6-Day Jalapão Tour from Palmas: Waterfalls & Natural Pools

Six days moving through Jalapão's rock formations, waterfalls and floating springs

A 6-day tour from Palmas into Jalapão, Brazil's central wilderness, with transport, meals and a guide who speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle through dunes and canyons, float in natural pools fed by underground springs, swim at waterfalls including Formiga and Araras, and climb Serra do Espírito Santo for views across the cerrado. Accommodation and all meals are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Departure from Palmas and natural sights

• Visit Japanese Lagoon
• Explore Furaded Stone formations

Day 2: Explore Jalapão natural landmarks

• Visit Sussuapara Canyon
• Relax at Rio Novo river
• Climb Serra do Espírito Santo
• See Desire Trees
• Watch sunset at Jalapão Dunes

Day 3: Float in Jalapão Fervedouros

• Visit Buriti Fervedouro
• Relax at Fervedouro Rio Sono
• Enjoy Fervedouro Macaúbas
• Float at Fervedouro do Ceiça

Day 4: Waterfalls and natural pools

• Swim at Waterfall da Formiga
• Float at Fervedouro natural pool

Day 5: Waterfalls and rock formations

• Swim at Fervedouro Bela Vista
• Visit Araras Waterfall
• Explore Serra da Catedral

Day 6: Final Jalapão sights and return

• Walk Enchanted Canyon
• Explore Cida de Pedras
• Swim at Pelados Waterfall

The experience

Jalapão sits in the heart of Tocantins state, a landscape of golden dunes, sandstone canyons and springs so clear and buoyant you float without effort. The tour departs Palmas at 7am on day one and moves through the region over six days, staying in local inns and guest houses. An air-conditioned vehicle handles the driving between sites, and a guide who speaks your language travels with the group the whole way, explaining the geology and local culture as you move through each stop.

The fervedouros, natural pools fed by underground springs, are the heart of the itinerary. Buriti Fervedouro is the most famous, its turquoise water so mineral-rich and pressurized that your body floats without any effort. Fervedouro Rio SO and Fervedouro Macaúbas offer quieter versions in more intimate settings. Between the springs you walk through Sussuapara Canyon, where orange sandstone walls and moss create a humid microclimate, and climb Serra do Espírito Santo to see the dunes meet the cerrado horizon. The Desire Trees (a grove of twisted, gnarled trunks) sit on the itinerary as a quieter stop. Local legend says placing a wish between their branches brings it to pass.

Waterfalls punctuate the days: Formiga has a gentle cascade into a warm natural pool; Araras offers clear water and the chance to spot the macaws the place is named for; Pelados near Almas provides a final swim before the return to Palmas on day six. The Enchanted Canyon and Cidade de Pedras (a formation of rock towers in Serra Geral) round out the walking and climbing. Sunsets over the dunes are part of the rhythm. The tour times the schedule to catch them. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided each day, and the group stays under a size that keeps the experience personal.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle transport throughout the six days.
• airport-to-hotel transfer in Palmas.
• five breakfasts, six lunches and five dinners.
• accommodation in local inns and guest houses.
• a guide fluent in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• entry to all sites including fervedouros, waterfalls, canyons and rock formations.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 43 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jalatoca Tour 4x4

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to move through Jalapão as a small private group with a guide who stays with you the whole way. The six-day span lets you reach the remote springs and canyons without rushing, and the fixed itinerary means you do not spend time planning which sites to visit or how to get between them.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What are the fervedouros in Jalapão and why do you float so easily in them?

Fervedouros are natural pools formed by underground springs so mineral-rich and pressurized that the water's buoyancy keeps your body afloat without any effort on your part. Buriti Fervedouro is the most famous, known for its intense turquoise color and the effortless floating experience it provides.

How many days do I spend actually in Jalapão versus traveling to and from Palmas?

The tour runs six days total. Day one departs Palmas at 7am and enters Jalapão; days two through five are spent entirely in the region visiting waterfalls, canyons, springs and rock formations; day six returns you to Palmas.

What kind of physical activity is involved? How much walking and climbing?

The tour is rated moderate difficulty and includes climbing Serra do Espírito Santo for panoramic views, walking through Sussuapara Canyon and Enchanted Canyon, and hiking to waterfalls. You also float and swim at multiple stops, so reasonable fitness and comfort in water are expected.

Are meals and accommodation included in the price, or do I need to arrange those separately?

All accommodation in local inns and guest houses is included, along with five breakfasts, six lunches and five dinners. You do not arrange lodging or meals separately during the tour.

Does the tour include the airport transfer to and from Palmas?

Yes, round-trip transfer between Palmas airport and your hotel is included in the tour price.