Five days is the right measure for the Chapada dos Veadeiros: enough to live the national park, the Kalunga waterfalls and the Alto Paraíso classics without turning a holiday into a marathon. This day-by-day itinerary balances effort and rest — a hard trail one day, calm water the next. Prices and logistics in detail in the complete Chapada guide.
Day 1 — Arrival and a warm-up at the Vale da Lua
Leaving Brasília early (230 km), have lunch in Alto Paraíso and do the Vale da Lua in the afternoon (R$ 40, easy trail) — the perfect starter. Finish with sunset from the Mirante da Janela at the guesthouse or from the Pedra do Frota, and sleep in São Jorge or Alto Paraíso.
Day 2 — National park: the Saltos do Rio Preto
The classic day: entry at 8am (R$ 49, ticket bought online on the park’s official website the day before), the Saltos trail (11 km) with the 120-meter and 80-meter falls and a long swim in the pool. Take 2 liters of water and a solid snack — in the cerrado the sun does not forgive.
Day 3 — Cavalcante: Santa Bárbara and Capivara
Set off at dawn for Cavalcante (90 km, part of it unpaved) for the Kalunga day: Santa Bárbara (R$ 55 + a community guide at R$ 200 per group — book online through the Kalunga community’s official channel) and, in the combo, the Capivara (joint ticket R$ 88). Lunch at the restaurants of the Engenho II community: country cooking that sustains the territory.
Day 4 — An easy day: Loquinhas + Almécegas
Active recovery: a morning in the pools of the Loquinhas (R$ 40-60, walkways), an afternoon swim at the Almécegas II (or the courage for the zip line over the Almécegas I). Still got energy? Close with sunset at the Morro da Baleia.
Day 5 — Catarata dos Couros and the road
On the way out towards Brasília, take the detour to the Catarata dos Couros (R$ 40): a swim on the lip of the giant falls (in the dry season) and a farewell worthy of the place. Back in the capital by nightfall.
What the itinerary costs (per person)
| Item | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Hire car for 5 days + fuel (split between two) | R$ 500 – R$ 800 |
| Entry fees and guides (park + 6 attractions) | R$ 350 – R$ 500 |
| Guesthouse, 4 nights (double, split) | R$ 300 – R$ 1,000 |
| Food | R$ 400 – R$ 700 |
| Total (excluding the flight to Brasília) | R$ 1,550 – R$ 3,000 |
Want to swap a stop? Our ranking of the 10 best waterfalls has worthy substitutes for every day.
When to do this itinerary
Best period: May to September — dry season, firm trails and crystal-clear water. Also works in: October to April, with extra attention to the weather. Take care in: November to March: a real risk of flash floods at the waterfalls (get out of the water at the first sign of the sky darkening upstream); August-September: extreme drought and wildfire risk. Why: in the Chapada the season defines the experience: the dry season brings safety and visibility; the rains fill the falls, but demand total respect for the guides’ warnings. (Seasonality verified in August 2026.)
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: moderate — the itinerary alternates hard days and easy ones; follow the suggested order so you do not fry your legs at the start. Children: from ages 8-10; adapt it by swapping the long trails for the Loquinhas and Santa Bárbara. Older travelers and people with reduced mobility: use the contemplative version: viewpoints, the Vale da Lua on its walkways and the waterfalls close to the road.