Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.

From Wikitravel

Cavalcante is a city in Goiás, Brazil.

[edit] Understand

With around 10.000 inhabitants, Cavalcante lies 320 km north of Brasilia, on the north side of the national park Chapada dos Veadeiros. It is somewhat remote, an area with some tremendous hiking trails and waterfalls, but some of the best waterfalls are as far away as 60 km on a dirt road from the city center. Cavalcante also surrounds the Kalunga Historical Site, where descendents of slaves, called Kalunga, are still living to this day with little contact with the modern world.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus

In Brasilia, Empresa Santo Antonio (ESA) provides two daily lines to Cavalcante. Leaves 7:15h and 15:15h from Rodoferroviaria station. Tickets at R$ 45,15. Tel. +55 61 3233-7619 +55 61 3328-0834. It's a slow 6-hours ride.

[edit] By car

To get to Cavalcante you need to go first to Brasilia. From there, take road BR-020 and drive 34 km, turn left at DF-345 to ride 10.5 km more, continue on BR-010 for 225 km. Finally, turn left at GO-241 for the last 21 km. See the route in Google Maps.

Another option is to hire a charter service through the number +55 61 9616-1212 or +55 62 9639-3141. They can pick you up at the hotel. R$ 45,00 per person. Currently, service is provided only in portuguese.

[edit] Get around

Cavalcante is a small town and you can easily get around on foot or by bike. But the best way to the waterfalls is by car.

[edit][add listing] See

A guide is highly recommended to visit the attractions listed here because most of them are in remote locations and without mobile phone network coverage. Use your discretion! Guides are available at the Tourist Information Center. Tel +55 62 3494-1507.

The Bridge of Rock

• Ponte de Pedra (Bridge of Rock) - The Bridge is a rock structure made by erodion caused by the São Domingos river. It's accessible through the Renascer farm, 12km from the city center. The trail to the Bridge is not difficult nor ridiculously long, but it can be fairly taxing sometimes. So you are advised to save your energy and to not go jumping around like a bear on Gummiberry juice. You can refresh yourself before going up to the Bridge by swimming in the pond of the Renascer waterfall and in the lake just below the Bridge. From the Bridge, you can climb a little bit more to see the Rio Claro valley. You can even ask the guide to wait for the sunset on the top of the mountain (in that case, bring flashlights because you will come back in the dark). You can also do a longer trekking around the area of the Bridge, where you can visit the 7 quedas (seven falls) and the Buraco da Jandaia (Jandaia's hole). Ask your guide for details.

• Santa Bárbara Waterfall - One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. It's reached by going into the Kalunga settlement Engenho II, 35 km from the city center. From there, it's a easy 5 km trail through flat dirt terrain, hills and flower fields. You can hire guides directly at the settlement. For better swimming and phothographing experience, it's best to go early in the morning and stay until 15:00h.

• Veredas Canyon

• Rei (King Waterfall)

• You must also visit the Kalunga communities. The Kalunga People are the descendents of escaped slaves who lived in isolated communities without contact with the outside world until fairly recently. They have a number of interesting traditions that they have carried on for centuries. The are noted for their festivals and their hospitality. The Kalunga community Engenho II, about 35 km from Cavalcante, also has some really beautiful waterfalls.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

There is a Chilean couple who has settled in Cavalcante and they produce a homemade beer which is pretty good. In the meantimem Monolo and Soledad are producing a delightflul beer which they have named Araci, and they are a delightful couple.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Pousada Chalés do Lago, Rua José Paulino Silva, Qd 26- Lt 211 Centro, ☎ +5562 3494-1421.  edit The manager is a Kalunga woman and also a guide.
• Pousada Vale das Araras (Pousada Vale das Araras), Estrada Cavalcante - Colinas do Sul, km 3 (3km from the city center), ☎ +55623459-0007 (reservas@valedasararas.com.br), [1]. checkin: 14:00h; checkout: 12:00h. singles from R$ 110,00.  edit Very nice lodge!
• Pousada Morro Encantado, Rua João Guilhermino Magalhães, Qd. 27, Lt. 230, ☎ +556234941079 (cavalcante@pousadamorroencantado.com.br), [2].  edit
• Pousada Aldeia Cayana, Estrada Colinas do Sul Km 4 (4km from the city center. Take the road to Colinas do Sul), ☎ +55619839-5598, +55613245-7735, +55629975-8874, [3]. singles from R$ 80,00.  edit Offers bungalows made of typical Kalunga finishing. Located in a beautiful site, at the São Bartolomeu riverbank.

[edit] Get out

Chapada dos Veadeiros