Peruaçu Caves

The Peruaçu is a tributary of the São Francisco that, in northern Minas Gerais, crosses a limestone massif and opens a canyon of cliffs, caves and stone arches. The Parque Nacional Cavernas do Peruaçu was created in 1999 and protects 56,448 hectares in the municipalities of Januária, Itacarambi and São João das Missões, in a transition zone between cerrado, caatinga and dry forests. In July 2025 the canyon was inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List as a natural property.

The park contains more than 180 known caves. The most visited is Gruta do Janelão, with galleries exceeding 100 meters in height, roof openings that let in light and allow vegetation to grow inside the cave, and the stalactite known as Perna da Bailarina, about 28 meters long. Other caves open to visitors include Lapa Bonita, Lapa do Índio, Gruta do Carlúcio and Gruta do Rezar.

The cliffs and rock shelters hold archaeological sites with rock paintings and engravings and traces of human occupation dating back up to about 12,000 years, such as Lapa dos Desenhos. The region is also the territory of the Xakriabá indigenous people.

Visits are always made with a guide accredited by ICMBio and with prior booking, from the park headquarters in the community of Fabião I, alongside the BR-135. Support towns are Januária, about 45 km away, and Itacarambi, about 20 km.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Januária, Itacarambi.