Itinerary of the Indio reservations in Mato Grosso, BrazilRoute map
The roads to the Indios in Brazil’s reservations are long and in parts very arduous and exhausting. But whoever wants to get to know and experience indigenous peoples has to pay this price. In order to give you an idea of the ride we have put together a few photos and explanations.
Our English-speaking tour guide Pedro Paulo will pick you up at Hotel Odara in Cuiabá at 8.00 am. Off you are eastbound on your drive from Mato Grosso to the mesas of Chapada dos Guimarães, about 70 km from Cuiabá. From the car you can experience the unique beauty of these mesas with their diverse vegetation forms.
From Chapada dos Guimarães you proceed to Campo Verde on road BR 070. The area around Campo Verde is also called the granary of Mato Grosso. Lots of soy and corn fields are to be seen here. Campo Verde has approximately 21,000 inhabitants. People here live mostly on cattle-breeding and the cultivation of corn, rice and soy. Campo Verde is located about 40 km from Chapada.
In an air-conditioned vehicle we continue towards Primavera do Leste (140 km). This town’s roughly 53,000 inhabitants also primarily live on agriculture and cattle breeding. You will make a short stop for gasoline, there is a bathroom and a diner at the filling station (drinking water is always on board). There are mostly immigrants from the southern states of Brazil (Santa Catarina, Parana, Rio Grande do Sol) living in Primavera do Leste, all of which are of European descent (German, Swiss, Austrian, Italian, etc.).
You set out from Primavera do Leste on an 257-km drive, passing by countless eucalyptus plantations, corn and soy fields and herds of cattle on your way to Barra do Garças, the first stage of your journey. You spend the night at the Araguaia Park-Hotel.
Barra do Garças is situated directly by Rio Araguaia and is home to 56,000 people. From July to August, when winter has come to the rest of southern Brazil, there are magnificent beaches to be found here. This is thanks to the numerous thermal springs in the area, like the ones known from Caldas Novas. Here begin the mountains of Serra do Roncador (rought translation: mountains of the snorer).
On the next day you depart for Canarana after breakfast (about 348 km). The car will take you through the mountains of Serra do Roncador (which are similar to Chapada’s), giving you a breath-taking view on mesas and rock formations.
The journey goes on to Nova Xavantina (18,000 inhabitants), which is also characterised by its agriculture. Here you will have lunch in a typical churrascaria.
After lunch at the churrascaria ”Araguaia” we proceed to Canarana. There will be another short gas break in Água Boa, and then you have reached the second stage of the journey.
After arrival in Canarana you spend the night at the Hotel Raios do Sol. In the next morning this will be the starting point for tours into the ”Parque Indigena do Xingu” and/or the Xavantes reservation.
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