Chapada dos Veadeiros, Jalapão: how and what to visit – 09/20/2023 – Tourism

The Brazilian cerrado boasts grandiose titles. It is the second largest biome in the country, behind only the Amazon, and also one of the richest savannas in the world. However, it is still little visited by tourists. Last year, for example, the number of tourists who passed through Jalapão, in Tocantins, was six times lower than the number of visitors to Bonito, in Mato Grosso do Sul, according to state governments.

A region of countless natural beauty, the cerrado is home to destinations such as Chapada dos Veadeiros, in Goiás; the Serras Gerais and Jalapão, in Tocantins; and Chapada das Mesas, in Maranhão.

During the month of July, the report covered the four destinations. There were countless waterfalls, rivers, trails, baths, adventures and landscapes that look like they were taken from a computer screen.

The itinerary starts at Chapada dos Veadeiros. From the village of São Jorge, in the district of Alto Paraíso de Goiás, the main city in the region, access to the Segredo waterfall, one of the most beautiful, is closer.

The waterfall is about a hundred meters high. Next to the stone walls, it appears to be in three dimensions. The dirt road to the site is offset by the Jurassic landscape and the cold shower.

In the municipality of Cavalcante are two of the most impressive attractions in the region: the Borda Infinita waterfall and the Rei do Prata waterfall. To get to both, you need a 4×4 vehicle and an accredited tour guide. It is about 70 kilometers away from Cavalcante, on a dirt road, and another 15 km, on average, on foot, including a round trip.

Before reaching the Borda Infinita waterfall and being faced with the deep pool of crystal clear waters, the view of the cliff and the valley, tourists can cool off in several waterfalls. The Rei do Prata waterfall takes its name not for nothing. Embedded in the stone wall, it reigns over the huge emerald green water well, surrounded by stunning vegetation.

From Cavalcante, by car, or from Teresina de Goiás, by bus, tourists can reach Aurora do Tocantins, the first stop in the Serras Gerais region, in Tocantins.

In the municipality, one of the main attractions is the Azuis River, considered the smallest river in Brazil and Latin America, and the third in the world, at 147 meters. The crystal-clear, high-temperature water is an invitation for the whole day.

Going up towards the north is the city of Dianópolis, which offers the best structure for tourism in the Serras Gerais.

But it is in the neighboring municipality, Rio da Conceição, that there is one of the most surprising attractions in the region: the Serra lagoon. The green of the vegetation contrasts with the blue of the water, forming a unique scene. Access is difficult, but nothing that a good driver can’t solve.

The city of Rio da Conceição also houses the Fortaleza dos Guardians, called Cappadocia do Tocantins. The set of sandstone rocks has various shapes that resemble soldiers and religious figures.

They are shaped by wind and rain, but there is evidence that they have been there since the entire region was covered in water, thousands of years ago. The place has a beautiful sunset.

In the municipality of Almas, the Encantado Canyon is the main attraction. The tour also includes Cidade de Pedra and the Pelados waterfall.

To descend the canyon, you need physical preparation. But the good structure, in metal stairs, makes it easier. Below, several waterfalls flow from the paths. They form a small well compared to others in the cerrado, but the beauty is unique.

Jalapão combines bathing in incredible waterfalls and boiling waters

From Dianópolis, in less than five hours by car or bus you can reach Palmas, the capital of Tocantins. It is from there that hundreds of expeditions towards Jalapão leave.

The first stop is at the Japonês lagoon. But take it easy and, above all, wear water shoes, because the rocks at the bottom of the lagoon are sharp and any carelessness could end the tour right there.

Further on, tourists reach the famous Jalapão dunes. According to data from Naturatins, the tourism monitoring agency in the state park, until June this year, 24,123 people visited the site. Last year, there were 47,871 tourists — the second highest number since the survey began in 2012. The peak of visitors was recorded in 2021, with 58,644.

The orange sand that forms the dunes comes from the erosion process of the mountains located in the background, brought by the wind. It is prohibited to step on the edge of the dune, nor slip or jump on it. The explanation is so that the dune does not end up spreading and silting up surrounding streams.

After the visits, the expedition through Jalapão is dedicated to bathing in waterfalls and incredible boiling waters.

The best waterfall, without a doubt, is Formiga. The water is incredibly transparent. The incidence of the sun makes the well even bluer. The boilers are the main attractions. The feeling of not sinking, due to the water pressure, is surprising.

The tour ends with a visit to Serra da Catedral, one of the most incredible landscapes that best describes the region.

The mountain forms a wall identical to a church facade. The stop is on the road, with lots of bushes and undergrowth around it. The tip is to take advantage of the 4×4 trucks and take the photo on the roof of the vehicle, in the best adventurous style.

Crossing the border between Tocantins and Maranhão is the city of Carolina (MA). Located on the banks of the Tocantins River, the city offers good tourist infrastructure and the most surprising tours in the Cerrado, starting with the sunrise at Portal da Chapada.

Nearby is the Pedra Caída tourist complex, which houses one of the greatest natural attractions in Brazil: the Santuário waterfall.

The waterfall takes place between walls that resemble the inside of a church. It is a spectacle of nature. The place also has two other waterfalls, Caverna and Capelão. The negative point is the value. The entire tour costs no less than R$165 per person.

More affordable is the Encanto Azul or Poço Azul tour. But it is in the second venture that we find another wonder of Brazil: the Santa Bárbara waterfall.

It is another place with a Jurassic landscape in the Brazilian cerrado. The suspension bridges add even more charm to the place, creating a movie set.

Finally, Chapada das Mesas also offers an unforgettable encounter with nature. At the São Romão waterfall, it is possible to walk behind the massive waterfall and feel the spray of water.

The swallows play at passing through the waterfall. The attraction also allows for a refreshing swim in the river, in addition to contemplating the enormous waterfall.