Fumaça from Below Trek

3 days

Picture yourself deep in the wilderness, far from everything. You fall asleep under a sky full of stars, and wake up to the gentle sound of the river running past your feet…
The Fumaça from Below Trek is an unforgettable 3-day journey through the wild heart of Chapada Diamantina. You’ll hike through isolated canyons, swim in crystal-clear pools, and spend your nights camping under the open sky, surrounded only by silence and the towering beauty of the mountains.
The highlight of this adventure? Reaching the base of the majestic Fumaça Waterfall from Below and feeling the sheer power of its 340-meter drop, the second tallest waterfall in Brazil. A raw, exclusive experience for those willing to take the road less traveled.
This is a Trek Fumaça 3 Days designed for those who seek challenge, disconnection, and deep reconnection with nature.

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

How does the water supply work during the trail?

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

Our Fumaça from Below trek begins early as we leave Lençóis and head to the trailhead. We start hiking through wide open landscapes of cerrado and grassy plains until we reach the beautiful Palmital Waterfall. Here, we pause for a riverside picnic and a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear waters.
The adventure continues as we follow lesser-known trails through rocky formations and into remote canyons. By late afternoon, we arrive at our rustic campsite in the heart of nature. Dinner is a warm, simple meal prepared by the guide, enjoyed around the fire beneath a sky full of stars.

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 head toward Capivara Waterfall, a 20-meter cascade with perfect natural pools for a morning dip. We continue through lush native vegetation, deep canyons, and wild trails until we reach Toca do Macaco, where we stop for a peaceful lunch immersed in the sounds of the forest.
Then comes the highlight of the day: reaching the base of Fumaça Waterfall from Below. At 340 meters tall, it’s an awe-inspiring sight that makes you feel small in the face of nature’s grandeur. You’ll have time to swim in the Fumaça pool, relax, and take in this once-in-a-lifetime moment before returning to camp for a fire-cooked dinner and a well-earned rest.

Fumaça waterfall from above

Day 3

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

We begin the day early with the toughest ascent of the trek: a 3-hour climb up the mountain ridge that leads to the Chapada Diamantina plateau. The effort is worth it: from the top, we reach the famous Fumaça Viewpoint, offering stunning panoramic views over the Fumaça Canyon and the vast Capão Valley.
We continue to a final lookout, where the landscape opens up to reveal a postcard-perfect view of the Capão Valley from above, an epic way to close out our expedition. From there, we make our way back to Lençóis, full of memories, dust, and awe.

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.