Trekking Travessia Leste

The terrain and scenery are amazingly varied, taking us through canyons and across savannahs, and passing through a number of local Indian communities.

Arrive in Brasilia and transfer directly to Alto Paraiso for an expedition briefing, a slide show of the area and a good night's sleep at the lodge.

Day two - Alto Paraiso - Mrs Leonia's Farm - 15 km

The starting point of the trek is in Alto Paraiso, at the Travessia office. From here, you head straight out of town and pick up a dirt track for a short while. Most of the morning will be spent crossing through meadows teeming with wild flowers. Trekking trousers are recommended as you will be walking through vegetation at times. Please remember to get your swimmers.

After 7.5 km, you reach the waterfalls of Rio Cristal, where each group searches out its own little paradise for a lunch picnic. This part of the walk is popular with the locals during the weekends, as it is so close to Alto Paraiso.

After lunch, apart from a short optional excursion to Aguas Frias for an unforgettable shower, you will be descending to camp.

Camping is at Mrs Leonia's farm near Moinho village- 15 km.

Day three - Mrs Leonia's Farm - Rainbow Village - 25 km

Get an early start on day three. From Mrs Leonia's, head south-east along a dirt track, gradually ascending for 3 km. Next, the route turns off the dirt track onto a steep trail up the hillside. The last section, before you reach the plateau at 1400 m, is particularly steep.

Cross open savannah before descending down to the lunch spot after about 12 km. Just 10 minutes walk down stream, you get a beautiful viewpoint at the top of a 120 m waterfall called the Sertao Zen.

In the afternoon, climb back up onto the plateau; then, begin the long descent to camp. There is little chance to have water for the remainder of the afternoon, so stock up at lunch-time.

12 km later, you will reach the camp at Aldeia Arco-iris (Rainbow village). The next two nights will be spent here.

Day four - Circular walk to Macaco River - 12km

Today's circular walk is refreshingly easier than the previous day. Follow the main track for just 5 km before dropping down through the forest, until you reach the Macaco River. After a short break to see the view from the top of the first waterfall, follow the trail downstream past a second waterfall, then to the top of the third.

From this point, the lunch spot is visible 90 m directly below. The last section of this trail takes you to one of the best lunch spots on earth, with its two large swimming holes and a huge waterfall above.

After a long lunch break, climb back up through the woods, onto the track and back to camp. 

Day five - Rainbow Village - Macaquinho River Camp - 17km

After leaving camp, head south to start the climb. For most of the morning, the route ascends until you reach the highest point at 1500 m. From here, you get a great view of almost every part of the trek over the last three days.

After lunch, follow the ridge for a while before descending all the way down to the bush camp at Macaquinho River. There are no swimming points along this day's route, but you'll find plenty close to camp.

Day six - Circular walk to the window-on-the-rainforest - 16km

Trek around a circular route of some 16 km to reach the edge of the Chapada. Here, you'll find the 600 m vertical cliff- the ‘window-on-the-rainforest'-looking out over the Sertao plains. This ancient trail was only rediscovered recently after a fire cleared the area. It offers one of the most dramatic views of the surrounding rainforest and plains.

Day seven - Macaquinho River Camp - Bandeira - 16km

After breakfast, you start off on the last part of the trail: the Macaquinho - Bandeira. By the Macaquinho River Vale, you pass a beautiful 200-year-old horse trail. At the end of the trekking, you are treated to a lunch made by Miss Santana at the Bandeira settlement.

On day seven, you also get an opportunity to see some local and very rural traditions practiced at Bandeiro.

Transfer back to Alto Paraiso for a leisurely afternoon and a gala night meal. The journey should take you about an hour by bus.

Day eight - Alto Paraiso - Brasilia - UK

Transfer to Brasilia to catch the morning flight