Sugar Loaf Mountain and Historic Downtown Rio
Meet your tour guide and drive along Rio's world-famous beaches to the Urca district, where a cable car ascent is made in two stages to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain.
The first stage of the ride goes to Urca Hill, where there are gardens and lookout points. For those who wish to venture even higher, the second cable car goes to the very top of Sugar Loaf itself - 1300 feet above sea level - giving breathtaking views of the city, beaches, and harbor.
Descending from Sugar Loaf, drive through residential areas and continue for a brief visit to the historical and modern sections of downtown Rio.
Rio's historical center was founded by the Portuguese in 1565. The Cultural Corridor includes the Paço Imperial, residence of Emperor Pedro I; the magnificent Candelária church; the narrow streets of the old part of town; and the octagonal baroque Gloria church, which was the Royal family's favorite. You will also see the Arcos da Lapa, an old aqueduct that still serves as a passage for the 19th-century tramways, the new Cathedral built in the '60s, and the Municipal Theater. A pedestrian area with cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops completes the itinerary.
