A twelve-day trip through Brazil that combines the sights of Rio de Janeiro with a long stay on the beaches of Búzios.
It opens with four nights in Rio de Janeiro: a half-day city tour with a cable-car ride up Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar), a visit to Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by train, and a free day for the city or optional excursions. It then continues with a road transfer to Búzios, a former fishing village 105 miles from Rio with more than twenty beaches, crystal-clear water and a lively centre of boutiques and restaurants, for seven nights at a beach resort. Accommodation is offered in 4- and 5-star categories.
Highlights
Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) by cable car
Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue by train
City tour of old Rio, with its churches, monasteries and cathedral
Seven nights at a beach resort in Búzios
Búzios, with more than twenty beaches and crystal-clear water
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Rio de Janeiro
Arrival in Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for a first look at the city, with its beaches at Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon along Guanabara Bay.
Day2
Day 2: City tour and Sugarloaf
After breakfast, a half-day tour (about 4 hours). It begins at Morro da Urca, with a wide viewing area, and continues by cable car to Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar), with views of Rio, Copacabana beach, the bay, the surrounding mountains, the islands, the Niterói bridge and the Christ statue on Corcovado. The tour then continues by car through the old town of Rio, past churches, monasteries, the main cathedral and colonial-style buildings, with a stop at a local restaurant.
Day3
Day 3: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
After breakfast, an excursion (about 4 hours) to Corcovado. A train climbs through the Tijuca forest — home to monkeys, birds and other wildlife — to the summit at 700 m, where the 38 m statue of Christ the Redeemer, built in 1931, stands. From the top there is a panoramic view of the city, the Niterói bridge, Guanabara Bay, the Botanical Garden, the Maracanã stadium and Sugarloaf.
Day4
Day 4: Free day in Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast, a free day to discover the city independently or to take optional excursions.
Day5
Day 5: Rio de Janeiro – Búzios
After breakfast, transfer to Búzios and check-in at the beach resort.
Day6
Day 6: Búzios
Free day at the beach resort of Búzios, a fishing village 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro with more than twenty beaches, crystal-clear water and exotic vegetation.
Day7
Day 7: Búzios
Free day at the beach resort of Búzios, a fishing village 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro with more than twenty beaches, crystal-clear water and exotic vegetation.
Day8
Day 8: Búzios
Free day at the beach resort of Búzios, a fishing village 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro with more than twenty beaches, crystal-clear water and exotic vegetation.
Day9
Day 9: Búzios
Free day at the beach resort of Búzios, a fishing village 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro with more than twenty beaches, crystal-clear water and exotic vegetation.
Day10
Day 10: Búzios
Free day at the beach resort of Búzios, a fishing village 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro with more than twenty beaches, crystal-clear water and exotic vegetation.
Day11
Day 11: Búzios
Free day at the beach resort of Búzios, a fishing village 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro with more than twenty beaches, crystal-clear water and exotic vegetation.
Day12
Day 12: Búzios – Rio de Janeiro
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for your international flight.
Suggested hotels
Arena Leme
Superior
Rio de Janeiro
4-star option in Rio de Janeiro (4 nights).
Rio Buzios Beach
Superior
Búzios
4-star option in Búzios (7 nights).
Miramar Copacabana
Luxury
Rio de Janeiro
5-star option in Rio de Janeiro (4 nights).
Rio Buzios Boutique
Luxury
Búzios
5-star option in Búzios (7 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in the listed hotels or similar (11 nights: 4 in Rio de Janeiro, 7 in Búzios)
Included: Breakfast at the hotel
Included: Airport–hotel transfer in Rio de Janeiro
Included: Rio de Janeiro – Búzios – Rio de Janeiro transfer, with driver only
Included: Half-day city tour with a cable-car ride up Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar)
Included: Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer excursion by train
What's not included
Not included: International airfare
Not included: Airport and tourism taxes and visa fees
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme, and food and drinks during transfers
Not included: Drinks unless explicitly stated
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Personal expenses and optional excursions
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included
Optional services
Optional, at extra cost:
Botanical Garden — Visit to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, a 137-hectare garden over 200 years old, with an avenue of 134 royal palms and more than 7,000 plant species — orchids, bromeliads, cacti, bamboos and carnivorous plants, including the giant Victoria water-lily — where monkeys and birds such as toucans may be seen. Duration about 4 hours.
Optional, at extra cost:
Tropical Islands — Day trip to Itacuruça, a fishing village on an island near Mangaratiba, about 1.5 hours from Rio de Janeiro. The crossing of Sepetiba Bay is made aboard a Saveiro schooner, past green tropical islands where dolphins, fish, parrots, turtles and stingrays may be seen, with a stop to swim in the ocean, lunch on the island and a walk before returning. Duration about 8 hours.
Optional, at extra cost:
Rio by night — samba and capoeira show — Evening pick-up at the hotel for a show of Brazilian samba and capoeira performed by professional dancers, with the option to dine during the show, followed by the return to the hotel. Duration about 4 hours.
Optional, at extra cost:
Imperial Petrópolis — Excursion to Petrópolis, a historic town in the mountains 60 km from Rio de Janeiro, founded as the summer residence of Pedro II, with German-style architecture. It includes the imperial palace, now a museum with the royal family's furniture and jewellery, and the Gothic cathedral where Pedro II, his wife and Princess Isabel are buried.
Optional, at extra cost:
Helicopter flight over Rio — Helicopter flight from Sugarloaf mountain over the city, its beaches, the Christ statue and the Botanical Garden. Duration about 8 to 9 minutes.