Road Trip to Chapada dos Veadeiros 5 Days of Nature and Hiking off the Beaten Track Brazil | Brasilia, Chapada dos Veadeiros
On this rental car tour you will experience the wild landscape of Central Brazil in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region around its national park. Deep gorges crisscross the plateau here, allowing numerous waterfalls and canyons to line up. The natural attractions are surrounded by varied vegetation of the Cerrado (Brazilian grasslands), the second largest biome in South America and the most species-rich landscape in the world. Depending on how much you want to hike, a local guide will tailor an optimal itinerary for you upon arrival.
MAP
Highlights
- Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Saltos Waterfalls
- Hike through the Cerrado and tropical forest
- Jump into the natural pools of Rio Preto
- Let the water of Rio dos Couros massage you
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Brasilia and Drive to Sao Jorge
Included: Rental Car | Meet and Greet (private, 1h)
Brasilia to Sao Jorge: 160 miles (260 km)
You will receive your rental car directly upon arrival to the international airport in Brasilia. Depending on the arrival time of your flight, you may have the opportunity to visit Brasilia, the nation's capital located in the center of Brazil and designed by Oskar Niemeyer with architectural rarities such as the famous Metropolitan Cathedral. Afterwards you will leave the city and drive about 3.5 hours to Sao Jorge, a small town at the entrance of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park. You will leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind you and drive steadily northward through more and more sparsely populated landscapes. On the last part of the drive, about 10 miles (15 kilometers) before you reach your destination, it is worth stopping at the Jardim de Maytrea overlook. After you have arrived at your accommodation, you will be welcomed by your English-speaking guide in the evening. You will be given useful information about the region to plan your excursions for the next few days.
Overnight: Pousada Casa das Flores, Superior room
Day 2: Couros Waterfalls
Included: Rental Car | Self Drive Trip to Couros Waterfalls (private, 8h) | Breakfast
Today you will set out early in the morning with your guide for an easy hiking experience of about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) at the waterfall complex of Rio dos Couros. You will drive about 30 miles (50 kilometers) on asphalt and another 18 miles (30 kilometers) on dirt roads. Once there, you will have the whole day to explore the different waterfalls, rapids, and natural pools. Your guide will show you the most beautiful places. You will also learn a lot about the local flora and fauna of the Cerrado. The trail leads you on footpaths and over rocks along the river to the last big waterfall of the canyon.
In the late afternoon you will drive back to Sao Jorge, stop at some overlook points and enjoy the landscape in the evening light when the Cerrado appears in its most beautiful colors.
Overnight: Pousada Casa das Flores, Superior room
Day 3: Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park
Included: Rental Car | Breakfast
Today you are on your own to explore the national park. You will drive about 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) from Sao Jorge to the park entrance. You will receive further information and safety instructions from the park staff when registering at the visitor's center. The trail to Saltos, 2 adjoining waterfalls 260 feet (80 meters) and 390 feet (120 meters) high, is well signposted and leads you about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) over hilly terrain. Here you can linger and enjoy a refreshing swim in the large pool below the waterfall. Then, you can either hike back the same way you came or continue for about another 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) upstream to spend some more time at the Corredeiras rapids. At that point, the trail will lead you back towards the park entrance. If your feet are not tired yet, turn north and walk another 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) through the dense grasslands to the canyons. In this part of the park the river has washed deep canyons into the rock. Enjoy a swim below the Carioca Waterfall before heading back to the park entrance.
Overnight: Pousada Casa das Flores, Superior room
Day 4: Segredo Waterfall and Moon Valley
Included: Rental Car | Breakfast
Today Segredo Waterfall awaits you. To reach this waterfall after 11 miles (17.5 kilometers) you will drive west from Sao Jorge until you turn onto a dirt road. You will have to cross small rivers 3 times on the way before reaching the parking lot. From there the 4.5 miles-trekking (7 kilometers) starts. A well-maintained path runs along the river through initially dense forest to the waterfall, whose waters plunge 330 feet (100 meters) from a rocky gorge into a large natural pool. Here you can rest for a while by the water, swim, and enjoy the scenery. Afterwards, you will walk back to your car, with more swimming opportunities along the way.
In the afternoon you will set out for one of the most famous natural attractions of the region: Moon Valley (Vale da Lua). The parking lot at the entrance, only a few steps from the river, is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Sao Jorge. The water masses have created unique rock formations over the years which gave the place its name. In the evening you will drive back to Sao Jorge.
Overnight: Pousada Casa das Flores, Superior room
Day 5: Sao Bento Waterfall and Journey Back to Brasilia
Included: Rental Car | Breakfast
Sao Jorge to Brasilia: 160 miles (260 km)
Today is the last day of your self-drive tour and it is time to depart from Sao Jorge.
If you have enough time before continuing your journey to Brasilia and want to stay in nature, you can visit the Sao Bento Waterfall on the grounds of Fazenda Sao Bento, which is located directly on the way about 13 miles (20 kilometers) from Sao Jorge. The path here is only 650 feet (200 meters) long and leads from the parking lot at the entrance of the fazenda to a waterfall with a large pool.
After a last refreshing swim you will drive back to Brasilia and return your rental car directly to the airport.
Included
- 4 nights at Pousada Casa das Flores, Superior room
- 1 meet and greet (with a private English-speaking guide)
- 1 self drive trip (with a private English-speaking guide)
- 4 breakfasts
- Rental car for 4x 24h from / to Brasilia in the selected car category (unlimited mileage)
- Rental car information sheet
- Collision damage waiver and loss damage waiver (“risk coverage for the car”), and third-party liability cover (“risk coverage for third parties”)
Not included are airfare, fuel, optional additional coverage, additional driver, entrance fees, beverages, meals not indicated in the itinerary, tips, and personal expenses.
Info
- On the day of arrival, check-in is from 2:00 p.m. If you arrive earlier, we can include an early check-in, if you wish.
- For each of the natural attractions, an entrance fee of 3 to 10 USD per person is charged. These entrance fees are not included.
- Information on distances and travel times are approximate.
- Depending on flight times, we recommend a visit to the center of Brasilia. Optionally we offer private guided tours for sightseeing.
- The renter must be 21 years of age or older, have a valid driver's license issued no less than 2 years before the date of rental.
- If the rental car is not picked up and/or returned at the specified times, the car rental company reserves the right to update the daily rate of the reservation. The renter must settle any difference directly on site.
Here you will find further information and details about car rental categories and insurance.
This journey will take you to the most beautiful places in Brazil: the tropical metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, the spectacular waterfalls of Foz do Iguacu and the exceptional nature of the Amazon Rainforest. Many different and individual day trips and excursions are on the program. You will gain distinct impressions of Brazil's diversity, visit the most famous sights, and get to know the breathtaking variety of animals and plants of the jungle. Our local English-speaking guides will make sure that you have a great time and show you the best of Brazil.
Experience the unique and breathtaking nature and amazing variety of flora and fauna in the Amazon and the Pantanal in Brazil. On many different excursions you will explore the equatorial rainforest and one of the largest wetlands on earth by boat, jeep, and on foot. On this tour, wildlife observation and the experience of nature are in the foreground. Apart from exotic plants and giant trees, you will have the chance to see countless bird species, different monkeys, caimans, anteaters, tapirs, and even jaguars. Immerse yourself in the dense foliage of the Amazon Rainforest, explore the waterways of the Pantanal, and let yourself be enchanted by the wonders of Brazil's nature.
This journey will expose you to the wide diversity of Bahia: the famous historical center of Salvador, adventurous tours in Chapada Diamantina National Park, and palm-lined dream beaches. Colorful little streets, waterfalls, caves, table mountains, tropical culinary specialties, and much more await you on this tour to the most beautiful places in Bahia.