Ivan Bahia, Chapada Diamantina Canyons 1 day express excursion (from Salvador)

Disappointing — overpriced, and some reckless driving along the way

Ivan charged R$6,000 for two Salvador↔Lençóis transfers — about 40% more than other drivers ask (R$3,600) for the same route and same quality car — and made sure to collect it all before the return leg, just in case we got any ideas. Both drives came with a bonus dose of adrenaline: overtaking trucks repeatedly, occasionally with oncoming traffic politely visible in the distance, plus a full-speed pothole obstacle course he seemed determined to conquer rather than avoid. After dropping us in Lençóis, he then drove straight back to Salvador that same day for an early departure with another tour group — so plan accordingly if you'd like your driver reasonably rested. He advertises himself as a guide, but the guiding was minimal to nonexistent. The one time we asked about something — a striking rock formation on the road — he shot back "a rock," as if we'd asked something offensive. That rock, for the record, is Pedra de Itaberaba, a well-known and important landmark marking the entrance to Chapada Diamantina. Driving: 2, Guiding: 0. Cherry on top, he dropped us 200m from our Salvador hotel — uphill, cobblestones, suitcases in tow — insisting he couldn't drive closer. Turns out, per hotel staff, he could have. He just didn't. Punctual, car was clean, and that's about where the compliments end. Overpriced, underwhelming, and not someone we'd trust with round two.

Response from the operator: Now this is a very interesting review ! Good to know that in my decades long carreer I only have 2 questionable reviews here on Viator and both even partly off topic. In the end I keep living with a clean conscience ... hence the many excellent reviews I did collect here over many years. Hereby some pertinent observations about this "so called review" : 1. The service was NOT sold as a guided tour BUT as a transfer service (nothing more). So complaining about a rock I did not know at the middle of a 430 kilometer stretch ... WHAT does that even have to do about guiding in Chapada Diamantina ? 2. This PRIVATE TRANSFER service was executed with a driver speaking the language of ALL TRAVELERS on board (Dutch, Portugese and English), with a decent comfortable and spacious 4x4 Mitsubishi Pajero SUV. Comparing this with other "cheap" offers on the market is useless as those cheap offers use little cars (Renaults, Fiat ... most certainly not the "same quality car" as Mr Delio pretends) where passengers and luggage are cramped on each other during many hours and where the driver only speaks Portugese and stop at fixed times only (NOT when the passengers want). Mr Delio asked several times to stop for bathrooms and drinks and eatings etc. He even made me stop an extra time because the bathroom was not to his luxury needs. I happily complied without questioning any time. So complaning about our price being too high compared to cheap offers with cheap little cars and drivers can be considered as pretty strange. Why did the customer not compare prices BEFORE making a reservation ??? 4. Reckless driving ... The driving can be complicated on these roads (which I advised the travelers upfront) with many potholes and a lot of trucks along. Considering the "driving reckless" under the given conditioins is totally overstated. By the way, for anyone interested I will happily provide the car's dashcam videos (with exterior and inside recordings) of each trip as they will clearly prove there was no reckless driving at any point (except maybe from other drivers) and that all passengers have been carefully treated at any point. Noting there was also a big accident that blocked the road completely for over 10 hours. For the client's comfort (and to avoid his familly would arrive in the middle of the night in Lençois) I drove back all the way for over 40 kilometers and took a way around (as the passengers were already moaning about the long travel) ... that made me an easy extra 100 kilometers. I tried to comfort the travelers but reading this review I am learning Mr Delio was indeed not appreciative of the effort ... maybe I should have waited for the road being cleared (like ALL the other "cheap" drivers did !) and bring them to their hotel somewhere in the middle of the night ? 5. I dropped the travelers at 200 meters from the hotel in Salvador because only Salvador Taxis allowed to drive into the historic city center (controled by camera and heavily fined if not obeying). This point again can be proven by the car's dashcam footages ;-) Conclusion : this customer sent me endless messages going back and forward for several weeks about many things before booking these 2 transfers. I realise now this was a customer I maybe should have avoided, for his comfort ... and my peace of mind. I rest my case

via Tripadvisor

Quick Trip to Chapada

This trip is fast so may be a challenge for someone who needs a long recovery as the tide is long both there and back. That said though, the views are completely worth it. Ivan is an excellent guide and really ensures that you have the best experience with consideration as well for appropriateness in regard to fitness level and ability. You absolutely will not regret this tour regardless of length because Chapada Diamantina is absolutely breathtaking. This is the best way to see Chapada with limited time. Everything was completely arranged and accounted for including lodging in Lencois and transportstion, so you don’t have to lift a finger other than just booking the tour. Just book!

via Tripadvisor

Express Trip. Beautiful Views.

We had a great time! Ivan knew all the locals routes and we were able to experience a really cool trail that wasn’t crowded at all. Lencois is a beautiful town and we wish we had more time! Chapada Diamantina is breathtaking. The trip was so worth it. It’s a lot of driving in one day and now that we know there is so much to see over there, we would go back and do the 2 day trip Ivan offers. If you have time, I recommend the 2 day trip so you get to see more. If you’re short on time, this one day express will be perfect for you.

via Tripadvisor

It's a must in Salvador

Intensive and wonderful 1 day trip ! Roundtrip is a bit hard but worth trying and save your time for the other activities of your stay in Salvador.

Response from the operator: Thanks for your review Shinichihiro, this is exactly why we keep passionate and motivated to offer the best possible travel experience, adapted to the needs of any traveler :-)

via Viator

Ivan Bahia introduced us to the Brazilian Grand Canyon in 1 day

After browsing the reviews on a lot of forums we selected Ivan Bahia because first he is French and also because for this tour there are only positive reviews. We confirm the reviews with an excellent mention. As we stayed only a few days in Bahia (and we wanted to see so many things) we found this day trip of Ivan (who apparently is the only one to do it) that offers to discover this Chapada Diamantina National Park in 1 day. Well, you have to know that it is a very long day (Ivan picked us up from our hotel in the morning at 5am and we were back in Salvador only at 9pm and a few) but then the landscapes we had in this canyon of Brazil, the small village of Lençois that we discovered and the walk in the surrounding woods (waterfalls and this weird place of sand parlor) made us conclude that it was really worth the detour and we regretted not taking a few more days in this region of this national park. A long but 100% satisfying day to do with Ivan

Response from the operator: Merci pour votre avis favorable. C'était un plaisir de vous avoir à bord. Ivan Bahia Guide

via Tripadvisor (translated)