Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Parque Nacional de
Chapada Diamantina
r
Established in 1985, towering
red rock formations, interspersed
with lush vegetation, char-
acterize this 587-sq mile
(1,520-sq km) park in the
hinterland of Salvador.
Numerous small rivers
crisscross the highlands,
cascading over waterfalls,
carving through canyons,
and tumbling down water-
slides. Countless trails lead
to caves and caverns. These
undefined paths are best
navigated with a guide.
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A view of the old diamond mining
town of Lençóis
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Lençóis
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*
9,000.
~
16 miles (25 km) E
of town.
@
n
Sectur, (075) 3334
1380.
Festa de Senhor dos
Passos (Jan), Festa de São João (Jun).
www
.guialencois.com
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The town of Lençóis sprang
up almost overnight, as
diamond fever struck in these
interior highlands in the late
19th century. Unlike many
other mining boomtowns,
however, Lençóis has a colo-
nial air, with small Baroque
churches, and tiny houses
and shops painted in pastel
colors. The town's distin-
guished main square, Praça
Horácio de Matos, consists
of 19th-century houses, char-
acterized by high, arched
windows. Another town
landmark, Praça Otaviano
Alves, lined with gracious
colonial homes, is farther
south of the main square.
In recent years, Lençóis
has reinvented itself as the
base camp for ecotourists
venturing out to explore
the caves, waterfalls, and
isolated mountain tops of
the surrounding highlands.
The town's pretty colonial
homes now house trekking
equipment stores, Internet
cafés, and tasteful photo
galleries. The
Calil Neto
Fotografia
gallery displays
stunning photographs of
the panoramic Chapada
Diamantina.
E
.
Morro do Pai Inácio
The striking mesa is the park's signature
mountain formation. The 3,675-ft
(1,120-m) plateau offers breathtaking
views of the northern half of the park.
Cachoeira da Fumaça
, or the Waterfall of Smoke,
wears a veil of mist as the water plunges down
the 1,150-ft (340-m) precipice.
.
Vale do Paty
The multiday hike up this scenic valley offers
extraordinary views of the highlands from Morro do
Castelo. Other attractions include abandoned miners'
settlements and waterfalls with natural swimming pools at
Cachoeira dos Funis, as well as the sound of Barbado
monkeys that inhabit this vast wilderness.
Calil Neto Fotografia
Rua do Siriaco s/n.
Tel
(075) 9984
1093.
#
7-10pm daily.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp376-8 and pp401-403