April 6–16, 2026
"Explore Jalapão in the most authentic way! In May 2026, dive into the vast golden landscapes, hike along breathtaking trails, and discover the rich culture of the local communities. Experience stories, traditions, and the warm hospitality of Tocantins as you explore this natural paradise. A transformative journey awaits you in the heart of Jalapão!" 🏝️🌿
JALAPÃO EXPEDITION – May 24–31, 2026
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – May 24
Group meeting in Palmas at a pousada/hotel starting from 2:00 PM. Free day.
At 7:00 PM, expedition briefing with the Terra das Tribos guide. Overnight stay in Palmas.Day 2 – May 25
We begin our adventure, departing from Palmas at 7:00 AM towards Jalapão Ecolodge, located within the Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) Catedral do Jalapão, with expected arrival at 12:00 PM.
After check-in, we’ll enjoy a 1.2 km hike to the banks of the Soninho River for a refreshing swim, followed by a riverside snack. After a short rest, we’ll hike 1.2 km back to the Ecolodge. At 3:00 PM, we’ll set off on a 4 km trail leading to the road, from where we’ll continue by car to the base of Morro da Catedral, one of Jalapão’s iconic landmarks.
The ascent begins around 4:30 PM along a 2.8 km round-trip trail, culminating with the magnificent sunset view from the summit. Dinner and overnight stay at Jalapão Ecolodge.Day 3 – May 26
After breakfast, our intense day starts at 6:00 AM with a 15 km trek along the Travessia da Velha, crossing open fields and wetlands until we reach Cachoeira da Velha. This unique route offers a rare perspective from inside the park.
Lunch will be a picnic on the banks of the Rio Novo. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a thrilling 2-hour rafting experience on class IV rapids, followed by stops at several pristine river beaches along one of the cleanest, drinkable rivers in Brazil.
We finish with a 5 km hike back to Jalapão Ecolodge, arriving around 6:00 PM, and continue on to São Félix for dinner and overnight stay.Day 4 – May 27
Early departure at 6:30 AM by car to the trailhead. Trekking of approximately 9.5 km, expected to last about 4 hours. Along the way, we’ll pass through the Quilombola community of Boa Esperança and visit the home of community leader Sr. Adão Ribeiro, where we’ll share in local culture.
Lunch and overnight stay with native hosts in the community of Prata.
In the afternoon, a 5.5 km hike from the glamping site to Fervedouro Jatobá. Return to the lodging at dusk for dinner and overnight stay.Day 5 – May 28
After breakfast, we head to Fervedouro Buritizinho, followed by a 4 km walk through the Cerrado to Fervedouro Encontro das Águas. There, we’ll enjoy swimming at the confluence of the Formiga and Soninho rivers, where the contrast of temperatures and colors is striking.
Lunch will be a traditional Jalapoeiro meal in the Quilombola community of Mumbuca, birthplace of golden grass handicrafts. After a short rest, we’ll visit the community museum to learn about its history and artisanal traditions.
Later, we’ll take a relaxing swim at the emblematic Cachoeira do Formiga. Evening transfer to Mateiros. Dinner not included. Overnight stay in Mateiros.Day 6 – May 29
Departure at 4:00 AM to hike up the Serra do Espírito Santo viewpoint and witness a spectacular sunrise. From there, we continue through rupestrian Cerrado vegetation to the cliffs of Jalapão’s dunes. A steep, rocky descent makes this section more technical, leading us to the iconic Dunas do Jalapão, where golden-orange sands meet surrounding mountains and wetlands.
We continue by car to the Rio Novo community for lunch at Restaurante Curicaca.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit Praia do Pixico for a refreshing swim and free time. Dinner and overnight stay at camping or hammock lodging in Rio Novo community. Approximate walking distance of the day: 9 km.Day 7 – May 30
A full day of adventure on the waters of the Rio Novo: 4 hours of rafting to Praia do Clóvis, navigating through untouched wilderness and class III rapids. We’ll stop riverside for a hearty snack before continuing.
After the activity, transfer back to Palmas.Day 8 – May 31
Breakfast at a pousada or hotel in Palmas.
Check-out.Difficulty Level: Hard
This itinerary requires a high level of physical endurance, with prolonged exposure to the sun.
