Chapada dos Veadeiros from Brasília: waterfalls and Goiás cuisine

About this activity

A full day to immerse yourself in the Chapada dos Veadeiros, the ancient cerrado plateau that holds some of the most striking landscapes in central Brazil. Water running over quartz rock, viewpoints opening onto the horizon and communities who have lived off this land for generations.

The departure is from Brasília at dawn, heading for the Parque Estadual Águas do Paraíso. There, a guided walk of around 6 kilometres, there and back, crosses uneven ground with steep ascents and descents, as far as the group of waterfalls known as the Cataratas dos Couros. Along the way, viewpoints open onto a vast stretch of preserved cerrado. At the end of the trail, the Rio dos Couros forms natural pools and rock jacuzzis where it is worth stopping, resting and feeling the cold water of the highlands.

The day also has its side of shared tables and conversation. On the road, a stop at the Pamonharia da Vó Belmira, a house of Goiás flavours where pamonha and pequi tell the food history of the cerrado. In the early afternoon, a late lunch at the Restaurante Dona Eleusa, home cooking prepared by people from the local community. And before heading back, free time on the main street of Alto Paraíso de Goiás, among small craft shops and the particular atmosphere of a town that draws seekers, artists and walkers from all over the world.

Throughout the day, a tourist guide travels with the group and shares the natural and human history of the region. Choosing local restaurants and services means the value of the trip stays in the territory, with the people who live there.