Canyon of Xingo, Canyon and water formation in Sergipe, Brazil
The Xingo Canyon is a river gorge along the São Francisco with steep rock walls rising above emerald-colored water. The formation stretches across a long span and narrows significantly at certain points along its course.
The landscape changed dramatically in 1994 when the Xingo Hydroelectric Dam was built, raising the water level significantly. This project reshaped the river valley and transformed the region for decades to come.
Indigenous peoples live in the areas surrounding the canyon and maintain their ways of life along the São Francisco River. Visitors can observe today how these communities remain connected to the water and the land around them.
Visitors depart by boat from the port at Caninde de São Francisco, with typical outings lasting several hours and including swimming breaks. It helps to arrive early and bring sun protection for comfort on the water.
The gorge ranks among the world's largest navigable river canyons and has points where the rock walls close in dramatically. These narrow passages create an intense feeling of being surrounded by near-vertical stone faces.
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