Day 1 – Origin / Palmas
Flight to Palmas. Arrival, reception at the airport, and transfer to the hotel in Palmas.
Day 2 – Palmas – São Félix
Departure to the Jalapão Ecolodge, with a stop for a refreshing swim at the Peixinho River spring. Afterwards, lunch at Dona Irani’s restaurant in the Taboca Community. In the late afternoon, we will hike the Morro da Catedral, one of Jalapão’s iconic landmarks, to enjoy a magnificent sunset. After descending, dinner and overnight in São Félix.
Challenging Trail: The Morro da Catedral trail lasts approximately 2 hours, covering 2,800 meters round trip, with small loose stones. At the end, there is a climb up a ladder to reach the 200-meter-high hilltop; the descent occurs at night.
Day 3 – São Félix – Rainy Season (NOVEMBER TO APRIL)
Today, we will hike a 9 km trail connecting the charming Fervedouro do Alecrim to the Boa Esperança Community. This immersive nature walk allows guests to admire the unique cerrado vegetation and the crystal-clear waters of the fervedouros along the way. After lunch at Fervedouro Jatobá, the afternoon is free with optional activities. In the late afternoon, we will visit the Prata Community for dinner, then return to the lodge in São Félix.
Easy Trail: The fervedouro trail is an 8 km walk on flat, sandy terrain, lasting approximately 4 hours.
Optional activities: 1 – Class II and III rafting over 10 km, approximately 2.5 hours along the Soninho River; 2 – Visit Fervedouro Por Enquanto; 3 – Visit Fervedouro Capão.
Optional activities must be booked in advance; rafting should be scheduled the day before.
São Félix – Dry Season (MAY TO OCTOBER)
The day starts at 6:00 AM with a trek along the Velha Crossing, approximately 12 km through open fields and veredas, reaching Cachoeira da Velha for a unique perspective inside the park. Lunch is a picnic at one of the small beaches of Rio Novo. Afterwards, a 2-hour rafting adventure on class IV rapids showcases the excitement of paddling in Jalapão. Several small beaches along Brazil’s cleanest freshwater river are also visited. After rafting, we return along a 3.5 km trail to the Jalapão Ecolodge, arriving around 6:00 PM. Dinner and overnight in São Félix.
Challenging Trail: The Velha trail is divided into two parts: the first 12 km to Cachoeira da Velha (approx. 4.5 hours). After rafting, an additional 4 km hike (approx. 1h20) follows. Most of the trail is flat, with some sandy sections.
Day 4 – São Félix – Mateiros
After breakfast, we head to Mateiros, visiting Fervedouro Buritizinho, then hiking 4 km through the cerrado to Fervedouro Encontro das Águas. Guests can swim where the Formiga and Soninho rivers meet, noting the different temperatures and colors. Lunch is traditional Jalapão cuisine at the Quilombola Mumbuca Community, home of golden grass. After a brief rest, we visit Cachoeira do Formiga, renowned for its emerald-green waters. Dinner and overnight in Mateiros.
Easy Trail: The fervedouro trail is 4 km round trip, taking 1.5 hours on mostly shaded flat terrain.
Day 5 – Mateiros – Ponte Alta
Early departure at 4:00 AM for a 1.6 km trek (round trip) in Serra do Espírito Santo, taking about 1 hour to ascend and 45 minutes to descend. The trail has an altitude gain of 200 m, offering sunrise views and breathtaking landscapes. Next, visit the Jalapão Dunes, with golden-orange sand surrounded by hills and veredas. A small beach at Rio Novo allows a refreshing swim. Lunch at Dona Deusa’s restaurant in the Rios Community, then transfer to Ponte Alta for dinner and overnight.
Challenging Trail: Serra do Espírito Santo trail – 200 m altitude gain, early morning ascent in the dark, total duration approx. 2 hours round trip.
Day 6 – Ponte Alta
We head to Cânion Encantado, stopping first at another landmark, Pedra Furada, a large sandstone formation sculpted by wind and rain. At Cânion Encantado, we hike 5.2 km (round trip) inside the canyon. Lunch is at Fazenda D. Rosa with homemade regional cuisine. Return to Ponte Alta afterwards.
Moderate Trail: Cânion Encantado – 5.2 km total, flat terrain with a 500 m steep descent/ascent, approx. 3 hours.
Day 7 – Ponte Alta – Palmas
Morning visit to the famous Lagoa do Japonês, with its crystalline waters and limestone rock formations. Lunch is local cuisine at Dona Almerinda’s. After lunch, transfer back to Palmas.
Day 8 – Palmas / Origin
Transfer to Palmas airport for flight to your origin city.
“The order of excursions is not fixed and may change at the discretion of the local guide or operator.”
INCLUDES: Airport-hotel transfers in Palmas, transfers in the Jalapão region, accommodation with breakfast in Palmas (2 nights), São Félix (2 nights), Mateiros (1 night), and Ponte Alta (2 nights), lunch in the Jalapão region, travel assistance, tours as per itinerary, entrance fees, and local guide.
EXCLUDES: Airfare, optional activities, trail snacks, beverages, meals in Palmas, and items not explicitly mentioned as included.
