12 days
The best of Bahia State: Salvador, the Chapada Diamantina National Park and dream beaches…
Few places in the world have the privilege of being able to offer to visitors dream beaches, a national Park with fantastic paths for walks, and like a cherry on a cake, a town that is classified as part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity, all rolled into one. The State of la Bahia will surprise you as much by the diversity of its landscapes as by the richness of its culture. Much more than elsewhere in Brazil, Africa is everywhere: in dances, music, gastronomy… Plunge into this fascinating State (the surface area of France) and get the best from it).
You will like: the afro-brazilian ambience of Salvador- its music, its African rites and its gastronomy; the All Saints Bay; the charm of the little town of Lençois ; the sight at Cachoeira da Fumaça, the highest waterfall in Brazil ; the valley of Capão and the adorable village of Xique-Xique do Iguatu ; the magic of Poço Entantado; the cigar factory of São Felix ; the lobsters grilled on the sands on the heavenly beach of Boipeba.
D 1 : Welcome at the airport of Salvador da Bahia then transfer to your pousada. The rest of the day is free.
D 2 : Salvador da Bahia
In the morning departure for a guided city tour (with an English-speaking guide). A former capital of Brazil, Salvador da Bahia is today the cradle of franco-brazilian culture. In a decor of colonial houses and churches gilded in fine gold dating from the 17th century, Salvador exudes of Africa: the rhythm of “afoxé” music, the capoeira, the candomblé religion, the smell of dende oil, the colours of Pelourinho, the São Joachim market and the warm smile of the bahians. Lunch (included) in a typical restaurant then late afternoon, return to the pousada.
Option for the evening: followed by dinner, at 8 p.m., a show of capoeira, candomblé, bahian dances and folk ballet at the theatre Miguel Santana (every evening except Sunday and Tuesday).
D 3 : Salvador da Bahia – Lençois
In the morning, transfer by private transport to the little town of Lençois, entrance to the national Park of Chapada Diamantina (about 4 hours by road). Welcome and settling down in your pousada. The latter part of the day is free for a personal discovery of this little historical town which was known for its opulence and prestige in the 19th century during the diamond boom. Dinner and evening free. Stay at the pousada.
D 4 : Chapada Diamantina – 1st day of trekking (14 km)
Departure, after breakfast, for the Cachoeira da Fumaça, the highest water fall in Brazil ! (380 m). The sight is just superb ! Picnic then return to the Vallée du Capão where you will spend the night. Dinner and evening free. Stay in the pousada.
D 5 : Chapada Diamantina –2nd day of trekking (20 km)
From the village of Capão, you will join the village of Guiné (20 km of easy walk). On the way, you will cross the Gerais do Vieira et les Gerais do Rio Preto, two plateaux which offer some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Park. Picnic on the way. At Guiné, a 4x4 will wait for you and take you to the village of Mucugê. From there, you will resume your walk and join Xique-Xique de Igatu, an adorable little village with stone houses constructed by the garimpeiros (diamond seekers). You will spend the night there. Dinner and evening free. Stay in the pousada.
D 6 : Chapada Diamantina
By private transport, you will set off to discover the main « poços » (wells) of Chapada among which the famous Poço Encantado 60m deep and of a deep blue colour. Return to Igatu where you will visit a garimpo of diamonds still in action. Lunch at Dona Lita’s then free afternoon and evening for a personal discovery of this place out of joint with the times. Stay in a pousada.
D 7 : Chapada Diamantina – Lençois – Cachoeira
Early in the morning, transfer to a private transport from Igatu to Lençois then in the afternoon, transfer to Cachoeira, a pretty colonial town which considering its days of glory in the 17th ad 18th centuries thanks to the lucrative sugar and tobacco trade and which to this day has preserved, an air of yesteryears. Opposite, on the other bank of the river, at the other end of the magnificent bank Dom Pedro II, stands the town of São Felix where there still exists a traditional cigar factory. Rest of the day free. Stay in pousada.
J 8 : Cachoeira – Graciosa – Boipeba
Late morning, departure from Cachoeira in the direction of Graciosa where you will take a boat to go to the island of Boipeba, a paradise of 20 km of unspoiled beaches, immaculate sand, natural swimming pools and coconut trees. Rest of the day is free. Stay in pousada.
J 9 : Boipeba – 3rd day of trekking (12 km)
This walk will take you to the South of the island to discover the astonishing village of Cova da Onça (the jaguar cave) with a population of just 700 inhabitants the majority of them are of Dutch and Greek origins. Lunch in a typical restaurant and in the late afternoon, return via the west of the island by boat through the mangrove, the tiny fishermen’s villages, coconut and dende plantations. Arrival at sunset. Evening free. Stay in a pousada.
D 10 : Boipeba – Morro de São Paulo
In the morning, transfer by boat to the island of Morro de São Paulo. Situated on the island of Tinharé in the South of Salvador, Morro de São Paulo is one of the most “badalados” (mod) areas of the Brazilian coast. Morro has four beaches originally named the 1st beach, 2nd beach, 3rd beach and 4th beach. The 2nd is by far the most lively whilst the 4th is the most peaceful.
D 11 : Morro de São Paulo
Whole day free to enjoy the beach.
D 12 : Salvador da Bahia
In the day, transfer by boat to Salvador and transfer to the airport.
Price of the stay: contact us
Included : All stays inhotels orpousada are 11 nights ; 11 breakfasts ; a English speaking guide/ escort throughout the circuit ; private transport such as is specified in the program day by day ; lunches and dinners mentioned as « included » in the program ; visits and excursions as mentioned.
Not Included : Your international return flight ; the airport taxes (national and international ) ; your individual equipment ; compulsory individual insurance ; lunches and dinners not mentioned in the program or mentioned as « not included » (about 3 to 15euros /pers/meal) ; visits not mentioned in the program.
On request: list of accomodations ; personalised estimates, etc.
Remarks:
We would like to point out that this program Best of Bahia is reserved for lovers of walks. Even if it is not necessary to be a great walker (walks are not difficult), it is nevertheless important to be in good shape.
We would also specify that in the inland of the State of Bahia there are no hotels nor restaurants of great standing. Certain accommodations and meals are therefore provided in simple establishments but those offering good services.
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