Jalapão: 6-Day Springs, Waterfalls & Quilombola Culture Tour

Summary

Floating springs, wild waterfalls and living quilombola culture in Jalapão

You’ll float in Jalapão’s surreal springs where sinking isn’t an option, hike up before sunrise for skies full of stars, share meals with quilombola families who’ll teach you more than any guidebook ever could, and end each day tired but happy from wild waterfalls and laughter around dinner tables.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed my flight to Palmas because I was fussing over which sandals to pack—turns out, I should’ve just brought something I didn’t mind getting red dust on. When we landed, the heat hit me first (like opening an oven), then our guide Lucas found us at arrivals holding a sign with my name scribbled in blue marker. He laughed when I tried to pronounce “Taquaruçu”—I still don’t think I got it right. Our first night in Palmas was quiet except for the whir of the air conditioning and distant music from somewhere down the block.

The next morning started early—Lucas had this way of making even a bumpy 4x4 ride feel like part of the adventure. The road to Taquaruçu twisted through green hills and then suddenly we were standing at the top of what they called the longest zipline in northern Brazil. My hands were shaking more from nerves than excitement, but after that rush (and a lot of yelling), we cooled off under Roncadeira waterfall. The water was cold enough to make you gasp. Lunch was simple—rice, beans, grilled fish—and eaten outside while chickens wandered around our feet. Later that afternoon, we sat with Dona Maria’s family cracking babassu coconuts; she showed us how her hands moved so fast it looked like magic. The smell of toasted coconut stuck to my shirt for hours.

Jalapão is big—like, really big—and distances are measured more in hours than kilometers. Somewhere between Ponte Alta and Morro da Pedra Furada, the landscape started looking almost Martian: red earth, blue sky, wind that tasted dry on your lips. Lagoa do Japonês was nothing like I expected—the water so clear you could see your toes even when you floated out deep (which is weirdly hard to do here; these “fervedouros” push you up so you can’t sink). Lucas said it’s because of some underground spring pressure—I just know it felt like being held by invisible hands.

The days blurred into each other: eating paçoca de carne seca with locals at Rio Novo Quilombola Community (I tried making it myself—let’s just say mine was not a hit), watching sunset turn the Jalapão dunes gold while everyone got quiet for a minute without anyone saying why. Early one morning we hiked up Serra do Espírito Santo before dawn; my legs burned but when we reached the top and saw stars everywhere—more than I’d ever seen—it felt worth every step. There was coffee with rapadura sugar after swimming under Cachoeira do Formiga; honestly that might be my favorite memory from this whole day trip Jalapão tour.

On our last day we rafted downriver past Praia das Araras—everyone laughing when someone splashed too hard or lost their hat—and then stopped at Fervedouro do Alecrim for one last float. It’s strange how quickly you get used to waking up with red dirt under your nails and falling asleep listening to frogs outside your window. When we finally drove back toward Palmas, passing Morro da Catedral in the late sun, nobody talked much. That silence felt full somehow—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and transfer in Palmas

• Pick up at Palmas airport
• Transfer to Select Hotel
• Free time to explore Palmas

Day 2 — Taquaruçu adventure and culture

• Depart hotel to Taquaruçu
• Experience longest zip line Voo do Pontal
• Visit Escorrega Macaco and Roncadeira Waterfall
• Lunch at Restaurante do Evilson
• Visit Cachoeira do Evilson waterfall
• Meet traditional family and babassu coconut experience

Day 3 — Travel to Lagoa do Japonês

• Depart Taquaruçu to Ponte Alta
• Visit Morro da Pedra Furada
• Lunch at Restaurante da Dona Almerinda
• Visit Lagoa do Japonês lagoon
• Return to Ponte Alta for dinner

Day 4 — Journey to Coração do Jalapão

• Depart Ponte Alta to Coração do Jalapão
• Visit Sussuapara Canyon
• Lunch at Rio Novo Quilombola Community
• Rest and visit freshwater beach
• Visit Dunas do Jalapão dunes and sunset
• Arrive at inn in Mateiros for dinner

Day 5 — Exploring the fervedouros and community

• Visit sequence of fervedouros boilers
• Photography at most beautiful boiler
• Lunch at Quilombola Mumbuca Community
• Experience Capim sewing and Viola de Buriti
• Visit community grass shop and crafts
• Visit Lino's family boiler
• Visit oldest public brewery boiler

Day 6 — Waterfalls, boilers and coffee experience

• Early ascent to Serra do Espírito Santo for dawn
• Breakfast at inn
• Visit Cachoeira do Formiga waterfall
• Visit Fervedouro Macaúbas
• Lunch at Quilombola Prata Community Association
• Coffee with rapadura experience
• Visit Fervedouro Bela Vista
• Dinner at inn

Day 7 — Farewell and return to Palmas

• Breakfast and depart inn
• Visit Fervedouro do Alecrim
• Visit Cachoeira da Arara waterfall
• Photograph Morro da Catedral
• Arrive in Palmas
• Free dinner

Day 8 — Transfer out from Palmas

• Pick up at hotel in Palmas
• Transfer to airport
• End of services

Top questions

How long does the Jalapão tour take?

The Jalapão tour lasts 6 days including arrival and departure days from Palmas.

Is hotel pickup included for this Jalapão tour?

Yes, airport or hotel pickup in Palmas is included at the start and end of your trip.

What are fervedouros in Jalapão?

Fervedouros are natural freshwater springs where underground pressure keeps you floating—they’re unique to Jalapão.

Are meals included during the tour?

Lunches are included most days, often shared with local families or community associations along the route.

Is this day trip suitable for kids or seniors?

The tour suits most fitness levels but includes some early mornings and moderate hikes; infants need to sit on an adult’s lap.

Do I need special equipment for rafting?

No special equipment needed; all mandatory gear is provided before rafting begins on the last day.

What kind of accommodations are provided?

You’ll stay in pousadas (guesthouses) with private bathrooms, air conditioning and electric showers throughout Jalapão and Palmas.

Will I meet local communities during this trip?

Yes—you’ll visit several quilombola communities where you can join food prep or craft activities with residents.

What’s included

Your six-day journey includes airport or hotel transfers in Palmas both ways, all ground transport by shared 4x4 vehicle with air conditioning, entrance fees to every spring and waterfall along the route, guidance from a local environmental driver-guide throughout each day trip across Jalapão’s landscapes, four immersive experiences hosted by quilombola communities—including traditional meals—and accident insurance plus drinking water always available on board.