5-day Jalapão Adventure in Brazil

📍 Departure from Palmas, Tocantins: PlanetaEXO’s local partner will pick you up from the airport or your hotel in the city at 7:15 AM heading to São Félix do Tocantins, with multiple stops along the way.

On the way to São Félix do Tocantins, stop at the Peixinho River for a refreshing dip and then head to the charming Taboca Community for a delicious lunch break at Dona Irani’s restaurant.

Later, it’s time for Morro da Catedral, a 2-hour hike that leads to one of Jalapão’s most beautiful postcards—a 200-meter hill that offers a jaw-dropping view of the sunset.

The day ends in São Félix, where the group will settle in for the night at a lovely inn.

Driving distance (total): 280 km (170 km of paved road and 110 km of dirt road), approx. 4.5 hours

Hiking distance (total): 1.6 km (approx. 2 hours)

The second day of our Jalapão adventure varies according to the time of year, with itineraries that perfectly align with the season.

Rainy Season (November to April)

Start the morning with a 9 km hike to the community of Boa Esperança, in Mateiros, which passes through trails with typical Cerrado vegetation and fervedouros.

After a delicious lunch at Fervedouro Jatobá, choose between cooling off in Araras Waterfall or rafting over 10 km down the Soninho River. Later, head to the Prata community for dinner and then go back to São Félix to rest for the night.

Driving distance (total): 47 km on dirt road (approx. 1.5 hours)

Hiking distance (total): 9.5 km (approx. 3.5 hours)

Dry Season (May to October)

Join a 12 km hike along the Travessia da Velha, the hiking trail that leads to the fantastic Cachoeira da Velha, one of the most iconic waterfalls of the Jalapão State Park. Then, delight yourself with a picnic on a small beach along the Novo River.

After lunch, your adrenaline will go through the roof with a thrilling 4-hour rafting trip down the river. As the sun sets, the group walks on a trail of 3.5 km to reach the ecolodge where we’ll spend the night.

Driving distance (total): 80 km on dirt road (approx. 2 hours)

Hiking distance (total): 15.5 km (approx. 4.5 hours)

When the sky is still dark, hike up the Serra do Espírito Santo, a 200-meter sandstone plateau that offers jaw-dropping views of Jalapão State Park. At the top, you’ll watch a stunning sunrise.

Down the hill, visit the golden dunes of Jalapão—surrounded by mountain ranges and typical vegetation of the Cerrado—and then relax and cool off at Pixico Beach, one of the beaches of the Novo River.

Lunchtime takes place in Mr. Adélio Curicata’s restaurant, in the Rio Novo community. The day ends in a cozy inn at Ponte Alta do Tocantins.

Driving distance (total): 180 km on dirt road (approx. 4.5 hours)

Hiking distance (total): 1.6 km (approx. 2 hours)

It’s the last day of our Jalapão adventure, but there’s still a lot to do! Our first stop is Pedra Furada, an ancient rock formation with a hole in the middle that creates a natural canvas for the state park’s landscapes.

The hike to Encantado Canyon takes around 5.2 km (round trip) of pure natural beauty. Depending on the season, it’s possible to pass by up to five waterfalls in one place!

After lunch at Dona Rosa’s restaurant, take a break to relax before it’s time to go back to Palmas.

📍 Departure from Ponte Alta do Tocantins, Tocantins: PlanetaEXO’s local partner will transfer you back to Palmas after lunch. Scheduled arrival at 7:30 PM.

Driving distance (total): 308 km (156 km on dirt road + 152 km on paved road), approx. 3 hours

Hiking distance (total): 5.2 km (approx. 3 hours)