Rio Carnival Experience
Rio Carnival Experience
Rio Carnival Experience
6 Days Starting and ending in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Visiting: Rio de Janeiro
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GGSR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
15-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Rio de Janeiro with the Rio Carnival Experience, a cultural journey through Brazil's most iconic festival. Begin your adventure by perfecting your samba steps at a local club, setting the stage for an unforgettable week. Witness the dazzling parade of floats and costumes in the Sambadrome, and explore Rio's top landmarks, including Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. Experience the true essence of Carnival at a local bloco, and even don a costume to join the parade, dancing down the Sambadrome runway. With expert guidance ensuring a seamless experience, this tour offers a thrilling blend of culture, dance, and breathtaking sights. Enjoy the convenience of private bus and metro transport, and savor the flavors of Rio with an included welcome dinner. This is your chance to be part of the world's biggest stage, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Bem-vindo! Welcome to Brazil. The locals like to say that 'God made the world in six days, the seventh he devoted to Rio', and we tend to agree! In this vibrant city – set against the luminescent green of Guanabara Bay and surrounded by the slopes of Sugarloaf and Corcovado – it's hard not to be caught up in the passion of the city's residents (known as Cariocas), especially during Carnival. Your adventure kicks off at 4 pm with an important welcome meeting – afterward, head out for an included dinner with the group to try out some of Carioca's specialties before making your way to a local samba club for a fun initiation on this popular dance. During Carnival, Rio pulsates to the rhythm of samba. You won't need to be an expert Samba dancer to make the most of your time in Rio but knowing one or two samba steps will help you blend in with the local Carioca crowds.
Included Activities:
-
-
-
Day 2: Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, your local leader will take you on a guided tour around two of the most emblematic landmarks of Rio de Janeiro. It wouldn’t be a trip to Rio without visiting Christ the Redeemer – one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Head to Corcovado Mountain to take in the sweeping views of Rio from the 710-metre-high peak and gaze up at the iconic statue from its base. Next, head to Sugarloaf, another mountain that juts out over Guanabara Bay. Its name comes from the mountain’s resemblance to a traditional sugarloaf – a tall cone of refined sugar that was popular in the Caribbean and Brazil until the late 19th century. This evening, enjoy time to yourself to explore the nightlife of Rio – your local leader will have plenty of recommendations if you want to try some classic Brazilian fare like feijoada or barbeque for dinner.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 3: Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning your leader will take you to a local bloco. Blocos are the true expression of Carnival in Rio. Simply put, they are street parties, unlike any party you’ve been to before! Each bloco is themed, with DJs or bands playing all day and people of all ages and walks of life dressing up to join the party every day throughout the Carnival. Your local leader will be at hand throughout the visit to help you make the most of this experience. Today's afternoon and evening is free for you to explore Rio at your own pace, or perhaps head to the beach for a swim. If you’re looking for an active adventure that takes you off the beaten track, ask your leader about one of the incredible hiking trails – a climb up the nearby Morro Dois Irmaos provides arguably the best view over Rio.
Included Activities:
-
Day 4: Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a sleep in this morning, or perhaps grab a traditional acai bowl for a morning boost. Later, meet with your leader and head to the main event of the week – the parade in the Sambadrome. Here, more than 100 of the top samba schools in Brazil parade their fantastic floats and costumes in an annual competition for the title of Rio Carnival Samba Parade Champions. Witness an exhilarating display of dance and design as the dedicated performers samba down the runway, showing off their skills and you'll have a prime spot in Sector 11 where you’ll get a close-up view of the parade and the chance to snap great photos. The rhythm of Rio’s Sambadrome celebrations pulses into the early hours of the morning – feel free to party all night or return to the hotel with your leader – the night is yours!
Included Activities:
-
Day 5: Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Make the most of a free morning to recover from the craziness of the Sambadrome – you may want to go for a refreshing dip at one of Rio’s many beautiful beaches or simply relax at the hotel. This afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to don a costume and take part in the parade – dancing your way down the Sambadrome runway – a once in a lifetime experience! Each Samba School has around 4000 dancers, split into twenty-five ‘alas’ or wings, each wing telling part of the overall story or theme of the school. You’ll get to join one of these ‘alas’ and spend 30-40 minutes celebrating within the Sambadrome. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be able to samba, just use your utmost enthusiasm to jump, bounce and dance around. Soak up the energy and make the most of every moment as you play a part in the biggest stage in the world. Afterward, you’re welcome to head back to the hotel with the leader, who will be able to recommend places to go for a final cold caipirinha or group dinner.
Optional Activities:
-
Day 6: Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is the final day of your Rio Carnival trip and there are no activities included. The trip finishes after breakfast and you can check out of the hotel any time before midday.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights) -
Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 dinners -
Rio de Janeiro - Welcome dinner
Enjoy a welcome dinner in Rio de Janeiro as part of your tour experience.
-
Rio de Janeiro - Samba Club visit
Visit a local samba club in Rio de Janeiro to perfect your samba steps.
-
Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Receive a complimentary transfer from the airport upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro.
-
Rio de Janeiro - Christ the Redeemer
Visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
-
Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car (entrance)
Experience the Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car in Rio de Janeiro.
-
Rio de Janeiro - Bloco experience
Participate in a local bloco, a street party during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
-
Rio de Janeiro - Sambodrome (Seating in sector 11)
Enjoy seating in sector 11 at the Sambodrome to witness the samba parade.
What's Not Included
-
Single Supplement
A single supplement is available if you prefer not to share a room, subject to availability.
-
Optional Activities
Optional activities such as joining the parade with a costume are not included.
-
Final Day Activities
No activities are included on the final day of the trip.
Transport
Private bus , Metro
Included Activities
Rio de Janeiro - Welcome dinnerRio de Janeiro - Samba Club visitRio de Janeiro - Christ the RedeemerRio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf MountainRio de Janeiro - Bloco experienceRio de Janeiro - Sambodrome (Seating in sector 11)
Accommodation
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.3. While there will be one leader for every 16 travellers, there may be more than 50 travellers joining you on this experience.4. The order and days of the activities may change depending on availability.
Mode of Transport
Transportation during the tour includes private bus and metro services, ensuring convenient and efficient travel around Rio de Janeiro.
Accommodation
Accommodation may vary throughout the tour, with alternative arrangements made if preferred options are unavailable. Early arrivals may not have immediate room access, but luggage storage and shared day rooms are available until check-in.
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of transportation is used during the Rio Carnival Experience tour?
The tour uses private buses and the metro for transportation.
-
What is included in the Rio Carnival Experience tour?
The tour includes a welcome dinner, a visit to a samba club, a complimentary arrival transfer, visits to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, a bloco experience, and seating in sector 11 at the Sambadrome.
-
Can I participate in the parade at the Sambadrome during the tour?
Yes, on the fifth day of the tour, you have the opportunity to don a costume and take part in the parade, dancing your way down the Sambadrome runway.
-
What should I expect during the visit to the Sambadrome?
You will witness an exhilarating display of dance and design as samba schools parade their floats and costumes. You will have a prime spot in Sector 11 to enjoy the performances.
-
Is there a local guide during the tour?
Yes, an expert leader will guide you throughout the tour, ensuring a safe and fun-filled adventure.
-
What happens if the preferred accommodation is not available?
If the preferred accommodation is not available, alternative arrangements will be made using a similar standard of accommodation.
-
Is there a complimentary airport transfer included in the tour?
Yes, a complimentary airport arrival transfer is included if you arrive on Day 1 or have booked pre-tour accommodation through the tour provider.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Thursday - Tuesday
Feb 27, 2025 - Mar 04, 2025Thursday - Tuesday
Feb 12, 2026 - Feb 17, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions