Welcome to the “Green Paradise” of the State of Bahia

Tatu na Trilha Agency - Capão Valley - Tel: 55 75 33441055 / 1124

Spectacular scenery of imposing canyons and table mountains, flowing grasslands and forested valleys, extensive cave systems, many waterfalls and deep swimming pools in the heart of the state of Bahia.
In a geological history spanning more than 1.5 billion years, the area has been a river delta, a shallow sea where icebergs floated and a desert with shifting sand dunes. Rock art attests to pre-historic occupation of the area. Once a gold and diamond mining region, it has an unique history and culture. The area is still sparsely populated and people are very hospitable..
The Chapada one of Brazil’s top hiking destinations. It is also a wonderful backdrop to a wide range of other outdoor activities like mountain biking, swimming, rafting, caving, horse riding, rappel or just plain getting away from it all. Famed for its rich flora and endemic birds, it is also a special place for botanists and birdwatchers. .
There many groups active in the conservation of the area and local culture. The Sempre Vivas Project works with local communities for sustainable extraction of Papaelanthus dried flowers in Mucugê. The Vale do Capão is known for its permaculture communities and organic fare...Local gateway Lençois is easily reached by air or road from Salvador. The Chapada is great to visit year round. There are good local guide books, guides, hotels and outfitters.

The agency Tatu na Trilha specializes in regional eco-tourism and appeals mostly to the brazilian and  european publics. The tours it proposes have been conceived so as to convey the most intense contact with the marvelous natural settings of the National Park of the Chapada Diamantina. The History of the Diamond Rush, the different aspects of the Coffee culture and the diversity of the local traditions are comprehensively commented by our guides as they are encontered and visualized throughout the circuits.You would be able to choose between a complete tour,  “Discovery of  the Chapada”, a variety of  one day  excursions and treks for lovers of unspoiled Nature

Hi Claude,

Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our time with you and discovering the chapada. It is such a beautiful place. No surprise that you stayed….

We very much appreciated the work of the guides and your whole team: a really good bunch of people determined to make a difference and preserve the heritage. Very inspiring.

Very best wishes,

Stephen

August 2010

 

I had an absolutely wonderful stay at Tatu Feliz.  The pousada is conveniently located in Caete-Acu village, serves delicious breakfasts, and has clean and comfortable rooms.  The owner, Claude, helped me plan several day hikes which contributed to my very pleasant experience exploring Chapada Diamantina National Park.  I highly recommend Tatu Feliz!

Beijos,

Kristi

October 2010

 

Discovery of the Chapada Tour	Trekking Tours starting from the Valley of  Capão
3 days, 2 nights, Excursions   The Fumaça Waterfall, City of Lençois, the Pai Inácio Mountain, the High Plateaus of the Park and Poço do Diabo waterfall	The Valley of Pati , the central area of the Park : A 3 days tours (2 nights´ stay at local inhabitants’ houses)   The Circuit Highlights : the Caeté-Açu village in the Valley of the Capão, the Gerais do Vieira, the Valley of the Paty.

All tours are led by trained and authorized guides who will readily volonteer to you plenty of informations on the subjects of the local fauna and flora as well as on many interesting topics of the regional culture.

We also provide supplementary material such as binoculars, three-dimensional maps or satellite-pictures of the region. The accepted rules of behaviour inside a natural park are duly respected throughout the circuits

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DISCOVERY of the CHAPADA DIAMANTINA – 3 days and 2 nights stay   2 possible accomodation options

POUSADA CANDOMBÁ PAI INÁCIO MOUNTAIN HIGHLANDS LENÇOIS REMARKABLE HIGHLIGHTS : . The Fumaça Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Brazil (400 meters). Three hours’ trek. . The city of Lençois, the Diamond Rush, the local gastronomy. The Pai Inácio mesa and Poço do Diabo waterfall. . The High Plateaus and the heart of the National Park (a four hours’ trek ). The splendor of the Capão Valley. Day 1 : The Capão Valley and the Fumaça Waterfall Our trekking starts after a tropical breakfast and shall lead us to one of the most remarkable sites of the Chapada. A two hours stroll on the High Plateaus enables us to appreciate the great variety of the local flora : tree-ferns, orchids, carnivorous plants... We shall then come across the incredible canyon of the Fumaça. From the top of the waterfall, along the 400 yards decline, we shall discover the primitive forest growing in this watery and shaded environment. From our towering position we shall enjoy a savoury outdoor lunch before some strolling and winding our way down to the Pousada. Day 2 : Discovery of the Region, the Pai Inácio Mount, Poço do Diabo Waterfall and the city of Lençois After a confortable car ride we approach the charming colonial city of Lençois. Reviving an ancient custom, the façades bordering its narrow streets have been painted in many different pastel shades. We may thus imagine the 19th century ambiance of this small North-Eastern rural settlement which became one of the world’s richest Diamond Mining and trading centers. Our-a-days, Lençois is renowned for the quality of life and the entertainment its offers, as well as the passionate reactions it sucitates. Strolling in the animated lanes we may visit some of the many handicrafts shops. After lunching on a succulent grill of local beef in a typical “churrascaria”, we shall drive to the Pai Inácio, the imposing mount which came to be known as the symbol of the whole region. From its top we shall be able to enjoy a breath-taking vista on the whole range of the Sincorá mountains. We stop for a rest and a good bath at the Poço do Diabo waterfall (30 min walking). Day 3 : Trekking throughout the High Plateaus, Poço da Angelica Our trekking towards the small village of Bomba starts after a satisfying breakfast at the Hotel. From there we climb to the immense natural reserve on top of the High Plateaus. Orchids and bromeliads have marvelously adapted themselves to this unique environment. In the surrounding mountains some whitish pumas (“sussuaranas”) may still hide. At the end of this first leg of our hike we catch sight the Valley of Pati, home to a completely secluded and unique human community inside the National Park. Swiming at Angelica natural swiming-pool. By late afternoon we should be able to reach the Pousada and enjoy the rest and confort it offers. The return bus to Salvador leaves at 10:30 P.M. from Palmeiras.   POUSADA TATU FELIZ YEAH!! FUMAÇA WATERFALL WALKING THROUGH CHAPADA

 

TREKKING AT THE PATI VALLEY

Average daily walks of 5 to 6 hours. Level of difficulty : medium. Day 1 : From the Valley of Capaõ to the High Plateaus and the Valley of Paty Departure by Jeep from the Travel Agency at 8:00 A.M. to the village of Bomba, the starting point of the track to the Valley of the Paty. Crossing through the High Plateaus of the Vieira which show on their wavy surface innumerable streams of cristaline water. From the start of the 19th century and for more than a hundred years, these wide plains have been the setting of extensive cattle breeding and gold mining activities. Pick-nick and river swim in the Gems Waterfall. Our path then follows the mule-drivers’ trail from which one will can enjoy a flabbergasting view of the complete Range of the Pati Mountains, one of the most isolated areas of the Park. There, is to be found an endemical mountain-flora consisting of carnivorous plants, altitude orchids or “immortal” flowers (Paepalanthus). Several couples of rare birds of prey, known as “Gavião pé de Serra”, inhabit these lofty surroundings. The overnight accomodation is provided by local inhabitants in shared rooms (no electrical light, clean sheets and blankets). The meals are prepared by a local cook from her home-grown greeneries. Day 2 : Wanderings and discoveries in the Valley of the Paty After a typical breakfast, we shall climb the Serra das Cabras (Goats Mountain), pass through a 300 yards long naturel tunnel and discover a surprising vista over the down-hill side of the valley. Our altitude will then be of nearly one mile over sea level (1 470 meters). There, bromeliads of all sorts will be seen hanging from the branches of century old trees, reminding a mysterious amazonian forest. With the help of binoculars we will be able to spot the huge “Araponga” birds. These are among the largest rain-forest birds and have elected these mountains as their dwelling. The nearby Valley of the Calixto is the home to bands of Howler Monkeys (“Bujios” or Alouatta Caraya). By noon we shall make a halt for a outdoor lunch surrounded by the mountains summits. The program may be modified depending on rainy weather. In such a case, we suggest the visit of ancient City Hall of the valley which is also used as a refuge for wayfarers. Nearby is found a temple dedicated to the Umbanda, afro-roots religion. By late afternoon we shall return to our starting point after visiting the Funis Waterfall (see picture) which displays the most suitable scenery for a cool swim and some relaxing moments. Day 3 : From the Valley of Paty to the Cordilhera of the Esbarrancado (Range of the Ravine) and the village of Guiné. After breakfast we start towards the Black River, renowned to have delivered some the largest sized diamonds on earth. There we shall take some time for a welcome dive and a luck-try search for a foresaken diamond (!). Ancient dry-stone buildings are testimonies to the intense mining activity which took place in these area during the nineteenth century. The Red-Tie Humming Bird is endemical of the region and can be easily spoted faring from flower to flower. Large arborescent ferns draw their heavy shades on the hill-tops. We shall go through the Gorge of Beco) which is the western gate to the Chapada and from which a 50 miles wide vista over the Cordilhera of the Barbado and the steeply decline to the hamlet of Guiné reveals itself to our eyes. We shall Return riding a Jeep through the “Sertão” savanas, the famous dry lands so typical of the interior of the State of Bahia. Our arrival at the Agency is due by 7:00 P.M.

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The  price of trekking include snacks, diners, breakfast, guide, overnights and transffers by car between Capão village and the begining of the trail ( 5 miles)

(*)   :           The price includes the services of a professional guide, transportation from Palmeiras to Caeté-Açu and return, 2 nights at  a local inhabitant’s house (*housing), suppers and breakfasts included, 3 pick-nick lunches and 2 shuttles by Jeep passing on the way back through the village of Guiné.

 (**) :          The price includes the services of a professional guide, accomodation in the high-standard Hotel Candombá or nice Tatu Feliz lodge, way and back transportation to the Hotel ( Palmeiras -  Caeté-Açu ), lunches, and  the excursions described in the tour package.

Discovery Tours	Trekkings at the Pati Valley

The Capão Valley
 

The township of Caeté-Açu is home to the majority of the population and provides all kinds of services to the scatered inhabitants of the Valley. It succeeded in preserving its original charm and relaxed atmosphere, centering itself on a small square which is focus of all social life. Modest sized houses of many bright colours agregate around a century old church and a “correto” (pagode like building for collective activities) which were erected by the communitarian work of the villagers. The very active associative life and various artistic enterprises, such as a Circus and a Choral, provide expositions, shows and concerts the year round.
For many years the Valley supplied the diamond prospectors with miscellaneous services and various food stuffs such as coffee, bananas or vegetables.
The 1920 and 1930 decades saw the apex of these activities linked to the mining of gems in the surrounding mountains. In those days, transportation followed the lengthy paved track which winded from the village of Guiné to Lençois, via Volta da Serra, Sitio Novo and the Valley of Capão. Much of the merchandizing of the epoch depended on caravanes led by intrepid mule-drivers along a vertical axis linking centers in Minas Gerais to Juazeiro in the North. The elders in Capão still tell the tales of the many hectic adventures they encountered on the trail.
At the close of the Diamond Rush and, more so, after the plunge of coffee on stock-markets, the Valley started its decline to a long period of isolation. The late 70’s and 80’s saw a mass emigration to the urban centers of São Paulo lured by its supposed opportunities. But simultaneously, “new rural life adepts” flocked to the region, boosting and influencing it with their peculiar ways-and-means : health-foods, communitary life, natural medicine, spiritual research etc.
By the years, the intermingling of both populations modified the atmosphere and destinies of the settlement. The opening of new enterprises and perspectives attracted back the former exilees, thus bringing hope for future development in completely new fields of activity.
The resurrection of the Valley is, therefore, the result of a perfect adequation between natural surroundings, human reality and an eco-touristic activity of high standards. The absence of “mass-tourism” schemes facilitated the creation of human sized accomodation units which are dedicated to the preservation of the environment and of the rural aspects of life in the area.
The Valley is renowned for attracting visitors who seek a high quality of life or who are set on personal harmony. It thus benefits from their presence, making good use of its traditional hospitality, by developing such means of living which focalize on conviviality and leisurely discoveries.

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