Rio de Janeiro

Start your day with a fascinating city tour taking in the highlights and sights of this amazing city, featuring a ride along Rio’s most celebrated Guanabara Bay.

Ascend via cable car to the stunning Sugar Loaf Mountain rising 1,299 feet above sea level and experience breathtaking views of the Corcovado, sandy beaches, Rio de Janeiro-Niteroi Bridge and the city of Niteroi across the Bay.

A drive along Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon beaches leads you to a delightful lunch venue, where you can relax and soak up the atmosphere of this unique city.

After lunch, visit one of the new 7 wonders of the modern world, the famous and awe inspiring Statue of Christ the Redeemer at the top of the Corcovado Mountain. You will reach the monument aboard the cogwheel railway, climbing 2,400 feet. From here, you can enjoy an outstanding view of Guanabara Bay.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach, cable car and on foot. There are approximately 20 steps or a 10 minute walk up an incline at Sugar Loaf. Although there are now elevators and escalators available to reach the final summit of Corcovado, they may not, however, always be operational. Please be advised that due to the popularity of both highlights, especially at peak times, boarding of the train and cable car may involve a long wait, which is unavoidable as tickets cannot be pre-booked. The highlights on this tour may operate in reverse order to avoid congestion and the tour duration may be extended due to possible heavy traffic.

The mountain of Corcovado is topped by the immense 150-foot-high statue of Christ the Redeemer facing out over Guanabara Bay; it is one of the great enduring images of Rio de Janeiro. On a clear day you can virtually see the entire city, from the bustling downtown business district to the fantastic beaches of Copacabana.

Your scenic drive to Corcovado station will show you the sights and sounds of the city before boarding the cogwheel train to reach the peak of this outstanding monument. Climbing the 2,400 feet to the top is a breathtaking experience; be sure to take your camera to capture the incredible sights. Marvel at the magnificence of the statue and the wonderful views from this world famous landmark.

Your return drive will take you via some of the famous beaches in Rio including Leblon, Ipanema and the well known and beautiful Copacabana Beach.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. This tour involves approximately one hour of walking. Please be advised that there are many stairs to negotiate and possible long queues at Corcovado. The duration of the tour may be extended due to possible heavy traffic.

Your scenic transfer will take you to the appealing Marina da Gloria to board your schooner and set off on your unique journey to unforgettable shorelines.

The schooner will sail along the coastline of Rio de Janeiro, passing by the famous beaches such as Flamengo, Botafogo and Urca, offering outstanding views of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Glide towards the Niterói beaches; Niterói is separated from the capital by the Guanabara Bay.

Relax onboard admiring the brilliant coastlines of Jurujuba, Charitas and Icaraí. You will also enjoy views of Fiscal Island, Rio-Niterói Bridge and historic fortresses.

This cruise is a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with Rio and the beautiful Guanabara Bay from a totally different perspective.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach, schooner and on foot. Please be advised that there is approximately 15 minutes of walking from the coach to the pier. The operation of this tour is dependent on weather and sea conditions and the boat is only partially covered.

Petropolis is a beautiful mountain town, located in the north eastern region of Brazil. The town’s name ‘City of Peter’ honours the first emperor of the nation.

A spectacular scenic drive takes you through the often unseen mountains outside of Rio to the popular summer resort of Petropolis. Also known as ‘The Imperial City of Brazil’, this quaint European-like town was once the summer residence of Dom Pedro II, Brazil’s last emperor.

Spend time at the beautiful Cathedral before visiting the Imperial Museum, home of the crown jewels as well as an impressive collection of fine china, furniture, paintings and tapestries from the imperial court.

Lunch is served in a typical churrascaria (traditional steakhouse) in Petropolis.

After lunch, you will have an opportunity to visit Santos Dumont House, former home of the aviation pioneer, Alberto Santos Dumont, also known as Casa Encantada (enchanted house).

Essential information

This tour will operate by coach and on foot. Order of highlights may be reversed. Please be advised that there is approximately 1 hour of walking on this tour over mostly flat terrain.

‘Fazendo Criança Sorrir’ is a kindergarten located in the Ilha do Governador neighbourhood that looks after children from 4 months to 7 years old. Their families are very poor and need to work, but they do not have anywhere to leave their children, so the aim of the project and its volunteers is to provide a safe and clean place where the children can be looked after.

Many of these children do not have parents and live with their closest relatives; indeed some of them actually live in the kindergarten after being adopted by the coordinators. The crèche currently looks after 42 children and 15 youths and has school support classes in the afternoons.

The project has a waiting list of 120 children and is sponsored by various partnerships. The volunteers play a vital role in the development of these children, assisting with the day to day tasks of encouraging recreational activities, helping them with eating, cleaning, providing school support classes and encouraging the teenagers to participate in sport activities.

In order to continue supporting these children, the Project has decided to look for institutional support as the goal is to provide the children with a kindergarten that has a larger range of activities, improved teaching facilities and a library.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by minibus and on foot. There is minimal walking on this tour and a donation to the Centre is included in the cost of the tour.

Your scenic drive takes you to the bustling downtown area, the heart of the commercial city, where traditional Rio blends with modern architecture. Passing through Rio Branco Avenue, you will see the classic Candelaria Church. Highlights en route include the Opera House, Cariocan Square and the 17th century Church of Santo Antonio. The dramatic contrasts between old and new Rio can clearly be seen during the tour.

Visit Rio’s modern Cathedral, with its fascinating architecture: in spite of its size, there are no columns inside to support it. Towering at 246 feet, the Cathedral has the capacity to hold 20,000 people.

The highlight of your tour will, without doubt, be a visit to the infamous Sugar Loaf Mountain. Transfer by cable car to the 1st stage of the giant rock, towering over the entrance to Guanabara Bay. The midway station invites you to admire the surroundings, before embarking on the 2nd stage of the ride to the peak. From 1,230 feet, enjoy breathtaking views of the city on both sides.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach, cable car and on foot. Order of highlights may be reversed. There is little walking involved on this tour; however passengers are advised that there are approximately 20 steps or a 10 minute walk up an incline at Sugar Loaf. Please be prepared for queues at the cable car. Neither flash photography, short sleeves nor shorts are permitted in the Cathedral.

No visit to Rio de Janeiro is complete without experiencing the glamour and rhythm of a colourful Samba show. Enjoy an evening at the Plataforma Show where you will be entertained by brilliantly costumed dancers and musicians. The performances will transport you into the magical world of Brazilian music, dance and folklore. Thirty beautiful Mulata-dancers together with a competent male cast take you on a cultural journey of the popular music in Brazil. Influenced by African percussion, Samba, Capoeira is a mixture of martial arts and dance; you will be treated to a grand finale parade showing off the luxurious carnival costumes.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. There is minimal walking on this tour but there are approximately 20 steps to reach the theatre. This is a private performance and the minimum amount of required passengers for this tour to run is 200. Passengers are advised to have dinner before this tour and refreshments are not included but are available to purchase. Children may not participate on this excursion.

Your scenic drive will take you through downtown Rio, where the colonial past meets the modern day skyscrapers. Visit Rio’s modern Cathedral, which in spite of its size, has no columns inside to support it, making it a most interesting piece of architecture. The Cathedral is the seat of the cardinal archbishop of Rio De Janeiro and stands at a height of 246 feet. Pass the Sambodromo district where the famous world Carnival parades are held. See Flamengo Park, the largest leisure area and urban park in Rio with its strong sporting traditions.

Continue to the exclusive Botafogo Bay, the high class commerce community area, which offers stunning views of the legendary Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Pass by the Botanical Gardens, the Barra da Tijuca district and travel along the coast passing Rio’s popular beachfronts. See São Conrado, Leblon, famous Ipanema and, of course, Copacabana with its vibrant bars, elegant hotels and fashionable nightclubs.

Essential information

This excursion will operate by coach. Neither flash photography nor shorts are permitted during the visit to the Cathedral. Essential information. This tour does not include entrances and involves little walking. Neither flash photography, short sleeves nor shorts are permitted in the Cathedral.