An eight-day promotion pairing Rio de Janeiro, on the shore of Guanabara Bay between green mountains and the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, with Búzios, a peninsula 177 km away.
Four nights in Rio include the two signature excursions on a shared (SIB) basis — the cable car up Sugarloaf over Guanabara Bay and the cog train up Corcovado to the Christ the Redeemer statue through the Tijuca forest — with a free day for the beach. Three nights in Búzios, a former fishing village with more than 20 beaches, exotic vegetation and its boutiques and restaurants, leave time to try a different beach each day. Private transfers link each stage and accommodation is offered in 4- and 5-star hotel combinations.
Highlights
Sugarloaf by cable car via Urca Mountain, over Guanabara Bay
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by cog train through the Tijuca forest
The old centre of Rio: churches, monasteries and the main cathedral
Four nights in Rio de Janeiro and three in Búzios
More than 20 beaches in Búzios with crystal-clear water
Private transfers throughout with driver
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro. Private transfer (driver only) from Galeão International Airport to your hotel in Copacabana. Rest of the day free. The beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, with their black-and-white tiled promenades, lie along Guanabara Bay.
Day2
Day 2: City tour and Sugarloaf
After breakfast, shared half-day tour (SIB) with an English-speaking guide to Sugarloaf. The first stop is Urca Mountain, with a wide viewing area; a cable car then reaches the top of Sugarloaf, with views over Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, the Niterói bridge and the Christ statue on Corcovado. The tour continues by car through the old centre of Rio, past old churches, monasteries, the city's main cathedral and colonial-style buildings.
Day3
Day 3: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast, shared tour (SIB) with an English-speaking guide to Corcovado. A cog train climbs through the Tijuca forest to the top. At 700 m above sea level stands the 38 m statue of Christ the Redeemer, built in 1931, with a panoramic view over the city, the Niterói bridge, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the Maracanã stadium and Sugarloaf.
Day4
Day 4: Free day in Rio de Janeiro
Free day to relax. Optional activities such as the Botanical Garden or a Guanabara Bay sailing tour can be added.
Day5
Day 5: Rio de Janeiro – Búzios
Private transfer (driver only) from your hotel in Copacabana to your hotel in Búzios. Free day. Búzios is a fishing village 177 km from Rio de Janeiro, with more than 20 beaches, crystal-clear water and exotic vegetation.
Day6
Day 6: Free day in Búzios
Free day. The beaches on the Atlantic side are windier with cooler water, ideal for sports; those on the west side have calmer, warmer water, ideal for swimming and sun-bathing.
Day7
Day 7: Free day in Búzios
Free day on the beach, with beachside restaurants and vendors. Optional activities such as a cruise around the peninsula can be added.
Day8
Day 8: Departure
Private transfer (driver only) from your hotel in Búzios to Rio de Janeiro International Airport (Galeão) for your international flight home.
Suggested hotels
Arena Leme
Superior
Rio de Janeiro
4-star option in Rio de Janeiro (4 nights).
Vivaz Cataratas
Superior
Búzios
4-star option in Búzios (3 nights).
Miramar Copacabana
Luxury
Rio de Janeiro
5-star option in Rio de Janeiro (4 nights).
DoubleTree by Hilton
Luxury
Búzios
5-star option in Búzios (3 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in the mentioned hotels or similar (7 nights: 4 in Rio de Janeiro, 3 in Búzios)
Included: Breakfast at the hotel
Included: Private transfers according to the programme with driver
Included: Shared tours in Rio de Janeiro (SIB) with an English-speaking guide
What's not included
Not included: International and domestic airfare
Not included: Airport and tourism taxes and visa fees
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks unless explicitly stated
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses and optional services
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
Botanical Garden — The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, over 200 years old, spans 137 hectares with an avenue of royal palms and thousands of plant species — orchids, bromeliads, cacti and bamboos, and the giant Victoria water-lily. Monkeys and birds such as toucans are often seen. Duration about 4 hours.
Optional, at extra cost:
Tropical Islands tour — A day around the tropical islands off Itacuruça, in Mangaratiba, crossing Sepetiba Bay aboard a Saveiro schooner past green islands, with the chance to see dolphins and turtles, a swim stop, and lunch on an island before returning to Rio. Duration about 8 hours.
Optional, at extra cost:
Rio at night: samba and capoeira show — An evening show of samba and capoeira performed by professional dancers, with dinner available during the show and hotel pick-up and drop-off. Duration about 4 hours.
Optional, at extra cost:
Royal Petrópolis — The historic mountain town of Petrópolis, 60 km from Rio de Janeiro, with the summer palace built by Pedro II, German-style architecture, the Gothic cathedral where Pedro II and Princess Isabel are buried, and the Imperial Museum with royal furniture and jewellery.
Optional, at extra cost:
Guanabara Bay sailing tour — A half-day sailing tour along the coastline of Rio de Janeiro on Guanabara Bay.
Optional, at extra cost:
Búzios peninsula cruise — A cruise around the Búzios peninsula aboard the schooner Queen Lory, in two- or four-hour trips, with lunch, refreshments and caipirinhas on board and stops for snorkelling and beach time.