In Serra do Caparao, eco-tourists, and lovers of trekking and mountaineering have perhaps the best probability of exercising their abilities climbing the Peak of the Flag, the third highest mountain in Brazil with 2897 m altitude.

Wait a minute, do not be discouraged dear visitor, because climbing the Peak of the Flag is not a very arduous task. The secret is to go slow and steady and taking a break every 30 minutes. In this fashion the hike turns into an enormously pleasant occasion to observe the scenery and each and every detail on the horizon, with every shade of light and colour making the adventure of Serra do Caparao more agreeable.

The Peak of the Flag raises in the area of the Serra do Capara National Park, a natural reserve bordering the states of Minas Gerais and Espritu Santo, in the Sierra of Mantiqueira; it has an extension of 31,000 hectares. It takes about four hours to get to the peak.

Created in May of 1961, the Capara National Park shows a very different geography and the roughest grounds in all the territory of Brazil. At only 250 km from the seashore, the rocky skirts of the Peak of the Flag ascend up to about 3,000 m altitude.

The patchy terrain has a widespread fluvial net with various sources forming gullies, streams, lakes and natural pools with crystalline waters. The major rivers are the Jose Pedro, the Capar and the Sao Domingo Rivers. It is one of the most desired destinations for fans of adventure tourism, trekking and other activities associated to mountaineering.

The park contains two other quite high pinnacles as well: The Crystal Peak at 2798 m altitude and the Footwear Peak at 2766 metres.

Flora and fauna

As is usual in most of the mountain regions, vegetation also varies at different altitude at Capar. Vegetation is almost 100% of the secondary type and very diverse. It starts showing Atlantic shrubs in the lower parts and gradually concedes space to the open grasslands as altitude increases.

Diverse endangered species are protected by the park: the Maned wolf, the Pampas deer, the cuca, wild dogs, black beak toucans, tailed swallows, land canaries and the muriqui, the biggest monkey in America,. Likewise, the park is a haven for the conservation of mountain birds.

Weather

Influenced by its nearness to the Atlantic shrub, the park has a high tropical weather with an annual average temperatures of between 15 and 24 C.

Fog and a thin rain caused by the humid winds coming from the ocean are usual in the upper areas. The rainwater fills the rivers during the summer of the southern hemisphere.

Attractions

Vale Verde - The Capara River forms cascades and natural pools perfect for taking a cold bathe. The place has dressing rooms, toilets, even grills where visitors can roast a beef.

Tronqueira - The area has a camping place with kiosks, tables, rest rooms, showers, dishwashers and a good view of all the valley of the Capara River.

Bonita Cascade - It has an 80 m high waterfall. It is one of the nicest spots in the park. The route leads to it across a dirt road. The cascade is in the Jose Pedro River, in the border of the states of Minas Gerais and Espritu Santo.

Cascade of the Swallows - It falls in private property with various natural pools and opens to tourists willing to pay for the experience. It is located 13 km away from the park, at the Jose Pedro River.

Recommendations

• It is absolutely needed to be accompanied by a guide to take a hike to any point of the park. Remember to carry a flashlight with a good beam for the night, and a good supply of batteries. The cold weather exhausts them more rapidly than normal conditions.
• Carry light and dehydrated food, brown bread, white cheese, raisins or dry fruits, chocolate, chestnuts, biscuits and other energizers.
• Cloths need to be covered up with plastic material to avoid getting wet with the rains.
• Noise scares the animals and will disturb other tourist groups seeking peace and quiet.
• Carry sufficient water for the hike.
• In spite of cold temperatures, open fires are unwanted.
• Eco-visitors must avoid smoking during the hike.
• Remember that the park is meant to preserve its entire environment, so it is important to pick all your garbage and to bring it back to the city.

How to get there

From Minas Gerais:Through the BR-116 highway up to Fervedouro, then the BR-482 to Carangola. Then the MG-111 up to Alto Jequitib, and lastly another 11 km until reaching Alto Capar.

From Esprito Santo:Take the BR-101 highway to Cosecha. From Cosecha follow towards Cachoeiro through the BR-482, then Alegre, Guacu and Dolores de Rio Preto.