Chapada dos Veadeiros is a high-altitude plateau in the state of Goiás, 230 km north of Brasília. The national park at its heart — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — protects the richest savanna on earth, a cerrado landscape of crystal-clear rivers, dramatic waterfalls, natural swimming pools, and canyon trails cutting through ancient quartzite rock.
The park covers around 240,000 hectares and sits at elevations between 600 and 1,600 metres. The plateau's age — among the oldest geological formations on the planet — gives it an otherworldly quality: the quartzite cliffs catch the light at dusk in shades of pink and amber, and the air at altitude feels noticeably cleaner than in the lowlands. Over 10,000 plant varieties grow here, making it one of the most biodiverse savannas anywhere in the world. Flowers bloom from January onwards, with the peak in May and June.
The base for most visitors is Alto Paraíso de Goiás, a small town known for its alternative community and as the gateway to the park. São Jorge, closer to the main park entrance, is smaller and quieter, and puts you within walking distance of some of the best trails.