full challenge details

Brazil
Chapada Diamantina Trek
This trek takes us to the state of Bahia, Northeast Brazil, and the Chapada
Diamantina National Park – an area of spectacular natural beauty, with its
dramatic flat-topped mountains, or morrãos, high waterfalls plunging down cliffsides, azure blue pools, dense forest and grassy plains.
We follow the remote trails that wind through these beautiful valleys, climbing to
viewpoints with breath-taking panoramas over these magnificent surroundings.
As perfect contrast to our trek, we spend time in charming colonial Lençois and
Salvador, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a vibrant culture.
Challenge Grading
Detailed Itinerary
Our trips are graded from Challenging
Day 1: Fly London to Salvador
(Grade 1) to Extreme (Grade 5).
This trek is grade Demanding
Arrive in Salvador and transfer to hotel. Night hotel.
(2).
Main challenges lie in the steep inclines
Day 2: Salvador – Lençois
and rough rocky paths, with some
Refreshed, we spend the morning exploring the colourful, historic streets of Salvador,
scrambling over boulders and rock
enjoying its Portuguese colonial architecture and energetic street scenes. Salvador is
ledges; the heat adds to the challenge.
one of the oldest cities in the Americas and known for its Afro-Brazilian culture, with
Many factors influence the Challenge
Grading, such as terrain, distances,
climate, living conditions, etc. The grade
reflects the overall trip; some days are
likely to feel more challenging than
others. Unusual weather conditions also
have a significant impact, and not all
people are tested by the same aspects.
Our grading levels are intended as a
guide, but span a broad spectrum; trips
distinctive cuisine and music. Its party atmosphere is as famous as its beaches and
beautiful architecture. In the afternoon an hour’s flight takes us to Lençois, an old
mining town and now the gateway to Chapada Diamantina National Park. After a
drive and a short uphill walk (20-30 mins) we reach Morro do Pai Inácio (Father
Ignacio’s Hill) – a flat-topped hill which towers over the town. At 1240m, it’s the
perfect vantage-point for an introduction to the National Park, and we can enjoy
incredible views of the morrãos and valleys that we’ll be trekking through. After
watching the sun set over this wonderful landscape, we head to our hotel for dinner
and a detailed trip briefing. Night hotel.
Day 3: Lençois – Capão Valley
within the same grade will still vary in the
After an energising breakfast, we set off on our first day’s trek! Today’s route takes
level of challenge provided.
us into the Capão Valley, in the heart of the National Park. Chapada Diamantina is
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Detailed Itinerary (cont)
an old diamond-mining region; many prospectors flocked to the area in the 1840s
when diamonds were first discovered here, and it soon became a centre of mining
activity. Gems are occasionally still found, though large-scale mining is banned. The
path we follow is an old prospectors’ mule-trail, which winds its way into the deep
valley towards a large flat-topped mountain. We are surrounded by lush vegetation
including bromeliads and orchids, which cloaks the steep valley walls. We pass quiet
pools and streams, many of which are orange-hued from the natural tannins, and
have almost-constant views of the large monolith ahead of us. Night guesthouse.
Trek approx. 6-7 hours (15km)
Day 4: Capão Valley – Pati Valley
The scenery becomes even more beautiful today as we head deeper into this
spectacular region. We continue through the Capão Valley, crossing the Capão River
and other smaller streams, walking much of the time on paths that undulate through
the grassy highland plains of Gerais do Vieira and Gerais do Rio Preto. Cattle used
to roam here, and many of the paths were created to drive them to new pastures.
Today’s walk is long, and fairly hilly, but the views continue to impress; we are
Trekking Information Bikes
surrounded by valley walls, swathed in green Atlantic forest which gives way to sheer
rock face higher up. Waterfalls tumble down the steep sides. In the distance we see
We trek on varied paths, from clear
more of the long series of morrãos that tower up from the valley floor; these
paths of grass or dirt to those of slabbed
sandstone mountains date back a billion years, to a time when the Americas and
rock. Other trails take us over rocky or
Africa were joined. We continue into the Pati Valley. Night homestay.
stony ground, with some scrambling
Trek approx. 7-8 hours (22km)
over boulders and rock ledges. There
are many steep hills, up and down,
Day 5: Pati Valley – Cachoeirão Falls
which can be hard in the heat, and
Pati Valley is the jewel of Chapada Diamantina, with high waterfalls that plunge
numerous water-crossings.
dramatically down sheer ravines and escarpments. Today is a shorter day, taking us
You will trek approximately 75km on this
trip overall. It’s much more useful when
training to think about the hours you
need to walk for, and the terrain!
This trek is achievable for most people
to Cachoeirão Falls – a trek which takes us steadily uphill to start with, then levels
out. At a height of almost 280m, Cachoeirão is one of the highest waterfalls in the
National Park, and an incredible sight to see. We head back to our homestay,
finishing the day with a long section of downhill walking. Night homestay.
Trek approx. 5-6 hours (16km)
provided they train well in advance. We
will supply you with a thorough training
Weather
guide when you have registered.
Chapada Diamantina National Park has
Passport & Vaccinations
A ten-year passport is essential, valid for
at least six months from date of entry
into Brazil. British passport-holders do
not need a visa; other nationalities
should check entry requirements.
Your routine UK schedule of
vaccinations should be up-to-date
(including Tetanus); check with your GP
for additional travel health advice.
Malaria is low-risk in this area of Brazil.
its own micro-climate, influenced by the
steep valley walls. It is generally warm,
can be humid, with tropical rain-showers
common. Don’t worry if it rains while you
are trekking – the waterfalls are much
more impressive!
Altitude has a great effect on
temperatures and although Chapada
Diamantina lies at an average 1000m, it
does vary and may be warmer as you
lose height. Average temperatures
range between 17–30°C.
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Detailed Itinerary (cont)
Day 6: Pati Valley – Castelo
More waterfalls today, as we continue through Pati Valley and head for the Funil and
Lejado waterfalls. Not as dramatically high, they are wide, and tumble photogenically
down a series of rock ledges. The pool below is perfect for swimming, and we have
plenty of time to enjoy this tranquil spot. We continue trekking, over fairly flat terrain,
to our homestay, which we should reach in time for lunch. This afternoon we walk to
Castelo Morrão, so called because of its fortress-like rocky ridges. The walk takes us
gradually uphill to the base; we return the same way. Night homestay.
Trek approx. 5 hours (10km)
Day 7: Pati Valley
Another day takes us further along the Pati Valley, enjoying the changing landscapes
around us. The weathered rock has created fascinating formations and there is
Crew & Trip Support.
always something new to look at. We discover deep hidden canyons, and caves
hidden among the cleft rock, many of which were used for shelter by the prospectors.
Your trip will be led by experienced
We pass more waterfalls and pools, and should have time for a swim or a paddle en-
Discover Adventure leaders. They are
route to our accommodation. Night homestay.
chosen for their experience and know-
Trek approx. 5-6 hours (12km)
ledge, friendliness and approachability,
sense of humour and ability to safely and
Day 8: Pati Valley – Lençois
effectively deal with any situation that
An early start for our trek out of the Pati Valley, a long zig-zagging ascent of the
arises. They are also trained in
valley walls. The views that open up are absolutely breath-taking. Our vehicles await
expedition first-aid. You are in very safe
to drive us to Poço Azul (Blue Pool), a submerged cave where crystal-clear water
hands with a Discover Adventure leader.
forms a range of dazzling colours depending on the light. Swimming here is an
An expedition doctor or medic also
incredible experience – or just soak up the beauty. We then drive back to Lençois
accompanies trips unless run below
and celebrate our achievements. Night hotel.
minimum group size.
(Dinner not included)
Our local support crew is made up of a
Trek approx 6-7 hours (16km); drive approx 3 hours
friendly team of local guides, drivers and
porters, who work closely with the
Discover Adventure crew to ensure your
trip runs smoothly and safely. Vehicles
take the group to the start of the trek and
pick us up at the end. Vehicles or porters
carry all luggage, food and water.
Accommodation & Food
Bikes
Day 9: Lençois – Salvador; flight departs
We are free to explore the cobbled streets and characterful buildings of Lençois,
before an afternoon flight to Salvador, connecting to our international flight home.
(Lunch not included)
Day 10: Arrive UK
Discover Adventure reserves the right to change the route or itinerary for
safety reasons should local conditions dictate.
Copyright Discover Adventure 2013 / Updated 2016
We stay in shared rooms in traditional
home-stays and guesthouses in the
National Park, and hotels when in the
For details of our extension trip in Rio (adds 2 days min) or to see the magnificent
Iguassu Falls on the Brazil-Argentina border (adds 2 days min) please contact us.
cities (on a twin-share basis). The
guesthouses are remote and very rustic,
a real highlight of our trek. Expect plenty
of variation! All food is included except
where specified in the itinerary. The
food is great, will give you plenty of
energy, and there is plenty of it. Please
let us know any dietary requirements
well in advance.
01722 718444
info@discoveradventure.com www.discoveradventure.com
Chapada Diamantina Trek
2017 – 2018
2017 Dates
4 - 13 Mar
23 Sept - 2 Oct
2018 Dates
3 - 12 Mar
22 Sept - 1 Oct
Pricing Information
All costs are based on a minimum of 15 participants. Please refer to our website for latest prices and offers.
REGISTRATION FEE
FUNDRAISING TARGET
TRIP COST
Payable 10 weeks prior to trip
departure
Payable 8 weeks prior to trip
departure
You commit to raise the fundraising
target. Your chosen charity will
retain 50% of this target plus any
additional fundraising you achieve.
Paid by your charity
providing they have received
all of the Fundraising Target
From £4300.00
N/A
Your contribution (Part Payment Trip
Cost) to the trip cost gives you a
lower fundraising target. You
commit to raise this target and your
chosen charity will retain 50% of
this target plus any additional
fundraising you achieve.
Set contribution (Part
Payment Trip Cost) paid by
you at this time.
Remaining costs paid by your
chosen charity, providing
they have received all of the
Fundraising Target
Payable on registration
FUNDRAISING
OPTION
Paid to Discover Adventure to
secure your place on the trip.
This is applicable to all payment
options and is non-refundable.
£499.00
PART –
PAYMENT
OPTION
Paid to Discover Adventure to
secure your place on the trip.
This is applicable to all payment
options and is non-refundable.
All Airline Taxes paid by
charity.
All Airline Taxes paid by
charity.
From £3300.00
£499.00
SELF PAYMENT
OPTION
Paid to Discover Adventure to
secure your place on the trip.
This is applicable to all payment
options and is non-refundable.
Raise as much as you can and 100%
of your donations will go to your
chosen charity
•
•
•
•
•
All transport from London to Salvador / Rio return
All food (other than five or six meals) and
accommodation
Discover Adventure leaders; doctor with group of 15+
participants; local guides & drivers
Local support and back-up equipment
Entry to National Park and any other sites included in
itinerary
Paid by you together with
applicable Airline Taxes
(capped at £225.00/£250.00)
N/A
£499.00
What’s Included
From £500.00
From £1925.00
What’s Excluded
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Two meals as specified in itinerary
Travel insurance
Personal spending money, souvenirs and drinks
Tips for the local guides and support crew
Inbound airport departure tax (no tax applied at time of
writing)
Fees for any optional sites, attractions or activities
Airline taxes: we cap these so that £225.00/£250.00 is
the maximum you will pay
Any applicable surcharges as per Terms and Conditions
Discover Adventure Ltd Throope Down House Blandford Road Coombe Bissett Salisbury Wiltshire SP5 4LN
Tel 01722 718444 Fax 0843 290 5289 info@discoveradventure.com www.discoveradventure.com