MARVELLOUS CITY
Famous for its breathtaking landscapes, its laidback beach culture and its annual carnival, Rio de Janeiro is the most popular tourist destination in Brazil.
Activities
Day 1 – Rio de Janeiro.
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel chosen. Accommodation.
Day 2 – Rio de Janeiro. (B, L)
After breakfast, in previous scheduled time, we will leave the hotel to visit Rio’s most famous landmarks and natural beauties. After a scenic drive along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, you will arrive at the bottom of the Corcovado Hill and continue the tour on a comfortable train which will climb the mountain until the famous Christ the Redeemer (2.300ft above sea level). There is mechanized access with panoramic elevators and escalators that take us to the foot of the statute. There, you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro and discover why the city is called the “Marvelous City”. We make our way down on the same route and towards another world famous landmark, the Sugar Loaf, named because its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined sugar loaf. The tour is done in two steps by glass cable-cars. The first cable-car takes passengers to the top of Urca Hill, which rises 215 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the entire bay its islands. From Urca Hill, passengers continue in a second cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf which rises 395 meters above sea level and offers a 360 degree view of the entire city including Botafogo and Copacabana Beaches, the Corcovado and downtown Rio. It´s included lunch in a typical Barbecue Restaurant "churrascaria". Accommodation.
Day 3 – Rio de Janeiro. (B, L)
Transfer from your hotel in Rio to Angra dos Reis Pier (around 02 hours of travel). When you arrive in the picturesque town on the water, featuring architecture from the 1500s, board the schooner and set sail. Find a spot on the boat to relax and watch the idyllic tropical scenery glide by, including Angra dos Reis' almost 300 scattered islands. During your cruise, make several stops where you can choose to swim, snorkel, or stay on the boat. Stop at the Ilha Cataguases (Cataguases Island), a gorgeous spot with white sand beaches and clear, blue-green water perfect for water activities. Continue sailing to Lagoa Azul (the Blue Lagoon), Praia de Freguesia de Santana (Freguesia de Santana Beach) on Ilha Grande and the pier on Piedade Island. During the day of exploring, enjoy a buffet lunch of steak, fish, chicken, rice and beans onboard your schooner. After the around Angra dos Reis is finished, return to land and board your vehicle for transportation back to Rio and drop-off at your hotel. Accommodation.
Day 4 – Rio de Janeiro. (B)
Today we will visit Petropolis, a charming city located in the Serra dos Orgaos, only one hour drive from Rio de Janeiro. We will also make a stop at the Imperial Museum (closed on Mondays), which served as the summer residence of the imperial family during the 19th century. Visitors can view various historical pieces such as the scepter and crown of Emperor Don Pedro II, historical documents, imperial jewelry and the priceless pieces of art that belonged to the imperial family. During our tour we will visit the Crystal Palace and the São Pedro de Alcantara Neolithic Cathedral. Back to hotel and accommodation.
Day 5 – Rio de Janeiro. (B)
Historical Rio: Walking along the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa, a bucolic area in Rio de Janeiro, you will visit the Ruins Park (closed on Mondays), a public park with an art gallery built around the ruins of a mansion. Up next, you will walk down the colorful Selarón Steps, one of Rio’s landmarks, and arrive at the district of Lapa, the zone with most traditional nightlife. Take a stroll in the Passeio Público, the oldest public park in the South America, to reach Cinelândia, a lively spot in Rio thanks to its bars, restaurants and cultural attractions. Your last stop will be at Confeitaria Colombo (closed on Sundays), a permanent member of all “must-see cafés” rankings around the world.
In the afternoon, let’s see the city through a different perspective and have a real city tour from the ocean! We are gonna take a boat trip through the most important tourist attractions and historical sights in the famous Guanabara Bay while admiring beautiful landscapes. It is the ideal tour for all ages, particularly for those who enjoy navigation, nature and our Wonderful City! The catamaran tour goes by the Fiscal Island and the Navy Arsenal towards our first stop at the Museum of Tomorrow, one of the architectural icons of Porto Maravilha. It passes under the Rio-Niterói Bridge and heads to the Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer, where we can see one of the most beautiful sights in Niterói. It proceeds to the Lage Fort, and to other historical sites of the Guanabara Bay, such as São José Fortress, where the city of Rio de Janeiro was founded. Enjoy remarkable moments to photograph at the feet of the Sugar Loaf.
Day 6 – Rio de Janeiro. (B)
Free day. Enjoy your day in one of the most famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema, immortalised in a popular song called “The Girl From Ipanema”. The area is also known for its excellent hotel options, bustling nighlife and good restaurants. Accommodation.
Day 7 – Rio de Janeiro. (B)
Free day. Footbal fans must visit Maracanã Stadium, built over 50 years ago and considered the largest on the continent (seating a crowd of over 95,000). The Botanic Garden, with 5000 species of plants from all over the world, is also a great option to enjoy your time in Rio. Accommodation.
Day 8 – Rio de Janeiro. (B)
Transfer out to Rio de Janeiro Airport. Have a safe journey home!
