'''Chapada dos Veadeiros''' is a natural area in the state of Goias, Brazil. It is also the name of a National Park within that area, listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO for being an outstanding preservation area of the ''Cerrado'' ? one of the world's oldest and most diverse tropical ecosystems.
Understand
Chapada dos Veadeiros is a big geographical area in the center of Brazil, well known for it's amazing fauna, flora and geological formations. There's a National Park, which has an area with 65,515 hectares with plenty of great landscapes, gorgeous waterfalls and lakes and is sought after by many travelers in search of true contact with nature.
There are basically two places where you can stay when travelling to Chapada dos Veadeiros: ''Alto Paraiso'' and ''Sao Jorge''.
''Sao Jorge'' is a small village right in front of the National Park's entrance. It lacks infrastrucure like asphalt roads and public ilumination, the intent is to leave the region around the park pretty much as it is, in order not to disturb it's fauna and flora. Even though it might sound uncomfortable for some, that's what makes the small village special. There you really feel you're somewhere mankind hasn't dominated yet, and there you can really experience Chapada.
Alto Paraiso is a small city which is about 20km (12.4 miles) from the National Park's entrance. Differently from Sao Jorge, it is a city with normal public illumination, asphalt roads and so on. You will find there more options for sleeping and eating.
Beyond the National Park, the region has other attractions inside private properties such as the Moon Valley and the Almecegas waterfalls which are situated nearby Sao Jorge, being accessible through the payment of a daily fee.
The ''Chapada'' region is also a magnet for mystics attracted by the alleged properties of the its crystal soil and rumored UFO appearances.
Rumour has it that, according to NASA, the ''Chapada'' is Earth's brightest point as seen from space. Lying on a quartz crystal bed, it's said to reflect light like a mirror.
History
The National Park was created in 1961.
Landscape
Flora and fauna
Cerrado is the predominant kind of vegetation. The trees are low and curved, and the vegetation is usually ground-high. It is similar to the Savana vegetation in Africa.
Cerrado wildlife, including orchids, ''buritis'' and many threatened animal species such as the ''pampa'' deer, swamp deer, jaguars, ''guara'' wolves, rheas, crested ''seriemas'', ''tapitis'' (small hare-like rodents), giant armadillos, great anteaters, capybaras, tapirs, red-breasted toucans, king vultures and black vultures.
Climate
Chapada_fs climate is tropical, hot and semi-arid. The average annual temperature is around 25oC (77oF). The National Park is closed to the public during the rainy season (December to February). During the rest of the year it is mostly sunny and hot. At the height of the dry season (September), the temperature can peak at 40oC (104oF).
In the beginning of the year the climate is very humid, and it rains pretty much everyday. It is ''very'' dangerous to be close to a waterfall during bad weather, so, avoid visiting the area during those days.
After May, the rain ceases and the climate turns almost desertic. There's a six month period with almost no rain at all and it gets pretty dry and hot, as you can imagine (what makes the waterfalls even better!). In that sense, the best period for visiting is between June and July, because the probability of raining is very low, and the waterfalls still have plenty of water. After that, it is still worth seeing it, but the waterfalls won't be as good because they start running low on water (no, they never get dry).
Get in
The city of Alto Paraiso de Goias, the main gateway to the Chapada, is 230km (143 miles) from Brasilia and it is also fairly close to Goiana (capital of the Goias state).
By air
There are no regular flights to the Chapada region. Flyers usually land in Brasilia (frequent flights from everywhere in Brazil) then travel overland to one of the gateway towns.
By bus
There are buses departing from Brasilia to Alto Paraiso.
By car
The road condition from Brasilia is OK. Access is done by the ''BR-020'' and the ''GO-118'' roads, through the cities of Formosa, Sao Gabriel and Sao Joao D'Alianca.
To reach the National Park, take ''GO-327'' to the Sao Jorge Village, where the entrance to the park is located.
Fees/Permits
For every attraction there will be an admissional fee of around R$ 10,00. For visiting the park you also have to pay the guide, which will take you through the park and explain you interesting things about the fauna and flora.
Get around
There are two options to get around Chapada dos Veadeiros: get a car, or hitchhike (not recommendable, but an option).
The attractions are not close to each other, which makes it impossible to just walk, so, don't go there without a car, unless you're ok with hitchhiking.
From Sao Jorge it is very easy to get around, as the park and the main waterfalls are close (10-20 minutes by car). From Alto Paraiso it is a little bit more distant, but still very easy and well indicated.
Note down the names of the waterfalls you wish to see and take it with you (it will be difficult to find English speakers there). People there are very friendly and will be very happy to help you find the place.
See
'''National Park''' - GO-239 - Km 39 - Phone/Fax: (62) 459-3388 - [mailto:ibamachapada@lycos.com ibamachapada@lycos.com] - Waterfalls, ''cerrado'' wildlife. Admission from 8 am to noon, closes 5 pm. During ''Daylight Saving Time'' (mid-October to mid-February) admission is from 9am to 1pm and it closes at 6pm.
:* Preto River Waterfall - 80 m high fall
:* Canyon 2 and Cariocas waterfall
:* And many others...
'''Moon Valley''' (''Vale da Lua'') - Accessible through a 20 minute walk, has a moonlike landscape and glimmering rocks.
'''Almecegas waterfalls'''
'''Raizama waterfalls'''
'''Sao Bento waterfalls'''
'''Andorinha waterfalls'''
'''Segredo waterfalls'''
Visits to the park must be accompanied by a local authorized guide (you will find them right in front of the park's entrance or walking in Sao Jorge). Save two days to visit the park, there are two different paths inside it, and each one takes one day.
For every of these attractions there will be a admissional fee of around R$ 10,00.
Do
'''Trekking'''
'''Canyoning'''
'''Rappel'''
Buy
There are lots of crystals, rocks and such for sale, specially in Sao Jorge. Hand made objects for decoration, necklaces mades of seeds or leather are everywhere on the streets.
Eat
Eating is very cheap. You will find lots of restaurants with traditional brazilian food, where you pay per kilo.
As you can imagine, there are restaurants with good vegetarian food as well, even though they are a little bit more expensive.
Drink
There are lots of bars in Sao Jorge and in Alto Paraiso. They are all very rustic and cosy, it is a different environment. Take a look at ''Bar do Pele'' in Sao Jorge.
During the high season there are lots of raves in Sao Jorge.
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
Sao Jorge and Alto Paraiso have several private camping areas. They're very cheap, around R$10.00 a day and usually it's a nice place to know people, as usually to camp is what young people do when going to Chapada.
Beware that camping here is not as safe as it is in Europe or in the US, so, keep an eye on your belongings!
Backcountry
Visitors are not allowed to stay in the park overnight, and must leave until 5 pm (or 6 pm during DST).
Stay safe
Tourists are recommended to take vaccination against yellow fever at least ten days before the trip.
Get out
Cavalcante - 90km
Brasilia - 230km
Goiania