Perfect for a short or long holiday trip. The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, in Alto Paraíso de Goias, is a place that you, nature lovers, have to visit.
How to get to Alto Paraíso de Goiás
We took a plane to Brasilia and from there we rent a car. Waze took us there without any problems, however, there is a part of the road that is not very well signposted and can be dangerous, it is better to drive during the day.
After two hours on the road, we finally arrived. nakedA little hippie town, full of bars, hostels and the odd smoke.
Where to stay in Alto Paraíso de Goiás
We stayed in a small but very nice hostel where we met people from all over Brazil. As it is a tourist city, it has many options for accommodation, from the most hippie to chic places like Camelot Inn Inn.
About UFOs and ETS
The main reason why people go to Alto Paraíso de Goias is the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, a natural park full of waterfalls and beautiful landscapes that you can reach after hiking through the woods, but that's not the only attraction in the region.
Yes, Alto Paraíso is well known for its mystical qualities. There are those who say they have seen UFOs and ETs in the region, which has a different energy thanks to the tons of quartz crystals that make up its soil.
If you are passionate about this theme, Alto Paraíso would be the perfect place for you, it has lectures and special events for the aficionados. But if you don't like that, don't worry, I haven't seen anything different other than the Flying Saucer that graces the entrance to the city.
Things to do in Alto Paraiso de Goiás
In addition to enjoying the nature of the place, in Alto Paraíso you can do many things, it is a very alternative city, you can find handicraft fairs every night, unconventional restaurants, bars and independent designer stores. It has some special places to take yoga and meditation classes.
Where to eat in Alto Paraíso de Goiás
The highly recommended place to eat is Cravo & Canela, a vegetarian restaurant where I had the tastiest meatless hamburger in my life, forget about soy and traditional tofu on most vegetarian menus, the lunch at this place is very different, with ingredients different and the place is charming.
Recommendations
You don't need to be accompanied by a guide, so you can go with your friends at your own pace, you just need to prepare yourself with good sneakers, water, sunscreen, something to eat and repellent.
But the fun is not just in the waterfalls, before arriving at the National Park, the road has many beautiful landscapes, and it is not surprising that you see balloons in the sky, as it is one of the attractions of the place.
Another place that we liked a lot was the Jardim de Maytreia, it really is a very beautiful view of the land and the mountains, it is very large and that bizarre shape of the mountains makes you feel on another planet.
Veadeiros Plateau
In fact, the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is not right in the city of Alto Paraíso, it is about 36 km away nakedm District called São Jorge. There are many people who stay to sleep there, in the old village of miners from the 17th century. XX.
The park has more than 10 waterfalls and it is very easy to get there. It is highly recommended to arrive very early as this way the trails are more unoccupied and the sun is nakedm perfect angle.
The most famous trails are not too demanding, and let you fall in love with nature.
Salto do Rio Preto I
The first trail we took was to the viewpoint of Saltos do Rio Preto, two impressive waterfalls measuring 80 and 120 meters high.
The trail has a distance of 6 km and it takes us about 4 hours to walk, as it has some important climbs and descents, but it is worth it because the view of the waterfalls is very beautiful.
Salto do Rio Preto II
Loquinhas
Loquinhas was one of the places I liked the most because of the color of the water and the path. The level of demand for the trail is minimal and from the very beginning of the path you can already see water and bushes on all sides.
You can visit this waterfall in less than two hours and if it's too hot you can take a bath in the cold, crystal clear water.
We went in the afternoon, so the sun doesn't hit the water much anymore and we couldn't get in because the water was too cold, but even so, we were able to take some good pictures and enjoy the ride.
Waterfall Almécegas I and II
The trail to reach Almécegas I and II is a little demanding, as it has some steep sections and the stone stairs are very high. It's very easy to fall, so there are ropes to hold on to.
The view from the first waterfall is very beautiful, because at the top of the hill you can see all the strips of water coming down with force and making an enchanting noise. A good place to take pictures if you don't have many tourists.
To get to the second waterfall you will have to go down the hill very carefully so as not to fall. Although it is not a very long walk, it is demanding and tiring, but in the end when you get down there and see all that water coming down right in front of you, the tiredness disappears.
If you are very hot, it is great to take a shower, as the water is very cold.
I only touched the water with my feet and that was enough for me to decide not to go in.
Valley of the Moon
It is called that thanks to the shape of the rocks, they look like works of art made by a famous sculptor. But no, the formation of these rocks is made by the water that runs there for more than 600 years.
Vale da Lua is not one of the most visited places in the region as it is very different from the other waterfalls in Chapada dos Veadeiros.
To get to the Vale da Lua, you only need a good pair of sneakers and the will, the walk is not at all difficult and you can take the opportunity to get in the water and enjoy this spectacle.
Sao Bento Waterfall
It is the easiest waterfall to reach and is also one of the most peaceful to bathe. There is no trail to get there, just a few meters to the river.
The path is very beautiful, it has flowers and the color of the water is beautiful. The waterfall is not very big or flowing, so it doesn't look so striking but it's a good place to rest.
Canyons and Carioquinhas
It was the place we left last and it was an excellent decision. The trail to reach the waterfalls is long. There are 4 km, some sections uphill, others downhill, some walkways and hidden streams make the path the most attractive sacrifice of Chapada Dos Veadeiros.
One of the things that can define your experience on this trail is the time, because if you wait to go at noon or later, the paths will be full of tourists, the waterfalls too and the sun will be right on your head making the journey more difficult.
Therefore, it is better to wake up a little earlier that day and enter the park during the first hours of operation: 8:30 am
Arriving in Cânions is one of the best sensations after walking for 4 km. Lots of rocks and at the bottom a powerful waterfall that takes the water right in front of your feet into a very high abyss.
After taking the pictures and spending some time contemplating the water show, you can continue down the rocks to find the river, where you can cool off, but be careful, because the current is very strong even if it doesn't seem like it, and there are many small fish waiting for cookie crumbs.
Finally, and before going back the 4 km to reach the park's gate, there are the carioquinhas, a waterfall right on the side of the Canyons, with a perfect size to get in the water and enjoy cooling off.
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