Day 1 – Origin / Montes Claros – Itacarambi
Departure from Montes Claros Airport by 3:00 pm to Itacarambi.
Estimated travel time: approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Accommodation at the selected lodging. Evening at leisure.
Day 2 – Peruaçu Caves National Park
Departure after breakfast for a visit to the park, including a trail snack, late lunch, and visits to archaeological sites:
Lapa do Caboclo and Carlúcio
The rock wall with cave paintings at Lapa do Caboclo features a large concentration of paintings in the Caboclo style, first discovered at this site and exclusive to the Peruaçu Valley. Along the trail to Lapa do Carlúcio, there are viewpoints offering views of the dry forest in different seasons, cacti, and rupestrian vegetation. The trail continues through gallery forest to the entrance of Carlúcio Cave, where rock formations from a collapsed cave ceiling can be seen.
Lapa do Boquete
One of the most extensively studied archaeological sites, where burial sites and a prehistoric silo—used for food storage—were discovered.
Lapa Bonita and Lapa do Índio
One of the most beautiful and richly decorated caves in the park, Lapa Bonita features halls and galleries filled with speleothems, as well as a chamber covered with reddish sediments known as the Red Hall. At Lapa do Índio, cave paintings cover the walls up to the ceiling. From the Mirante do Índio viewpoint, it is possible to see the entrance to Janelão Cave.
Day 3 – Peruaçu Caves National Park
Departure after breakfast for another visit to the park, including a trail snack, late lunch, and visits to archaeological sites:
Janelão Cave
The park’s main attraction, featuring enormous sinkholes, halls, and gigantic speleothems. The rock wall right at the entrance is a large open-air gallery that tells the story of human presence in the Peruaçu Valley through cave paintings. Janelão Cave is home to the largest stalactite in the world, known as the Ballerina’s Leg.
Lapa dos Desenhos
One of the caves adorned with rock inscriptions, where various drawings made with different pigments can be observed on the entrance wall. Along the trail to the archaeological site, following the Peruaçu River, visitors will see gallery forest, riparian vegetation, and dry forest typical of Cerrado formations.
Day 4 – Peruaçu Caves National Park & Speedboat Tour on the São Francisco River
Departure after breakfast for a visit to the park, including another archaeological site, lunch, and a speedboat tour:
Lapa do Rezar
This cave stands out for the variety of brown and reddish tones in its paintings, featuring geometric figures. It has an immense entrance portal measuring 90 meters wide by 40 meters high—an impressive natural monument that houses a well-preserved rock art archaeological site. According to local tradition, the cave received this name because it was visited by pilgrims who prayed and lit candles inside.
Walking distances: from 1.2 km to 4.8 km (round trip).
Difficulty levels: from easy to strenuous. Good physical condition and proper footwear, such as hiking boots or trail sneakers, are recommended.
Speedboat Tour on the São Francisco River
Departure for a boat tour (Sergipana-style speedboat) along the São Francisco River, passing through locations that represent much of the region’s socio-economic context. The first stop is the sand mining area, an important activity for Itacarambi. The tour continues with an external visit to EB1 – the pumping station of the Jaíba Project, the largest irrigation project in Latin America. In the late afternoon, there may be an opportunity to swim at a crôa of the “Velho Chico” (São Francisco River). Crôas are sandbanks that form along the riverbed during the dry season; swimming will only occur if river conditions are safe and favorable. Return to Itacarambi.
Day 5 – Itacarambi – Montes Claros / Origin
Morning departure to Januária, with visits to the Historic Center, Handicraft Center, Claudionor Cachaça Distillery, and Municipal Market. After a lunch stop (included), continue to Montes Claros. Flights departing after 7:00 pm are recommended.
“The order of the tours is not necessarily as described day by day and may be changed at the discretion of the local guide/operator due to weather conditions, logistics, safety, and visitation rules of the Peruaçu Caves National Park.”
INCLUDED:
Ground transfers to destinations; meals including 2 trail snacks and 3 late lunches during park visits, 1 lunch in Januária; tours as described day by day; certified speedboat and licensed pilot; local guides; and travel assistance.
NOT INCLUDED:
Personal expenses; internet access (Wi-Fi); phone calls; beverages at any time; meals not mentioned as included; and any expenses not listed under “Included.”
