Chapada dos Guimarães is a little-known national park in Brazil showcasing the diversity of the cerrado (tropical savanna) landscapes. Accessible from Cuiabá, this park is mostly visited by Brazilian travelers and families seeking a cool escape from the heat of the valleys of Mato Grosso. On the way from Cuiabá, one will pass several rivers with crystal-clear water and impressive cliff drops (including the terrifyingly-named Hell’s Gate).
Recommended time of visit:The waterfalls and major lookouts can be seen in two days. However, to go on some of the longer hikes, for instance, to spectacular Cidade de Pedra, at least three days are needed.
If you would like to extend your visit to this region, do not miss a trip to Nobres where one can swim in crystal-clear waters full of numerous fishes while watching colorful macaws flying above. Or head to the marshes of Pantanal in search of unique wildlife, including the elusive jaguar.
Waterfalls
There are more than a dozen waterfalls spread throughout the park. The most impressive is, without a doubt, Véu de Noiva (or the Bridal Veil) – a free-falling waterfall nearly 90 meters in height. The waterfall is seen from a lookout that is easily reached after a short trail. With luck, in the afternoon, colorful macaws may be seen flying near the waterfall, providing a unique photo opportunity. Next to the trail leading to the Véu de Noiva lookout there is another smaller trail that is only open from 9am until noon. This trail leads visitors through typical savanna vegetation which is the perfect hideout for smaller animals (with luck you may see an armadillo or two). The path ends at two smaller but charming waterfalls that see far fewer visitors than Véu de Noiva, and if you head here early you will have the waterfalls all to yourself. For all waterfall lovers, it is possible to continue on the trail and turn this adventure into a full-day hike that will take you to seven different waterfalls surrounded by lush vegetation.
Surreal landscapes
Besides numerous waterfalls, Chapada dos Guimarães national park is known for unique stone formations scattered throughout the landscape. A two-hour drive from the visitor center takes visitors to Cidade de Pedra, a rocky landscape that looks like a busy metropolis built from stone. Vale do Rio Claro offers another equally incredible scenery with thin and sharp mountain ridges emerging from the valleys, offering spectacular views of the land below. Both offer numerous hiking options, from several hours to multiple days in length, so each visitor can find something to his or her liking. To visit either of these areas, a permit from the park authorities must be obtained in advance. A tour operator can help obtain these if you are short on time.
The views
The park sits nearly 800 meters above the valleys, offering sweeping vistas of the surrounding areas. The most popular viewpoint is Morro dos Ventos, named for the winds that can be heard passing through the cliffs. From here, the city of Cuiabá and even portions of the Pantanal wetlands can be seen!
The town of Chapada dos Guimarães
The small town of Chapada dos Guimarães’s claim to fame is being the geographical center of South America. The town has a quaint historical center and a beautiful church dating from the 1700s. This is also a great place to try açaí, served the Brazilian way with powdered milk, condensed milk, and lots of blended mouth-watering açaí berries.
Leave a Reply