Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas

PROTECTED AREA NAME: Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas BIOME: Cerrado AREA: 230,853.4200 hectares LEGAL INSTRUMENT OF CREATION: Decree No. 97.658 of April 12, 1989/Unnumbered Decree of May 21, 2004 REGIONAL OFFICE: GR4 Sudeste ADDRESS: Rua Guimarães Rosa, 149, Centro - Chapada Gaúcha - CEP: 38689-000 PHONE: 38-3634-1465 E-MAIL: parnagsv@icmbio.gov.br Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas was created by Decree No. 97.658, with an area of 83,364 hectares. In 2004, the park was expanded to a total area of 230,671 hectares, covering the municipalities of Chapada Gaúcha, Formoso and Arinos, in the state of Minas Gerais, and Cocos, in Bahia. The name pays tribute to one of the most important works of Brazilian literature, the novel Grande Sertão Veredas, by João Guimarães Rosa, which portrays with great sensitivity the regional reality in which the park is set, full of passages describing the places, the relationship between people and nature, and cultural traits that can still be found today. In addition to protecting many species of plants and animals, some of them threatened with extinction, as well as ecosystems typical of the Cerrado, the park also aims to support scientific research, environmental education, recreation in contact with nature and the encouragement of regional development on a sustainable basis. Main Attractions Various veredas (marshy valleys lined with buriti palms) Mirante da Seriema Cachoeira do Mato Grande and the Mato Grande trail The confluence of the Rio Preto and Rio Carinhanha (the river that divides the states of Minas Gerais and Bahia) Vereda do Santa Rita and its confluence with the Rio Preto Best times of year to visit The park can be visited year-round. The dry season usually runs from May to October, and the rains last from November to April. How to get there The park headquarters, in Chapada Gaúcha/MG, can be reached from Arinos, São Francisco, Januária or Montalvânia; of these, only the road from Arinos is paved. The easiest airport to reach is the Aeroporto Internacional Juscelino Kubitschek, in Brasília. Approximately 360 km of paved road in good condition. Bus companies that operate between Brasília and Januária with a stop in Chapada Gaúcha/MG: Vila Rica 38-99984-4478 Real Sul 61-3358-1060 Januária 38-9942-6163 / 38-9206-1087/ 61-9624-1033 Admission and tour prices There is currently no admission fee to enter the park. General Guidelines Visits must be booked by phone at (38) 3634-1465 or by e-mail: parnagsv@gmail.com Entry into the park is only allowed in a 4x4 vehicle and accompanied by a local visitor guide, who must be hired by the visitor. The list of registered guides will be published soon. Overnight stays inside the park are not allowed. Opening hours The administrative office is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The park is open to visitors every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visits must end by 6 p.m., and the guide is responsible for returning the gate keys. Entry registration Visitors register by filling out the "Termo de Conhecimento de Riscos e Normas" (risk and rules acknowledgment form) at the park's administrative office in Chapada Gaúcha/MG, or by sending it by e-mail. Address: Rua Guimarães Rosa, 149 CEP: 39314-000 Recommendations Check your vehicle's fuel level. The distances traveled are long. Bring plenty of water and a good snack, but avoid glass containers or canned food. Choose light foods such as fresh or dried fruit, nuts and sandwiches (without mayonnaise). Not all businesses accept cards, and the options for withdrawing cash are: Correios post office (Banco do Brasil only), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lottery outlet (Caixa or Banco do Brasil), Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon Bradesco ATM - every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mercado Toledo (Bradesco only) - Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wear suitable clothing, a cap and sneakers or other closed-toe shoes. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent Bring any medications you use for specific needs, such as antiallergy medicine, and prescription medications, such as those for blood pressure, asthma and other conditions. In the rainy season, bring a raincoat and a change of clothes for after the outing. Tip: pack clothes and electronic equipment in a dry bag to keep them dry. Follow the rules and the instructions of park staff and visitor guides, especially in swimming areas, as they are meant to protect both the environment and the visitors themselves. Look, but do not pick flowers or take stones from the places you are visiting, and do not disturb the animals.