Trekking through Brazil's Santuário do Caraça offers an immersion in rare Atlantic rainforest biodiversity. The 40 square-mile sanctuary lies in Minas Gerais, a landlocked state that borders Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo and covers an area larger than mainland France and Switzerland combined.
The region's natural wonders once captivated Charles Darwin, though mining has historically dominated the area. Now ecotourism provides an alternative economic path. Guides like Marcelo lead treks through diverse ecosystems, from bamboo forests into high-altitude grasslands dotted with endemic flowering plants. The hummingbird species Planalto hermit inhabits the sanctuary, feeding on specialized flowers.
The landscape shows signs of recovery. The sanctuary experienced a devastating fire two years ago, and guides express cautious optimism about whether rare endemic species have survived in the grasslands above the cloud line.