Chapada Highlights: Caves, Pratinha and Camel Hill
Take a car tour with short walks, ideal for children, the elderly, and anyone who wishes to visit Chapada Diamantina without much physical effort. All attractions are easily accessible, very safe, and have ample facilities to accommodate visitors. Visit the Gruta da Fumaça, Fazenda Pratinha & Gruta Azul, and Mirante do Morro do Camelo. The latter is one of the most iconic postcards of Chapada Diamantina. In this area of Chapada, limestone predominates, a type of rock that is fragile to the action of water. Because of this, the region has a large variety of caves and underground pools. Several fossils dated to over 10,000 years have been found in the Salitre Formation (where limestone predominates, approximately 700 million years old). Additionally, numerous other pieces of evidence about the seas that once covered Chapada and the Ice Age—an essential period for the formation we will visit—have been discovered. Depart from Lençóis at 8:00 AM for a 1-hour drive to Gruta da Fumaça, one of the most complete caves in the Iraquara region. There, see various speleothems, such as stalactites, stalagmites, electites, and the rare Aragonite Flower. After a brief 40-minute visit to the cave, continue by car to Fazenda Pratinha. At Pratinha River, find an array of optional activities, including snorkeling, underwater photos, kayaking, zip-lining, and more. At 3:00 PM, head to Gruta Azul, located within the farm, where you can enjoy a natural light show in the afternoon. Around 4:30 PM, drive for about 40 minutes to the Camel Hill Viewpoint to catch the sunset and finish the day. Expect to be back in Lençóis around 6:30 PM. On the return drive, enjoy stunning views along the BR-242.