Ultimate Rio de Janeiro: Mountains, Beaches & Samba - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Santa Teresa & Pereirão Favela Tour

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. The Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) is a sprawling harbor city famous for its beaches, festive culture, and raucous entertainment. On the transfer to your hotel, catch views of Mount Corcovado's iconic Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. Cable cars transport visitors up its towering peak to enjoy expansive city views.

Once settled in your beachfront hotel, meet your guide in the lobby for a tour through the winding streets of Santa Teresa, Rio's most charming neighborhood. To get there, take the traditional tramway uphill, passing colonial houses and lush vegetation. At the top, you'll find popular bars and restaurants, workshops, and impressive street art, immersing you in an authentic and bohemian side of Rio. 

Next, you'll reach the quiet little favela of Pereirão. With your guide, learn its history, organization, and social issues. This peaceful favela looks like a small village in the heart of six million inhabitants, and you'll enjoy stunning views of Sugarloaf and the Flamengo district from its heights. Descending through the favela on foot, visit the impressive Projeto Morrinho, a unique cultural project. You'll be amazed by this massive model of the favelas done with colorful bricks by the area's teens 20 years ago.

Day 2: Visit Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain

Today's guided tour covers some of Rio's most famous landmarks. First, you'll head to the top of Mount Corcovado to visit Christ the Redeemer, a 98-foot (30 m) statue of Jesus Christ overlooking the city below. Commissioned in 1920, it was built to symbolize the welcoming spirit of both Rio and Brazil. Once you arrive at the summit of the 2,310-foot (704m) Corcovado and the base of this Art Deco statue, you'll be treated to panoramic views of Rio and beyond, from the southern beaches to Guanabara Bay and farther north to the city of Duque de Caxias.

After descending Mount Corcovado, continue to the Urca neighborhood and the mouth of Guanabara Bay. You'll hop on a cable car up to Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) here. This nearly 1,300-foot (396 m) mountain peak unsurprisingly gets its name because it resembles a mound of sugar. At its peak, you'll be greeted with a 360-degree view of the rainforest, beaches, cityscapes, and monuments that define Brazil's most famous coastal city. Upon completion of the tour, your guide will return you to your hotel, and the rest of your evening is free.

Day 3: Discover Old Rio, Ginga Tropical Show

Today you'll get to know another side of the city by strolling through the streets of Old Rio. Visit the Modern Metropolitan Cathedral, Candelaria Church, Saint Benedict Monastery, Tiradentes Palace, Lapa dos Mercadores Church, and Plaza XV. In the afternoon, head back to Santa Teresa to see more of its historic buildings and elegant mansions and grab a photo op at the famous Escadaria Selarón, where 215 colorful steps are decorated in mosaic tiles collected from more than sixty countries worldwide.

This evening, dip your toe into Brazil's vibrant nightlife at the dynamic and interactive Ginga Tropical Show. The colors and sounds of Brazil come alive with a diversity of rhythms and dances from across Brazil colors and sounds of Brazil. The artists are native to the regions represented, chosen for their dedication to the arts and their pride in their origins.

Day 5: Carnival Experience, Rio Food Tour, Samba by Night

Immerse yourself in the world of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro with a visit to Cidade do Samba (Samba City), where all the city's samba schools are located. With your guide, you'll learn about the Pimpolhos Project, which seeks to transform the community by training dance, production, music, and arts professionals. Discover the history of samba music, dance, and carnival parades, then put on some costumes, take pictures, and try out a bit of percussion and samba to feel the carnival atmosphere. Finally, after all that dancing, toast the end of your tour with a delicious caipirinha.

Day 6: Full-Day Private Tour in Petrópolis

Escape the city for a while and spend the day exploring Petrópolis, a small colonial gem located just 44 miles (70 km) north of Rio. Once the retreat of the former emperor during the hottest months of the year, today you can breathe in the fresh, pure air of the mountains at more than 2,624 feet (800 m) above sea level.

Among other sites, you'll discover St. Peter's Cathedral of Alcântara, a neo-Gothic church shaped like a Latin cross dedicated to St. Peter, the city's patron saint. Visit the Imperial Museum of Brazil, located in the historical city center and housed in the summer palace of Emperor Peter II, then take a stroll along the Rua Tereza for some shopping.

Day 7: Visit Tijuca National Park, Rio Kayaking Trip

Lace up your hiking boots and meet your guide for a trek within the city limits. One of the world's largest urban rainforests, Tijuca allows you to discover native plants and wildlife set on mountain slopes while hiking with a knowledgeable guide. Start with a visit to the botanical gardens and observe its diverse flora, then continue to the Vista Chinesa Gazebo and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Along the hike, you'll pass refreshing waterfalls and spot colorful birdlife and chattering monkeys among the canopy. 

After your jungle experience, descend from the mountain and head to the sea within Guanabara Bay. Meet your guide and hop in a tandem kayak with a partner to explore the city's shoreline from a different vantage point. On the water, you'll pass Fort São João and Fort Laje, and if water conditions are favorable, you'll visit Niterói, Cotunduba Island, or even Praia Vermelha (Red Beach). 

Day 8: Morning Beach Tour, Depart Rio

What better way to savor your final hours in Rio than to spend it on the beach? With your guide, you'll spend time at the main beaches, such as Copacabana, Leme, and Ipanema, enjoying their fine sand and refreshing coconut water. Jump in the ocean and soak up these final moments of your trip. Later on, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!