Alto Paraiso de Goias Brazil..

Ok.. not sure why this post did not get published but here it is from late last year.

 

Last Thursday we woke up early and headed northeast traveling down the toll roads the 2 hours to the Federal District of Brasil, spent a little over an hour continuing our drive and crawling through Brasilia traffic. We finally get to the opposite side of the district and travel another 2 1/2 hours through small towns with roadside vendors and siting one toucano (yes I realize this is the Brazilian word for it but I like it better then toucan) along the way. We arrive in Alto Paraiso de Goias which sits inside the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park. Created to preserve the ancient rock formations, the park and towns are known for their ecotourism and new age spirituality. In the distance we can see the small but beautiful range of mountains permeating the cerrado terrain. After quick stop in town, we drive the small distance to Sao Jorge where we have booked a small villa to stay. Sao Jorge is a small village filled with Posada’s (small hotels) and where people congregate in the evenings after exploring the national park. Upon arriving, we find that we have been overbooked and the villa we are supposed to stay at is no longer available. Not to worry as someone comes forward who has a house they rent on the weekend that is unoccupied and ends up being less expensive then what we have booked. It takes a little bit of time getting it all sorted out but soon our bags are set on our beds and we are ready to explore Sao Jorge. With non paved streets in the middle of winter which for central Brasil means dry weather, it is quite dusty and with every step we create a small puff of dust. The house we are renting, is just off the main

street not even a half a block so we begin our adventure walking down the street. For a small town there are a ton of people and lots of movement. Lining the streets are hippies selling their hand made wares and behind these vendors are shops selling the same as well as restaurants and souvenirs shops. Dresses, shirts, jewelry and nick nacks can all be found. We spend the evening looking, grabbing a bite to eat and enjoying the pleasant evening. We turn in early as it was a long day traveling and we have lots of hiking on the itinerary the next day.

1. We wake up to another sunny day, eat our breakfast, fill our water bottles and head out towards our first destination (Valle da Lua) Valley of the Moon. The destination is a short distance from were we are staying so we jump into the car and head back the way we came. Soon it is time to turn down a dirt road with all the vegetation around covered with dirt. We make it to the parking area and after a short hike you begin to hear the rushing of water and realize you must be nearing the river. Reaching the banks of the now small stream it is hard to see any water as the river actually flows 20 feet down below in the gray rock canyons. I understand that during the rainy season, the banks are filled with water rushing over the rocks, cutting and reforming them. The dark gray rock sculpted by the water create a beautiful terrain and we carefully explore. It is easy to see where it got it name. We take some time to enjoy the sites and sounds, wading in the clear water pools just beyond the moon like canyons. We have other things to explore so after a small snack and some water it is time to set off for our next destination. We arrive back at our car and drive back down the dusty road to the parking area of our next destination. Three waterfalls in one. Almecegas I Waterfalls, Almecegas II Waterfalls. The hike is semi steep and quite long. I am glad that have been doing a lot of walking the last couple of months. The scenery is wonderful and all the different vegetation and flowers. After exploring a bit and a little more wading,. We head back up the trail where we came from. Soon we come to the

See Video of our Hike

Our first stop is on top of the waterfall. Filled with clear water pools, the river flows so calmly before it makes it way to the edge of the drop off. It is truly peaceful although the sound of rush water can be heard in the distance.

 

Ok  maybe it was not complete that is why I did not publish.. more to come…