Camping Sossego Do Jeca

The countryside around Carrancas is known locally as 'Land of Waterfalls', and it's easy to see why. Several remarkable rapids can be accessed in less than a 10-minute drive, including the peaceful pools at Tira Prosa (great for open-air swims) and the white waters and rock faces at Salomão. Guests looking for a burst of colour should head a little further afield to Esmeralda waterfall, a spot whose name means 'emerald' in the local lingo (20 minutes' drive), or head for the falls and visitor centre complex at Grão Mogol (30 minutes). Fancy learning more about the local geology? You might want to start locally at the Cave Bridge rock formation (10 minutes). Canyoning also makes a top option for those looking to discover nearby caves and caverns (enquire in town for local guides). The quartzite grotto, underground river and cave paintings at the Zilda complex (30 minutes), meanwhile, should appeal to fairweather cave-visitors. Carrancas is located on the Trilha dos Inconfidentes tourist route: other stops include the colonial architecture at Nazareno (45 minutes) and the historic steam train at São João Del Rei (an hour and a half).