At the entrance to the Peruaçu valley, Lapa do Boquete is one of the most studied archaeological sites of Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park: a great limestone shelter layered with traces of millennia of human occupation. The official trail is short — 1.2 km, easy level — and, as everywhere in the park, the visit only happens with an ICMBio-credentialed guide.
Why visit
The Boquete is the perfect gateway to understanding what makes the Peruaçu unique: beneath the rock wall, excavations revealed fires, tools and food remains that tell dozens of centuries of life in the valley — a central chapter of Peruaçu archaeology. The shelter also has paintings and a beautiful view of the valley mouth, and pairs well with Lapa dos Desenhos to close the day in discovery mode.
Access and logistics
- Park base — Fabião I, BR-135 (km 155), about 45 km from Januária (MG).
- Booking — via the official e-mail (cavernas.peruacu@icmbio.gov.br), hiring a credentialed guide in advance; general ratio of 1 guide for up to 8 visitors.
- Hours — Tuesday to Sunday, 8am-6pm; attraction entry until 2pm.
- Trail — 1.2 km, easy level, about 1h30 in total; closed shoes are mandatory.
What to expect from the visit
It is a visit more contemplative than physical: the guide points out layers of history that would otherwise pass unnoticed — excavation marks, discreet panels, the logic of those who chose this shelter as home. The heritage golden rule applies: do not touch the walls or the paintings, collect nothing and stay on the marked trails. The footing is gentle, with stretches of packed earth and stone.
When to go and precautions
Open year-round; the dry season (May to October) has firmer paths and the rains (November to April) leave the valley green and muggy, with heat past 40°C. Bring water, sunscreen, repellent and long-sleeved clothing — a park requirement due to leishmaniasis in the region. To go deeper, the Gruta do Janelão axis completes the portrait of the valley.
🥾 Who is it for?
For history lovers and families with children who already walk: it is the shortest trail among the park’s great sites. Those looking for physical challenge will prefer the valley’s bigger attractions — here what weighs is meaning, not distance.