UNESCO Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites in Brasília and Goiás 10 days

Chapada dos Veadeiros © Bruno Maia

Discovering the Brazilian State of Goiás means getting to know some of its historic cities as well as one of the world’s oldest ecosystems, the Cerrado . This itinerary takes you to visit the charming cities of Pirenópolis as well as Brasília  and  City of Goiás , considerate a  World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In Chapada dos Veadeiros, 220km (136mi.) from Brasília, you will see the flora and fauna that characterize this region with some of the most ancient rock formations in Brazil. With many trails that leads to vast mountains, natural pools formed by waterfalls, deep canyons, rivers, this exquisite landscape is one of the natural sites declared by UNESCO.

 Day 1 – INBOUND BRAZIL – BRASÍLIA

Arrival at airport in Brasília. Transfer to hotel

Lunch at Porcão Restaurant

Half-day city tour visiting the main Highlights in Brasília. Our tour will begin at Nossa Senhora de Fatima Church passing by the residential building in order to get there. Our next destination will be the TV Tower, to appreciate one of the highest view of the city. We will set course towards the Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial , erected in homage to the president who commissioned the design of Brasília. Definitely worth seeing is the Catedral Metropolitana  (Metropolitan Cathedral), and the Esplanade of the Ministries which leads us to one of Oscar Niemeyer's greatest achievements: the Itamaraty Palace. When visiting Brasília, a stop at the Square of Three Powers and the National Congress , with its 28-storey twin towers, is a must. We continue on our way to visits the Historic Museum of Brasília and the Espaço Lúcio Costa, which provides us with the ideological background to the planning of Brasília. Our last visits will be the Jaburu Palace, cast a glimpse at the presidential Alvorada Palace and then we head back to the hotel.

Overnight: Eron Brasília Hotel

Day 2 – BRASÍLIA

Explore the architectural marvels of Brasília in a full-day city tour to the main cultural and sightseeing points of this urban planned city. Our cultural tour starts with a visit to the Central Bank Museum. It exhibits old and new notes and coins and gold prospecting in Brazil. Before we continue to the  Itamaraty Palace , which houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we will get to know the head office of the Federal Savings Bank. The Itamaraty Palace combines modern and classical styles and is built around elegant courtyards, sculptures and gardens. Outside, the marble sculpture known as the "meteor" is a stunning piece of work, its five parts representing the five continents, the water underneath symbolic of the divinity. Another very interesting visit is the Templo da Boa Vontade (Good Will Temple) , the Republic Cultural Center, including the National Museum and the National Library. Prior to our return to the hotel, we throw a glance at the University of Brasília, founded in 1961.

Lunch at Oca da Tribo Restaurant . Free night

Overnight: Eron Brasília Hotel

Day 3 – BRASÍLIA – CHAPADA DOS VEADEIROS

After breakfast, transfer from Brasília to Alto Paraíso (3 hours)
Lunch at a local restaurant in Alto Paraíso and afterwards depart for a guided tour to Vale da Lua , an extraordinary natural rock moonscape formations sculpted by the force of the São Miguel River. Transfer to hotel in São Jorge, 38km (24mi.) away and enjoy a beautiful cerrado's sunset.

Dinner in São Jorge.

Overnight: Trilha da Violeta Pousada

Day 4 – CHAPADA DOS VEADEIROS

After breakfast, departure for a 8km (5mi) hike in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park . The circuit follows an old miners’ trail passing by the quartz crystal mines that gave rise to the settlement of São Jorge. Along the way you will see a wide range of typical vegetation of the high altitude cerrado (savannah). We will stop for a swim and hydro-massage beneath the Pedreiras Waterfall, one of the main attractions of the National Park, set in the rocky valley through which Rio Preto tumbles in a series of cascades and natural swimming pools. After a picnic lunch you will return along a small path shimmering with fragments of quartz crystal. Transfer to Alto Paraíso

Dinner in Alto Paraíso

Overnight: Recanto da Grande Paz Pousada

Day 5 – CHAPADA DOS VEADEIROS

After breakfast at the Pousada we will transfer to Cavalcante City.
We will visit Santa Bárbara's Waterall with 30m of height, a beautiful river of green-emerald colored water with great swimming pools. This attraction is inside of the Kalunga Reserve. We then head to Engenho Village and have lunch offered by the Kalunga community.
Return to Alto Paraíso, 45 minutes away.

Dinner in Alto Paraíso.

Overnight: Recanto da Grande Paz Pousada

Day 6 – CHAPADA DOS VEADEIROS – PIRENÓPOLIS

After Breakfast, visit the São Bento Farm, and walk nearly 2.5km (1.5mi.) to the lovely Almecegas 1 waterfall with its 150ft (50m) drop and then on the smaller Almecegas 2 waterfall for a refreshing dip in the large natural swimming pool.
Lunch in Alto Paraíso

Departure to a 4hrs trip to Pirenópolis , 400km (249mi.) from Chapada dos Veadeiros.
Check-in at hotel in Pirenópolis. In the afternoon, walk around the historical centre of Pirenópolis and visit the city’s cultural and historical highlights like the Igreja Matriz Church, Ponte de Madeira (Bridge over Almas River), Casa da Câmara e Cadeia (Chamber House and Jail House), Cavalhadas Museum, Bonfim Street, Igreja do Bonfim Church, Casa dos Doces e Artesanato (Candy and craftshop), local craftsman stores. Free time for shopping.

Free night. Dinner in Pirenópolis

Overnight: Pousada Arvoredo Inn

Day 7 – PIRENÓPOLIS: VARGEM GRANDE ECOLOGICAL RESERVE and VAGAFOGO FARM

After breakfast, we will start our day in the nature, with the opportunity to experience some activities related to ecotourism, rural tourism, and adventure tourism. First, will visit the Vargem Grande Ecological Reserve. This reserve has trails that gives access to the waterfalls with excellent pools for bath and white sandy beaches, ideal for a sun bathing. We then follow to Vagafogo Wildlife Sanctuary, created in 1990 to promote a 20 year work of  conservation, as well as to offer delicious fruits, crystallized or dehydrated produced mainly in the farm. We will be greeted at the Visitors Center with a delicious brunch and a colonial coffee that offers more than 45 items (drinks, snacks and sweets) with Cerrado’s fruits.

We will continue our tour along a beautiful 1.500mt (4921ft.) interpretive trail with 12mt (39ft.) high canopy walkways. The trail revels centenary trees surrounding the Vagafogo River, where we can refresh ourselves in the natural ponds with limpid water and a small waterfall. The most adventurous can enjoy some activities like canopy walking and rappelling.
Note: 24hrs reservation required.

Free night. Dinner in Pirenópolis

Overnight: Pousada Arvoredo Inn

Day 8 – PIRENÓPOLIS – CITY OF GOIÁS
 
After breakfast, transfer to City of Goiás. On the way, stop at Babilônia Farm is considered a National Historic Patrimony by IPHAN. The 1800 ancient sugar mill and plantation house, is an example of extraordinary architecture constructed by slaves. The founder kept under his control almost 200 families of slaves until the farm was sold to the actual owners ancestors.
Upon arrival in City of Goiás, check-in at the hotel. Lunch in “Pratos que Contam Restaurant”. While tasting the regional dishes, discover the history of local culture.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Historical Centre of City of Goiás, which was the state’s capital until the 1930’s and in 2001 was declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. After visiting the historical architectonical buildings, we will stroll to the Praça do Coreto Square and Mercado Municipal, where we will enjoy the traditional pasteis and bolinho de arroz with fruit juice from the cerrado region. Visit the artesians' stores and to discover the regional handicrafts.
Free night.

Overnight: Pousada do Ipê

Day 9 – CITY OF GOIÁS

This morning we will visit the Casa de Cora Coralina Museum, a space dedicated to Cora Coralina  (1889-1985), one of the most admired Brazilian poetess that was born and lived in the city. The big house was constructed during the 18th Century - one of the first to be constructed - a typical colonial architecture where we will travel through the poems, versus and history of the golden character of the city.

Afterwards, we will visit the artesian Goiandira do Couto’s studio, that paints impressive screens with sand from Serra Dourada Mountain Range. After a regional lunch, we will visit the Doceiras de Goiás sweet shop. To close our afternoon, we will try some sweets and a delicious “coffee with chitchat”.

Overnight: Pousada do Ipê

Day 10 – CITY OF GOIÁS - BRASÍLIA

Breakfast and free morning in the Pousada and a last stroll on the streets of Goiás.
Transfer to Brasília. 

SUGGESTED EXTENTION

Iguassu Falls National Park - 3 days

General Information

Guide Language:	English. Other languages upon request
Level:	Easy to Moderate Program
Included:	All transfers and overnights; activities and meals mentioned in the program;
Not Included:	Air fare; insurance; hospital expenses
Personal Gear:	Raincoat; light sweater; light clothing; sunglasses; sunscreen; hat
Optional Gear:	Camera and film