03. Poço Encantado & Poço Azul

                    (Blue Lake Caves)

We start our trip from Lençóis at 08.00h and get to Poço Encantado after a two-hour drive. After getting our cave equipment (helmet and flashlight) we prepare for the descent. After a couple of steps we enter the cave by climbing down a small wooden ladder. We make our way on uneven ground but there is always a security rope that one can hold onto. After 100 meters the whole magic of the Enchanted Well appears before us with its crystal clear, cobalt blue waters. Between the months of April and September the sight becomes even more spectacular as direct sunbeams enter through an opening in the upper part of the cave to meet the surface of the water.

By car we continue our trip to Poço Azul where we have lunch and can try local specialties from a buffet. After lunch we will go to the cave of Poço Azul. At the end of a short descent, we climb down a longer wooden ladder to a deck, where we prepare ourselves for snorkeling in the blue crystal clear waters. Equipped with a life jacket, snorkeling gear and underwater flashlight, we explore this magical cave by floating on its surface. The view under water is spectacular and we can occasionally observe small, blind cave fish swimming by.

Option Igatú:

For people more interested in culture and history (and instead of visiting one of the caves), we offer the option of visiting the old miners town of Igatú, on the trail of diamond prospectors. Igatú looks a bit like an open-air museum and was used repeatedly as film scenery. From the quiet center of town, we will pass by the church of São Sebastião with its Byzantine-style cemetery. After walking through an area of huge eucalyptus trees, we will reach the stone ruins, which are the remains of Igatú´s booming past during the diamond rush. Nearby we can visit “Galeria Arte & Memória.” This is an open-air museum displaying objects used during the diamond rush as well as a small, fine art gallery displaying contemporary art. On the veranda, one can enjoy the nice view while drinking a cup of coffee or tasting locally made ice cream or one of the delicious pancakes. For a little adventure, we can visit an old mining tunnel called, “Mina Brejo-Verruga.” We will be guided by one of the old miners who will give us a feel for the atmosphere and working conditions of the mines. In the middle of the tunnel, we will arrive at a larger hall where clay figures honor the miners who died here.