Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is a Brazilian reserve popular with tourists, located in the “campos serrados” wooded savanna zone. The reserve was founded in 1961 to preserve the oldest ecosystem in the Brazilian tropics. In 2001, it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Video: Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park
Highlights
Chapada dos Veadeiros lies on the planet’s oldest quartz plateau, formed about 2 billion years ago. The picturesque hilly terrain extends at altitudes from 600 to 1650 meters and is striking in its contrasts. In summer it can be hot +40…+42 ° C, and in winter the temperature drops to +4…+8 ° C.
.There are many waterfalls in the park, the largest of which – Rio Preto Falls – falls into the valley from a 120-meter ledge. The reserve is home to several species of palm trees, rare species of orchids and pepper trees. Jaguar, anteater, tapir, armadillo, armadillo and tropical birds can be seen in the protected area.
.Tourists visit Chapada dos Veadeiros Park during the dry season, which lasts from May to October. Entry is free of charge. Visitors are advised to stock up on drinking water and food in advance, as they cannot be bought in the reserve. The hiking trails in the park are well marked. In order to make the journey comfortable, tourists should wear athletic shoes.
.In the park is allowed to stay until 18.00, because there are no places to stay overnight. Travelers who come to the reserve for a few days stay in the nearby town of Alto Paraiso.
.Moon Valley
Most tourists tend to go to Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park to hike through the Moon Valley, which is only a 20-minute walk from the reserve’s entrance. This is the name given to the uniquely beautiful quartz landscapes located by the San Miguel River. Rising along the riverbank, the cliffs range in color from pale gray to soft blue and milky white to black.
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The rock ledges are smoothed by water and look like old ice. Among the quartz formations, you can see lakes resembling moon craters, tiny waterfalls, and clear, clear streams. Many of the rocks of the quartz valley have their own names.
.How to get there
The lands of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park are located in the Brazilian state of Goiás, 250 km from the capital Brasília and 35 km from Alto Paraíso. The entrance to the reserve is 1 km away from the village of São Jorge.
.From the capital to Alto Paraiso, tourists reach by shuttle buses, tour buses, cabs and rented cars. Note that during the rainy season, parts of the Chapada dos Veadeiros road can be severely flooded.
