Learn more about Brazil’s highest mountain, a sacred Yanomami landmark hidden deep in the Amazon, and learn surprising curiosities about this mysterious peak
Have you ever heard about the Pico da Neblina? This towering mountain is the highest point in Brazil, standing at 2,995 meters above sea level. Hidden in the northwest Amazon, it rises above the rainforest canopy and is almost always wrapped in mist. That’s why its name perfectly translates to “Peak of the Fog.”
Photo: Lucas Miagostovich
Beyond being the tallest mountain in Brazil, Pico da Neblina is also part of one of the most remote and least-explored regions of South America. Its wilderness, dense forest, and rugged trails make it a destination that combines adventure, conservation, and cultural depth.
At PlanetaEXO, we believe travel can make a difference. Our expeditions to Pico da Neblina are guided by the Yanomami, the guardians of this sacred territory. Every journey supports local communities and helps preserve the Amazon’s fragile ecosystems.
Now, let’s explore 10 fascinating facts about Pico da Neblina:
1. Highest point in Brazil
Standing at 2,995 meters, Pico da Neblina is officially the highest point in Brazil. From its summit, travelers find themselves looking over an endless green carpet of rainforest stretching to the horizon. Have you ever imagined standing above the Amazon clouds? That’s the reward of reaching the top.
Brazil has other impressive peaks, but none surpass Pico da Neblina. The second highest is Pico 31 de Março (2,974 m), located nearby in the same mountain range. The third is Pico da Bandeira (2,892 m), between Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais.
These comparisons highlight how unique the tallest mountain in Brazil truly is. It’s a reminder of how diverse Brazil’s landscapes are, from coastal plains and wetlands to towering mountains hidden deep inside the forest.
Photo: Lucas Miagostovich
👉 Want to learn about other peaks in Brazil? See more in: 10 facts about Mount Roraima
2. A sacred mountain for the Yanomami
Pico da Neblina is known as Yaripo among the Yanomami, who see it as a sacred place where ancestral spirits and the powerful Xapiripë reside. In their cosmology, these beings dance in mirrors of light to protect the forest, sustain life, and keep the sky from collapsing.
The Yanomami are one of the largest Indigenous groups in South America, with more than 27,000 people living between Brazil and Venezuela. In Brazil, they inhabit territories in Roraima and Amazonas states, including the area surrounding Pico da Neblina National Park.
For travelers, this turns the climb into a cultural and spiritual journey that highlights the risks of greed and the importance of protecting the Amazon.
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3. Pico da Neblina remained closed for years
Until the early 2000s, expeditions to Pico da Neblina were common, often organized by private operators without Indigenous participation or environmental oversight. For the Yanomami, this uncontrolled flow of outsiders into Yaripo, their sacred mountain, was deeply disturbing.
In 2003, following rising tensions over government plans to develop tourism infrastructure, the park was officially closed. Tourism remained suspended for almost 20 years, until a new model based on conservation and Indigenous leadership was gradually developed through dialogue and partnerships.
A pilot project was launched in 2019, with plans to reopen in 2020 delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2022, visitation resumed under an ethnotourism framework led by the Yanomami.
Today, visitors follow rituals of purification with shamans before climbing, and every expedition, such as the Pico da Neblina Expedition of PlanetaEXO, is planned with Indigenous associations to ensure cultural respect and environmental care.
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👉 Learn more in our post: Ecotourism in the Amazon Rainforest: A solution to deforestation
4. The second-largest national park in Brazil
Pico da Neblina National Park covers an impressive 2.2 million hectares, making it the second-largest national park in Brazil. Only the Jaú National Park, also in Amazonas, is bigger.
Created in 1979, the park protects mountains, rivers, and vast stretches of rainforest along the border with Venezuela. Its remoteness makes it one of the least visited, but also one of the most pristine. Imagine a park larger than many countries in Europe: that’s the scale we’re talking about.
For visitors, this immense area means days of trekking through varied ecosystems: lowland rainforest, cloud forests, alpine vegetation, and misty summits.
@joaoclaudio2
👉 Curious about more protected areas? Check our blog post: National Parks in Brazil you should visit in 2025
5. The long wait from discovery to ascent
Pico da Neblina was first identified by non-Indigenous people in the 1950s, during aerial surveys of the Amazon. But it wasn’t until the following decade, in 1965, that an expedition finally managed to reach its summit.
Why such a delay? The remoteness of the region, the lack of infrastructure, and the complexity of the terrain all played a role. Unlike other mountains with established trails, reaching Pico da Neblina required building routes through untouched rainforest.
This gap shows how challenging it is to explore the Amazon. Even when something is “discovered,” it can take years or decades before outsiders actually set foot on it.
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It’s not an easy expedition
Reaching the summit of Pico da Neblina is far from simple. The trek covers about 35 kilometers from the first base camp to the top, spread across several days of hiking through dense rainforest, steep ascents, and sections of slippery terrain.
Climbers face river crossings, high humidity, sudden changes in weather, and altitudes above 2,000 meters that demand extra endurance. In total, it usually takes 6 days of trekking from the starting point until the summit day, making it one of the most demanding trails in Brazil.
For this reason, it is recommended only for travelers who already have experience with challenging multi-day hikes and enjoy wild, remote adventures.
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6. The first ascent to the summit
The first officially recorded ascent to Pico da Neblina’s summit happened in 1965, carried out by a Brazilian Army expedition that confirmed the altitude of 2,994 meters. This recognition shifted Brazil’s geography: until then, Pico da Bandeira was considered the country’s highest point.
But for the Yanomami, Yaripo, “the mountain of winds and storms”, was never “discovered.” They had always known and revered it as a sacred place. The notion of “first ascent” is therefore relative: it represents the perspective of the näpe (non-Indigenous).
In recent years, a historic moment added a new chapter: Maria Yanomami became the first Indigenous woman to climb Yaripo, joining the test expeditions that shaped today’s official tourism route.
Her achievement reflects the growing role of Yanomami women in guiding, organizing, and sustaining Pico da Neblina expeditions.
@escoteirosdobrasil
👉 Want to live this adventure yourself? Check all the details of our Pico da Neblina Expedition
7. Formed thousands of years ago
Geologists believe Pico da Neblina was formed around 3 billion years ago, making it part of some of the oldest geological structures in South America. It belongs to the Guiana Shield, a vast region of ancient rock that also includes Mount Roraima.
These formations predate the Andes and many other famous mountain ranges. Can you imagine rocks that are older than Pangaea itself? That’s the kind of history hidden in Pico da Neblina’s slopes.
This ancient origin explains the mountain’s rugged landscapes, steep cliffs, and constant weather changes.
@mochilaodobem
8. Biodiversity and weather facts
Because of its altitude and location, Pico da Neblina shelters a unique combination of Amazonian biodiversity and highland species. Rare orchids, moss-covered forests, and alpine plants thrive near the summit.
Wildlife here includes tapirs, giant armadillos, and hundreds of bird species. The region is also a hotspot for endemic species found nowhere else. For example, carnivorous plants such as Drosera meristocaulis and Heliamphora ceracea grow only on Neblina’s slopes.
Amphibians like Stefania neblinae and Neblinaphryne mayeri are exclusive to this environment, while the Neblina uakari (Cacajao hosomi), a primate described in 2008, occurs primarily around the park.
Even spiders, such as Architis neblina, have been identified as species unique to this mountain.
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- Photo: Lucas Miagostovich
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👉 Wondering about the best season? Read: When is the best time to visit the Amazon?
The weather is unpredictable: hot and humid in the lowlands, chilly and foggy at higher elevations, with night temperatures near the summit dropping close to 0°C.
For scientists, this mix of ecosystems is a treasure. For travelers, it’s a reminder to be ready for anything: from sudden downpours to misty mornings.
Photo: Lucas Miagostovich
9. A location deep in the forest
So, where is Pico da Neblina? The Pico da Neblina location is in the far northwest of Amazonas state, right on the border with Venezuela, within São Gabriel da Cachoeira municipality.
Getting there is an adventure in itself. Travelers usually fly from Manaus to São Gabriel da Cachoeira, then continue by 4×4 and canoe along the Cauaburis and Maturacá rivers until reaching the Yanomami village of Maturacá, the gateway to the park.
This remote location explains why the mountain remained so little known for so long. Surrounded by dense rainforest and rivers, it’s one of the most isolated areas in Brazil, and that’s what makes the journey so extraordinary.
@geoturismo_na_amazonia
👉See our full article on How to get to the Amazon Rainforest
10. The meaning of the name
What does “Pico da Neblina” mean? In Portuguese, it translates to “Peak of the Fog,” describing the constant mist that surrounds its summit. But the meaning of the name goes deeper when we consider its Yanomami name: Yaripo.
For the Yanomami, Yaripo is not just a physical place but a spiritual landmark where the sky and earth connect. This duality, the descriptive Portuguese name, and the sacred Indigenous name reflect the blend of science and tradition that defines the mountain.
Since its official recognition in the 20th century, the name “Pico da Neblina” has been widely used, but Indigenous voices ensure that Yaripo remains alive in collective memory.
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Traveling with PlanetaEXO
Visiting Pico da Neblina is not a regular trek. It’s a transformative journey where every step supports the Yanomami and helps protect one of the last wild frontiers of the Amazon.
With PlanetaEXO, travelers are guided by those who know the mountain best, the very people who have lived with it for centuries.
Our expeditions are designed around respect, sustainability, and cultural immersion. From the blessing rituals to the shared meals in Yanomami villages, every moment is an opportunity to connect with both nature and people.
Now it’s time for you to experience the facts about Pico da Neblina through your own eyes.
👉 Ready to take the next step? Contact us today and start planning your climb to Pico da Neblina
