Only 100 km from the big metropolis of Sao Paulo you will find Extrema, the first city that enters the state of Minas Gerais. Breathtaking mountain scenery, freshwater waterfalls and little known places will enchant your trip. Test the adventurous spirit, listen to that need for immersion in the mountainous nature, satisfy your curiosity and discover Extrema, an authentic getaway from Sao Paulo.  
The top of Pico dos Cabritos is one of the favorite places for locals to watch the sunrise and sunset, as well as a beautiful view of the whole city / Photo: Tiffany Flour
 

Enjoy local and artisanal gastronomy. 

We will tell you again and again that Extrema is the perfect place to taste the famous "Queijo minero", which is probably the most popular and appreciated in Brazil. Extrema has several cheese industries and several places offer tastings and direct sales, a real treat. It is also an opportunity to taste probably the best Pão de Queijo in Brazil. Extrema is also known for its various farms and inns that offer several local products, such as honey, mushrooms (mushroom liqueur, have you ever tried it?), coffee and cachaça (the place where it is made is called Alambique), the famous local alcohol.  In the center of Extrema there are several stores, but it is always more interesting to go and see them yourself. Follow the Water Tourist Route (rota das aguas), which always takes you to magical places to enjoy, because Extrema is also a destination where the culinary pleasure of fresh products makes its inhabitants and visitors happy.      Travel tip: Extrema is a relatively small village where it is easy to get lost along its paths between the earth and stones, surprising with small artisan pearls that welcome you in their grounds in the middle of nature to taste their products and learn about the production process. You can call to confirm the opening hours or you can go there yourself.  

A strong connection with nature

Discovering Extrema also means immersing yourself in an abundant, rich and green nature. Its acres of farmland, inhabited by its countless sheep, offer visitors and locals alike little corners of paradise to spend the day with family or friends. Marking the beginning of the Serra da Mantiqueira, a mountain range that stretches 500 km between the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Extrema offers a strong connection with nature between its various freshwater waterfalls and mountain peaks to marvel at the sunset Don't you want to miss it? Visit the Municipal Park of Cachoeira do Jaguari, the Ecological Park of Picos dos Cabritos and Serra do Lobo.  
The Cachoeira do Jaguari Municipal Park offers good facilities for locals and visitors, but there are also several small places along the water route to enjoy the small waterfalls / Photo: Tiffany Flour
 

A land of adventures and experiences 

Extrema presents 4 tourist routes around the significant natural elements of the destination, which allow an immersion in nature closely related to visitors and their interests. The Water Route (rota das aguas), for example, is a route that starts from the Municipal Park of Cachoeira do Jaguari and guides you along the river of the same name, to several places of production of regional artisanal gastronomy, presented earlier in the article. The Route of the Sun (rota do sol), under the element of fire, invites you to venture along dirt roads by motocross, mountain bike or jeep, in addition to discovering several viewpoints. The wind route takes you paragliding from the top of these peaks.   Travel tip: Explore the most emblematic places of São Paulo in a different way. Cycle around this beautiful city.  
Extrema is full of unique little places, like this totem pole perched on Pico dos Cabritos, accessed from a small trail immersed in the region's tropical flora / Photo: Tiffany Flour
  For the curious and the quiet, the route of the stones (rota das pedras) leads to the Pedra do Indio archaeological site, as well as to other hiking trails in the surrounding mountains. The Route of the Roses welcomes visitors to the heart of its urban center, where they can discover the sanctuary of Santa Rita de Cassia, the rural farmers' market, as well as restaurants, stores and hotels. Closer to the animals? An equine training center to discover the work of horse training. As I said, there's something for everyone!   Travel tip: It's easy to get a map at the tourist information desk in the main square of Presidente Vargas, where the main church of Santa Rita is located. The tourist routes are well signposted to guarantee an excellent visit, although a car is a must if you don't want to walk for hours.    
For hikers, nature lovers and artisanal food lovers, Extrema is ideal for a getaway from Sao Paulo, for a weekend or longer. / Photo: Tiffany Flour
  Extrema is ideal for a weekend getaway because of its relative proximity to the metropolis of Sao Paulo, which is about 100 km away and also easily accessible by bus. Whether it's relaxing in nature by the Jaquari River, exploring the vegetation through the trails leading to the summit of Pico dos Lobos or Picos dos Cabritos, enjoying a meal at a local farm and chatting with the locals, Extrema offers you a charming stay to disconnect and reconnect, don't wait any longer!  

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  By: Tiffany Flour, passionate communicator, inveterate marketer, enthusiastic traveler and Daytours4u contributor.