Day 1. 30/12 Rio de JaneiroArrival in Rio de Janeiro. Transfer to the hotel.
Take in the breathtaking view as your plane descends upon Rio de Janeiro – the 'Marvellous City' where rolling green hills, turqoise ocean, sandy beaches and high-rise urban development is all packed together in a unique blend of life and humanity. Your driver will take you from the airport to the hotel, during which time you can get a different perspective of the city, passing through the colonial style buildings and along the world-famous beachfront. The natural beauty of Rio is almost transcendental and gives you a taste of the Amazon rainforest while still retaining everything that is so incredible about a Latin American city. A walk along the mosaic tiles of Copacabana reveals much about the life of a 'carioca' (Rio local) – a refreshing caipirinha as the waves lap against the shore, a fiercely competitive game of foot volleyball, and thousands of beachgoers sunning themselves on the white sands. You have truly arrived in paradise.
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Day 2: 31/12 Rio de JaneiroCorcovado tour (4 hours)
After a delicious tropical breakfast in your hotel, you will head out on a trip to see the world-famous Christ the Saviour statue on top of Corcovado Mountain. A specially designed train will take you from the foot of the mountain along a winding road through the magical Tijuca rainforest where you will see some of the enchanting tropical wildlife on constant display in Rio, such as toucans, monkeys and armadillos. At the summit of Corcovado, 700m above sea level, proudly stands the iconic image seen around the world – a 38m high statue of Christ the Saviour. But that is not the only breathtaking thing about this place – when up close to the statue you will be overwhelmed by the stunning panoramic view of the city, so high up it seems as though you are truly flying with the birds around you. From the far reaches of Guanabara Bay, to the Maracanã Stadium, all along to Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema and Gávea Mountain, you can see the whole of Rio de Janeiro.
Your driver will take you back to your hotel for a rest before you begin the New Year festivities. Walking onto Copacabana beach you will experience a New Year’s party like no other. A huge stage occupies one section of the beach, while millions (yes, millions!) of partygoers take to the sands dressed all in white to witness a spectacular fireworks display, and tributes are paid to the water goddess Lemanjá and sent into the ocean on small boats. The magical party atmosphere, it goes without saying, continues long into the night.
* * * If you wish, you can book a New Year dinner or a ticket for a party in one of the hotels in Copacabana. Prices available on request ***
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Day 3: 01/01 Rio de JaneiroCity tour and Sugarloaf (4 hours)
After breakfast in your hotel you will be taken to the mythical Sugarloaf mountain, protruding abruptly from out of the ground like an asteroid just fallen from space. A magnificent cable car ride will take you up to Urca Mountain, the stop off between ground level and Sugarloaf. From there you can enjoy a smooth cocktail or sample some of Brazil’s many signature dishes. Once arriving to the top of Sugarloaf mountain you will see the captivating beauty of Rio from a different angle, To your left you can see Copacabana beach stretching off into the distance, and on the horizon the faint outlines of Two Brothers and Gávea mountains. Below you is the quaint and intimate Red Beach, while to your right you can see across Guanabara Bay to Niterói and, closer in, Rio’s Botafogo and central neighbourhoods, with the unmistakeable silhouette of Christ the Saviour casting its eternal gaze over the city. This trip is essential to gain a different perspective on Rio, and to truly understand its beauty.
After descending the mountain by cable car, you will head into the Old Town and Centre, where colonial architecture still remains and many old churches such as the Candelária are still in use. The cobbled streets and bright colours are a stark contrast to the whitewashed, sunsoaked streets of Ipanema but in many ways are part of the authentic, nearly-forgotten Rio of old, and one can almost feel the hustle and bustle of hundreds of years ago when these streets were filled with merchants and citizens of the Portuguese Empire.
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Day 4: 02/01 Rio de JaneiroAfter breakfast you will have a free day to discover the city on your own, relax on one the beautiful beaches or do some optional tours.
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Day 5: 03/01 Rio de JaneiroIt is time to say Goodbye! After breakfast you will be transferred to the international Airport in Rio de Janeiro for your flight back home.
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Optional tours:*SIB tour to Tropical islands in with an English speaking guide (USD 100 P/P)
Early in the morning you will go to the Angra dos Reis region (about 3-hour drive from Rio). You will have a boat trip to tropical islands. Enjoy unique landscapes and luxurious beaches! Don’t miss the chance to see frolicking dolphins, giant fish, parrots, turtles and poisonous stingrays. In the sea, the boat stops, and if you wish you can have a swim. And on the island you will have a great lunch buffet. Walking on the island, swimming in the bay or in the pool-you will really enjoy your time!
Duration of the tour: 8 hours
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Flying over Rio by Helicopter (price on request depending on flight duration )
You have the option to order a helicopter tour from the Sugarloaf mountain. During your flight you will get amazed by the mind-blowing view of the city below with its infinite beaches, huge Christ statue, Botanical Garden and many more.
Duration: 6-13 minutes
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The Botanical Garden( private tour min.2 pax USD 150 P/P)
The botanical garden was founded by Prince D. Joao VI in the beginning of the 19th century. Here you can find the famous Pau Brasil, the tree that gave Brazil its name. The botanical garden has around 7000 species of plants, amongst which the enormously high Imperial Palm trees.
Also, some of the most exotic plants fron the Amazon can be found in this garden such as the Vitoria Regia and the wild orchid.
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Favela Tour!*in SIB tour with an English speaking guide (USD 60 P/P), private tour (min. 2 pax USD 120 P/P)
Once, the soldiers from Bahia fought with the royal troop on the hill where the favela tree grew. After the war, the survivors came to Rio de Janeiro to demand payment. They settled on Providence Hill, and there they stayed to live. In memory of their battle, they named it the hill of the favela. Here, narrow dirty streets wind along which fetid ditches stretch. In total, there are 700 favelas in Rio. It's not just thieves and drug dealers who live in favelas. There are both technicians and employees here, and you can even rent a room. You can get here with the permission of the local godfather. The police don't come here. The favela has its own internal laws. You will ride around the Rocinha areas in a jeep and return to the hotel
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Hang gliding(USD 350 P/P)
You will be taken by a guide to the Tijuca forest, to the Pedra Bonita Mountain (a beautiful stone). Pedra Bonita offers a full view of Rio de Janeiro. Flying over the green slope of the mountain and the endless ocean gives a great doze of adrenaline! A professional English-speaking instructor will give you all the safety instructions and explain all the necessary methods for jumping. You will be dressed in full ammunition and after several imitations of jumping, you run up and jump together with the instructor. After flying over the sea, you will get to Pepino Beach. Transfers and recording go-pro cameras are included.
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