A protected piece of cerrado
The Chapada dos Veadeiros lies in the north-east of the Brazilian state of Goiás, in the cerrado, Brazil's tropical savanna. It is known for its waterfalls, canyons and rock formations, and much of the region is protected by the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
Alto Paraíso, the gateway
Alto Paraíso de Goiás is one of the gateways to the Chapada: a small town with pousadas, restaurants and access to the trails and waterfalls around it. Small enough for the quiet to arrive quickly.
The immersion's home
The group stays at Casa de Shiva, a pousada (a Brazilian guesthouse) in Alto Paraíso. The apnea practices take place in the heated pool, reserved for the group, with no other guests in the water. The sauna is right beside it, and breakfast is served on a veranda with an open view of the cerrado. It is the kind of place where no one feels like checking their phone.
Afternoons to explore, with one rule
The practices take place in the morning. After that, the day is yours. Some prefer to stay at the pousada, between the sauna and the veranda; others use the time to explore the region. If you go exploring, check locally about access, distances and conditions for each place, and respect the park's rules.
And always: no apnea in the waterfalls. The immersion's practice stays in the pool, under supervision. In open water, with no one prepared beside you, a breath-hold is a risk not worth taking. At the waterfall, the invitation is a different one: step in, feel the water, and breathe freely.
Getting there
The most common route is through Brasília, and from there by road to Alto Paraíso. Closer to the date, everyone with a confirmed place receives arrival guidance by email.