Trekking - 8 days

The Travessia Leste trek, covering a total of 100km, starts on Alto Paraiso and heads east into the beautiful Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park desinated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This is a remote part of Brazil and the particular route chosen for this trek is rarely walked, even by locals.

The area spills over with massive waterfalls, the highest of which is 1,500m. The terrain and scenery is amazingly varied, taking us through canyons, and across savannah and passing through a number of local Indian communities. Capped by the awesome sunrises and sunsets, it promises to make for an unforgettable experience.

ITINERARY

Day one - Brasillia - Alto Paraiso.

Arrive in Brasilia and transfer directly to Alto Paraiso for a full expedition briefing, some slides of the area and a good nights sleep in the lodge.

Day two – Alto Paraiso - Mrs Leonia’s Farm - 15km

The start point of the trek is in Alto Paraiso at the office of Travessia. From here we head straight out of town and pick up a dirt track for a short while. We will spend most of the morning crossing through meadows teeming with wild flowers. Trekking trousers are recommended for this day as we will be walking through vegetation at times, but don’t forget your swimmers. After 7.5 km we reach the waterfalls of Rio Cristal where each group will find there own little paradise for lunch. This part of the walk is popular with the locals at the weekend, as it is so close to Alto Paraiso.

After lunch we mostly descend to camp, apart from a short optional excursion to Aguas Frias for a shower that you will not forget.

Camping at Mrs Leonia’s farm near Moinho village. 15 km.

Day three – Mrs Leonia’s Farm - Rainbow Village - 25km

An early start this morning as we will need to leave at 0700. After saying our good-byes to Mrs Leonia we head south east from the farm on a dirt track, gradually ascending for 3 km. Next the route turns off the dirt track onto a steep trail up the hillside. The last section is particularly steep before we reach the plateau at 1400 metres. We then cross open savannah before descending down to our lunch spot after about 12 km. Just 10 minutes walk down stream is a beautiful viewpoint at the top of a 120 metre waterfall called Sertao Zen.

In the afternoon we climb back up onto the plateau then begin the long descent to camp, there is little chance to full up water this afternoon so stock up at lunch.

12 km later and you reach camp at Aldeia Arco-iris (Rainbow village), where we spend the next two nights. 24 km.

Day four - Circular walk to Macaco River - 12km

Today’s circular walk is refreshingly easier than the previous day. We follow the main track for just 5 km before dropping down through the forest until we reach the Macaco River. After a short break to see the view from the top of the first waterfall we follow the trail downstream, past a second waterfall then to the top of the third. From this point the lunch spot is visible 90 metres directly below. The last section of this trail takes us to probably one of the best lunch spots on earth, with it’s two large swimming holes and a huge waterfall above.

After a long lunch break we climb back up through the woods, onto the track and back to camp. 12 km.

Day five – Rainbow Village - Macaquinho River Camp - 17km

After leaving camp we head south and soon start to climb. For most of the morning the route ascends until we reach the highest point of the week at 1500 metres. Form here we have a view of almost every part of our trek over the last three days.

After lunch we follow the ridge for a while before descending all the way down to our bush camp at Macaquinho River. There are not any swimming points along today’s route but plenty close to camp. 17 km.

Day six – Circular walk to the window-on-the-rainforest - 16km

Today we will trek around a circular route of some 16 kms that takes us to the edge of the Chapada, a 600m vertical cliff over the plains of the Sertao, and to the ‘window-on-the-rainforest’. This ancient trail was only rediscovered recently after a fire cleared the area and it offers one of the most dramatic views of the surrounding rainforest and plains.

Day seven – Macaquinho River Camp - Bandeira - 16km

After breakfast, the last trekking trail part: macaquinho - Bandeira, 15km by Macaquinho River Vale passing a beautiful 200 year old horse trailby, many pools and formers affluent. In the end of the trekking there is a lunch made by Miss Santana, Bandeira settlement, which is a traditional people place, matriarch.

An opportunity to see some local and very rural traditions in practice at Bandeiro.

Transfer back to Alto Paraiso, one hour by bus, for a leisurely afternoon and a gala night meal.

Day eight - Alto Paraiso - Brasilia - UK

Transfer to Brasilia to catch a morning flight

EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE PROVIDED BY TRAVESSIA

Equipment provided by Travessia

Two man tents.

Plates, cutlery and cups.

All cooking equipment and tents.

4x4 pick-up vehicles for baggage and equipment transfer, and for casevac.

Small Motorola radios for each local guide.

Itinerary of 8 days and 7 nights, it includes:

· Accomodation in Alto Paraíso: Inn Recanto da Grande Paz or Casa Rosa, Mrs. Leonia’s camping, Camping in Aldeia Arco-íris, camping in Macaquinho + Camping structure.

· Meals (breakfast and dinner).

· Trekking food.

· Bilingual experienced guides (a guide for each ten people).

· Walks described in the route and entrances for the attractiveness.

· Support car for baggages and medical emergencies.

· Support Staff.

· Official Translator

· Gala nigth with local musicians.

· Bus Transfer Brasília / Alto Paraíso / Brasília.

Prices:

Consult, please.

ion@travessia.tur.br