Six days in Rio with grandstand seats at the Sambadrome, a real Carnival street party, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and a 4-star hotel in Copacabana. Small group, maximum 14 travellers. Local bilingual guide to secure your safety and local knowledge.
Experience Rio de Janeiro at its most vibrant. Over five nights, this tour combines the landscapes that made the city world-famous with experiences that show different sides of Carnival.
Take in the views from Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, where mountains, sea and city meet. Dance through the streets of the South Zone with the locals at a traditional Carnival bloco. Then take your seat at the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome for the Winners' Parade on Saturday 13 February 2027, when the highest-placed samba schools return to the avenue for a night of music, colour and excitement.
Your tour also includes an open-top jeep tour through Tijuca Forest, free time to enjoy Rio at your own pace, a 4-star hotel in Copacabana and licensed local guides who are bilingual in English and Portuguese. That's Carnival without the hassle.
Photo: Mauro Lima / Unsplash
Highlights
What makes this trip
Photo: Marco Terranova / Riotur
Winners' Parade at the Sambadrome
Grandstand seats for the night the top samba schools return to the avenue for one last spectacular parade.
Image: Compass Brazil
Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf
A full guided day at Rio's two icons, with admission, cable car and a three-course lunch included.
Image: Compass Brazil
A real Carnival street party
Join the locals at a South Zone bloco: drums, brass bands, costumes and a whole neighbourhood dancing.
Image: Compass Brazil
Tijuca Forest by open-top jeep
Swap the city for the rainforest on a jeep tour through one of Rio's great natural treasures.
Itinerary
Day by day
All six days are based in Rio de Janeiro, at the same Copacabana hotel throughout.
Day 1Wednesday 10 FebruaryArrive in Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to Rio! Our local team meets you at Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG) and transfers you to your hotel in Copacabana, with your first glimpses of the city along the way.
The rest of the day is yours: cool off at the rooftop pool, stroll the beachfront or simply rest after the long flight. Hotel check-in is from 3 pm.
Included: Arrival transfer with bilingual English/Portuguese assistance
Day 2Thursday 11 FebruaryChrist the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain
After breakfast, set off with your licensed local guide (bilingual English/Portuguese) and private vehicle for a full day at Rio's two most famous landmarks.
First up is Christ the Redeemer, standing around 710 metres above the city on Corcovado. From the top, the whole city unfolds: rainforest-covered mountains, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the South Zone beaches and Guanabara Bay.
After a three-course lunch at a local restaurant, ride the two-stage cable car via Morro da Urca to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain for a completely different view across the bay, Botafogo, Copacabana and back to Christ the Redeemer in the distance.
Included: Breakfast · Guide and vehicle for 8 hours · Christ the Redeemer admission · Sugarloaf Mountain cable car (regular ticket) · Three-course lunch (drinks not included)
Day 3Friday 12 FebruaryCarnival street party (bloco)
The blocos are where Rio celebrates Carnival: brass bands, samba drums, costumes and crowds of revellers turning whole neighbourhoods into open-air parties.
With your bilingual local guide you'll spend about four hours at a bloco in Rio's South Zone - not watching from the sidelines, but part of the celebration.
Afterwards, return to the hotel. The evening is free.
Included: Breakfast · Street bloco experience with bilingual local guide (approx. 4 hours)
Day 4Saturday 13 FebruaryWinners' Parade at the Sambadrome
A free day to relax at the beach or pool before the night you came for.
Once the Carnival competition results are announced, the highest-placed samba schools return to the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome for the Winners' Parade: drum sections, dancers, spectacular costumes and towering floats, all in one unforgettable night.
You'll watch from grandstand seats. Shared transfers take you to the Sambadrome and back, with two return departures so you can head back early or stay until the very last school.
Included: Breakfast · Winners' Parade grandstand ticket · Return transfers to the Sambadrome
Day 5Sunday 14 FebruaryTijuca Forest jeep tour
Discover Rio's wild side from an open-top jeep in Tijuca Forest, a protected stretch of Atlantic Rainforest right in the middle of the city, full of tropical plants, lookouts and wildlife.
Return to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Included: Breakfast · Tijuca Forest jeep tour
Optional extra: Roxy Dinner Show: an evening of Brazilian food, music and dance
Day 6Monday 15 FebruaryDeparture
Enjoy breakfast and some free time before your transfer to Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG) for your flight home. Hotel check-out is at 12 pm.
Included: Breakfast · Departure transfer with bilingual English/Portuguese assistance
Carnival is a live event. Timings, the bloco location and parade running order are set locally and may change; we'll keep you updated.
What's included
Everything in Rio, taken care of
Included
5 nights at the 4-star Américas Copacabana Hotel in a Superior Room
Daily breakfast, plus a three-course lunch on the Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf day
Airport arrival and departure transfers with bilingual English/Portuguese assistance
Full-day Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain tour with private vehicle
Admission to Christ the Redeemer and the Sugarloaf cable car (regular ticket)
Carnival street bloco experience (approx. 4 hours)
Grandstand ticket to the Winners' Parade at the Sambadrome, with return transfers
Tijuca Forest jeep tour
Licensed local guides, bilingual in English and Portuguese, on all tours
Bottled water in vehicles on transfer and touring days
Not included
International flights (our travel partner can quote these)
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Brazilian visa / eVisa fees
Optional extras: Roxy Dinner Show and its transport, Sugarloaf fast-track
Drinks with lunch, and meals not listed above
Personal expenses and gratuities
Your hotel
Américas Copacabana Hotel ★★★★
Your base for all five nights is the 4-star Américas Copacabana, a contemporary hotel in one of Rio's most famous neighbourhoods, close to the beach, restaurants, bars and shops.
Rooftop pool and bar with views over Copacabana and the mountains
Superior Room with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, minibar and safe
Private bathroom
Breakfast included every day
Pricing
Price per person
One all-inclusive price for everything listed above, in Australian dollars. Flights are extra and can be quoted separately.
Twin share$3,490per person, sharing a roomTravelling solo? We can organise a room share for you.
Single room$4,490room to yourself with a queen bed
Payment
50% deposit within 7 days of booking
Remaining 50% within 30 days of booking
Only 7 rooms available
We accept all major payment methods
Image: Compass Brazil
Optional extras
Make the trip your own. Tick any of these on the enquiry form and we'll include them in your quote:
Roxy Dinner Show (Sunday 14 February)
Sugarloaf Mountain fast-track ticket
Extra nights in Rio before the tour
Extra nights in Rio after the tour
A flights and travel insurance quote from Frank Ford Travel
Prices are per person in Australian dollars. Your final price is confirmed in your written quote. See our terms and conditions.
Photo: Marco Terranova / RioturPhoto: Alex Ferro / RioturImage: Compass BrazilPhoto: Marco Terranova / RioturPhoto: Marco Terranova / RioturPhoto: Rafael Catarcione / RioturPhoto: Marco Terranova / RioturPhoto: Rafael Catarcione / RioturImage: Compass BrazilImage: Compass BrazilPhoto: Laura C / UnsplashImage: Compass Brazil
FAQ
Good to know
What is the Winners' Parade?
After the main Carnival parades, the samba schools are judged and the results announced. On the following Saturday, the highest-placed schools return to the Sambadrome for the Winners' Parade (Desfile das Campeãs), with the same costumes, floats and drum sections, in a celebratory atmosphere. Our tour is built around this night: Saturday 13 February 2027.
Are international flights included?
No, the price covers everything in Rio. Our travel partner Frank Ford Travel can quote flights from your nearest airport: just tick the box on the enquiry form.
Do Australians need a visa for Brazil?
Australian passport holders currently need a Brazilian eVisa, and your passport should be valid for at least six months after you travel. Requirements change, so check Smartraveller and the official Brazilian eVisa website well before you book flights.
How big is the group?
Small. We hold seven rooms at the hotel, so the group is capped at 14 travellers. Once the rooms are gone, the tour is full.
I'm travelling solo. Can I come?
Absolutely. If you're travelling solo we can organise a room share for you at the twin-share price, or you can have a room to yourself with a queen bed at the single-room price.
How do I book and pay?
Send us an enquiry and we'll come back with a customised quote. To secure your place, a 50% deposit is due within 7 days of booking, with the remaining 50% due within 30 days.
Can I stay longer in Rio?
Yes. We can quote extra hotel nights before or after the tour. Tick the box on the enquiry form and tell us how many nights you'd like.
What will the weather be like?
February is high summer in Rio: hot and humid, often above 30°C, with the chance of a short afternoon storm. Pack light clothing, sunscreen, a hat and comfortable walking shoes.
Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering medical costs and cancellation. Frank Ford Travel can provide a quote.
How active is the tour?
Moderately. Expect some walking and standing, warm weather and big crowds at the street party and the Sambadrome, and a late night on parade night. Let us know about any mobility needs when you enquire.
Our partners
Local know-how, Australian service
Partnered with licensed agents in Australia and Brazil.
Brazilian Carnival Tours is brought to you by World Cup Tour Pty Ltd, an Australian-owned tour operator based in Ballarat, Victoria.
