This day will be dedicated to touring the famous sights of Rio. In the morning the group will depart by jeep from the hotel to visit the Corcovado (the statute of Christ spectacularly overlooking the city) and described as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. On the way up to this monument we will journey through the tropical rainforest in the middle of the city and stop off at an intermediate point for viewing the city below, the point of Dona Marta and Santa Theresa.

After viewing the city from the Corcovado, we will return to the city through the idyllic district of Santa Theresa, Rio’s answer to Monmartre in Paris. We will then take lunch in a picturesque restaurant with the possibility of sampling one of Rio’s famous dishes, the fejoada, a bean-based feast.

After lunch, we will transfer to coaches to complete the rest of the day’s tour. This will entail visiting the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain and enjoying the sights of the city from another perspective. Half way up the cable car ride to the top, we will stop at the midpoint station to enjoy a caipirinha, the local rum based specialty drink, and listen to some rhythmic bossa nova music. At this point, there will be the possibility of participants taking a short (6 to 7 minute helicopter ride over Copacabana beach; (such cost is not included in the tour cost). We will then continue by cable car to the top of the Sugar Loaf and after enjoying the sights from there, we will return to the hotel to prepare for the evening event.

This will first entail having dinner in a Churrascaria, the Brazilian name for a BBQ restaurant. It will be an “all you can eat” system with the waiters serving 15 different kinds of meat from a skewer, side dishes are rich and plentiful and vegetarians are additionally well catered for. Following dinner we will move onto the Plataforma Nightspot where we will enjoy the show put on there. Here we will be surrounded by the contagious rhythms of percussion instruments that form part of the unique culture of all Brazilians. The show, featuring lavishly and colourfully costumed dancers and musicians, will present the richness of the nation’s musical and cultural heritage. Its grand finale displays some of the dazzling costumes used in the Carnival parade. After enjoying this, we will return to the hotel.

Day 3