10 days
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11:31 18-08-2021
The state of Bahía has a distinct African culture (the population is largely descended from plantation slaves and is like a country within a country, with its own tradition of music and dance. Here you'll discover not only one of the country's most intriguing cities, but also some of the most beautiful wilderness scenery in the interior, and an example of the glorious beaches for which the state is justly famous.
Fly to Salvador, a tropical melting pot of Afro-Brazilian culture and one of Brazil's finest colonial cities. You’ll have a walking tour of the atmospheric historic core. This multi-coloured Portuguese colonial heart of Brazil’s most exotic city throbs with drum and dance - this is the home of capoeira.
Next, you’ll drive inland to the forested Chapada Diamantina, a national park studded with table-top mountains and run through with crystalline rivers: at its heart is the laid-back little town of Lençois. It is magnificent walking country and you’ll be able to explore its caves, waterfalls and rocky hills.
Bahia's coconut coast is lined with golden beaches backed by lofty palms. Just an hour north of Salvador is Praia do Forte, a low-key and low-rise resort which is also a protected haven for sea turtles. Beyond its car-free main strip, lined with small bars, shops and restaurants, are miles of beaches and natural pools which offer a warm bath at low tide. You have two full days of leisure here: swing in a hammock, fruity cocktail in hand, or dip your toes in the ocean.
Transfer to your guesthouse close to the Pelourinho in the historic colonial centre.
The city of Salvador is the most exotic in the country, where the influence of Portuguese colonial architecture and culture blends with the African traditions imported by the slaves brought in to work on the plantations. The compact historic core has recently been renovated and is crammed full of colourful colonial mansions, churches and museums, all clustered around a large open space known as the pelourinho, which is the heart of the city.
You’ll have a private guided walking tour of this quarter, best discovered on foot. The area is enlivened with bars, shops and restaurants, and you can expect spontaneous eruptions of music at every turn. The local cuisine is very much a product of the region and its cultural mélange: you can try out any number of dishes at the many eateries in town.
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After yesterday's orientation walk, today is free to explore and absorb the magnetic vibe of Salvador. Optional trips we can arrange with advance notice include a Bahian cooking- themed tour or a visit to the Lower City (Cidade Baixa) and the Itapagipe Peninsula, visiting the Igreja de Bomfim. This church is a magnet for pilgrims. If you fancy a trip further afield, Cachoeira is a colonial town and national historic monument that in its heyday was a thriving river port, but is now a sleepy and unpretentious place full of atmospheric, crumbling colonial buildings and a photogenic delight.
Transfer to the bus station for a modern public coach journey (6-7hrs) to Lençois in the Chapada Diamantina, 420km from Salvador. The pretty, colonial town of Lençois is set in the heart of the Chapada Diamantina. It is a well- watered land of densely vegetated beauty set close to the dusty Sertão desert. The national park's most distinctive features are the table-like mountains which define its topography.
It has a hot climate all year around, which makes visiting its natural pools, rivers and delightful waterfalls an even more welcoming attraction. Lençois was the centre of a diamond rush in the 19th century but since the 1980s the accent has been on ecotourism. Your hotel is convenient for visits to the many gift shops, family-style restaurants and bars in this friendly low-key little town, until recently the preserve of hippies and New Age aficionados.
After breakfast there's a full day tour of the Chapada Diamantina. Drive from Lencois to the Mucugezinho river, and trek to the black lake of Poço do Diabo. From here there's a chance to visit Lapa Doce cave, which involves about an hour's walking underground. You’ll also visit Pratinha Cave, a beautiful subterranean river and lake. Later, drive to Pai Inacio plateau and walk the last 300m (20mins) for today's grand finale: perhaps the most amazing view in Bahia.
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Begin with 2-hour transfer from Lençois to the remote community of Capão which sits withing the heart of the stunning tablelands of the Chapada Diamantina. From here, there's a 12 km walk (2 hours each way) to the top of the steaming Cachoeira da Fumaça (waterfall of smoke). At 340m this is the second highest waterfall in Brazil and the only way it can be viewed in its entirety is to lie horizontal and peer down into the canyon! A picnic lunch is included at the top of the waterfall, before the hike down - which offers more magnificent views over the Capão valley. Return to Capão for a visit to the village and, on the drive back to Lençois, maybe stop at Riachinho for a swim. This hike is classed as moderate.
Take the coach back to Salvador and transfer to Praia do Forte. Thanks to its carefully managed conservation projects, Praia do Forte has developed over the decades into an established family-orientated resort without losing its Bahian character. Salvador’s most convenient beach escape, it’s lively at weekends and holidays but miles of palm-lined sands mean there’s room for everyone. Our clients have been enjoying holidays here for over 30 years.
Days in Praia do Forte can be as relaxed as you wish, although there's plenty to fill your time whether its beach- combing before breakfast, a visit the Projeto Tamar turtle sanctuary, ecological reserve or nearby fortress. Nights are generally low-key here, busier on weekends and holidays but the main strip has plenty of eating options and there's a family-orientated atmosphere. Optional whale-watching activities take place at Praia do Forte between August and October.
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Services of our team of Walking Tour of Historic Tips and gratuities experts in our London office Salvador Meals other than specified Services of Journey Latin Full day tour of Chapada America local Diamantina National Park, International flights to Latin representatives and guides near Lençois America All land and air transport Full day walking-based Airport taxes, when not within Latin America excursion to the Valley and included in the ticket Fumaca waterfalls Accommodation as specified Optional excursions
Meals as specified Excursions as specified, including entrance fees
2 scenic road journeys between Salvador and the Chapada Diamantina (6-7hrs each); transfer between Salvador and Praia do Forte is about an hour.
We have chosen for this tour small and friendly pousadas (guesthouse style properties) in Salvador and Praia do Forte. These are widespread and popular in Brazil. In Lençois you have a comfortable mid-range hotel long- established in the town. All have well-equipped rooms, private bathroom and heating.
Breakfast daily, lunch days 5, 6.
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English- speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.
10 days, 9 nights: Salvador 3; Lençois 3; Praia do Forte 3.
The unit of currency in Brazil is the real.
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Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds.
We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.
It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$50 per person per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and tips.
Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 - 12% in restaurants.
Travel insurance is essential.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
This trip is ideal for the active traveller. There are a couple of long public bus rides, and we've included two very rewarding full-days out in the Chapada Diamantina, where the terrain is rocky and hilly and where it can be hot and humid (especially Dec-Mar). One of these excursions includes 12km of walking. You need to be fit but no special equipment or extra training are necessary. If you prefer to do less hiking let us know. If you have a disability or other special requirements, please call us.
Salvador is an all-year destination, hot and humid with most rain falling from April to July. The Chapada Diamantina is also hot (27-32°C) all year round with most rain April to July.
The driest month of the year is January.
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For day-to-day wear you should take loose-fitting, breathable clothes. Comfortable walking shoes are important and sandals are useful. A sun hat, sun block and sunglasses are necessary, and you should take a light fleece for cool nights and a Gore-Tex layer, as well as swimwear, a towel, insect repellent and a torch.
Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America.
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following; typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. For specific requirements you must consult your GP.
As of 2018, visitors to Brazil travelling on our holidays should be protected with a vaccination against yellow fever, and carry the corresponding certificate. In April 2013, the World Health Organisation Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation concluded that a single primary dose of yellow fever vaccine is sufficient to confer sustained immunity and lifelong protection against yellow fever disease, and that a booster dose is not needed.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
11:31 18-08-2021 10 days
11:31 18-08-2021