Chapada Diamantina National Park

Bahia, Brazil

Chapada Diamantina National Park, located in the heart of Bahia, is a breathtaking expanse of rugged plateaus, deep valleys, and cascading waterfalls that feels like Brazil’s answer to a fantasy novel.

Established in 1985 and spanning over 152,000 hectares, the park is part of the Sincorá Range and is named after the region’s 19th-century diamond mining boom — “Diamantina” meaning “diamond-bearing.” The landscape is a dramatic fusion of flat-topped mountains, quartzite cliffs, and underground cave systems.

Among its most iconic features are Cachoeira da Fumaça, one of Brazil’s tallest waterfalls plunging 340 meters into a misty abyss, and Morro do Pai Inácio, a mesa that offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and is steeped in local legend. Hidden within the park are crystal-clear pools like Poço Azul and Poço Encantado, where sunlight filters through the water to illuminate submerged rock formations in an ethereal glow.

The park’s biodiversity is equally rich, with ecosystems ranging from caatinga scrublands to Atlantic Forest patches and high-altitude cerrado grasslands. It’s home to orchids, bromeliads, and rare wildlife like the hooded visorbearer hummingbird, maned wolves, and capuchin monkeys.

The Vale do Pati, a remote valley within the park, is considered one of Brazil’s most rewarding multi-day treks, offering a blend of natural beauty and encounters with traditional communities.