Carnival Experience - Superior

Itinerary

Day 1 Rio de Janeiro

Arrival transfer accompanied by a local bilingual guide to your hotel. Local guide will be waiting for you right at the exit of the Luggage Claim Area.

Day 2 Rio de Janeiro

After pick-up from hotels, tour will go to downtown Rio to visit the highlights of the city that has been the capital of Colonial Brazil, the capital of the Portugal and Brazil Empire and now a Republic. The many attractions are the highlights of these periods and are part of the Brazilian National Heritage. The Sugar Loaf, known world over as Rio’s postcard and a must to visit. Since the best time of the day to go up the cable car is later in the day tour will close at the Sugar Loaf. Sugar Loaf is reached on a two-stage cable car ride. This cable car, in operation is of Italian manufacture and takes 80 persons per trip on a 2-minute ride, each stage. The first stage, Morro da Urca - barely 170 mts high, has a restaurant, amphitheater, a helipoint for scenic rides and a privileged view of the Yacht Club and Botafogo Bay. The second stage takes one up to the Sugar Loaf - thus named because of the loaves of sugar that were commonly used by the Portuguese at the time of the discovery of the city. The all-encompassing view of this privileged 270-meter high lookout is unrivaled. This is the only site where one will have a full view of Copacabana beach.

Day 3 Rio de Janeiro

After pick-up, tour taking the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (lagoon) will reach the Rebouças tunnel, a 2.6 km long complex that links the southern and northern parts of the city cut in half by the Tijuca ridge that makes Rio the only city in the world to have a National Park 5 minutes from downtown. Reaching the Cosme Velho district, tour members will take a cogwheel train of Swiss manufacture that climbs the mountain from its base at 15 mts to almost its summit at 670 mts. The very top is reached by climbing a flight of steps reaching the base of Christ the Redeemer statue. This statue covered with a mosaic of soapstone is one of Rio’s finest Art Nouveau monuments. The view, from this vantage point, with the surrounding Tijuca National Forest spreading below and a circle of moutains closing the horizon at the very back of the Guanabara bay. Tour will continue taking another way to return the hotel. Guide will take around 40 minutes to show the city and the statue to passengers. After this, returning to the train, and descending to Cosme Velho to board the bus to visit São Conrado and Pepino Beach, where the hanggliders soar. CARNIVAL PARADE NIGHT18:00/19:30 You will be transferred to the Sambodrome to see the Carnival Parade. Be prepared for a very late night. Our guide will accompany us and after the Parade , we shall transfer back to our hotel. Since 1984, the Samba Parade found a permanent home at the Sambodrome, in the Downtown area. It consists of several independent concrete structures along both sides of Av. Marquês de Sapucaí, the samba runway. They lead to the Apotheosis Square, crowned by a concrete M that brings to mind the symbol of fast-food chain. During the school year, parts of the structure are used as classrooms by public schools. The Square is often stage of shows, and major bands have already performed here. When Carnival magic takes over, the Sambodrome is the setting for the greatest show on earth. It’s very safe inside the Sambodrome, and you are welcome to bring your camera or camcorder. They are plenty of snack bars with drinks, sandwiches, fries, but extra rolls of film and batteries are really hard to find. Bathrooms are kept relatively clean, under the constant care of janitors. Sector 9 is reserved for tourists. These sectors share an area known as recuo da bateria (drummers’nich). When schools pass by the percussion band, things tend to get hotter and you enjoy the benefits. And then you don’t have to ask someone to save you seat, as they are numbered chairs. The Samba Schools Parade at Rio’s Sambodrome is something everybody has to experience at least once in life. The event is broadcast live to several countries, and all Brazilian states. Watching on TV is cool, but not half as much fun as being there. You have to mingle with the crown, sweat, maybe even march with a samba school. In case you are getting completely mixed up, Samba Schools are not teaching institutions. A Samba School is an association of people from the same neighborhood, usually a popular community (favela) or suburban area. They get together on a regular basis for samba meetings and rehearsals. Samba schools provide valuable jobs to the community in the production of costumes, and floats. Each year schools choose a different theme. Samba schools may take to the Parade anything from 3.000 to 5.000 members, and from 6 to 8 floats. They have to make it through the runway in a period from 60 to 80 minutes. This mean each member will spend only about 25-30 in the Sambodrome. The experience is so intense, through, that memories will last a lifetime.

Day 4-5 Rio de Janeiro

Day at leisure to recover from the Carnival parade. You can enjoy the beach but if not, you can easily join in the party which will continue in many of the city's streets!

Day 6 Rio de Janeiro

Transfer accompanied by the local guide, from the hotel to the airport.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Superior hotel (5 nts)
Departure	Feb 1 - Feb 6/08
Group Size	No Minimum
Included Highlights	Guided city tour of Rio, Visit to Christ the Redeemer, Carnival Parade including tickets
Meals Included	5 B
StartFinish	ex Rio de Janeiro
Transport	Bus or Van
Brochure Intro	Experience Rio's biggest party!

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