Fumaça from Below Trek

3 days

Experience the grandeur of Chapada Diamantina on this epic 3-day adventure to the base of the majestic Fumaça Waterfall, the second highest free-falling waterfall in Brazil at 340 meters! This challenging trek is a must for nature enthusiasts and adrenaline seekers.

Fumaça from Below: Thrills and Untamed Nature

Practical Information

Highlights
of the Trek

Duration: 3 days
Departure Time (Day 1): 7:30 AM
Return Time (Day 3): 7:00 PM
Total Distance: 30 km
Average Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours per day
Total Transport Time: 2 hours drive back

Fumaça Waterfall from Above and Below: Brazil’s second highest free-falling waterfall at 340 meters
Palmital Waterfall (39 meters)
Capivara Waterfall (18 meters)
Numerous swims in rivers and waterfalls
2 nights of camping immersed in nature
Authentic Brazilian cuisine with meals prepared over a wood fire by our guides
Access to Chapada Diamantina's immense geological, historical, faunal, and floral wealth through our professional guides
Unforgettable human experience with groups of travelers from around the world and the professional support of our guides

What is not included?

Professional guide
Food:
- 2 breakfasts
- 3 picnics
- 2 dinners
2 nights in tents or rock shelters
Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad)
Transportation
Agency’s insurance

What is included?

Breakfast before the trek
Dinner after the trek
Trekking backpack: Available for rent from our agency for 10 Reais per day

Como Funciona o Abastecimento de Água Durante a Trilha?

What shall I Bring?

Each participant must bring between 1.5L and 3L of water bottles on the first day, depending on the season. Guides will point out locations on the trail where potable water is available, such as springs, rivers or waterfalls. The water from the rivers in Chapada Diamantina National Park is generally drinkable, despite its golden color, which is due to the tannin-rich leaves from local vegetation that infuse in the water.

Backpack with a minimum capacity of 60 liters
Hiking boots or shoes
1 or 2 water bottles of 1.5L each (depending on the season)
Hiking clothes (shorts, t-shirt, socks)
Rain jacket
Light jacket (summer) / Warm jacket (winter)
Flashlight (preferably a headlamp)
Swimwear
Small towel
Flip-flops or sandals for the evening
Sun protection (sunscreen, hat or cap, UV t-shirt, sunglasses)
Personal toiletries
Insect repellent

Trek fumaça from below overview

Palmital waterfall (40 meters)

Day 1

Distance: 11 km
Starting Altitude: 400 m
Maximum Altitude: 850 m
Minimum Altitude: 400 m

The journey begins on foot from Lençóis. After a 3-hour hike, we reach Palmital Waterfall, the most precious and delicate gem of Chapada Diamantina, with its layers of rocks covered in fluorescent mosses. We take a well-deserved waterfall bath after walking under the sun. The first night is spent camping nearby, following a hearty dinner prepared by our guide over an open fire.

Famaça Waterfall from Below

Day 2

Distance: 9 km
Starting Altitude: 740 m
Maximum Altitude: 900 m
Minimum Altitude: 590 m

After a hearty breakfast, we set off to explore the Capivara Waterfall, another natural wonder. Shortly after, we head towards the Macaco Shelter (Toca do Macaco) and delve deeper into the network of gigantic canyons that form the veins of Chapada Diamantina, heading towards the heart of the mountain range: the Fumaça Canyon.

After a substantial picnic, we hike for another hour to reach the base of the most famous waterfall in Chapada. After spending some time admiring from below the grandeur of the waterfall and the surrounding cliffs, we take a refreshing dip in the Fumaça pool before returning to camp for dinner.

Fumaça waterfall from above

Day 3

Distance: 10 km
Starting Altitude: 690 m
Maximum Altitude: 1340 m
Minimum Altitude: 690 m

We start the day with a steep climb to exit the Fumaça Canyon. It takes 3 hours of ascent to reach the plateau, 350 meters higher! After this olympic effort and much sweat, we follow the trail to the viewpoint of Fumaça from above, where we can enjoy the breathtaking view over the canyon that we explored the day before.

We cool off and have lunch by the Fumaça stream. After this well-deserved break, we cross the plateaus to reach the final viewpoint, which reveals the stunning Capão Valley.

Important Information:

During certain times of the year, the Fumaça Waterfall may be dry, and neither the water jet nor the "smoke effect” may be visible. Despite this, the nature and landscapes are breathtaking, with plenty of river swims. The dry state of the waterfall does not detract from the beauty of the location or the intensity of the experience and the view remains surreal and dizzying, both from above and below.
Due to variable weather conditions, it might be decided, after consulting our professional guides, to do the trek reverse wise, starting from Capão and heading towards Lençóis. This adjustment does not affect the quality of the experience.