About us
“Everything coexists. Each action affects the life of another.”
Chapada Velha works on three pillars: sustainable ecotourism, audiovisual production and historical research in the Chapada Diamantina. Founded by Rafael Lage (guide, photographer and documentarian) and committed collaborators, the initiative offers personalized tours based in the Vale do Capão while producing content that captures the region's cultural and natural richness.
We believe ecological awareness and sustainability require looking at social relationships and nature as a whole. Our goal is to inform and raise travelers' awareness about protecting ecosystems, creating responsible immersion experiences accessible to everyone.
Our team
Rafael Lage (b. 1981, Belo Horizonte) — photographer and documentarian who cycled across 15 Brazilian states over 6 years. His films include works on Brazilian popular culture and dam collapses. He has lived in the Vale do Capão since 2008, conducts oral-history research and is certified in mountain guiding and minimum-impact practices.
Sina Horndt (32) — from the south of the Netherlands, with a degree in International Tourism Management and a master's in sustainable tourism. After conservation projects in Sumatra's rainforest, she discovered the Chapada Diamantina in 2021 and now spends long stays sharing the region responsibly.
Gustavo Policarpo (b. 1979, Belo Horizonte) — a self-taught traveler and craftsperson who explored Brazil and several continents over a decade. He arrived at the Vale do Capão in 2003 on a caravan crossing the Cerrado. He worked as a tour leader for GAP Adventures in Bolivia and Peru before settling in Berlin.
