Chapada dos Veadeiros Circuit

The red dirt roads of Chapada dos Veadeiros carve through some of Brazil’s oldest geology, where 1.8-billion-year-old quartz formations jut from endless cerrado savanna. This circuit connects Alto Paraíso de Goiás to Cavalcante via a network of dirt tracks that pass the Vale da Lua’s sculpted moonscape, the thundering Cachoeira Santa Bárbara, and remnants of quilombola settlements. The route threads between national park boundaries and private fazendas, crossing the Rio Preto multiple times on concrete fords that become impassable during the wet season.

Moderate difficulty with seasonal challenges—dry season (May-September) brings dust clouds and washboard, while wet season turns crossings dangerous. Any high-clearance vehicle handles the circuit, but 4WD helps in sandy stretches near São Jorge. No permits needed for the main route, but national park access requires advance booking. Fuel up in Alto Paraíso; next reliable stop is Cavalcante 120km later. Wild camping is possible on private land with permission, or stick to pousadas in the small towns. You’re here for the waterfalls, the star-filled skies, and the sense of traveling through Brazil’s spiritual heartland.