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Jalapao - Brazil |
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Destinations |
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Jalapão is blessed with scenery which
could be taken from the cinema. It has abundant waterfalls, rivers
and lakes. And all of this is punctuated by fine, reddish sand dunes
in the midst of sparse backwoods vegetation. It is no doubt the
perfect background for tourism and radical sports such as rafting,
canyoning and vertical modalities.
It is a place that is attractive and rustic, and ready to be
invaded. It derived its name from a common habit in the region.
Jalapa-do-Brasil is a native plant used to cure stomach ailments.
Because of its bitter flavour, local inhabitants normally eat it
with a piece of bread. That is where the juxtaposition comes from:
jalapa-pão (pão is bread in Portuguese).
No matter what, the sheer size of Jalapão is impressive, to say the
least: it occupies approximately 20% of the State of Tocantins.
Sandstone plateaus which climb to one thousand metres in height
dominate the landscape. They say that this is where the sea became
the hinterland.
Despite being considered a desert, the fauna abounds: the manned
wolf, the pampas deer, the rhea, the great anteater, the jaguar and
other regional species hide in the typical hinterland vegetation to
escape the punishing sun that accentuates the dry climate with its
constant 30ºC temperatures. The biggest surprise for all those who
venture here is to find an abundance of perennial rivers with clear
and still pure water.
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Basic information
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Climate
The regions climate is considered sub-humid (AW), with maximum
annual temperatures varying from 30°C to 32°C, from August to
November, partly due to the end of the dry season, when smoke from
the burning brush in the hinterland contributes to elevate the
temperatures; and lows of between 18ºC and 19ºC, in June and July.
There are two well-defined seasons during the year: the rainy
season, between October and April and the dry season, between May
and September.
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City facts
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Jalapão
State: Tocantins
Region: North
Area Code: (63)
Distances
Palmas: 198 km
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Accommodation / Restaurants
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There is no support structure in
the park. The towns of Mateiros and Ponte Alta serve as support
stations for visitors. Both have hotels, restaurants, tourism
agencies and guides that take visitors on excursions.
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How to get there
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By Highway - BR-153:
Intense lorry traffic. Starting in Estreito, on the border of
Tocantins to Wanderlândia, from Araguaína to Nova Olinda and from
Presidente Kennedy to Guaraí the roads are in bad condition. The
TO-255, from Porto Nacional to Ponte Alta de Tocantins, is newly
paved. After this stretch, there are sections with soft sand,
pointed stones and holes, perfect for 4X4s.
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Attractions
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Suçuapara
Canyon
This canyon is 60m long and 15m high. It was opened by the water
running over the sandstone, thus forming the small canyon and the
waterfall. Moss and hundreds of ferns grow along the steep slopes.
The road to Mateiros, 15 km.
Velha Waterfalls
Two falls in the shape of a horseshoe, 25m high and 100m wide. It
spills a large volume of water into the Novo River even during the
dry season. The road to Triagro Farm, 101 km.
Lajeado Waterfalls
There are a series of steps over which the water runs until forming
a 10m high waterfall and natural pool. It is necessary to climb down
a stairway of stones, some of which are very slippery. The road to
Chiquinho Farm, 45 km.
Brejo da Cama Waterfalls
This is in the middle of the plateau, in a hole. The road to
Chiquinho Farm, 50 km.
Sand Dunes
Offers a panoramic view. Formation of enormous orange coloured
sandbanks with up to 40m at the base of an 800m high plateau in the
Espírito Santo Mountains. It is the result of sandstone erosion. The
road to Mateiros, 136 km.
Fervedouro
A small well of crystal clear, warm water, surrounded by banana
plants. White sand lines the bottom, forming a natural pool 8m in
diameter. It sits over a water table that releases water, forming
air bubbles in the sand that prevent the swimmer from sinking. The
road to S. Félix do Jalapão, 192 km.
Rio Formiga Waterfalls
A small fall on a river with crystal clear, blue water. The road to
S. Félix do Jalapão, 199 km.
Pedra Furada Hill
An opening in the rock, carved by erosion and the wind. The road to
Pindorama do Tocantins, 31 km.
Adventure Tourism
Rafting in the Novo River. Little explored, with small waterfalls
and natural pools. The road to Mateiros, 120 km.
Fauna
The most observed animals are the wildcats, deer, capybaras, foxes,
monkeys and small mammals. Besides the common types of fauna found
in the hinterland, several endangered species can be found in the
Jalapão region, such as the manned wolf, puma, pampas deer and
tapir. The regional bird fauna has species such as the macaw,
parrot, toucan, rhea, crested seriema, and lapwing. Among the
reptiles, one finds the anaconda, boa, rattlesnake, chameleon, tegu
lizard and many more.
Mumbuca Arts and Crafts
A group of 22 families, descendants of slaves, with a matriarchal
tradition. The Mumbucas make a living making hats, baskets, plates,
glasses and slippers out of golden grass, a fibre that only exists
in that region, and braided buriti palm tree straw. The pieces are
for sale along the road to S. Félix do Jalapão, 197 km.
  
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