Catimbau Valley

Catimbau became a national park in 2002 and protects a broken landscape of sandstone canyons, towers and overhangs in the caatinga about three hundred kilometres inland from Recife. More than two hundred archaeological sites have been recorded in it, with painted panels in red, yellow and black under the shelters, which makes it the second most concentrated rock art area in the country after Serra da Capivara; some of the occupation layers here are very old. Named formations - the Cathedral, the Furna dos Ossos - are the standard circuit, and there is a substantial cactus and bromeliad flora, including species restricted to these sands. Guiding is organised through the village of Aldeia de Catimbau, and the Kapinawa indigenous territory adjoins the park.

What you actually see

• Over two hundred archaeological sites - the second densest rock art area in Brazil.
• Painted shelters - red, yellow and black panels under sandstone overhangs.
• Canyons and towers - eroded formations including the Cathedral.
• Sand-restricted caatinga flora - cacti and bromeliads found only on these soils.

When to go

May to September. Two days.

Honest expectations

Guides from the village are required and rightly so, since the panels are fragile and hard to find. Roads inside are sand and need 4x4. Accommodation is basic. Heat is heavy from mid-morning and there is no water on the trails.

Nearby

Buique is the nearest town; the Kapinawa territory adjoins the park.