If Monte Roraima demands a 7-day expedition, Roraima keeps a “pocket tepui” you can reach by car: the Serra do Tepequém, in Amajari, a plateau rising more than 1,000 meters above the lavrado, with waterfalls, lagoons and a village born of diamond mining. It is the most accessible nature destination in the far north of Brazil.
Getting there
From Boa Vista it is around 210 km (3 hours) to the top of the range, with tarmac as far as Amajari and a steep final climb — a car in good condition will do, a 4×4 adds comfort. Important: there is no gas station and no bank in the village; fill up and withdraw cash in Boa Vista.
From diamonds to ecotourism
In the 1940s and 50s, Tepequém boiled with the diamond rush — the village on top of the plateau is a legacy of that era, and landmarks such as the man-made channel “Tilim do Gringo” and the Paraíso and Esmeralda lagoons (born from mining pits) tell the story. Today the mining has given way to guesthouses, and the range has become the weekend refuge of the people of Roraima.
What to do
- Cachoeira do Funil — the most famous, with a generous pool at the end of a moderate trail.
- Cachoeiras Barata, Paiva, Cupim and Cipó — the full circuit of falls on the plateau; we cover it all in the article on the waterfalls and trails of Tepequém.
- Mirante Mão de Deus — the classic sunset over the lavrado, with a local guide compulsory.
- Paraíso and Esmeralda lagoons — calm swims with a view of the escarpments.
- Starry sky — with no light pollution, the nights are a planetarium.
When to go
From September to March (the dry season of the lavrado), sunny days and safe trails. From April to August the rains swell the waterfalls, but close trails and make the climb up the range slippery. Temperatures on the plateau are mild — take a jacket for the nights.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: easy in the village, at the nearby viewpoints and lagoons; moderate on the waterfall trails. Children: excellent from ages 5-6 — calm lagoons and short entry trails. Older travelers and reduced mobility: the village and the lagoons are reachable by car; the waterfalls demand trails with rocks — choose the Funil (the most structured) and go at your own pace. Great value nature without great physical demands.