Caverna Aroe Jari

Useful Information

Location:	Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, MT 450. (-15.60004901706398, -55.477026602830406)
Open:	All year daily 8-18. [2020]
Fee:
Classification:	Erosional Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	T=19-20 °C. Aroe Jari: L=1,550 m. Kiogo Brado: L=270 m. Pobe Jari: L=500 m, H=3 m.
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Caverna Aroe Jari, Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, MT-450, s/n - Zona Rural, Cuiabá - MT, 78195-000, Tel: +55-669-9691-2525. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Caverna Aroe Jari is the longest sandstone cave in Brazil. Aroe Jari is a term from the local Bororó language, meaning ghost shelter. The cave is also known as the Frenchman Cave because the first scientific reports on this cave were published by Ramis Bucair from France. The first sight is a waterfall inside the cave right behind the entrance, the place is called ahower room.

The tour at the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park offers actually four caves. They must be visited with a guide. The walk to the caves is 2.5 km long and rather strenuous because the area is quite hot. We recommend a hat, sun protection, and enough water. The caves have a rather comfortable temperature and require only light clothes. Nevertheless, a helmet, headlamp, good walking shoes or gum boots, and a light fleece are recommended. You might get wet, bring fresh clothes to change afterwards.

The Gruta da Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon Chamber) has a lake which shows a blue colour due to the huge portal which allows sunlight into the chamber. It is not allowed to enter the water, because this would destroy the colour effect. This cave can only be seen from the entrance.

Caverna Kiogo Brado is actually an underground gorge with various openings to the surface which let light in. It is quite big and the hard layers in the sandstone produce a strange pattern of horizontal lines which produce from the wall.

Cavernas Pobe Jari or Cavernas das Duas Bocas is a dry cave with flat ceilings and cupolas.

Nearby is the Ponte de Pedra (Stone Bridge), a natural bridge which is also well worth the visit. Another notable rock formation is the Pedra do Equilibrio, a balancing rock.

The whole area is private property. The owners are concerned about the protection of the fauna, flora, and the geotopes. They allow visits only with a local guide and offer a shuttle service.