Premium route

Pati Valley: Deep Immersion (6 days)

Six days and 80 km on foot, from the Gerais do Rio Preto to Andaraí, sleeping in villagers’ homes.

Book on WhatsApp See the day-by-day plan
Rock wall of the Pati Valley under a blue sky
Towards Pati de Baixo
Duration 6 days
Difficulty Challenging
Distance 80 km
Max. altitude 1,280 m
Overnight 5 nights in villagers’ homes

About this route

Gerais do Rio Preto · Castelo Hill · Cachoeirao · Poço da Árvore · Ladeira do Império · Andaraí

The longest crossing: in across the high plains of the Gerais do Rio Preto, up Castelo Hill, the Cachoeirao from above, and out down the Ladeira do Império, a 19th-century stone road, to Andaraí.

It runs on the longer holidays, such as New Year. Ask us for the next date.

Highlights

  • Gerais do Rio Preto
  • Castelo Hill
  • Cachoeirao from above
  • Ladeira do Império

Day by day

  1. Day 1: Gerais do Rio Preto

    • Across the high plains of the Gerais
    • Wide views of the range and a first look at the rocky savanna

    Overnight: Seu Wilson’s house

  2. Day 2: Castelo Hill

    • Climb to the top of Castelo Hill
    • Through the quartzite cave on the summit to the viewpoint

    Overnight: The Prefeitura

    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

  3. Day 3: Cachoeirao from above

    • Hike to the edge of the Cachoeirao
    • In the rainy season up to 20 waterfalls pour into a canyon 300 metres deep
    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

  4. Day 4: Poço da Árvore and the Pati river

    • Down to the riverbed
    • A swim at Poço da Árvore and a walk through the valley forest

    Overnight: Dona Raquel’s house

  5. Day 5: Ladeira do Império

    • Up the 19th-century stone paving
    • Views of the Serra do Sincorá

  6. Day 6: the way back

    • The last stretch downhill
    • Arrival in Andaraí, with a stop for one last river swim
    • Transfer back to Lençóis
    A group arm in arm against the sunset in the Chapada Diamantina
    Late afternoon in the Chapada

What is included

Included

  • Professional local guide
  • Full board (breakfast, trail snack, dinner)
  • Accommodation in villagers’ homes
  • Full adventure insurance

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 13 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 with arms open at the foot of the Cachoeirao 5 days

Pati Valley 5 days

Difficulty: challenging

US$ 650 per person

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

Pati Valley 4 days

Difficulty: intermediate

US$ 560 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$ 690

Book

Frequently asked questions

How fit do I need to be for the 6 day Pati Valley trek?

The 6 day route is rated challenging, covering 80 km with a high point of 1.280 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: a professional local guide; full board (breakfast, trail snack, dinner); accommodation in villagers’ homes; full adventure insurance. Not included: transfer to the starting point.

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.