Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PARQUE NACIONAL SERRA DO CIPÓ AND THE CACHOEIRA
DO TABULEIRO
In a country of few mountain peaks the upland landscapes of the Serra do Cipó stand out as
one of the finest places in the country for outdoor activities. Part of the UNESCO
Serra do
Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve
, this dazzling national park (daily 8am-5pm; free;
T
31 3718
7151) lies 100km northeast of Belo Horizonte, encompassing limestone hills, rugged valleys
and grasslands, Atlantic forest and numerous pools and waterfalls - enticing you to trek, bike,
rock-climb, kayak and swim. Rare bird species like the
Cipó canastero
and hyacinth visorbearer
attract serious birders, while other fauna to be sought out includes wolves, jaguars, monkeys
and the
sapo de pyjama
(pyjama frog).
The park is clearly signposted from MG-010. Travelling by public transport, six buses daily
(2.5hr; R$24;
W
saritur.com.br and
W
serro.com.br) ply the route from Belo Horizonte to the
small town of
Serra do Cipó
(formerly Cardeal Mota) at the edge of the park - an attractive
place for backpackers with a low-key atmosphere, plus bars and
pousadas
. From here (and
with the right gear) it's quite feasible to hike on your own from the park entrance (3km from
MG-010), but there are also guides and organized trips available. Entry to the park is free, and
though at weekends the principal trails draw day-trippers in numbers, during the week it's
often near-deserted. Check the websites
W
serradocipo.com and
W
serradocipo.com.br for
more information and details on accommodation.
Some 86km north of Cipó, also off MG-010, the spectacular
Cachoeira do Tabuleiro
inside
the Parque Estadual Serra do Intendente (R$5) is the third-tallest waterfall in Brazil (273m),
though it's much easier to visit with your own transport.
TOUR OPERATORS
Further information on guides and outdoor activities is available from Bela Geraes Turismo
(
T
31 3718 7394,
W
serradocipogeraes.com.br) or Cipó Aventuras (
T
31 9974 0878,
W
cipoaventuras.blogspot.com).
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Cipó Veraneio
MG-010 Km 94
T
31 3718
7000,
W
cipoveraneiohotel.com.br.
Very comfortable
option, right at the turn-off to the park, with a pool
overlooking the Rio Cipó and compact, mod
ern roo
ms
that have LCD TVs, free wi-fi and ceiling fans.
R$280
Pousada Adega Cipó
MG-010 Km 97
T
31 3718
7296,
W
pousadaadegacipo.com.br.
Attractive and
comfortable dorms and en-suite double rooms,
revamped in 2012, with a swimming pool, sauna and
2
breakfast; lo
cated
on a dirt
road
parallel to the main
road. Dorms
R$50
; doubles
R$175
Tabuleiro Eco Hostel
Rua Joaquim Costinha 01B,
Tabuleiro, Conceição do Mato Dentro
31 3231
7065,
W
tabuleiroecohostel.com.br.
The ideal place
to stay for the Cachoeira do Ta
buleir
o, and ca
n help
with tr
ansport
ation. Camping
R$30
; dorms
R$50
;
doubles
R$150
T
in the middle of it - everyone calls the cathedral and the square “Sé”; most of the sights
and places to stay are within a stone's throw of here. Diamantina justifies a couple of
days' wandering around in its own right, but you should also try to follow a trail
outside of town to take in the scenery and nearby waterfalls and rock pools - details
of routes and guides can be found at the tourist of
ce.
Museu do Diamante
Rua Direita 14, Praça Conselheiro Mata • Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 9am-1pm • R$2 •
T
38 3531 1382,
W
museudiamante.blogspot.com
Contrary to the name, the
Museu do Diamante
is not a diamond museum, but does
make an effort to give you an idea of daily life in old Diamantina. The room behind
the entrance desk is devoted to the town's mining history and is filled with old mining
instruments, maps and prints. Dominating everything is an enormous cast-iron English
safe, brought by ox cart all the way from Rio in the eighteenth century (it took
eighteen months to get here). Inside is a pile of (replica) uncut diamonds and emeralds.
Disturbingly, there is also an appalling display of whips, chains and brands used on
OPPOSITE
OURO PRETO
P.157
