Set in the heart of the landlocked Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Plateau) region of the Bahia state in northeastern Brazil, the beautiful Chapada Diamantina National Park is known for its unique natural beauty and remote tranquillity. ‘Chapada’ is a Brazilian word meaning ‘region of steep cliffs at the edge of a plateau’ and ‘Diamantina’ refers to the diamonds found there in the mid-19th century. This 1,520 square-kilometre national park features river-formed cave systems, cascading waterfalls, soaring mountains, meandering rivers, lush valleys and natural swimming holes. Visitors can look forward to an endless network of scenic cactus-dotted hiking trails, and spotting an impressive variety of flora and fauna including jaguar, monkey, the South American coati, macaws, and deer.