Drive through the Tijuca Forest to the top of Corcovado Hill to see Rio’s famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. Ascend Sugar Loaf Mountain before visiting the beaches at Leblon, the Sambadrome (home to the Rio de Janeiro Carnival) and other sites. 

All admission fees and lunch (except drinks) are included.

Drive through the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban rainforest in the world, to the top of Corcovado Hill to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain for magnificent views. 

All admission fees are included.

Ride Rio’s subway with our tour guide to the downtown area and learn about its royal, colonial and religious past. Explore the stately Tiradentes Palace, 18th-century Paço Imperial, Praça XV square, the baroque Candelaria church and 17th-century São Bento Monastery. 

Return to the hotel with your guide by van.

Enjoy the glamour and rhythm of this colourful samba extravaganza. Marvel as more than 30 dancers and musicians trace the Portuguese, Indian and African roots of Brazil’s most popular music. 

Dinner at Mariu’s Crustáceos seafood restaurant is included.

Take a guided tour of the Sambadrome, where Rio’s samba schools perform and compete amid elaborate floats in the world-famous Carnival. Look the part at the Sambadrome’s boutique—try on some of the sequinned and feather-clad costumes that make the Carnival such a global treasure.

Enjoy a tour of Cidade do Samba, Rio’s costume and float-manufacturing complex, which hosts Carnival shows on Thursdays.

Dance your way to the rehearsals of Rio’s samba schools held each weekend from August in the run-up to Carnival. 

We can arrange a visit to Manguiera, the oldest existing samba school, including transport, tour guide and entrance fee.

Experience wonderful samba bands over a caipirinha at Rio Scenarium, a club renowned for its live Brazilian music and vintage decor. You’ll also find great musicians at Carioca da Gema and laid-back Bossa Nossa where you’ll soon be dancing with the locals.

Join the monks at the beautiful Monastery of St Benedict, founded in 1590, for Catholic Mass with a Gregorian choir. Browse for souvenirs at the Hippie Fair, Brazil’s best-known arts and crafts fair, held every Sunday since 1968.