Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

Brazil

Chapada dos Veadeiros is a natural area in the state of Goias, Brazil. It is also the name of a National Park within that area, listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO for being an outstanding preservation area of the Cerrado – one of the world's oldest and most diverse tropical ecosystems.

Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park Chapada dos Veadeiros is a big geographical area in the center of Brazil, well known for it's amazing fauna, flora and geological formations. There's a national park, which has an area with 65,515 hectares with plenty of great landscapes, gorgeous waterfalls and lakes and is sought after by many travellers in search of true contact with nature.

There are basically two places where you can stay when travelling to Chapada dos Veadeiros: Alto Paraíso and São Jorge. Map São Jorge is a small village right in front of the national park's entrance. It lacks infrastructure like asphalt roads and public illumination, the intent is to leave the region around the park pretty much as it is, in order not to disturb it's fauna and flora. Even though it might sound uncomfortable for some, that's what makes the small village special. There you really feel you're somewhere mankind hasn't dominated yet, and there you can really experience Chapada.

Alto Paraíso is a small city which is about 20 km (12.4 miles) from the national park's entrance. Differently from São Jorge, it is a city with normal public illumination, asphalt roads and so on. You will find there more options for sleeping and eating.

Beyond the national park, the region has other attractions inside private properties such as the Moon Valley and the Almécegas waterfalls which are situated nearby São Jorge, being accessible through the payment of a daily fee.

The Chapada region is also a magnet for mystics attracted by the alleged properties of the its crystal soil and rumored UFO appearances.

Rumor has it that, according to NASA, the Chapada is Earth's brightest point as seen from space. Lying on a quartz crystal bed, it's said to reflect light like a mirror.

The national park was created in 1961.

Cerrado is the predominant kind of vegetation. The trees are low and curved, and the vegetation is usually ground-high. It is similar to the Savana vegetation in Africa.

Cerrado wildlife, including orchids, buritis and many threatened animal species such as the pampa deer, swamp deer, jaguars, guará wolves, rheas, crested seriemas, tapitis (small hare-like rodents), giant armadillos, great anteaters, capybaras, tapirs, red-breasted toucans, king vultures and black vultures.

Chapada’s climate is tropical, hot and semi-arid. The average annual temperature is around 25°C (77°F). The National Park is closed to the public during the rainy season (December to February). During the rest of the year it is mostly sunny and hot. At the height of the dry season (September), the temperature can peak at 40°C (104°F).

In the beginning of the year the climate is very humid, and it rains pretty much everyday. It is very dangerous to be close to a waterfall during bad weather, so, avoid visiting the area during those days.

After May, the rain ceases and the climate turns almost desertic. There's a six-month period with almost no rain at all and it gets pretty dry and hot, as you can imagine (what makes the waterfalls even better!). In that sense, the best period for visiting is between June and July, because the probability of raining is very low, and the waterfalls still have plenty of water. After that, it is still worth seeing it, but the waterfalls won't be as good because they start running low on water (no, they never get dry).

For every attraction there will be an admission fee of around R$10. For visiting the park you also have to pay the guide, which will take you through the park and explain you interesting things about the fauna and flora.

The main attraction is the National Park (phone +55 62 3455-1116) - Its entrance is located at the Km 39 of GO-239 highway, near the village. There are two authorized paths inside the park: way of the canyons and way of the falls, each of one during normally from the morning till the sunset. Admission is from 8AM to noon, closes 5PM (during Daylight Saving Time (mid-October to mid-February) admission is from 9AM-1PM and it closes at 6PM). Every entry must be accompanied by a local authorized guide; you will find them right in front of the parks' entrance, or walking in São Jorge. Each guide is authorized to enter with a group of up to 10 persons, and to receive R$100 for the whole group.

Preto River Waterfall

In addition, there are several astonishing places located on private property. For each of them, the proprietors charge a fee of around R$10 per person.

  • Moon Valley (Vale da Lua) - Accessible through a 20-minute walk from São Jorge, it has a moonlike landscape and glimmering rocks, with two large natural pools, suitable for swimming.
  • Almécegas waterfalls
  • Raizama waterfalls
  • São Bento waterfalls
  • Andorinha waterfalls
  • Segredo waterfalls
  • Confluence of the rivers São Miguel and Tocantinzinho. The attraction is to jump in the river and be carried until close to the confluence.

Moon Valley (Vale da Lua) - Accessible through a 20-minute walk from São Jorge, it has a moonlike landscape and glimmering rocks, with two large natural pools, suitable for swimming.

Almécegas waterfalls

Raizama waterfalls

São Bento waterfalls

Andorinha waterfalls

Segredo waterfalls

Confluence of the rivers São Miguel and Tocantinzinho. The attraction is to jump in the river and be carried until close to the confluence.

  • Trekking
  • Canyoning
  • Rappel

Trekking

Canyoning

Rappel

There are lots of crystals, rocks and such for sale, especially in São Jorge. Hand made objects for decoration, necklaces mades of seeds or leather are everywhere on the streets.

  • Casa das Flores, R. 10, qd 2, lt 14, São Jorge, +55 62 3455-1055, +55 62 3455-1049. varied cuisine, good wine selection and artesanal beers. Visa accepted.
  • Nenzinha, R. 06 Qd 11 lt 02 (São Jorge main street, +55 62 3455-1023, +55 62 9669-1004. good local food.
  • Papalua, End of main street, São Jorge, +55 62 3455-1085. Pizzas, crepes, empadão goiano, pastas, soups. WiFi. Visa e Mastercard accepted.

Casa das Flores, R. 10, qd 2, lt 14, São Jorge, +55 62 3455-1055, +55 62 3455-1049. varied cuisine, good wine selection and artesanal beers. Visa accepted.

Nenzinha, R. 06 Qd 11 lt 02 (São Jorge main street, +55 62 3455-1023, +55 62 9669-1004. good local food.

Papalua, End of main street, São Jorge, +55 62 3455-1085. Pizzas, crepes, empadão goiano, pastas, soups. WiFi. Visa e Mastercard accepted.

  • Bar do Pelé São Jorge center - Cold beer, billiard tables.
  • Casa de Cultura Cavaleiro de Jorge Cavaleiro de Jorge street, São Jorge - eventual shows and performances.

Bar do Pelé São Jorge center - Cold beer, billiard tables.

Casa de Cultura Cavaleiro de Jorge Cavaleiro de Jorge street, São Jorge - eventual shows and performances.

Tourists are recommended to take vaccination against yellow fever at least ten days before the trip.