6-day Jalapão Trekking Immersion

We’ll start our 6-day trekking through the Jalapão, one of Brazil’s most fascinating destinations for lovers of outdoor adventures. We’ll leave Palmas in the direction of the Jalapão Ecolodge, located in the majestic Catedral do Jalapão Private Natural Heritage Reserve. There, we will be welcomed by exuberant nature and have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local culture.

Before lunch, our adventure begins with a 1.2 km walk to Enseada do Rio Soninho. This out-and-back trail, marked by natural beauty, will take us for a refreshing dip in the clear waters of the river, a perfect opportunity to relax and connect with the environment. After this, we will return to the Ecolodge for a delicious lunch that highlights regional flavours, a gastronomic experience that promises to be as rich as the landscape that surrounds us, then we will have a short rest, preparing us for the next stage of our 6-day Jalapão trekking.

At around 2:15 p.m., we’ll start a 4km trail to the highway, from where we’ll drive to the foot of Morro da Catedral, one of Jalapão’s postcards. The highlight of the day will be the climb up the hill. This 1,6 km (round trip) trail is full of breathtaking scenery and will take us to the top of one of the most impressive formations in the region. At the top, we will be treated to a spectacular sunset, a magical moment that will surely remain etched in our memories. After the descent, we will end our day by sharing experiences and stories of this incredible day with dinner at the Ecolodge.

Total distance by vehicle: 237 km (174 km of paved road and 63 km of dirt road)
Total time by vehicle: approx. 3h25

Total hiking distance:  6,8 km (1.2 km to Enseada do Rio Soninho + 4 km to the highway + 1,6 km to Morro da Catedral trail)
Total hiking time: approx. 5h (1h round trip Enseada do Rio Soninho + 2h to the highway + 2h Morro da Catedral trail)

On the second day of our 6-day trekking through the Jalapão, we’ll start waking up early to embark on a day full of adventures and discoveries. The first activity of the day is trekking the Travessia da Velha. Starting at 6 a.m., we’ll set off on this approximately 12-kilometre hike across clear fields and trails. This route will take us to the Velha waterfall, where we will have the unique opportunity to appreciate it from a different angle, from inside the park.

For lunch, we’ve planned something special: a picnic on one of Rio Novo’s beautiful beaches. This will be a time to relax and enjoy the scenery, recharging our energy for the next stage of our adventure. In the afternoon, a thrilling 4-hour rafting experience on class IV rapids awaits us. This activity promises to be full of adrenaline and excitement, providing a unique way to explore and feel the energy of the Jalapão while paddling on the clean, drinkable waters of the region’s largest river. During the rafting trip, we will also have the opportunity to visit several small beaches along the river.

At the end of the tour, we resume walking for another 3.5 km to the Jalapão Ecolodge, where we are scheduled to arrive at 6 pm. This final stretch of the trail offers another opportunity to appreciate the breathtaking scenery and biodiversity of the Jalapão through trekking. After an intense and adventurous day, we will set off for the town of São Félix, where we will spend the night. This day promises to be a perfect combination of physical challenges, natural beauty and unforgettable moments.

Total distance by vehicle: 33 km on dirt road
Total time by vehicle: approx. 50min

Total hiking distance: 15.5 km (12 km the Velha Trail + 3.5 km to the Jalapão Ecolodge)
Total hiking time: approx.. 5h50 (4h30 the Velha Trail  + 1h20 to Jalapão Ecolodge)

Ready for our third day trekking through the Jalapão? Today, we’ll start our day very early, setting off on a hike through the Jalapão State Park. The 9.5 km, 4-hour hike will take us through breathtaking landscapes and promises to be a total immersion in the region’s exuberant nature. One of the highlights will be our stop at the Boa Esperança Quilombola community, where we will have the honour of meeting Mr Adão Ribeiro, the community leader and learning more about the rich local culture.

After this cultural experience, we will arrive at our overnight destination, the Glamping Refúgio Coração do Jalapão. There, we will be welcomed with a tasty lunch, perfect for recharging our energy. In the afternoon we’ll take a 6 km round trip hike to Fervedouro do Jatobá, one of the many natural charms of the Jalapão. For the more adventurous, there is the option of making this journey by kayak, a unique experience that adds an extra dimension of adventure to our trip.

When the sun starts to set, marking the end of another incredible day in the Jalapão State Park, we’ll return to the Glamping. There, we’ll have time to share stories and experiences from the day. Then we’ll settle down for a well-deserved night’s rest, already anticipating the new adventures that await us. Let’s continue to discover the wonders of this Jalapão crossing, creating memories that will last a lifetime!

Total distance by vehicle: 5 km on dirt road
Total time by vehicle: approx. 10min

Total hiking distance:15.5 km (9.5 km from Boa Esperança Trail + 6 km to Fervedouro do Jatobá)
Total hiking time:  approx. 5h50 (4h Boa Esperança Trail + 2h Fervedouro do Jatobá)

On the fourth day of our 6-day trekking through the Jalapão State Park, an even more fascinating experience awaits us. After breakfast, we’ll set off by car towards the Formiga Waterfall. Its emerald-green waters are an irresistible invitation for a relaxing and invigorating bath, a true gift from nature. Next, we start the journey through the boiling waterholes towards the Buritizinho Fervedouro, where we will enjoy a typical local lunch, once again tasting the authentic flavours of the Jalapão.

After lunch, we will embark on a 4 km hike through the savannah to the Fervedouro Encontro das Águas, a place where the Formiga and Soninho rivers meet. Here, we can witness the phenomenon of the water changing colour and temperature, an experience that connects us even more with the wonders of the jalapoeiras.

To conclude the day in your 6-day Jalapão trekking we’ll continue along the trail that crosses the fervedouros to the Mumbuca Quilombola Community, known as the cradle of golden grass handicrafts. This visit gives us a unique insight into the local culture and allows us to better understand the community’s history and traditions. After a day full of discoveries and adventures, we will end our trip with dinner and an overnight stay in Mateiros.

Total distance by vehicle: 80 km on dirt road
Total time by vehicle: approx. 1h55

Total hiking distance:13 km (Travessia dos Fervedouros)
Total hiking time:  approx. 5h

On the fifth day of our 6-day Jalapão trekking, we’ll start very early, at 4 a.m., to make the most of it! On a quick trail of approximately 0.8 km we gain an elevation of 200 metres and enjoy a breathtaking sunrise in an incredible landscape at the Serra do Espírito Santo viewpoint. This moment, with the first lights of the day illuminating the landscape, promises to be one of the highlights of our trip.

Next, we embark on a 3 km trail through the rupestrian savannah, a walk that will take us to the cliffs of the Jalapão dunes. The trail continues for another 9 km on a more technical and challenging route, but which will be rewarded with the incredible view of the dunes. With their golden and orange sands and surrounded by mountains and trails, they offer an authentic and breathtaking landscape of the region, a true postcard of the Jalapão.

At the end of the walk through the dunes, we will drive to the community of Rio Novo, where a delicious lunch at the Curicaca restaurant awaits us. After the meal, we’ll visit Prainha do Bixico, a perfect place for a refreshing dip and to relax after a busy day. To end the day, we’ll spend the night camping or in hammocks in the community of Rio Novo. This day promises not only physical challenges, but also moments of contemplation and deep connection with the nature of the Jalapão.

Total distance by vehicle:180 km on dirt road
Total time by vehicle: approx. 4h40

Total hiking distance: 12.8 km (0.8 km of the Serra do Espírito trail + 12 km of the trail to the dunes)
Total hiking time: approx. 6h (1h Serra do Espírito Trail + 5h Trail to the Dunes)

On the last day of your 6-day Jalapão trekking, the adventure takes an exciting turn in the waters of the Rio Novo. Get ready for an unforgettable rafting experience that will last around 4 hours. This aquatic journey will take us to Praia do Clóvis, crossing wilderness areas, and crystal-clear beaches and facing challenging class III rapids. 

During our descent down the river, we will take a strategic break on the banks for a healthy snack. This is a moment not only to replenish our energy but also to appreciate the tranquil beauty of the river and its surroundings.

After concluding our adventure on the waters of the Rio Novo, we will return to Palmas. This day of thrilling descents and breathtaking landscapes promises to be one of the highlights of our 6-day Jalapão trekking. Every day of this expedition, we discover new wonders and experience adventures that surpass all expectations, making each moment more incredible than the last.

Total distance by vehicle: 229 km (127 km on paved road + 102 km on dirt road)
Total time by vehicle: approx. 4h30

Total rafting distance: 10 km
Total rafting time: approx. 4h