Day : 1
Arrive Rio de Janeiro
Number of Days : 1
Bem-vindo (welcome) to Rio de Janeiro! It’s time to get this carnival started in South America’s most vibrant city. Lying on the Atlantic coast, Rio is renowned for its beautiful beaches & its equally beautiful people (& incredibly small bikinis!). Combine this with a fun-loving culture that’s second to none, sprinkled with some, samba, soccer, capoeira & of course caipirinhas – you are going to have an unforgettable week in this amazing city.
Check-in to your hotel this afternoon, then head out to explore or start preparing the bodies before the big event ignites. Why not take a visit to the overwhelming shopping opportunities at Rio do Sul mall, or grab a towel & sunblock & head down to the beach for a relaxing day or people watching. Familiarize yourself with the city as you stroll through the trendy neighborhoods of Ipanema, Leblon & Copacabana. This afternoon, meet up with your Tour Manager & fellow travel buddies before going local.
In the evening it’s time to feast on Brazilian cuisine as we head out to dinner. Then it’s time to head out into the pumping city vibes! Impromptu parties throughout the city & the clubs will be packed & are perfect but be sure to speak to your Tour Manager for some expert tips on where’s best to head to make sure you know where to go.
Day : 2
Rio de Janeiro
Number of Days : 1
Today we go up - 1,299ft up! - on a visit to Sugarloaf Mountain. Get ready to climb the mountain in glass-paneled cable cars to the summit for more astounding views of the city & its beaches, great opportunity to get a photo and maybe update that Facebook profile pic. On the way up, you could take a break after the first car on Morro de Açucar and meet some of the mountain’s naughtier residents, tiny cheeky monkeys who will be more than happy to share your food with you or just steal it when you’re not looking.
Day : 3
Rio de Janeiro/Carnival Parade
Number of Days : 1
Lets start today by jumping into a jeep and going for a tour, in the worlds largest urban forest! We will be going through some incredible places like Vista do Almirante and Corcovado. You’ll be exposed to wildlife, falls, lookouts, exotic plants and some seriously cool jeeps. Take your sunblock and camera because you’re going to be snapping away in the sun until your camera is full.
Maybe save some memory on that camera because next we are off to the Sambadrome Parade & the words astounding or mind blowing don’t do this event justice. The parade is Brazil’s most important showcase & is a competition between the samba schools. The schools are a big deal to the locals and you are going to be right in the action. With elaborate costumes, massive floats, colourful themes, music & lots of dancing (with very little clothing), it makes for an unforgettable experience that won’t be forgotten.
The buzz & energy starts as soon as you walk in. The first school starts at 9:00pm & from that time on you will be swept away by the rhythm of the drums until the parade finishes at 4:00am when we will head back to the hotel.
Day : 4
Rio de Janeiro
Number of Days : 1
Time to relax, recap and enjoy the beach, after the previous night we know that you need to rejuvenate the body & take it easy - so it’s free time to explore, get a bit of shut eye or some Vitamin D. Once you awaken, you could head down to the beach & chill out until sunset, or opt for one of our optional activities if you’re up for it, before, no doubt, heading back out for a night of partying with the ‘Cariocas’ as the locals are known.
This afternoon you can opt to visit Corcovado Mountain & the Christ the Redeemer statue within the Tijuca Forest National Park. Considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the iconic Christ the Redeemer is a 130ft (40m) statue of concrete & soapstone, built to represent the city & in fact the country’s Catholic beliefs. From its base you‘ll get up close to the beautiful art-deco details of the statue, but experience the impressive vistas of the entire city.
The options are limitless, so speak to your Tour Manager if you’re after some ideas about what to get up to. Some ideas include heading to a soccer (football) game (if available), maybe a favela party where you can party until sunrise, or the endless bars, clubs & street parties throughout the city.
Day : 5
Depart Rio de Janeiro
Number of Days : 1
Your Carnival experience ends after breakfast, where it’s time to say goodbye to Rio & swap addresses with your new travel buddies.