Activity description
After picking you up from your hotel, we'll drive along the beach to pick up other passengers, and you'll have the chance to hear some interesting stories from Rio's past and present. You'll feel like a Carioca on the day Rio was named to host the Olympics, hear about the city's famous New Year's Eve celebrations, and have the chance to see some of Rio's unique sports, like Frescobol and Footvolley.
We'll head to Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (except on Sundays). There we'll pass by Flamengo's headquarters, and you'll hear a little about Rio's four most famous soccer clubs and the rivalries between Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Vasco da Gama!
Before heading to our stop at Maracanã, you'll hear about the beautiful Botanical Garden, just a few streets from Lagoa. Founded in 1808 by the former Portuguese emperor D. João VI, it showcases the diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora. The garden is peaceful and serene during the week and blooms with families on weekends. As you cross Lagoa on your way to Cosme Velho, you'll experience the typical Carioca lifestyle, with its many options for outdoor activities, restaurants, and the famous paddleboats!
We continue to Maracanã, where we'll take a tour around the stadium and make a short stop in front of it so you can appreciate the splendor of the stadium, which has hosted two World Cup finals. There, you'll be able to imagine all the history that has unfolded on the stadium's pitches since its opening in 1950, when Brazil hosted its first World Cup. Maracanã was once the largest stadium in the world. It has been used numerous times in recent World Cups and Olympics and is frequently used for games and concerts. From Maracanã, we head to the Cosme Velho train station to board the train to Rio's biggest attraction: Christ the Redeemer atop the Corcovado Statue.
Upon arrival at Cosme Velho station, at the base of Corcovado Mountain, we'll board the train with pre-booked tickets (not included) to save time and follow it to the summit, through the dense Tijuca rainforest to the 38-meter-tall (125-foot) Christ the Redeemer Statue. The 20-minute ride will give you a chance to fully appreciate the Tijuca Forest, considered the largest urban forest in the world. It represents 7% of the entire city's territory! It's a breath-taking experience, and that alone makes the trip worthwhile.
Upon arrival at the Statue, you'll have two options for reaching the top: an elevator and then an escalator, or the traditional 222-step staircase. But the reward makes it all worth it. Once you reach the foot of the statue, the views and the imposing statue of Christ will make you forget the hike! Looking up, you'll feel blessed and protected by this beautiful monument of Christ with open arms, now one of the new Seven Wonders of the World! From there, you can see most of the city, the entire South Zone, and even Niteroi. A unique view that will amaze you. You'll have about 40 minutes to explore all sides and views of Corcovado Mountain and take photos.
After returning to the train, guests will return to their hotels, having the opportunity to hear about Rio's economy, which has changed over the years, having depended on coffee, gold, and more recently, oil for the majority of its income. The history of the two World Cups held in Brazil will be recounted, and you will gain a detailed insight into life in the favelas. We hope this gives you a Carioca's perspective on life in Rio. We hope you leave the tour feeling like a true Carioca.
Please be careful when selecting your desired option, as we offer options with and without tickets to attractions. If you select the option without tickets, we suggest you bring cash so it can be paid directly to the guide and included on your voucher. Otherwise, you may have to wait in line to purchase tickets.
Notes:
* Please note that some hotels in the city are not included in our transportation route. If your hotel is not included in our itinerary, we will contact you to indicate the closest hotel to which you should be transferred at the time of the service. You should wait for your guide in the lobby of the indicated hotel.
* Roundtrip transportation to most hotels in São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana. Does not include Lapa.
*If you select the option without tickets, we suggest you bring cash so it can be paid directly to the guide and included on your voucher. Otherwise, you may have to wait in line to purchase tickets.
* Wear light, comfortable clothing, especially on warmer days.
