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Before you go
Your trip to Alto Caparaó.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Alto Caparaó – MG about 330 km from Belo Horizonte
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Vitória – Eurico de Aguiar Salles (VIX) Vitória · 230 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
From Belo Horizonte, follow BR-262 to Manhuaçu and then via Manhumirim and Alto Jequitibá; it’s about 330 km. From Vitória, about 225 km via BR-262. There are buses to Manhumirim, about 25 km away, and local services to Alto Caparaó. The most used airport with regular flights is Vitória.
How many days
Two days: one for Pico da Bandeira, either at dawn or with an overnight at Terreirão, and another for Vale Verde, Cachoeira Bonita and Vale Encantado. With three days there is time to rest after the climb and visit coffee farms.
When to go
From May to September it rains little and the summit sky usually clears, but nights are very cold with possible frost at the top. From November to March it rains almost daily and clouds often cover the summit. Winter holiday weekends sell out pousadas and campsites.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
It helps a lot. The park’s internal road climbs from the gate to the Tronqueira, about 6 km, and the trail to the peak leaves from there; without a car you need to arrange transport with pousadas or local guides. Public transport to Alto Caparaó is limited. In town, distances are short.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Alto Caparaó
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Morning
Vale Verde
Enter through the park gate and walk to Vale Verde, with clear, cold pools near the entrance.
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Afternoon
Tronqueira and Vale Encantado
Drive up the park’s internal road to the Tronqueira, at about 1,970 meters, and walk to Vale Encantado, a few minutes from there.
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Late afternoon
Cachoeira Bonita
On the descent, stop at the Cachoeira Bonita viewpoint, a high waterfall on the mountain slope, and exit the park before closing time.
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Evening
Café do Caparaó
Dine in town and try the mountain’s specialty coffee, sold in local shops and cafés.
2 days in Alto Caparaó
Day 1
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Afternoon
Ascent to Terreirão
With the campsite reservation made, drive up to Tronqueira and hike about 3.7 km to Terreirão, at roughly 2,370 meters.
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Evening
Night at the campsite
Sleep early at Terreirão, with warm clothes: nights high on the mountain are usually cold.
Day 2
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Morning
Pico da Bandeira
Leave before dawn, with a headlamp, for the final roughly 3.2 km to the summit and watch the day break over the mountains.
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Afternoon
Descent
Descend the same way back to Tronqueira and, if time allows, stop at Vale Verde for a swim before returning to town.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is Alto Caparaó the entrance to Parque Nacional do Caparaó?
Yes. Alto Caparaó, in Minas Gerais, has the main gate and the park headquarters. The other entrance is at Pedra Menina, a district of Dores do Rio Preto in Espírito Santo.
What to do in Alto Caparaó without climbing Pico da Bandeira?
You can visit Vale Verde, near the park gate, Cachoeira Bonita, Vale Encantado and the Tronqueira viewpoint, all short accesses, and also visit local coffee farms.
Can you climb Pico da Bandeira in one day from Alto Caparaó?
Yes. The one-day ascent starts from Tronqueira and is about 13.8 km round trip. The park sets an entry time for that ascent; check the rules before you go.
Where to buy coffee in Alto Caparaó?
In town itself, at shops and cafés run by mountain producers. Many local farms welcome visitors; arrange in advance.