Join a point-to-point crossing on foot through Jalapão State Park, one of Brazil’s most preserved wildernesses. Over the days, cover more than 50 km of trails across golden dunes, clear-water river beaches, and open Cerrado, with the least-visited corners reached only by 4×4.
We call this experience Jalapoeira Crossing. Unlike the vehicle-based circuits, this Jalapão trekking immersion has your feet carry you between the sights: Velha and Formiga waterfalls, Buritizinho and Encontro das Águas fervedouros (natural springs where you cannot sink), Serra do Espírito Santo, and the dunes. It adds Class IV rafting on the Novo River and nights with the quilombola communities of Boa Esperança, Mumbuca, and Rio Novo.
Nights alternate between simple inns, camping, and local family homes, so this trip trades hotel comfort for real connection with nature. As a Jalapão trekking tour, it sits at the demanding end, built for travelers with a good fitness level who would rather walk the park than drive it.
Full itinerary: the Jalapão fervedouros, waterfalls, daily trekking, Class IV rafting, and river beaches.
Go deep into Jalapão State Park’s least-visited areas, reachable only by 4x4.
Standout sights: the Velha and Formiga waterfalls, the Buritizinho and Encontro das Águas fervedouros, Serra do Espírito Santo, the Jalapão dunes, and the Novo River.
Nights and meals with the quilombola communities of Boa Esperança, Mumbuca, and Rio Novo.
Sleep in a mix of inns, campsites, and locals’ homes across São Félix do Tocantins and Mateiros.
Activities led by experienced local guides, with English-speaking guides available on request.
All-inclusive: round-trip transfer, accommodation, meals, and expert local guides.
Please note: the Jalapão Crossing is a seasonal, expedition-style trek, run only a few times a year, usually in the dry season and around the full moon. The plan below is a guide and may shift with weather, water levels, and the season.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in São Félix / Soninho River / Morro da Catedral
DeparturePalmas · 7 AM (airport or hotel)
Driving237 km · ~3.5 h
Trekking6.8 km · ~5 h
Your Jalapão trekking adventure starts in Palmas, where our local partner picks you up from the airport or your hotel at 7 AM and drives to São Félix do Tocantins. On the way, stop at the Peixinho River source for a first swim. You should reach the lodge around 1 PM.
After check-in, hike back to the river (1.2 km) for lunch on its banks and a swim, then set off on a 2.8 km round-trip trek up Morro da Catedral to watch the sunset over Jalapão State Park.
Meals included: Lunch / Dinner
Day 2
Travessia da Velha / Novo River / Class IV Rafting
Driving33 km · ~50 min
Trekking15.5 km · ~6 h
RaftingNovo River · Class IV
The Travessia da Velha, one of the best-loved treks in Jalapão, starts at 6 AM with an almost 12 km hike through green vegetation to the Cachoeira da Velha, a horseshoe-shaped waterfall. Lunch is outdoors on the trail.
The afternoon brings a Class IV rafting run down the Novo River, with stops at its clean, drinkable-water beaches. Then, hike over 3.5 km back to the lodge, arriving around 6 PM for dinner and a well-earned rest.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
Boa Esperança Community / Fervedouros / Prata Community
Driving5 km · ~10 min
Trekking15.5 km · ~6 h
At 6:30 AM, walk 3 km to the Fervedouro do Alecrim for a quick stop, then hike 9 km to Boa Esperança, a quilombola community led by Mr. Adão Ribeiro, where you learn about local customs and traditions. Lunch is with the community.
In the afternoon, continue to the Fervedouro Jatobá to float in its green-blue water, then reach the Prata community for dinner. The night is at a local’s house or, for extra privacy, a guesthouse in São Félix do Tocantins (at additional cost).
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4
Formiga Waterfall / Fervedouros / Mumbuca Community / Mateiros
Driving80 km · ~2 h
Trekking13 km · ~5 h
The day begins at the Cachoeira da Formiga, a must-see that pools into a crystal-blue natural well built for a long swim. Next, drive to the Fervedouro Buritizinho for more swimming, lunch, and a moment to relax.
From there, hike 4 km to Encontro das Águas, where the Formiga and Soninho rivers meet. In the late afternoon, visit the Mumbuca community, known worldwide for its capim-dourado (golden-grass) handicraft, before settling in Mateiros for the night.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5
Serra do Espírito Santo / Dunes of Jalapão / Pixico Beach / Rio Novo Community
Sunrise hikeSerra do Espírito Santo · 200 m plateau
Driving180 km · ~5 h
Trekking12.8 km · ~6 h
Before dawn, hike up Serra do Espírito Santo, a 200-meter sandstone plateau, for a sunrise over the whole park. Later, walk 3 km through typical Cerrado vegetation to the dune cliffs of Jalapão and follow a 6 km trail across the orange-gold sand framed by mountains.
Lunch is at Dona Deusa’s kitchen in the Rio Novo community, followed by a free afternoon at Pixico Beach. Have dinner and spend the night in Rio Novo (choose between camping or sleeping in hammocks under the stars).
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6
Class III Rafting / Back to Palmas
RaftingNovo River · 10 km · ~4 h · Class III
Driving229 km · ~4.5 h
On the last day of this Jalapão trekking tour, take a 4-hour Class III raft down the Novo River to Clóvis Beach. Around 12 PM, a hearty lunch on the riverbanks marks the end of the crossing.
From there, our local partner transfers you back to Palmas, with arrival scheduled for 6 PM. Because the return leg is long, avoid booking an outbound flight too close to that time.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
What is Included
Round-trip transfer (Palmas ⇌ Jalapão)
5-night stay in São Félix do Tocantins and Mateiros (inns, homestay, and camping)
Meals (full board), plus mineral water during all activities
All entrance fees and interaction with the local quilombola communities
Guided tours (trekking, fervedouros, waterfalls, rafting, and river beaches)
Expert local guides
Not included
Flight tickets
Accommodation in Palmas (before or after the tour)
Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last day
Travel insurance
English-speaking guides, on request and subject to availability, at additional cost
Optional tours, laundry, phone calls, tips, and other personal expenses
Any services not previously mentioned
This Jalapão trekking tour uses several accommodations, which may change with availability. The inns are functional and cozy, with air-conditioned rooms and leisure areas close to the park.
On Day 3, you stay at a local’s house—modest but clean and welcoming—for a deeper cultural connection. If you want more privacy, you can sleep at a guesthouse in São Félix do Tocantins for an additional cost.
On Day 5, the group camps or sleeps in hammocks, with your guide helping you get comfortable.
On this 6-day Jalapão trekking tour, meals are served at the lodges in each region (São Félix do Tocantins and Mateiros), during breaks between activities, and in local restaurants or the homes of quilombola community residents (Boa Esperança and Rio Novo).
The style is buffet, built around classic Brazilian recipes and Cerrado dishes such as chambari (ossobuco), chicken stew, fish (tilapia and tambaqui), and barbecue cooked on a wood-burning stove.
Breakfast usually includes bread, cheese, cold meats, fresh fruit, cake, tapioca, eggs, coffee, milk, and juice; lunch and dinner bring rice, beans, meat, chicken or pork, fish, pasta, and vegetables. Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and food allergies) can be accommodated, as long as you let us know your needs before departure, since supplies in the remote communities are planned in advance.
FAQ
Reviews
“My story began in 2018, when I did the Volta ao Parque itinerary. It was such a special experience that I fell in love with the agency's approach: a way of traveling that goes far beyond conventional tourist destinations, favoring adventure, nature, authentic experiences and, above all, close and respectful contact with local communities. And it was an excellent decision! The agency put together a personalized itinerary tailored to my expectations, taking care of all the logistics with competence and attention to detail. The result was a great success! There were days of absolutely incredible experiences: impressive caves, crystal-clear lagoons, waterfalls, lakes, trails, fervedouros and breathtaking landscapes. Each place gave us a different and, often, surprising experience. Our guide Vanderley knows the region deeply and knows how to combine adventure and nature with genuine experiences with the local communities, allowing us to get to know the Cerrado beyond its landscapes — also getting to know a bit of its culture, its stories and the people who are part of that territory. Another point that deserves highlighting is the logistics. We covered long distances and naturally faced some more tiring stretches, but everything was organized carefully and efficiently. And when our needs called for adjustments to the Jalapão itinerary, Vanderley was able to adapt the schedule with great sensitivity and mastery. I came back from this trip still intoxicated by the diversity and grandeur of the landscapes we saw. No photograph can fully convey what we experienced, but I will certainly keep in my memory the magic of every cave, waterfall, lagoon, trail and fervedouro — and, above all, the feeling of having lived experiences that would hardly be offered by a conventional trip. It is an agency for those who truly want to experience the destination, and not just visit it. My special thanks to the team for their dedication, their knowledge of the region, their organization and their care in turning a personalized itinerary into such a rich and memorable experience. Terra Ronca, Serras Gerais and Jalapão were dazzling. The trip was unforgettable. I'm already wondering what our next adventure will be! 💚🌿✨”
— Deiacortes
“It was exceptional 🙏🏻 the stays, the tours were perfect. Our guide Paulo was incredible.”
— Elaine L
“The trekking immersion tour we were apart of was meticulously planned and executed. At every juncture between hiking and off-road driving, never was there a time where we were forced to wait for someone to arrive to proceed with the tour. Given the intricate amount of unmarked dirt/sand roads this was very impressive. We wouldn't recommend navigating these roads unless you know the area well as reception is very limited if issues arise. All the hikes were fantastic, with different guides assisting throughout the entirety of the trip. The days were very full but everything we visited was stunning, the from the waterfalls to the fervedouros and the sand dunes. Furthermore the guides were very relaxed and ran the tour without stress. This demeanour rubbed off on all of the guests and made for a worry free adventure. The food and the community visits were also first class. We were welcomed to the homes of quilombo communities with such open arms. Also, as the only non Brazilians on the tour we felt very welcomed and were able to assist with dietary requirements even with a language barrier.”
— Lewis P
“The "Vivências" itinerary is wonderful! We visited beautiful attractions in Serras Gerais, Jalapão and Taquaruçu. Mychelle and Irawilson led us very well on this journey of connection with nature.”
— Paula Souza
“It was quite an adventure. Wanderley, the owner and guide, was excellent. Wanderley and his team know Jalapão in depth and showed us little-known areas of incredible beauty. The trekking, the climbing of the hills, the time spent with the quilombola communities, as well as the rafting, were impeccable.”
— SIlvana M
“The company is excellent. The guides Delei, Naldo and Evandro were wonderful, always very attentive, available and competent. The itinerary was perfect, and included a variety of attractions, among them fervedouros, cascades, rivers and dunes. Everything was very well organized and made it much easier for us to enjoy the beauty and charm of Jalapão and the Serras Gerais. I highly recommend this company to everyone who wants to go!!! I must point out that the three guides are excellent photographers and contributed greatly to the memories of this beautiful trip.”
— Juliana
“Travessia Jalapoeira. A long time ago I realized that I live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world! Since then I have made an effort to get to know its remote corners and experience its wonders. But like any prize, seeing the beauties of Brazil up close requires sweat, willpower and an adventurous spirit. Knowing that after long walks, blisters on our feet, heat, and aches at the end of the day, we will find a hidden Brazil. The real Brazil, so often spoken of by Ariano Suassuna. This Brazil is made up of people of all colors and creeds, with their sufferings and joys, their foods, their animals and plants, their remedies and folklore. Jalapão is a beautiful piece of this patchwork quilt. I had the privilege of being able to walk and navigate for six days through this country within our country. I carry in my backpack memories of a joyful, welcoming, creative people who are also aware of their responsibility to take care of this paradise so that it can last for the coming generations. The photos speak for themselves. But to feel the vibration, the smells and the tastes of this place, you have to surrender to this experience. It is with nostalgia that I say goodbye, already eager to return! The agency provided this entire adventure with safety and organization! I strongly recommend the company!”
— Tarsisfarias
“My boyfriend and I embarked on a Jalapao tour with Rafa for a 6 day trip. We didn't know much about the region but we felt like within the 6 days our guide constructed an itinerary that made us feel a real connection both to the nature and the people of Jalapao and Tocantis. It was great to combine visits to natural spots of spectacular beauty like natural springs and hills with visits to local communities. This uniquely included personal tours from local experts and cultural insights into traditional ways of life in the region. We often ate at very rustic restaurants where lovely ladies cooked traditional Jalapao food for us and showed us their way of life, which was really interesting to us . Our guide Rafa clearly had strong relationships with each of the communities we visited, which made the tour feel much more intimate than a normal tourist experience. I would particularly recommend that people try the rafting experience which was fantastic fun.Our guide always struck the right balance of personal time and time together, which made for a good trip. Rafa's English skills were also essential as an international traveller, in a very rural region of Brazil, Only recommendation for future travellers: come in the dry season if you prefer the sun, but the natural features with water in the rainy season are definitely under-rated.”
— Silvia
“We did the Jalapao Expedition (six days, Hiking, English Guide) in February and this can definitely be recommended. The locations were unique, very varied and without mass tourism. The pousadas were on a good level and the food was good. Our guide was very knowledgeable and had a lot of experience.”
— Dirk
“This was probably one of the best tours I've ever had, and the best guide I've ever met. Rafael is a really great guy! Okay, maybe we have some similarities in personalities, in mindset, but he has so much knowledges that was either way incredible and impressive, that was relevant at that moment depending on the circumstances — geography, history, botany, his driving skills, the music he chooses, the whole atmosphere he can create, his sense of humor — it was all really cool and I really liked it. He remembered details about each of us that were specifically relevant, and he took care of it. You know, we're a random group of travelers with different personalities. And I'm not talking about the nature - it's perfect as it is and if you're reading this because you want to visit Tocantins Park, you'll do it anyway, but if you're considering which tour company and guide to choose from the entire market, I 100% recommend Rafael Moraes.”
