These days, many Brazilians are choosing to avoid the madness on the beach and head for other forms of paradise inland. Nestled in the hills of Minas Gerias, Serra da Canastra offers visitors an abundance of natural wonders. I ventured there this past Carnival, along with my husband (a native Brazilian and avid rock climber and motorbiker) and some of his college buddies. While some visitors are enticed by the area’s vast motorbike trails and large canyon walls perfect for climbing, I was lured there by tales of amazing waterfall-created lagoons. 

Luckily one of our companions had a truck with 4-wheel drive, so we made the 6-hour journey from our apartment in Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo with ease. Our driver had visited Serra da Canastra over five times and had arranged for us to camp near Pousada Mata do Engenho, a lodge in the area. The lodge provided three large meals a day and the use of their showers and bathrooms for a mere 20 reais (around $7). When we reached the lodge we were greeted with hugs, glasses of pinga (sugarcane liquor) and a traditional Minas Geriasian meal. Eager to see our first waterfall, we set up camp by a nearby stream and set out. 

We decided to head for Maria Augusta, a pristine waterfall, towering over 100 ft. It flowed down and created a large pool-like lagoon surrounded by a small sandy-beach. I felt as though I had stepped into a hidden paradise. We all dove in; enjoy the refreshing, pure water. We were able to swim under the waterfall and enter a small cavern behind-the roar of the water was exhilarating. We spent all afternoon there. 

Our second day in Serra da Canastra, we decided to drive to Paraiso Selvagem, another waterfall in the area. After driving for almost an hour through rocky roads, we parked and began the 2 km hike to the waterfall. The hike was through fairly dense jungle and across a wide stream (Hiking shoes or balance recommended). After about 20 minutes, Paraiso Selvagem came into view. Hidden by walls of rock, the waterfall pooled over into a foliage-surrounded lagoon. The brave could climb the rock walls and jump into the deep pool, while the less-brave could swim to the pool’s center and enjoy the view from a large rock there.

The next morning, my husband and I and another couple decided to borrow horses from our lodge and head across the countryside to Vale do Ceu. We obtained three horses and one mulinha (mule), and set out.  As we rode higher and higher into the landscape, we passed through beautiful green hills and blue streams. When we reached Vale do Ceu, we tethered our horses, stripped down to our bathing suits, and began the climb into the cavernous waterfall. While our companions decided not to descend farther, my husband and I jumped into the refreshing water and let it carry us into its lagoon.

The water pounded on our bodies like a massage and rehydrated us after the long ride. When satisfied, we climbed back up the waterfall, dressed and collected our horses. Knowing we were returning home, our horses’ energy was renewed, and we galloped across the breathtaking landscape.

Already the Tuesday of Carnival, we planned to make this day an important one. We still had to visit Quilombo, an amazing three-tiered waterfall about 7km from our campsite. While some of our companions decided to hike, we opted for a bumpy ride through the hills in our 4X4 truck.