Cavalcante

With around 10.000 inhabitants, Cavalcante lies 320 km north of Brasilia, on the north side of the national park Chapada dos Veadeiros. It is an area with some tremendous hiking trails and waterfalls. Cavalcante also surrounds the Kalunga Historical Site, where descendents of slaves, called Kalunga, are still living to this day with little contact with the modern world.

By bus

In Brasilia, Empresa Santo Antonio (ESA) provides two daily lines to Cavalcante. Leaves 7:15h and 15:15h from Rodoferroviaria station. Tickets at R$ 45,15. Tel. +55 61 3233-7619 +55 61 3328-0834. It's a slow 6-hours ride.

By car

To get to Cavalcante you need to go first to Brasilia. From there, take road BR-020 and drive 34 km, turn left at DF-345 to ride 10.5 km more, continue on BR-010 for 225 km. Finally, turn left at GO-241 for the last 21 km.

Cavalcante is a small town and you can easily get around on foot or by bike. But the best way to the waterfalls is by car.

A guide is highly recommended to visit the attractions listed here because most of them are in remote locations and without mobile phone network coverage. Use your discretion! Guides are available at the Tourist Information Center. Tel +55 62 3494-1507. The guides are also available to provide camping support like helping with tents and cooking.

• Ponte de PedraThe Bridge is a rock structure made by erodion caused by the São Domingos river. It's accessible through the Renascer farm, 12km from the city center. The trail to the Bridge is not difficult nor ridiculously long, but it can be fairly taxing sometimes. So you are advised to save your energy and to not go jumping around like a bear on Gummiberry juice. You can refresh yourself before going up to the Bridge by swimming in the pond of the Renascer waterfall and in the lake just below the Bridge. From the Bridge, you can climb a little bit more to see the Rio Claro valley. You can even ask the guide to wait for the sunset on the top of the mountain (in that case, bring flashlights because you will come back in the dark). You can also do a longer trekking around the area of the Bridge, where you can visit the 7 Quedas (seven falls) and the Buraco da Jandaia (Jandaia's hole). Ask your guide for more details.

  Adelano Lázaro

• Santa Bárbara Waterfall

  address: Engenho II settlement
  One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. It's reached by going into the Kalunga settlement Engenho II, 25 km from the city center. From there, it's an easy 5 km trail through flat dirt terrain, hills and flower fields. You can hire guides directly at the settlement. For the best swimming and photographing experience, you should go early in the morning and stay until 15h.

• Cachoeiras do Prata

  address: Estrada Cavalcante-Minaçu, km 60
  The entrance to these waterfalls is 63km from the town center. It's actually a place where you can see 9 waterfalls. The biggest (and furthest) ones are the Rei do Prata (King of Prata) and the Urubu Rei (King Vulture), right after the former. The King is about 7 km away from the property entrance and it can be reached through a fairly easy trail. You just need time and patience to get there. If you have a 4WD car, you can drive to a bit more than 1/3 of the distance to the waterfall. You can also camp nearby the waterfalls and at the entrance. For the best experience, you should spend 2 days there. 1 day for the King and the second one to get back and enjoy the other waterfalls.

Most of the Waterfalls will provide you a hiking experience with easy, moderate or difficult trails. Some of them can also be visited by mountain bike.

• Visit the Kalunga communities - The Kalunga People are the descendents of escaped slaves who lived in isolated communities without contact with the outside world until fairly recently. They have a number of interesting traditions that they have carried on for centuries. They are noted for their festivals and their hospitality.

There's a small selection of local handcrafted products. Nothing special. Ask the guides at the information center.

• Pizza Roots

  phone: +55 62 9959-5233
  address: Rua Eujácio de Souza Qd 20
  Great pizza made on wood oven. Big selection of toppings and good ambience.

• Amor a Gaia Bistro

  phone: +55 62 3494-1303
  address: Road to Colinas do Sul, km 0
  Vegetarian menu

• Max Restaurante

  phone: +55 62 3494-1607
  address: Rua do Dendê, 49, Centro
  Open everyday for lunch and dinner.

• Flor do Cerrado

  phone: +55 62 9634-1079
  address: Praça Diogo Teles Cavalcante, Qd. 11, Lt 88

• Aluar Café

  phone: +55 62 3494-1305
  address: Rua Pedro Pinto 87 - centro

• Creperia Pouso de Folia

  phone: +55 61 9683-1701
  address: Praça Diogo Teles, Centro

• Dona Joana

  phone: +55 62 3494-5607
  address: Rua do Dendê n 68 Centro
  lunch and dinner.

• Restaurante Kalunga

  phone: +55 62 3494-1421
  address: Rua José Paulino da Silva Qd. 26 Lt. 211

• Restaurante da Rosa

  phone: +55 62 3494-1556
  address: Avenida Tiradentes Quadra 29 lt 264
  lunch and dinner.

• Pizzaria do Guia

  phone: +55 62 9665-3283
  address: Avenida Tiradentes, Centro

• Cervejaria Artesanal Aracê

  phone: +55 62 9804-2501
  address: Rua do Rosario Qd 23 Lt 182
  Aracê is a lager craft beer brewed by Monolo and Soledad, a Chilean couple who happens to live in Cavalcante. Production is limited but is usually available bottled in the restaurants or directly in the brewery on tap.

Budget

• Camping Estância Solar

  phone: +55 62 3494-1190
  address: Estrada Colinas do Sul km 1
  3 rooms and camping space (capac. 50 tents - 80 persons) with showers, lighting, power outlets and tent rentals. TV room, parking and leisure area.

• Camping Toca do Katitu

  phone: +55 62 9671-1831
  address: r. 219, Q 25, L 04 Vila Morro Encantado
  Inside an agroforest, has lots of shade for tents, communitary kitchen, and showers.

• Camping Soluar

  phone: +55 61 9958-7613
  lots of shade, parking and a stream going nearby.

• Hotel Casa Verde

  phone: +55 62 3494-1265
  address: Rua 3, Qd 43- Lt 482 Centro
  7 rooms with tv and fan, 10 rooms with fan, and shared bathrooms. TV and video room, parking and laundry facilities.

• Hotel Pioneiro

  phone: +55 62 3494-1160
  address: Praça Diogo Teles Cavalcante nº 84 Centro
  Urban hotel with 12 apartments in the city's central square, breakfast, some rooms have a fan and TV.

• Hotel FM

  phone: +55 62 3494-1595
  address: Rua Lourenço Costa Ferreira Q.06 L.66 Nº 196 Centro
  It has 10 bedrooms, TV / video room and restaurant.

Mid-range

• Casa Temporada

  phone: +55 61 9904-7219
  address: rua 19, Qd.86, Lt.994 Centro
  Nice houses, on grounds close to running water, for rent.

• Pousada Chalés do Lago

  phone: +55 62 3494-1421, +55 61 9697-9815
  address: Rua José Paulino Silva, Qd 26- Lt 211 Centro
  The manager is a Kalunga woman and also a guide.

• Pousada Morro Encantado

  phone: +55 62 3494-1079
  address: Rua João Guilhermino Magalhães, Qd. 27, Lt. 230
  At city center. 16 rooms with fridge, ceiling fan, TV and quality towels and sheets.

• Pousada Vale das Araras

  phone: +55 62 3459-0007
  address: Cavalcante - Colinas do Sul road, km 3
  Nice country lodge, close to St. Bart river.

• Pousada Caiana

  phone: +55 61 9839-5598, +55 61 3245-7735, +55 62 9975-8874
  address: Estrada para Colinas do Sul Km 4
  Offers bungalows made of typical Kalunga craftsmanship, adobe and straw. Located in a beautiful site, at the São Bartolomeu riverbank.

• Pousada Manacá

  phone: +55 62 3494-1012
  address: Travessa 4- Qd 27- Lt 222 Centro
  2 cottages and 3 rooms. Cottages have TV and frigobar. The pousada has bar, restaurant and souvenir shop.

• Pousada Veredas

  phone: +55 62 3459-0000
  address: road to Colinas do Sul, Km 5
  17rooms with fan, frigobar and tv, 4 romm house available for rent,camping space (capac. 50 tents - 200 persons) with toilets and showers. Bar, restaurant, tv / vídeo room, games room, pool and grill. 7 waterfalls, treks, jeep for rent, horses and rappelling canyon inside the property.

• Pousada Recanto da Mata

  phone: +55 62 9655-4858
  address: Rodovia GO-242- km 2
  4 cottages and 2 rooms with fan and TV.

• Pousada Aruana

  phone: +55 62 3494-1562
  address: R. Marcia Cristina s/n
  12 suites in 3 cottages. Organic breakfast. Library, fireplace, small shop, camping space, outdoor showers, campfire space, WiFi and rocky landscapes.

• Pousada Sol da Chapada

  phone: +55 62 3494-1372
  address: rua Borba Gato Qd. 26 Lt 218
  Inside city.

• Pousada Reserva Renascer

  phone: +55 62 3494-6539
  address: Estrada Cavalcante - Colinas do Sul, km 09
  4 rooms, parking, pool, leisure area

• Fazenda Hotel Bananal

  phone: +55 61 9665-0561
  address: Rodovia Cavalcante-Minaçu, Km 9
  3 cottages, 2 apartments, 2 rooms and camping space (capac. 50 tents - 150 persons) with toilets and showers. TV/Video room, laundry, parking, restaurant, coal grill and leisure area. Horsew riding, river and waterfalls.

• Pousada Vila dos Ipês

  phone: +55 62 3494-1475
  address: Rua 19 Qd. 86 lt. 991-992 Cavalcantinho
  Away from center. 4 rooms with tv, frigobar and fan.

• Pousada Ecotents

  phone: +55 62 9604-6767

• Tapuio Park Hotel

  phone: +55 61 9827-5587
  address: Rodovia Cavalcante/Colinas km 2
  Hotel Fazenda. Six suites, each with approx. 60 m2, enclosed furniture, plasma TVs, split air-con, very recently renovated. External gardens, walking track, nice views to notable landmarks: Morro da Cruz, Serra Boa Vista and Serra Santana. Walking distance to Cachoeira de S.Bartolomeu; Pomar; Terrain has 45.000 m2 at only 1.8 km from center, optional breakfast.

• Chapada dos Veadeiros