Some 400+ kilometres inland from Salvador is a huge expanse of semi arid land that contains many spectacular rocky outcrops and large open vistas. The large Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina was established in the 1980s to protect key parts of the landscape around the small former mining town of Lençóis. Today the area is very popular for trekking, climbing and water activities.

We used the small town of Lençóis as a base to explore the region. Lençóis today is an attractive colonial style town with cobbled streets and colourful painted buildings in the traditional Brazilian style of pastel shades of yellows, greens, blues etc. The main narrow streets in the centre are closed to traffic and at night the streets are full of tables and chairs belonging to many restaurants.

Originally Lençóis grew up of the back of prospecting for diamonds, hence the name of the National Park. Today mining is not permitted in the Park as it often makes extensive use of mercury which is devastating for the local water supply. There are some decent treks that start in Lençóis that take in a number of interesting water features. A lot of the water flows through the rocks and underground giving rise to a number underground caverns and also many waterfalls above ground.

On our second day there we hired a local guide to take us to the waterfalls at Toca do Morcego and the two cave complexes at Poço Azul and Poço Encantado. Both cave complexes were several metres below ground and contained large deep pools of water. With the light coming through holes in the roof, the waters were a deep blue colour, especially those at Poço Azul. The large variety of minerals in the rocks also add to the colour, especially the deep veins of green crystals.

The distances in the park can be huge but the landscape is pretty spectacular and it is easy to see why this remote area is one of a Brazil’s most popular trekking area.

Date: 12/11/2018 to 15/11/2018