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Pati Valley: Cachoeirao Expedition (5 days)

Five days to reach Pati de Baixo and the foot of the Cachoeirao, the valley’s biggest waterfall. Only this route goes there.

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Hiker with arms open at the foot of the Cachoeirao
Cachoeirao from below
Duration 5 days
Difficulty Challenging
Distance 68 km
Max. altitude 1,250 m
Overnight 4 nights in villagers’ homes

About this route

Aleixo · Mirante do Pati · Castelo Hill · Calixto · Pati de Baixo · Cachoeirao from below · Fenda do Cachoeirao

The only route that goes down to the foot of the Cachoeirao, the valley’s biggest waterfall, seen from inside. To get there the crossing goes as far as Pati de Baixo, with two nights at Sr. Eduardo’s house.

Along the way you also visit the Palmito and Calixto waterfalls, Poço da Árvore and the Encontro dos Rios. Four nights with families of the valley.

Highlights

  • Cachoeirao from below, only on this route
  • Pati de Baixo
  • Palmito and Calixto waterfalls
  • Castelo Hill

Day by day

  1. Day 1: In through Aleixo, and the valley waterfalls

    • Walk in through Aleixo
    • Mirante do Pati, the first big view of the valley
    • Altina waterfall
    • Funis waterfall
    • Bananeiras waterfall

    Overnight: Dona Raquel’s house

    Mirante do Pati, a hiker’s boots on the cliff edge with the valley below
    Mirante do Pati
    Altina waterfall in the Pati Valley
    Altina waterfall
    Waterfall and dark pool on the first day of the Pati Valley crossing
    Funis and Bananeiras

  2. Day 2: Castelo Hill and Zé Preto’s house

    • Climb up Castelo Hill, through the cave
    • Panoramic view of the valley from the top
    • Arrival at Zé Preto’s house, with a small waterfall in the backyard

    Overnight: Zé Preto’s house

    Hiker sitting on top of Castelo Hill, the Pati Valley behind him
    Castelo Hill
    Two people at the mouth of the Castelo Hill cave, outlined against the sky
    The Castelo cave
    Small waterfall and pool in the backyard of Zé Preto’s house
    Zé Preto’s backyard

  3. Day 3: Palmito, Calixto, and down to Pati de Baixo

    • Palmito waterfall
    • Calixto waterfall
    • Poço da Árvore
    • The Encontro dos Rios
    • Arrival at Pati de Baixo

    Overnight: Sr. Eduardo’s house

    Palmito waterfall in the Pati Valley
    Palmito waterfall
    Calixto waterfall in the Pati Valley
    Calixto waterfall
    Rock wall of the Pati Valley under a blue sky
    Towards Pati de Baixo

  4. Day 4: Cachoeirao from below

    • Hike to the foot of the Cachoeirao, the valley’s biggest waterfall, seen from inside
    • The whole day goes to this hike, which only this route includes

    Overnight: Sr. Eduardo’s house again

    Hiker with arms open at the foot of the Cachoeirao
    Cachoeirao from below
    The Cachoeirao falls seen from the bottom
    The foot of the falls

  5. Day 5: Fenda do Cachoeirao, and out

    • Climb up the Fenda do Cachoeirao
    • Cachoeirao viewpoints 1 and 2
    • Swim in the upper pool of the Cachoeirao
    • Walk out through Aleixo
    Two people sitting on the Cachoeirao viewpoint rock, the valley below
    Cachoeirao viewpoint
    Looking down into the Cachoeirao from the cliff edge
    The upper pool
    Sunset above the Pati Valley, a person with arms raised
    Sunset on the last day

What is included

Included

  • Accommodation in villagers’ homes
  • Full board: breakfast, trail snack and dinner
  • All guided activities

Not included

  • Transfer to Guine
How to get to Guine and the Chapada

How to book

  1. Pick a route and a holiday

    Groups leave on long holiday weekends. For another date, ask about a custom trip.

  2. Message us on WhatsApp

    We confirm your place and answer questions about fitness, gear and transport.

  3. Pay 50% to book

    Half the price when you book, by Pix or card. That holds your place and the beds in the valley.

  4. Pay the rest the day before

    The other 50% is due the day before departure.

Before you go

What to pack

The two bags, what to leave at home and what changes with the season.

Getting to the Chapada

Salvador, the road to the Chapada and the last stretch to the trail.

Pati Valley guide

Where you sleep, difficulty, best season and what the crossing costs.

What life on the Pati Valley trail is like

With no phone signal, the day follows the rhythm of the house you sleep in: an early breakfast, the trail, a waterfall swim and dinner from the wood stove.

Waking up

Home-made breakfast prepared by your local hosts with produce from the area.

The trail

Walks of about 14 km a day, with stops for waterfall swims and viewpoints.

Dinner and conversation

Plenty of food from the wood stove and conversation with the people who live in the valley.

Rest

Quiet nights and a sky full of stars, with no city lights nearby.

Other routes

Hiker sitting on top of Castelo Hill, the Pati Valley behind him 4 days

Pati Valley 4 days

Difficulty: intermediate

US$ 560 per person

Rock wall of the Pati Valley under a blue sky 6 days

Pati Valley 6 days

Difficulty: challenging

US$ 690 per person

Sunset in the Chapada Diamantina, a person with arms raised 2 days

Fumacinha Waterfall

Difficulty: hard

US$ 310 per person

Per person

US$ 650

Book

Frequently asked questions

How fit do I need to be for the 5 day Pati Valley trek?

The 5 day route is rated challenging, covering 68 km with a high point of 1.250 m. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be walking regularly beforehand. Anyone comfortable on uneven ground for several hours a day will manage it.

Where do I sleep during the trek?

In the homes of the families who live in Pati Valley. Each night is hosted by a different household, with a made bed, a blanket, a towel and a bathroom, and meals cooked on a wood stove. It is also what keeps the money from tourism inside the valley.

What is included in the price?

Included: accommodation in villagers’ homes; full board: breakfast, trail snack and dinner; all guided activities. Not included: transfer to Guine.

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

No. The houses provide a bed, a blanket and a bath towel, so there is no need for a sleeping bag, a mat or a towel. That is a large part of why this trek needs a much smaller pack than a camping crossing.

Can the mules carry my bag?

Mule support is optional, charged separately and booked in advance. If you take it, the mules move your main pack between overnight stops and you walk with a small daypack. If you do not, plan to carry everything yourself. Arrange it when you book the trek.

Is there mobile signal in Pati Valley?

Do not count on any signal on the trail. Some houses have wifi kept for emergencies, which is how you would reach family if you needed to. The houses do have power outlets, so you can charge a phone at the end of the day. Tell people at home you will be offline for a few days.

Can you cater for dietary restrictions?

Yes. The kitchens in the valley cater for any diet, including vegetarian, vegan, intolerances and allergies. Tell us when you book: food is bought and prepared in advance, and once the trek starts there is no way to improvise in the valley.

When is the best time of year to walk it?

Each season gives you a different valley. From October to March, in the Brazilian summer, the waterfalls run full and everything is green, with rain likely in the afternoon. From April to September, the dry season, the trails are firmer and the sky clearer, with cool nights.

Do I need a guide to enter Pati Valley?

Yes. Pati Valley sits inside Chapada Diamantina National Park, the trails are unmarked and there is no mobile signal. We work only with guides who were born in the valley or have lived there for decades, and who know the river conditions and the families hosting each night.