Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HIKING IN PARQUE NACIONAL CHAPADA DOS VEADEIROS
Visitors to the park are restricted to two
trails
in its southern corner, both 10km long and each
a day's worth of exploring. Although you'll only see a fraction of the park, this area is the most
spectacular, an unforgettable blend of hills and cliff-faces (mostly in the middle distance;
fortunately you don't have to climb them), plunging waterfalls, swimholes and forests. You
encounter the full range of
cerrado
vegetation as well:
veredas
(open moorlands lined by
burití
palms),
floresta de galeria
(full-sized deciduous forest along watercourses) and
campo sujo
(the
classic, shrubby savannah characteristic of Africa).
Of the two trails, one includes the park's main highlight - the marvellous
Salto do Rio
Preto
, where two separate waterfalls plunge almost 130m into a pool 440m across. The trail's
other notable sight is the
Pedreiras
, a series of natural rock pools. On the other trail, the
highlight is
Salto Cariocas
, a series of falls with a sand beach at the top, and you will also
pass
Canion 1 e 2
, two canyons cut by the Rio Preto and lined with granite cliffs.
Your guide's first stop will be the IBAMA of
ce to register entry. Take plenty of water and
enough food for a day (agree beforehand whether you will be providing your guide's food as
well), and stick to the trails, taking your rubbish home with you, and, most importantly, in the
dry season
do not smoke
. Fires are the worst problem the park has, and the vegetation is
tinder-dry between July and October. Bringing a change of clothes and swimwear is a good
idea as you'll be cooling off in swimholes between treks.
6
best destinations for
ecotourism
in the country. A few hours north from Brasília and
easily accessible by bus, the park has good local support for tourism, and apart from
the occasional holidaying diplomat up from the capital, it is still remarkably unknown
as a destination to foreign tourists.
Alto Paraíso de Goiás
The main point of arrival for visitors to the park is
ALTO PARAÍSO DE GOIÁS
, an
extremely friendly and relaxing little town on the GO-118 highway, although, if
you really want to explore the Chapada, a better base is the village of São Jorge
(see opposite), which is much closer to the national park and the best hiking. Alto
Paraíso's main drag,
Avenida Ary Valadão Filho
, leads down from the highway through
the centre of town, and most of the facilities you'll need are on or near it.
If you want to
hike from Alto Paraíso
, your best bet is to walk 4km up the GO-118
road north of the town, and then take the signposted dirt road right another 3km to
the
Cristal waterfall
. The Cristal is at the head of a beautiful valley, where a series of
swimholes and small waterfalls has been created by a cool mountain stream as it
plunges into the valley.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
ALTO PARAÍSO DE GOIÁS
By bus
The rodoviária is off Av Ary Valadão Filho at its top
end, near the GO-118 highway.
Destinations
Brasília (4 daily; 3hr 30min); Goiânia (1 daily
overnight, plus 3 day services weekly; 6hr 30min); São
Jorge (1 daily; 30min).
Tourist information
The Centro de Atendimento ao
Turista (in principle daily 8am-1pm & 3-6pm, but often
unattended;
T
62 3446 1159) is on Av Ary Valadão Filho
near the rodoviária.
ACCOMMODATION
There's a distinct
new-age feel
to many of Alto Paraíso's lodgings, be they hippie encampments or upscale
pousadas
offering yoga and meditation for ecotourists and weekend trippers up from Brasília. At any rate, there's certainly no
shortage of places to stay.
Camelot Inn
GO-118, Km 168 (about 200m north of
the junction with Av Ary Valadão Filho)
T
62 3346
1581,
W
pousadacamelot.com.br.
Outrageously kitsch
but great value: a Monty Pythonesque fake medieval
castle, with a pool, bar, sauna
and ve
ry comfortable
Arthurian bungalow-style rooms.
R$173
Eco Nois
Av Ary Valadão Filho Q.19, Lote 6 (next to Banco
do Brasil)
T
62 3446 1996.
An extremely laidback and
