| Chapada dos Veadeiros - Presentation |
Many water falls, natural pools, precious stones, trails and other exciting
attractions. These are the reasons that made Chapada dos Veadeiros in the Central-West of the country, one of the most visited places by those
who are looking for adventure and want to get in contact with nature in its broadest meaning. A large part of the region which in the past was
the object of the plundering activity of the gold miners today is protected by the National Park of Chapada dos Veadeiros that since 2001 was
recognized as National Heritage.
Only a small part of the National Park is open to the public since the principal
objective is to preserve the nature, the fauna and flora of the region. Two excursions are made inside the National Park: the visit to the
canyons and Carioquinhas Waterfalls and to the Saltos do Rio Preto. To reach the two attractions it is necessary to go along approximated 6 km
of trails opened in the middle of the forest. The natural pools are beautiful and the water is pure, in spite of the dark colors caused by the
urn oxide present in large quantities in the river. It is also possible to find springs of extremely clear water. There are various effluents
of rivers that form the Amazonia hydrographic basin in the area that makes up the Park.
In two days, it is possible to see the whole National Park, but there are chances
of tours around the park as well. As a matter of fact, the majorities of the attractions are really in the private properties and should be
accompanied by an accredited guide, even though it is not obligatory but is advisable.
Belvederes and fields of typical flowers of the Cerrado are attractions by
themselves and excellent sceneries for photographs. The local handicraft makes arrangements with dry flowers that are sold as souvenirs to the
tourists. Besides the flower arrangements, the visitors can easily find rock crystals as the transparent quartz is called in all the shops of
handicraft. The crystals are extracted for a huge mini of quartz in the subsoil of the Chapada, making the place even more special.
The region is famous for attracting mystics from all over the world who develop
new therapies and preach healthier styles of life. The arrival of the “alternative society” in the Chapada began in the 70’s when the mystics
and hippies began to establish themselves in the cities near the National Park. They are fugitives of the exhausting life of the big cities
who found peace in a blessed region. The quantity of minerals present in the ground and the legends about the extraterrestrials contribute in
making the place the cardiac chacra of the planet with a passage to other dimensions as well, according to the esoteric.
Even year, more than 12 thousand tourists visit the National Park always
accompanied by specialized guides and trained by Ibama to guarantee the safety of the visitors. The city of Alto Paraiso, 37 km from the Park,
accommodates a large part of the tourists. The city has a population of six million inhabitants and offers good hotels and restaurants, besides
offering options of various types of recreation. However, there are those who prefer to stay in Vila São Jorge, where the entrance to the Park
is located. Vila São Jorge has only 500 inhabitants and has a little bit more rustic hotels and restaurants but very sought out for by those
who intend to take advantage as much as possible, of the natural beauties of the region.
It doesn’t matter if the reason for visiting the Chapada dos Veadeiros comes
from the desire to be in contact with the nature or from the yearning to know more of the ideology and the Zen Character of the place, because
it is impossible to visit the region without feeling that something has certainly changed in the way of facing the old valves and even your own
life. |