05 days Hike on Vale do Pati

Vale do Pati is one of the most beautiful trekking destinations in Brazil. Located among the mountains of Chapada Diamantina National Park, its trails lead to viewpoints, waterfalls, caves, natural pools, and breathtaking landscapes. The routes trace the history of the Vale do Pati community, whose members have inhabited the region long before the environmental reserve was established. Currently, it is the third most popular mountain trekking route in the world.

The Vale do Pati Crossing eliminates the need for items like tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads, as accommodations are provided in the homes of local residents. Supporting Community-Based Tourism, the local community opens its doors to visitors, providing accommodations as well as delicious breakfast and dinner buffets. During the hikes, our guides also prepare delicious snacks. The trails feature an elevation gain and loss of 300 to 500 meters per day, leading to a wide variety of attractions and stunning scenery.

The locals are responsible for serving breakfast and dinner during the trek, which are the main meals of the day. All meals are designed to provide cultural immersion for visitors, featuring traditional dishes from Northeastern Brazil and Chapada Diamantina. Breakfast typically includes couscous, cheeses, milk, biscuits, seasonal fruits, free-range eggs, toast, bread, pies, and cakes. Dinner—served as a main hearty meal—offers a wide variety of local stews like godó and green papaya, traditional dishes from Chapada, alongside beans, rice, salads, pasta, red meat, poultry, pork, farofas, and more. These meals are worthy of a Michelin-starred restaurant.

The itinerary has a moderate difficulty level, with specific sections classified as more challenging. On average, we hike about 10 km per day, with an elevation gain and loss ranging from 300 to 500 meters daily. On trails such as Morro do Castelo, handholds are required to climb higher rocks—a practice known as “scrambling.” However, the route does not feature major technical sections. Therefore, although physically demanding, Vale do Pati can be completed by anyone with reasonable physical conditioning.

The time required to reach the attractions depends significantly on the group’s pace. Better conditioning and prior experience generally lead to faster hiking times. On average—including stops, walking time, photo breaks, and picnics—we hike around 8 hours per day.

Although not a technically difficult trail, Vale do Pati is physically demanding. Flat sections are rare along the trails; most of the terrain involves ascending and descending elevations ranging from 200 to 400 meters. Prior experience is not required, but a strong cardiovascular system is a trekker’s best asset on routes with moderate elevation. Therefore, regular aerobic exercise is highly recommended.

During the Vale do Pati Trekking, there is no cell signal or internet access available to guests. Local homes are equipped with solar panels used exclusively for basic appliances essential to the residents’ daily lives, such as lighting and refrigeration. Internet exists in the valley, but it is reserved strictly for the community and guides.

If you are traveling solo, the best option is to join a group. We have weekly departures for the Vale do Pati Trekking, and you can participate in experiences ranging from 3 to 5 days, or choose itineraries including Fumacinha and Buracão ranging from 5 to 8 days. We believe group experiences are much more enriching than trekking alone.

The meeting point for the trek is in the towns of Lençóis or Palmeiras, located along highway BR-242. The easiest way to reach us is by taking a bus from Salvador to these towns via the Guanabara bus company, which operates 4 or more daily departures depending on the season. Additionally, flights operated by Azul connect Confins and Salvador to Lençóis Airport.

Group sizes vary for the Vale do Pati trek, but as a rule, each guide leads up to 5 tourists. This guide-to-tourist ratio is essential to ensure that each visitor receives proper attention, both regarding support and safety information, as well as insights about the trail.

For maximum convenience and itinerary optimization, our packages include round-trip transportation from Lençóis or Palmeiras, full board during the trek (3 meals per day), qualified local guides trained for remote environments, accommodations in local residents’ homes, and complimentary adventure insurance. In short, everything you need during the hike is included.

Yes, you can. Our partner hostel, Buena Vibe Hostel, provides a luggage storage service for guests.

The packing checklist for the Vale do Pati trek is concise. Since overnight stays and meals are handled by the locals, you only need to pack essential items for a comfortable hike. We recommend bringing a few changes of clothes for hiking and overnight stays, as well as accessories such as a windbreaker, raincoat, or Anorak for cold or adverse weather. Other essentials include sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and a headlamp. On average, backpacks weigh between 6 and 8 kg.

The local homestays offer shared and private rooms. Shared rooms feature between 4 and 8 bunk beds and are fully equipped with mattresses, pillows, bed linens, and bath towels. Private rooms generally feature a double mattress setup with linens and towels provided. Bedrooms do not have individual electrical outlets; device charging must be done in common areas. Please note: private rooms are prioritized for couples.

Our agency was founded and conceptualized by Alexandre Freire, a Mountaineer and Historian in Chapada Diamantina National Park. All guides undergo rigorous training in courses such as NBR 21102, led by instructors like Helder Madeira, former director of one of Brazil’s largest adventure tourism organizations, Outward Bound. Furthermore, all guides hold certifications in Wilderness First Aid (WFA/WAFA) from recognized institutions like Med Extrema and WMA Brasil. Guides also complete coursework covering local history, geology, geography, and park features.

No. Although we offer itineraries combining Vale do Pati, Buracão, and Fumacinha, these attractions are not located inside Vale do Pati. Buracão and Fumacinha are part of the southern region of the park, within the municipality of Ibicoara. We manage all transportation logistics across Chapada Diamantina through the “Trilogia Chapada” itinerary, which ranges from 5 to 8 days and combines 3 or 5 days in Vale do Pati with the southern part of the park.

After completing the Vale do Pati trek, ground transportation takes us to the town of Ibicoara the following day. We stay at local guesthouses in the Baixão area of Ibicoara, which offer amenities similar to inns. Breakfast and dinner are provided there as well. After completing the tours, we spend the night in the town of Mucugê, where lodging includes breakfast (dinner is at each visitor’s expense).

The 3-day and 4-day Vale do Pati itineraries cover a 360° circuit passing some of the valley’s main landmarks. However, the complete Vale do Pati Crossing is completed on the 5-day itinerary, entering through the western side in Guiné and exiting on the eastern side in the historical town of Andaraí. Additionally, longer itineraries cover more attractions. The main highlight of the 5-day route is visiting Cachoeirão por Baixo—one of the most impressive canyons in Chapada Diamantina—along with Ladeira do Império, which offers remarkable viewpoints overlooking the valley and Andaraí.

The 5-day “Trilogia Chapada” package includes 3 days in Vale do Pati plus visits to Buracão and Fumacinha in southern Chapada Diamantina. The 6-day and 8-day itineraries add an extra night in Mucugê and visits to Poço Azul and Poço Encantado. Furthermore, the 8-day itinerary features 5 days in Vale do Pati instead of 3.