ACCOMPANYING PERSON
SPOUSES OPTIONAL TOURS
BOTANICAL GARDEN WITH LUNCH AT CASA CAMOLESE
Rio de Janeiro’s Botanic Garden is one of the ten most important ecological sanctuaries in the entire world. The Garden, founded by Dom João VI in 1808 as an Acclimation Garden for exotic plants, was transformed over nearly two centuries into the Research Institute of the Botanic Garden of Rio de Janeiro. Although the collection is composed mainly of Brazilian species, there are also foreign plants and hybrids.
The 140-hectare park lies at the foot of Corcovado Mountain, far below the right arm of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, and contains more than 6,000 different species of tropical and subtropical plants and trees, including 900 varieties of palm trees.
A 750 m line of 134 palms forms the Avenue of Royal Palms leading from the entrance into the gardens. These palms all descended from a single tree, the Palma Mater, long since destroyed by lightning. Visitors can stroll along the pathways of the park to the sounds of native birds like the “curios” and the “sabiás.” The exuberance of nature in all its colours and glory provides images that visitors will keep in their memories and souls forever.
PETROPOLIS WITH STOP FOR LUNCH
Departure to Petropolis in the morning, stopping at the Imperial Museum, which served as the summer residence of the imperial family during the 19th century. Visitors can view various historical pieces such as the scepter and crown of Emperor Dom Pedro II, historical documents, imperial jewelry and the priceless pieces of art that belonged to the imperial family. During our time in Petrópolis, guests will visit the Crystal Palace, which was built in France in a cast iron pre-molded structure at the Conde D’Eu and Princess Isabel’s request, and is used today for concerts and theatrical presentations.
Our last stop will be the São Pedro de Alcântara Neo Gothic Cathedral, a French neo-gothic building dating back to 1884. Within the confines of the Imperial Chapel, visitors can view the resting place of the remains of Don Pedro II, Dona Teresa Cristina, Conde D’Eu, and Princess Isabel.
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* Not available on Mondays
SECRETS OF OLD RIO WITH LUNCH
Downtown Rio de Janeiro, known as “Centro,” is the bustling heart of the city, where modern skyscrapers stand alongside historic colonial buildings. This area is a vibrant mix of business, culture, and history.
This is a unique walking tour which gives visitors a feeling for the legends and stories woven around the narrow streets and old historical buildings of downtown Rio. The walk includes a visit to many interesting points, such as Candelária Church, the cultural center located in the beautifully restored Banco do Brasil, the Casa Brasil, Praça XV, the “Travessa do Mercado”, Imperial Palace (‘Paço Imperial’), and Gonçalves Dias Street with the traditional Colombo Coffee Shop. The walk continues down Uruguaiana Street, Carioca Square, the Cinelandia Square and up to the Metropolitan Cathedral where passengers will meet the transportation that will take them back to their hotels.
LITTLE AFRICA
Discover the soul of Rio de Janeiro on a journey through Little Africa, where music, memory, andresistance shape every corner. The tour begins around Praça Mauá and the revitalized port district,then leads to the Valongo Wharf, the most important archaeological site of the African diasporain the Americas, where millions of enslaved Africans fi rst set foot on this continent. With historicalcontext and living testimony, you’ll learn how the area’s markets, religious houses, and culturalassociations nurtured samba, capoeira, carnival traditions, and Afro-Brazilian cuisine.
Along the way, murals and sculptures honor icons of Black history, and the stories of everyday people bring the past into the present. Visits typically include the Valongo and Pedra do Sal —birthplace of roda de samba — where the sound of drums still echoes through the evening.
BOTECO FOOD TOUR
Discover an essential part of Rio’s social life with our immersive Carioca Boteco Experience! Explore the bohemian heart of the city as we stroll through vibrant neighborhoods, home to some of Rio’s most historic and beloved “botecos”—the informal, lively pubs at the center of local culture.
Join us as we hop between three uniquely charming bars, soaking up their convivial atmosphere and the authentic hangout spirit of Cariocas. Along the way, you’ll sample three classic Brazilian drinks — bottled beer, draft beer, and the world-famous caipirinha — while savoring a selection of delicious “petiscos,” the typical bar snacks that pair perfectly with your drinks.
Expect to mingle with locals, enjoy good conversation, and taste the flavors that make Rio’s nightlife legendary—all in great company!
FD JEEP TOUR TROPICAL PARADISE + TRAILS
We’ll set off from the hotel in an open air jeep and travel to the Grumari Environmental Preservation Area, which still remains a largely unexplored part of the Atlantic Forest. It is an area that was home to old sugarcane farms and is still not very well known by national and international tourism. A three hundred and sixty degree panorama of paradisiacal landscape, tropical climate, wind blowing through your hair and sunshine on your skin make this an incomparable experience of the sensation of freedom.
This is an excellent opportunity to get to know the 18 km long beach of the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, an example of the sustainability of the city which was designed by the architect and urban planner Lucio Costa. Pioneer of modernist architecture in Brazil, he became famous worldwide for the creation of the Pilot Plan of Brasília, the country’s capital.
Barra is the largest beach in Rio de Janeiro and features many canals and lagoons, including Marapendi Lagoon that has a 10km long beach with translucent green water and waves good for surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding , kitesurfing and border fishing.
About 20 kilometres from the center of Barra we find the 2.5km long Grumari Beach, in a preservation area with a variety of native plant and tree species that belong to the mangrove and the Atlantic Forest, including several that are threatened by extinction.
Most of the wildlife is represented by arthropods such as the endangered fluminense swallowtail butterfly and ocypode sea crabs, birds such as the roadside-hawk and the slaty-breasted wood rail, some small mammals like opossums, and reptiles like a type of ameiva lizard and the Lutz's tree iguana, both endangered and endemic to Brazil.
Next we’ll start our hike (medium to difficult level) in the Pedra Branca State Park to visit Pedra da Telegrafo (354m) and Pedra da Bigorna, two very popular places with the city’s hiking enthusiasts that offer beautiful views of the surrounding beaches and the Marambaia Restinga.
We’ll stop for lunch at a seaside restaurant that offers dishes based on local fish and chicken, with a vegetarian option available. Time to relax on the beach before returning to the hotel.
HD CORCOVADO WITH LUNCH AT PÁREO
Depart from the hotel to visit the Christ Statue, elected as one of the seven modern wonders of the world. The statue sits 2,300 ft. above sea level, atop Corcovado Mountain. Following a scenic drive along the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, we will arrive at the bottom, where we embark on a small train that climbs the beautiful mountainside. Upon reaching the top, visitors will experience a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro and discover why it is known as the “Marvelous City”!
