|
CITY TOUR AND SUGAR LOAF
Duration: 4 hrs. An exciting trip by a 2 stage cable car up to the Sugar
Loaf. The rare beauty of Rio de Janeiro is seen from this giant rock that
guards the entrance of Guanabara bay.
After this visit a drive along the beaches of Botafogo and Flamengo, passing
the Monument to the fallen of World War II, the Museum of Modern Art, and the
Cathedral.
Continuing our tour, we will see the financial and commercial center of the
city with its wide avenues, such as Rio Branco and Presidente Vargas.
Downtown Rio is an interesting mixture of architectural styles and restored
buildings of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
HALF DAY
CORCOVADO AND BEACHES
Duration: 4 hrs. Take the scenic route to the top of the Corcovado (Hunchback)
Mountain, 2,329 feet high, crowned by the statue of Christ, the Redeemer. After
this unforgettable panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro, tour continues with a drive
along the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana.
RIO BY
NIGHT WITH BARBECUE DINNER
Duration: 4 hrs. Leaving the hotel, tour will pass the floodlit beaches of
Copacabana and Ipanema, taking the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. An opportunity to
see the city and its sights at night.
Dinner will be in one of Rio´s famous barbecue restaurants where a wide choice
of meat cuts are brought to the table on skewers. After this, tour continues to
a Show House, where the contagious rhythms of Brazilian music, folklore, samba
and Carnival will make you feel like joining in the fun.
FULL DAY
PETRÓPOLIS TOUR
Duration: 6 hrs. Pleasant drive up the mountain road through lush subtropical
vegetation to the city of Petrópolis (the city where Pedro II, Brazil´s last emperor
used to spend the summer months), a quiet town, with cobblestone flower-lined streets,
antique horse drawn carriages and an excellent climate. Visit to the Cathedral and the
Summer Palace of Emperor Pedro II. This is now a museum where you can see the crown
jewels, furniture, paintings and tapestries from the grand era of the Brazilian Empire.
FULL
DAY TROPICAL ISLANDS TOUR WITH LUNCH
Duration: 8 hrs. Tour will operate if weather conditions in the Itacuruça bay are fit
for sailing. Tour members, if the situation arises will be informed prior to departure
from Rio de Janeiro. Tour leaves the hotel, taking the south route that leads to the
Rio / Santos highway.
Driving as far as Itacuruçá, formerly a fishing village to board a schooner (a typical
wooden boat, built to sail in bays and along the Brazilian coast). Itacuruçá is today
the place to start the Tropical Islands tour.
After 40 min. sailing, schooner will drop anchor in a beach for a swim in its clear and
calm waters.
Tour will continue to an island restaurant for a delicious buffet meal and leisure time
after lunch.
Return to Rio will start at 16h00 when schooner will leave the island back to the continent.
Boarding the bus, return trip to Rio arriving around 18h00.
FULL
DAY ANGRA DOS REIS TOUR
Duration: 8 hrs. Early morning departure to Angra dos Reis, a bay south of Rio de Janeiro
that has more than 500 islands surrounded by lush Atlantic Forest. A special program for
those that want to see nature at its best.
FULL
DAY BÚZIOS TOUR
Duration: 8 hrs. Located 100 miles from Rio de Janeiro, Búzios is an old fishing colony that
became a resort. Búzios retains the charm of the fishing village it once was, with 20 beaches
to be discovered, fine restaurants and its the famous cobblestone street (Rua das Pedras) with
elegant boutiques. Búzios is a popular vacation hideaway for Brazil's jet-set and international
celebrities.
HALF DAY
HISTORICAL TOUR
Duration: 4 hrs. A walking tour through the historical center of the city, visiting 4 centuries
of history: São Bento Monastery, Praça Quinze, the Telles Arches, Casa França Brasil, Candelaria
Church and others. Rio de Janeiro has a very rich history, having been in sucession, the capital
of the colony, of the Portuguese kingdom and when Brazil became independent from Portugal, the
capital of the Brazilian Empire, the capital of country until 1960. Rio de Janeiro is a city that
has a well-established preservation project and you will have the opportunity of seeing this hidden
city in this tour.
HALF DAY
GUANABARA BAY TOUR
Duration: 4 hrs. Tour starts with a scenic drive through Rio´s beaches and Flamengo Park to the pier
at the Gloria Marina. Boarding a schooner we will sail the historical and picturesque parts of Guanabara
Bay, with wonderful views of Rio from the water. The round trip includes the Santa Cruz and São João fortresses
that guard the entrance of the Rio de Janeiro bay, the Rio-Niterói bridge, the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum,
the Fiscal Island with its quaint palace and the ships of the Brazilian Navy shipyards. During the tour, tropical
fruits will be served.
HALF DAY
SHOPPING TOUR
Duration: 4 hrs. Pick-up at hotel for shopping at one of Rio´s shopping centers: Rio Sul or BarraShopping that
offer a variety of shops and shopping opportunities.
HALF DAY
JEEP TOUR OF TIJUCA FOREST
Duration: 4 hrs. This tour uses convertible jeeps as vehicles. After pick-up at hotel, we start this tour that
will give one a very special way seeing the city from a different angle. Tour will pass by the Lagoa Rodrigo de
Freitas and Botanical Garden when we will take one of the roads to Tijuca Forest. We leave behind the hustle and
bustle of a big city and enter a tropical forest that lies in the middle of the city. Tijuca Forest is a National
Park and our first stop will be at Vista Chinesa, for photos. From this lookout tour guide will talk about
reforestation process of the Tijuca Forest and the importance of the Atlantic Forest. Driving on, we will pass by
the Mesa do Imperador (The Emperor's Table), where the imperial family used to picnic. Entering the Park, we will
take one of the many small driveways to enjoy the quiet and uniqueness of this very special place. A stop for a
trek along an easy trail, where our expert guide will give tour members information of what can one see and the
vegetation. Tour will stop at Cascatinha Waterfall for refreshments. Taking a different driveway, we will start
our return taking the Canoas road where the hang-gliding flights start. A brief stop at a lookout where it is
possible to see why Rio de Janeiro is such a beautiful place - the city, the mountains and the sea. In this tour,
one will be able to see tropical fruit trees, animals like monkeys and sloths, birds and butterflies.
HALF DAY
FAVELA DA ROCINHA TOUR
Duration: 2:30 hrs. This tour uses convertible jeeps as vehicles. Tour will take us to a visit to the biggest Latin
American slum Rocinha which has approximately 160,000 inhabitants in an area of 722.500 m2, within the metropolitan
area and with a magnificent view. After a short drive from the hotel our visit begins with a stop at Rocinha Sports
Center and a short walk through the upper part of the slum. Boarding the jeeps, we will drive down Gávea road to the
commercial center of the community, with a stop to see the view and observe the locals. Another stop at Boiadeiro's Square:
to see what goods are offered at the free market. Taking a walk through the narrow streets we will visit the kindergarten (*),
a local association, the training center and other interesting places, reaching the gym of the Acadêmicos da Rocinha Samba School
where we can see the costumes they parade during Carnival. Leaving Rocinha behind, a stop at Pepino Beach for a refreshing coconut
water drink and watch the landing approach of the hang-gliders.
(*) If you wish to make a donation, when visiting the kindergarten, we suggest food, books, pens and pencils or any other school
goods and personal care products. These schools are funded by a local entity called ASPA.
HALF DAY
JEEP TOUR OF CORCOVADO, DONA MARTA BELVEDERE AND SANTA TERESA
Duration: 3 hrs. This tour uses convertible jeeps as vehicles. Leaving the hotel we will drive up to the Corcovado. Taking up the
Corcovado mountain - 710m - visit the statue of Christ, 30 meters high and built in the 1930's by Landowski (French sculptor), the
view from this vantage point is superb and encompasses almost the whole city. Return by the Tijuca Forest towards Santa Teresa,
stopping at D.Marta Belvedere (at this belvedere we find one of the 3 helipoints of Rio for scenic flights of the city). Santa Teresa,
a residential area of Rio, perced on the mountains that surround the downtown area, where you can see the original early 19th century
architecture. During the 60's Santa Teresa was a natural choice for hippies that found in their quiet streets and old buildings a nice
place to live. Today Santa Teresa is home to many artists, painters and sculptors.
JEEP TOUR
TO A MACUMBA (UMBANDA / CANDOMBLÉ)
Duration: 4 hrs. This tour uses convertible jeeps as vehicles. While driving to the Temple of Candomblé/Umbanda, our guide will be
explaining the ceremony you will be watching, and the reasons that led its members to a religious syncretism between Catholicism
and Macumba. Arrival at the Center, where you take your seat to watch the cult in which the mediums receive their spiritual guides.
During the ceremony you are welcome to make a consultation or seek advice of the guides.
HANG-GLIDING
AND PARAGLIDING
The most beautiful sights of Rio are seen when flying. In São Conrado, there is an organized club of Hang-gliders and Para-gliders
with a ramp for jumps and a protected landing space at the beach. This is a unique opportunity for those that want to dare the heights
taking a flight with experienced instructors. Flights are 10 to 15 minutes long and experience is not necessary.
|
