Guided tour in Rio de Janeiro
Icons of Rio
- Christ the Redeemer – Maracanã (optional) - Sambódromo (Sambadrome) - Metropolitan Cathedral – Lapa’s Aqueduct - Selaron Staircase – Typical lunch – Sugar Loaf
- Licensed guide speaking English, German, Italian and Portuguese
- Transportation in a private car with air-conditioning
- Pick-up and drop-off in your Hotel in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Downtown and Barra da Tijuca neighbourhoods
- 8 hour tour – pick up time according to guests wishes
- Tickets to the tourist sites
- Meals and Beverages
- At the Sugar Loaf site, children, students, and seniors will receive a discount if bearing a valid Passport (original or copy) or an ID with photo.
We will start the tour by visiting the main postcard of the city: the Christ Redeemer. From the top of the Corcovado Mountain, you will be able to have a 360º view of the city. Constructed between 1922 and 1931, the statue is 30 meters (98 ft) tall and it stands on the top of an 8-meter (26 ft) pedestal. Do you know that inside the pedestal you will find a tiny Chapel in honor of Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the Patroness from Brazil? Despite of any religion orientation, I always like to invite the guests for a visit inside the Chapel, so that one can feel the peaceful atmosphere of this tiny place and at the same time make a short positive meditation. One can reach the summit of the Corcovado Mountain by train (the first touristic attraction in Latin America) or by car/shuttle.
After Christ the Redeemer we carry on driving though the artistic neighborhood Santa Teresa, and from there towards the Sambadrome (Sambódromo), where the famous Carnival Parade takes place.
Next you will get to know one of the most unique pieces of the modern architecture: the Metropolitan Cathedral of São Sebastião. The Cathedral is already in the Downtown area. We will carry on by driving through Lapa, the bohemian neighborhood, where you will see the famous Lapa’s Aqueduct, the Carioca Arches, build in 1723 considered the architectural work of greatest importance of the Old Rio and one of the main symbols of the city.
Next stop will be Selaron Staircase, the colorful mosaic decorated by the Chilean artist Jorge Selaron, a true tour around the world. Among more than 2 thousand pieces that compose it, there are tiles from about 82 countries along its 250 steps, many of them donated to the artist by tourists and fans of his art. The stairs connects Lapa and Santa Teresa.
Time to regain energy and stop by one of the typical restaurants. The guest shall chose among: Confeitaria Colombo, traditional Portuguese Coffee Shop built in 1894, Churrascaria (Brazilian Barbecue), Feijoada (typical Brazilian dish made of black beans and pork) or small snack.
Our last stop will be at Sugar Loaf Mountain located in the Urca neighborhood. Surely one of the icons of the marvelous city of Rio. The ride in the cable cars occur in two stages: first at the boarding station to the Urca Mountain (224 meters - 735 ft); and secondly from the Urca Mountain to the top of Sugar Loaf (395 meters - 1,296 ft). From up there you will have the most beautiful and panoramic view of the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Useful Information:
- Use comfortable shoes for walking on uneven sidewalks
- Carry a copy of ID OR Passport
- Use Sunscreen even with cloudy weather
- Use Repellent
- Use Sunglasses, Hat or Cap
- Drink a lot of water or coconut water
- Carry with you only small amount of money
- Do not wear fancy watches or jewels
- Professional Photo cameras keep them in a bag when not in use