of your choice.

• Daily Brazilian buffet breakfast, unless indicated above.

• Meals as per description (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

• Hotel taxes.

-> Good health condition is required for this package.

-> What to bring along: light clothes, comfortable tennis shoes, swimsuit, hat and suntan protection, sun glasses and photo equipment.

-> The route might be changed according to the passengers health conditions or/and the weather conditions by the time.

-> If this package is not being booked as the extension to a stay in Salvador, an extra night is required due to the early depart time at the first day. Please choose one of our featured hotels in Salvador.

-> To reduce or extend number of nights in this package, simply click on the hotel of your choice and check the desired period.

To receive more information, please email us at office@opcotours.com.