DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart for Brazil
Depart for Brazil
DAY 2, Wednesday - Arrive in Rio de Janeiro
Arrive in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, known for its stunning beaches, symbolic landmarks, and lively Carnival celebrations. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Your tour begins with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a reception. We recommend you select flights which arrive no later than 3 PM
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
DAY 3, Thursday - Copacabana & Ipanema Walking Tour
This morning, take a walking tour through Copacabana and Ipanema, two of Rio de Janeiro's most iconic neighborhoods, known for their stunning beaches, bustling boardwalks, and lively atmosphere. Stop at Arpoador beach to view Guanabara Bay before continuing to Ipanema. Pass by the Garota de Ipanema Café and spend time strolling through the area. This afternoon, join your Tour Manager for a walk along the black-and-white wave-patterned promenade, designed by Brazilian artist Roberto Burle Mark, while soaking up the energy of this vivacious beachfront. Along the way, you'll encounter beach kiosks, local street vendors selling traditional snacks, and artisanal markets brimming with handmade crafts
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Friday - Sugarloaf Mountain, Metropolitan Cathedral, Boulevard Olimpico
Your full day of exploration begins with an unforgettable glass cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain, symbol of the city, where you'll see the stunning panorama of the beaches, Corcovado Mountain, downtown Rio, and Guanabara Bay. Next, you'll continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, a striking architectural wonder, with a modernist, conical shape, and towering stained-class windows, and the Selarón Steps. After lunch at a historic café, head to Boulevard Olimpico, the revitalized waterfront district that played a central role in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. View the impressive street art murals, including the world-famous "Ethnicities" mural by artist Eduardo Kobra. Return to your hotel in the afternoon
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 5, Saturday - Full Day in Rio de Janeiro or Optional Full Day Petropolis Tour with lunch
Today is free to explore Rio de Janeiro at your own pace. Perhaps, join the optional Full Day Petropolis Tour with lunch. Today, depart Rio de Janeiro, and travel north to the mountain city of Petropolis, known as the Imperial City. Upon arrival, tour the Imperial Museum, the former summer residence of Emperor Dom Pedro II. Explore the opulent rooms filled with period furniture, royal jewels, and artifacts that showcase the lifestyle of Brazil's monarchy. Next, visit the majestic neo-Gothic São Pedro de Alcântara Cathedral, which houses the tombs of Dom Pedro II and his family. Continue with a scenic drive along Koeler Avenue, a tree-lined boulevard flanked by stately 19th century mansions, and colorful gardens evoking the elegance of Petropolis' past. Savor lunch of traditional Brazilian dishes at a local restaurant before heading back to Rio de Janeiro. Tonight, join your Tour Manager at one of the most well-known samba night clubs in Rio to try a few steps and watch how locals dance
Optional: Full Day Petropolis Tour with lunch
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6, Sunday - Tour of Corcovado Mountain, Ipanema, Leblon, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
Begin the day with an ascent by a scenic cog railway to the summit of Corcovado Hill. Here, at 2,400 feet above the city stands the 125-foot-tall statue of Christ the Redeemer. From this vantage point, you'll take in thrilling 360-degree sweeping views of the city, its beaches, and surrounding mountains. After descending, continue along Rio's beaches, including Ipanema and Leblon. Proceed with a drive around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, a peaceful lagoon in the heart of Rio de Janeiro where Cariocas go for a Sunday stroll or for biking and running. Then, return to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Monday - Carnival Experience, Optional Brazilian Cooking Class
Visit one of the top Samba schools in the city and learn what made the Samba and Carnival icons of Brazilian national identity. Take a guided tour of the warehouse, where you see flamboyant costumes and, maybe if you are lucky, some of the parade floats. There will be an opportunity to try on authentic Carnival costumes. Toast your Carnival experience with a caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail, while you learn about the history of the Samba dance and the Carnival parades from an expert guide. Don't miss the optional Brazilian Cooking Class. Participate in a private cooking class with a Carioca chef offering an intimate, hands-on experience of Rio de Janeiro's culinary heritage. Learn to create traditional Brazilian dishes and gain insight into local flavors and culture. As you cook, the chef will provide tips and techniques unique to Carioca cooking
Optional: Brazilian Cooking Class
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Tuesday - Full Day in Rio de Janeiro or Optional Full Day Niteroi City Tour
On your last day at leisure, participate in the optional Full Day Niteroi City Tour. Discover the city of Niteroi, founded in the 16th century by an indigenous leader and once the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Begin the adventure with a scenic ferry ride across the shimmering waters of Guanabara Bay, offering sweeping views of Rio de Janeiro's notable landmarks, including Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer. On arrival in Niteroi, pass by the Niemeyer Path, a series of works by Brazil's renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer. View architectural gems such as the Teatro Popular and the Oscar Niemeyer Foundation, showcasing the architect's creative genius. Next, tour the impressive 16th century Santa Cruz da Barra Fortress, one of Brazil's largest and most important military strongholds. Explore its well-preserved ramparts, bastions, and old cannons. Continue for lunch and a visit to MAC (Museum of Contemporary Art), a masterpiece of modern architecture designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Return to Rio by crossing the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, stretching across approximately eight miles. Tonight, at dinner at a traditional churrascaria, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: Full Day Niteroi City Tour
Overnight: Rio de Janeiro
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9, Wednesday - Depart Brazil
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight*
*Some flights depart shortly after midnight in the very early morning of day 9 and will require a transfer on day 8. Transfers depart the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to flight time.
Meals: Breakfast
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are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators.
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