Paddling near Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais

Governador Valadares sits in the Rio Doce valley in eastern Minas Gerais, with the Rio Doce running directly through the city. The area is well established on the adventure-sports circuit — kayaking is among the activities practiced on the local rivers, alongside the region's more famous paragliding scene at Pico do Ibituruna. The Rio Doce and nearby tributaries such as the Rio Suaçuí Pequeno and Rio Tronqueiras are the main draws for paddlers exploring this part of the valley.