Rio de Janeiro Carnival

Day 1 Arrival in Rio de Janeiro

Morning arrival and transfer to your hotel. Balance of day at leisure.

Day 2 Rio de Janeiro (Corcovado)

Rio…the very sound of it evokes images of sun, fun, and rhythm of the sensuous Samba. Today you will visit Corcovado Mountain. Drive through the fashionable Barra District to the base of Corcovado Mountain for a short train ride to the summit. Here, at 2,400 feet above the city stands one of South America’s most famous landmarks, the 125-foot statue of "Christ the Redeemer.” The panorama of the city below is testament to why most visitors consider Rio to be one of the most spectacular and beautiful cities in the world. Return to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 3 Rio de Janeiro (Sugar Loaf)

Today marks the beginning of the Greatest Party on Earth…Rio’s Carnival. Today’s excursion takes you to Sugar Loaf Mountain. We begin this tour at Copacabana and Ipanema, two of the world's most famous beaches. A cable car takes you to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain for a panoramic view of the beaches and Guanabara Bay. Rest of day at leisure for shopping, or relaxing at the beach. (B)

Day 4 Rio de Janeiro - At leisure

Another day in the “Cidade Maravilhosa” (the Marvelous City) as the locals refer to Rio. Day is free for more optional activities, or partaking on the fun of Carnival. (B)

Day 5 Rio de Janeiro - At leisure

Join the fun of Carnival, work on your suntan, go to a ball…the options are endless! (B)

Optional: Carnival Tickets: We pick you up at your hotel and transfer to the Sambadrome - or Sambodromo, the "stadium" of samba. It consists of the Parading Avenue (the samba runway) and several independent concrete structures for the spectators (the bleachers) both sides along the Parading Avenue. The Sambodromo was designed by Brazil's world-famous architect, the modernist Oscar Niemeyer. It was built specifically for the Carnival samba Parade and was inaugurated in 1984.

The best samba schools of Brazil compete for the honor of winning this event. Preparations for this top event take place year-round and represent for many participants their purpose in life. Each samba school participates with around 4’000 members at this competition including 200 to 400 drummers. While Carnival takes place in every city in Brazil… the main event certainly is in Rio de Janeiro.

Competitions take place Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays throughout the Carnival week. The competition starts with children and teenage samba groups on Friday. On Saturday it’s the turn of samba groups’ category A. The top samba groups are performing on Sunday and Monday at far higher ticket rates. Performances start around 8:00 pm and end around 6:00 am on Monday or Tuesday morning.

Day 6 Rio de Janeiro - At leisure

Day at leisure to finally get some rest, or continue exploring Rio and/or its surroundings! (B)

Day 7 Rio de Janeiro

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

Remarks

US Citizens require Brazilian visa to enter Brazil (not included).

Room & City taxes are NOT included.

Tickets or transfers to the Sambodromo (Samba Stadium) are NOT included in the rates.

We recommend trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Details upon request.

Tips, beverages, other meals, or sightseeing not included in rates.

Package must be paid in full at time of request. Package is NON REFUNDABLE, non-changeable, non-transferable.
Space is limited and subject to availability.

Ask about our special airfares to Rio on American Airlines, TAM, Copa, or Delta.