LENÇOIS

This is the BEST weekend trip I did over 8 weeks.

The bus journey is horrible, but worth every minute!

When you arrive in Lençois at about 6 am, you will be rounded immediately by tour guides. We went with CIRTUR and although our guide couldn´t speak English, we manage to communicate and he was great fun and he locked after we really well.
The leaflet shows the many wonderful places there are to see. The hiking can be challenging, but that´s what makes it so worthwhile.
Lençois itself is beautiful and peaceful. Take band aid, sun cream, water(although the mountain spring water is safe to drink), swimming costume and your camera. The scenery is shinning!
Enjoy the experience – it´s different to all the others weekend trips and highly recommended.

Beth
CCS Volunteers
Nov./2004

· Lençois is a fantastic trip – definitely one not to miss! It’s a LONG WAY – but it is so worth it
The bus there takes about 6/7 hours. Wrap up warm because it is freezing! The journey back is worse – the roads are very bumps!
When you arrive it will be 5:30 am. You will be tired and grumpy but will be bombarded by tour guides. We just picked the most persistant one! He was from zen tours and turned out to be very good!
We checked into a Pousada – can´t remember the name – get to the main square an turn right. Its at the end of the road on the right. I think it was called Bom fortune or something it meant “Good luck”. It had a pool, but is perfect for those on a budget.

The tour guides will advise you what to do.

On Saturday we did 2 separate treks. Really excellent stuff to see.

On Sunday we did an all day excursion where a bus drives you to several locations, you get out at each stop and then walk around.
Don´t forget your camera – the scenes are fantastic!

Helen
CCS Volunteers
Nov./2004


Lençois:

- Do it. It is breathtaking and beautiful.
- Zen tours is good and gives competitive prices.
- You may be able to find the same types of tours from your Pousada at a better price or just in smaller groups. We did it this way and it was great!
- Don’t take too much stuff – you can wear the same thing hiking every day.
- Don´t forget your swim suit. There are some awesome places to go swimming – all natural and clear.
- About an hour away from town(walking) there is this lake with rocks and boulders surrounding it. Don’t let the walk put you off, it is worth the pain. This place is amazing.
- The cave is cool
- The mountain is rewarding if you climb it
- Don’t be apprehensive, just go for it
FOOD : Restaurant delicious is a very cheap.
Italian restaurants are also cool.

POUSADA: Pousada Rita

GETTING THERE: - Book a few days before as the bus gets full..
- Go to the mall at the money change place and buy tickets there. There is a nightbus(11:30pm) or a day one(7:00am). The bus is freezing so layer up.
-

If you only have one weekend and like the nature, do this.
Oh and book the ticket home quite soon after you arrive.

RAKHEE
CCS volunteer
30/08/2004


- LENÇOIS AND CHAPADA DIAMANTINA

A place of diverse natural beauty – but you either hike 2-4 hs trip to visit nearby waterfalls and swimming holes, or sign up with one of 6 or 7 tour agencies to do day-long Excursions(passeos) to remote areas. However, in tourist season some trips fill up fast – when it rains heavily, as it does in Dec. and Jan., trips are cancelled
I still enjoyed the town and nearly walks but missed a chance to go to Marimbos – 2 hs boat trip and visit to a waterfall which gives a “highs massage”.
Spending a little more $ can mean a lot Vis a Vis Pousadas. Pousada dos Duendes is cheap – room with Varanda and hammock – but too Spartan.
Casa da Gelia and Pousada Kaiamba which are both very nice. For a big splurge.
Tour of Andaira is interesting, treks nearby nice and cheap Pousada and rest - PEDEN- but transport for there to Lençois can be difficult – we waited 4hrs! for a bus which had no schedule except it will come between 2 and 6 = come at 6! Same would be time from MUCUGE If you have the $, better to stay in LENÇOIS and make bag trips to the MUCUGE/ANDAIRA area.

LEN TOURS and MARIMBUS TOURS are good you might even call ahead to arrange, i.e. sign up for a tour.

CAMPING at a beautiful park – like place which is sort of a Pousada(nice and rooms) restaurants complex “CAMPING LUMIAR”


BACKPACKING AT CHAPADA DIAMANTINA:

If you enjoy backpacking there´s an awesome three-day trip you should definitely do! Kristin and I left Thursday night from the Bus Station planning on going to Lençois, but there were no tickets left so we went to a town that was close and caught a bus to Lençois from there. The Zen tour guide picked us up at 5am and we started backpacking by ten. It’s about twenty-three miles over hills and through valleys. We even went to the 2nd largest waterfall in the world – on the 3rd day we hiked up it!The food was sensational and at night we slept in caves.

CCS volunteer


LENÇOIS

There are so many amazing natural sites to see in Lençois and the surrounding areas. The small town resembles a tiny version of Pelorinho with many small shops and cafés and lots of music in the evenings with most of the population being tourists from various countries, cheap pousadas are everywhere and there are many opportunities to get great deals on tours of the natural exibits. There are beautiful waterfalls, be serve to bring your camera also many beautiful caves, Poço Azul is particularly very gorgeous. There is a smaller cave about 2 hours from Lençois where you can swim in the clean waters. Very Beautiful! Try not to let the tourism aspect discourage you, the beauty and the atmosphere are totally worth the trip. Be sure to bring goos shoes for climbing rocks..

Kristin
CCS volunteer


LENÇOIS

This place was absolutely beautiful. If you’re the kind of person who likes nature, this is the place for you. There are many different treks, car tours, canoeing, horseback riding, etc. The bus ride is 6 hrs long and it is a little cold so it´s good idea to bring a small blanket or an extra coat.

Things you might want to bring:
Ø Sunscreen
Ø Backpack
Ø Normal walking shoes(for trekking)
Ø Water
Ø Swimsuit

The buses are very easy t travel on. When you first get to Lençois, there will be agents waiting who usually speak English. They will take you to a pousada that is cheap and confortable. They can also get you set up with 2 days, 3 days, 5 days and 15 days treks.

In the town of Lençois, there are ATMs, grocery stores, internet cafes and many restaurants, pousadas and shopping places.If you are planning the trip over a holiday, it is best to reserve a room before you leave. Also when buying your bus tickets you should go to Shopping Barra and on the 1st floor, by the food court, there is a travel agent who will sell you tickets. It´s a good idea to get round trip tickets. The bus leaves at 7am and 7:30pm

Cost:
Bus Tickets – R$ 35(1 way)
Pousada – R$ 20 – 100 (per night)
Day treks – R$ 25 – 35 (per person)
Car Tours – R$ 50 – 60 (per person)
Restaurants – R$ 10 – 50 (per person, per meal)

There are some very good restaurants in Lençois including Cozinha Aberta. Don’t be fooled by the sign that says ‘Slow food’ because that’s what makes it amazing.

Night Life:

There are a coupke bars in Lençois and one dance club. Usually things don’t start happening until around 11 – 11:30pm.

HAVE FUN!

ENJOY!

Sarah R.
CCS Volunteer
10/05/2006