Chapada Diamantina tours from Lençóis: distances, guides and what to do
Lençóis is the gateway to many of Chapada Diamantina's attractions. This guide covers the main tours from town, with approximate distances and one important piece of advice: we do not recommend doing tours without a guide.
Why hire a guide in Chapada Diamantina
A guide does far more than show the way: they make sure the trip is enjoyed to the fullest. Chapada Diamantina has enormous diversity in wildlife, plants, history, geology, culture and food. With a guide, the itinerary is optimized, everything is discovered in an organized way and the experience is genuine, with safety built in from the start of planning.
Do you need a guide? Which tours require one
Some attractions require a guide, and others are strongly recommended with one. For safety, we put this list together from the very beginning of planning each trip.
Guide required:
- Muritiba Municipal Park (Parque Municipal da Muritiba)
- Buracão Waterfall (Cachoeira do Buracão)
Guide strongly recommended:
- Sossego Waterfall (Cachoeira do Sossego)
- Fumacinha Waterfall (Cachoeira da Fumacinha)
- Fumaça Waterfall (Cachoeira da Fumaça), from above and from below
- Vale do Pati
- Mixila Waterfall (Cachoeira do Mixila)
- Encantada Waterfall (Cachoeira da Encantada)
- among others
To choose a tour and a guide, just get in touch: the guesthouse books tour packages operated by the local agency Chapada por Elas, and we help build an itinerary that fits you. Many of the guides in the region speak English and Spanish, and there are also guides who speak French.
Approximate distances from Lençóis
Note: the distances below are measured from the town of Lençóis, not from the guesthouse.
- Pai Inácio Hill (Morro do Pai Inácio): about 28 km
- Mosquito Waterfall (Cachoeira do Mosquito): about 39 km
- Fumaça Waterfall (Cachoeira da Fumaça): about 70 km
- Fazenda Pratinha: about 75 km
- Poço Azul: about 95 km
- Poço Encantado: about 150 km
- Buracão Waterfall (Cachoeira do Buracão): about 250 km
How the day itineraries work
We call itineraries (roteiros) the full-day tours, because they visit more than one attraction in the same day. Departure is usually between 8 and 8:30 am and the return between 5 and 5:30 pm, on average.
The long-distance trails are multi-day treks:
- Fumaça Waterfall from below: 3 days and 2 nights.
- Vale do Pati: 3 to 5 days, depending on availability and on the intentions of whoever is hiking. The most common option is 3 days and 2 nights.
The main tours
Pai Inácio Hill
A 360° view of the region, with a magical sunset.
Fumaça Waterfall
With a 380 m drop, it is considered the second tallest waterfall in Brazil. It can be seen from above or from below, and in both cases we recommend a guide. From below, the trek takes 3 days and 2 nights.
Mosquito Waterfall
One of the few waterfalls in Brazil where you can get right under the fall without having to swim.
Fazenda Pratinha
The "Oasis of the Sertão", with crystal-clear water and fun for all ages.
Poço Azul
Floating in blue water inside a cave. The tour includes a life jacket, mask and snorkel, for safety on one of the most memorable experiences in Chapada Diamantina.
Poço Encantado
From April to September, sunlight pours into the cave and makes it even more enchanting.
Buracão Waterfall
A 3 km trail, floating through a narrow canyon and an 85 m waterfall. A guide is required.
Vale do Pati
Also called "the crossing" (travessia), because it crosses a very remote part in the heart of Chapada Diamantina National Park. It is considered one of the most beautiful treks in Brazil and draws people from all over the world. Because it is a large region rather than a single attraction like Fumaça Waterfall, the more time spent in the Valley, the more there is to see. We strongly recommend going with a guide.
FAQ
Do you need a guide for tours in Chapada Diamantina?
We do not recommend doing tours without a guide. Some attractions require one, such as Muritiba Municipal Park and Buracão Waterfall, and others are strongly recommended with one, such as Fumaça Waterfall, Vale do Pati and Sossego Waterfall. A guide also makes sure the trip is enjoyed to the fullest, with knowledge of the wildlife, plants, history and geology.
What are the distances from Lençóis to the main attractions?
Approximately: Pai Inácio Hill, 28 km; Mosquito Waterfall, 39 km; Fumaça Waterfall, 70 km; Fazenda Pratinha, 75 km; Poço Azul, 95 km; Poço Encantado, 150 km; Buracão Waterfall, 250 km. Distances are measured from the town of Lençóis, not from the guesthouse.
How long does a tour take? Are the itineraries full-day?
Itineraries are usually full-day, leaving between 8 and 8:30 am and returning between 5 and 5:30 pm on average, visiting more than one attraction. Multi-day treks take longer: Fumaça Waterfall from below takes 3 days and 2 nights, and Vale do Pati takes 3 to 5 days (the most common option is 3 days and 2 nights).
Are there guides who speak English, Spanish or French?
Yes. Many of the guides in the region speak English and Spanish, and there are also guides who speak French.
Can I book tours through the guesthouse?
Yes. The guesthouse books guided tours and treks, operated by the local agency Chapada por Elas, for everyone staying with us. Message us on WhatsApp to put together your itinerary.