Brazil Carnival Full Experience 6D/5N (Rio de Janeiro)

Thursday (12 February): Rio Arrival, Check-in, Welcome Caipirinha Cocktail & Briefing, Brazilian Party, Group Samba Dance Class, Face Painting, Night Out in Lapa

Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! Upon arrival at the airport, please make your way to your accommodation, which is located in Lapa, Rio's colorful bohemian centre, where many of Carnival's major events and bloco parties take place. You will enjoy a neighborhood full of samba clubs, theaters, capoeira, trendy antique stores housed in historic buildings, funky bars and much more for you to discover. 

Feel free to arrive when you wish, however, remember check-in is from 3PM on.

Around 6PM you will meet with the rest of the group for a meeting to revise the schedule of all the planned events. 

Then it's time to start partying! Enjoy your first caipirinha and get ready for the group samba class where you can show off all your skills. You'll also have the chance to get your face painted by our professional make-up artist. Then get ready to hit the streets of Lapa for your first night out in the most famous party zone of all Rio, right at your door-step. Your Tour Leader will lead you to where all the action is!!! Get ready to experience what street partying is all about!

Shopping Note: During Carnival, it is customary to wear ‘fancy-dress’ costumes and appendages during the street parties; so make sure you pack some fancy dress items with you! (ANYTHING goes!) You should be able to buy some stuff there too, but please don't rely on that.

NOTE: Please note the itinerary is subject to change due to unexpected circumstances such as bad weather, changes to Carnival schedules, traffic, diversions, demonstrations/strikes, inconveniences or changes caused by local operators and authorities and other circumstances beyond our control.

Friday (13 February): Rio City Tour, Make-up Artist, Sambadrome Parade 

During today's breakfast, your Tour Leader will be available to go through today's plans and answer any questions you may have.  After breakfast, the Full Experience group will be taken on an all-inclusive tour of Rio de Janeiro. You will drive through the Tijuca National Park to Corvocado. After visiting the statue of Christ the Redeemer, you’ll be taken to the gorgeous suburb of Santa Teresa to be amazed by some very impressive old mansions, art galleries and the famous Santa Teresa trams. Next stop will be the tiled Steps of Selaron in Lapa - made world famous by the 2003 song ‘Beautiful’ featuring Snoop Dogg.  The final stop on the tour will be Sugarloaf Mountain, which is ascended via cable car. You will have the chance to see Guanabara Bay, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge and Christ the Redeemer statue in all it's beauty. A second cable car will then take you to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain (295m), where the views are simply breathtaking!

After the city tour, you will be dropped back to your accommodation, where there will be time to prepare for the main Carnival event: Sambadrome Parade at Sambodromo! All of the city's best samba schools parade their outrageous floats and costumes down the runway here, and you will be able to view it all from the stands above. There are no fixed seats, but our section will be full of fun, rowdy revelers! 

In preparation for this incredible event, you will have the opportunity to get your face painted by our professional make-up artist again, and have your picture taken by our photographer. 

Saturday (14 February):  Bloco Street Party OR Ipanema Beach, Lunch, Boat Party Cruise 

This morning, after breakfast, you will have the opportunity to be taken to one of the best blocos (street parties) in town. Each day your tour leader will tell you about and offer to take you to one of these incredible blocos, all in different locations around Rio. There will also be time to visit some of them on your own if you wish. OR if you would like a morning on the beach there will be another tour leader on hand ready to accompany you to Ipanema beach for a swim and a sun bathe. Of course the other third option is to have a rest and do nothing this morning! The choice is yours ;-)

Later in the day the group will meet up at the hotel and stroll down together to the Marina da Gloria - enjoying a nice included lunch on the way. You will then all hop aboard a magnificent schooner boat that will cruise around Rio's spectacular Guanabara Bay for around 4-5 hours. Enjoy an open bar during the first hour of the cruise and make the most of the dance floor, music and chill-out area. Returning just after sunset, you'll have the chance to view the city, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer from a stunningly different light and angle. 

After some relaxing time back in your accommodation, prepare yourself for another exciting night. You'll be shown the best nightlife the city has to offer!

Sunday (15 February): Bloco Street Party, Morning Favela Tour, Ipanema Sunset drink 

Once again, you will start your day with a nice breakfast and the chance to meet up with your Tour Leader to check the itinerary for the day and ask any questions you may have.

This morning you will be picked up for our half day Favela Tour. Meet the welcoming locals of this pacified Favela and discover the origins of Rio’s legendary Samba Schools during this excellent 3-hour tour. Our experienced local guide will take you to the top of the Favela, where you’ll get breathtaking views and see Rio from a completely different perspective. On the walk back down through the narrow streets, you truly get a unique insight into the vibrant spirit of the proud inhabitants. At the end, you'll have the opportunity to buy yourself a delicious icy açai from the local sellers – which will be sure to replenish your energy for the afternoon and night ahead!

At the end of this perfect day we sip on a drink (out of a coconut if you wish!) and watch the sunset over the Dois Irmãos mountains from Arpoador Rock with beautiful views in all directions from Copacabana to Ipanema and Leblon.

Tonight, your Tour Leader will once again offer to take you to the very best Carnival parties that Rio has to offer!

Monday (16 February): Bloco Street Party, Copacabana Beach Trip, Farewell Churrasco Dinner

This morning, you'll be taken once again to the very best carnival bloco street-party in town. Feel free to wear your swimsuits underneath your clothes, and don't forget sunscreen.

We make the most of this day, going to Copacabana Beach in the afternoon. Time to relax and chill here. You'll then be accompanied back to the accommodation where you can either collapse into bed or get ready for another fun night on the town. 

Tonight is the last night of our Carnival package! We have a big finale night planned. Starting with a delicious Brazilian Churrasco BBQ dinner (return to the buffet/BBQ as many times as you wish). You will be accompanied to this restaurant by our Tour Leader and then given the option to party on with all of our crew for the final night of Rio Carnival – One last Party! - We’ll be sure to go out with a bang!

Tuesday (17 February): Accommodation Check-Out 

This great adventure comes to an end today. The rest of the day is yours, just remember the check-out is at 11AM (or sometimes MIDDAY – you’ll be advised!). We wish you safe travels for your onward journey!

NOTE: Please note the itinerary is subject to change or suffer any cancelation due to unexpected circumstances such as bad weather, changes to Carnival schedules, traffic, diversions, demonstrations/strikes, inconveniences or changes caused by local operators and authorities or any other circumstances beyond our control.