Chapada dos Veadeiros Destination Guide
Chapada dos Veadeiros, which is also known as the Veadeiros tableland, has abundant flora and fauna, spectacular scenery, fields and hills, numerous rivers and waterfalls, a panoramic view of the sky and lots of crystals. It is located in the Araí plate, which was created some 1.8 billion years ago, and situated in the oldest geological site in South America.
Some of the interesting birds and animals in Chapada dos Veadeiros include the Brazilian Merganser (Mergus octasetaceus), the Collared Crescentchest (Melanopareia torquata), the Helmeted Manakin (Antilophia galeata), the Black-throated Saltator(Saltator atricolis) and other birds, deer(Ozotocerus bezoarticus) and the Maned wolf(Chrysocyon brachyurus).
Our Chapada dos Veadeiros Destination Guide below will give you an idea of the main attractions of this beautiful region. You can also book an exciting tour in Chapada dos Veadeiros with us, or take a look at some useful information for your Brazil travels. You should also check out some of the exciting things to see and do in other great Brazilian destinations such as Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, and Fernando de Noronha.
Things to see & do in Chapada dos Veadeiros
The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located at an altitude of 1300 and 1500 metres (4265 and 4921 feet), and the place is like the watershed of the river basins of Paraná, Tocantins and São Francisco. It is generally closed on Mondays. The Park is also closed during heavy rains or if there is a fire, as it isn’t safe for tourists during these times.
When you are in Chapada dos Veadeiros, you can do a multitude of things - birdwatching, hiking, swimming, trekking, relaxing, rappelling, cycling and mountain biking, horseback hiding and canyoning. You can integrate these Chapada dos veadeiros activities and tours with the long walks and exploration trips in the Cerrado. There is a natural warm water that you should visit these during the monsoons or at night.
The beautiful Chapada dos Veadeiros can be visited during the monsoons as well as in the dry season. The region attracts tourists who are interested in ecotourism and mysticism. This place is well known for its landscape, hiking trails and waterfalls. The IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), local public administration, the community, as well as the environmental institutions make sure that the pristine surroundings are untouched by civilization.
A local authorised guide is a must when you visit the Park. You will find them at the entrance or when you are walking into São Jorge. Keep aside two days to visit the Park because there are two paths, and each one will take about a day to explore. Write down the names of the waterfalls that you want to visit and take this piece of paper along with you. Since there aren't any English speakers here, you can just ask the friendly folk here to help you find the waterfalls.
Follow the links below or scroll further down the page for details on some of the many interesting attractions in Chapada dos Veadeiros:
In Alto Paraíso
Main Places to see:
São Bento - The cave and natural swimming pool were formed by the Leather River or "Rio dos Couros". People enjoy diving into the swimming pool and the place is a favourite with tourists. A water polo championship is held here. São Bento is seven and a half kilometres from Alto Paraíso and is next to the São Jorge highway. There are two entrances to these natural atraction: the São Bento Farm and The Portal of Chapada.
In São Bento Farm, there is a 850m zipline (the 3rd in Brazil) and you can also visit the Almécegas Waterfall or "Cachoeira Almécegas", a majestic sight with a 45-metre fall, near São Bento. The water is ice-cold but hardly a deterrent for the swimmers who climb on to the adjacent stone wall and jump into the water. You will need to walk about 2.5 km to arrive here. An entrance fee is charged. You can also visit and do rappel(optional) in the well called Almécegas II, which is eight metres deep.
At the Portal da Chapada you can also do the canopy. Canopy is accomplished through suspended trails interconnecting the cups and trunks trees. There are several levels of difficulty and varied activities to be faced by the adventurers, such as: false baiana, Tyrolese, bridge, crossing in rope, etc. The participants (of any age) stay during the whole time with rope attached safely to a suspended cable avoiding falls. The protective equipment includes helmet, boudries, single cable and gloves.
Couros - The Couros River falls down and forms a big and beatifull curtain of water. There are natural swimming pools to take a refreshing bath. It´s one of the most amazing and beautiful places in Chapada.
Crystal or "Cristal" - A river with a row of several small waterfalls, you can get a good view of Mill's Valley or "Vale do Moinho" and Mountains of the Mark or "Serra da Baliza" from here. A seven km hike from Alto Paraíso towards Pouso Alto, the highest peak in Goiás (altitude 1.676 metres) brings you to Cristal.
Valley of the Monkeys or "Vale do Macacos" - These rocky canyons and waterfalls can be accessed through a steep 35 km trail.
Zen Garden or "Jardim Zen" - Situated 25 km away from Alto Paraíso de Goiás, the Zen Garden has a rocky terrain with a lot flowers and makes an ideal setting for meditation.
Sertão Zen - Hiking with amazing landscape.
Solariom Park or "Parque Solariom" - Salorim Park has camping sites, observatories, wells and fields. From Alto Paraíso de Goiás, the Park is at a distance of 12 km. Some of the other attractions in the area are Grotto of the Chapel (Gruta da Igrejinha), Written Stone (Pedra Escrita), Hill of the Whale (Morro da Baleia) and Hill of Buracão (Morro do Buracão).
Cold Water or "Água Fria" - A 50 meters waterfall with a panoramic view, crystal stones glisten on its margins and the water is as clear as glass. An 8.5 km walk from Alto Paraíso de Goiás takes you to this destination. Great for those who enjoy canyoning, this place is also good for rappelling.
Loquinhas - Near from Alto Paraíso, Loquinhas has clear and crystal water and it´s composed by small waterfalls with natural swimming pools
Besides these places, there are a plenty of other natural attractions to see.
In Cavalcante
Main Places to see:
Kalunga community - Formed by runaway slaves who settled in Cavalcante more than 200 years ago, grouped in a community of slaves (Quilombo) that escaped from their "owners" and chose that area due to its hard access and isolation. There are many communities to visit like Vão de Almas and Vão do Moleque. The near and more acessible is the Engenho II community, where is the beautiful Santa Bárbara Waterfall, Capivara and Candaru Waterfall are located.
Santa Bárbara Waterfall - Considered one of the most beautiful water in the Chapada. It´s possible to have a refreshing bath and free dive at the emerald-green waters of Santa Barbara lagoon, a natural pool filled with springs that come from the ground.
Capivara - Formed by the Capivara and Quebra-côco rivers. Both rivers form 2 waterfalls that falls in a beautiful lagon and in front of this natual pool there is an amazing canyon.
Prata(Silver River) - With unique landscapes and contemplation of the Cerrado (brazilian savannah) the Prata River is in the end of Brazil´s Central Plateau. Its clear, pure and crystal water forms many waterfalls. The most amazing one is Rei do Prata(King of Prata).
Ponte de Pedra (Stone´s Bridge) - Adventure in the most ancient region of South America. A natural arch of stone, with about 30 m of height which is on São Domingos River, in the limit of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.
Renascer Waterfall - easy trail to get in a delicated waterfall. There is a deck made by wood. It has water only in the rainy season.
São Bartolomeu Waterfall - Located in the Vale das Araras Natural Reserve, it´s a very comfortable place to visit. Easy trail with a beautiful waterfall and natural pool.
Veredas - One of the more acessible canyons at Chapada dos Veadeiros. It´s located in the Farm Veredas and the Rock River forms seven waterfalls and an amazing canyon.
Charming Well or "Poço Encantado" - The leisure area has a natural swimming pool, which is 25 m in length and surrounded by beach sands. You can take the state highway GO-118 to reach here. It´s on the wayback to Alto Paraíso (32km).
Besides these places, there are a plenty of other natural attractions to see.
In São Jorge
Main Places to see:
National Park trail Falls of Rio Preto(Saltos) - A major tourist attraction, one of the waterfalls is 120 m, while the other is 80 m. It is a six kilometre walk from the Sao Jorge village and across the Cerrado. You can swim at the lake formed at the base of the falls if you don't mind putting in the effort to climb up to the lake. In this day it´s possible to go to "Corredeiras" or Rapids - A long walk will lead you the rapids, where you can enjoy a natural hydro massage.
National Park trail Canyon I, II and Cariocas - These canyons have waterfalls and swimming pools. A trail of about six kilometres, which includes a 45-minute walk and some wading through streams, will lead you there. As you walk, you will come across beautiful flowers at the Cerrado. The Black River narrows down to form Canyon 2 - a beautiful waterfall. Some distance away is the Cariocas waterfall, where you can shower, swim and enjoy a hydro massage.
The Moon Valley or "Vale da Lua" - This looks like an extraterrestrial landscape and has natural swimming pools. Formed by the strong currents of the São Miguel River, these curious rock formations have mini grottos and natural pools. The Moon Valley is about 38 km away from Alto Paraíso de Goiás and is one of the hot spots of Chapada.
Raizama - Raizama is well known for its natural swimming pools and impressive canyons. The waterfall here was formed by the convergence of the Raizama and São Miguel rivers. It is popular for camping, rappelling and canyoning and is inside the Raizama Farm or "Fazenda Raizama". You can access it via a 20 minute trail.
Waterfall Home of the Sun or "Cachoeira Morada do Sol" - Great for rappelling practice, the waterfall has natural pools with flagstones all around. It is about 44 km away from Alto Paraíso de Goiás.
Abismo and Janela or Abism and Window - A beautifull trail that is only available on rainy season. Hiking in cristal trail, old crystal mines, waterfalls,natural pools and amazing belvedere of the Saltos waterfall in the National Park.
Segredo(Secret) - An amazing trail that pass 13 times through the Secret river and in the end a beatifull Waterfall and natural swimingpool.
Besides these places, there are a plenty of other natural attractions to see.
Get to know Cleyton Ogura from Sussuarana and his local partners, your local connection in Chapada dos Veadeiros. Sussuarana is a local incoming tour operator specialise in ecological and adventure tours formed by people who are passionate for the Nature. It will be a pleasure to show you the wonders of brazilian savannah: the unique biodiversity and the local experience with the community history and culture. Our operation is based on sustainability of our destination.
