Brazil · City Tours

10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown

10 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Rio de Janeiro. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Private full-day tour of Rio’s top landmarks
  • 02 Visit Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain
  • 03 Ride the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain
  • 04 See the colorful Selarón Steps and Lapa Arches
  • 05 Explore downtown Rio and Mauá Square
  • 06 Admire the Metropolitan Cathedral’s unique architecture
  • 07 Pass by iconic beaches including Ipanema and Copacabana
  • 08 Travel with a licensed private guide and private vehicle

See Rio de Janeiro’s headline sights in a single private day, with the flexibility and comfort of a guided experience tailored to your pace. Travel between the city’s most iconic landmarks, from Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain to the colorful Selarón Steps and the historic heart of downtown Rio.

Along the way, take in famous beaches, striking architecture, cultural landmarks, and panoramic viewpoints that showcase different sides of the city. With private transport and a licensed guide, this tour is a convenient way to experience Rio’s major attractions in one memorable day.

The view, from this vantage point, with the surrounding Tijuca National Forest spreading below and a circle of mountains closing the horizon at the very back of the Guanabara bay is truly spectacular.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
City Rio de Janeiro
Languages English, Portuguese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

You'll be met at your hotel by your private guide and head to the base of Corcovado Mountain by car, passing by Rio's beaches and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon on the way.Reaching the Cosme Velho district, you'll take a unique Swiss cogwheel train that climbs the mountain from its base to nearly the summit. The very top is reached by climbing a flight of stairs to arrive at the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue. The view, from this vantage point, with the surrounding Tijuca National Forest spreading below and a circle of mountains closing the horizon at the very back of the Guanabara bay is truly spectacular. After some time to walk around and take photos, we make the way back down.We then head towards to the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood, home to a collection of local boutiques and galleries. The charming area of Santa Teresa also features many trendy bars and restaurants offering several options of snacks and dishes, not to mention its breathtaking views. Don’t miss out on it!From Santa Teresa to Lapa, there is the famous Selaron steps, a stairway decorated with colorful tiles. Known for its energetic bohemian vibe, “Lapa” is the most buzzing area in town day and nighttime. Have you ever heard of the Lapa neighborhood? If not, it should! It's very easy to know that you've arrived in Lapa. There is a famous monument that is the official image of Lapa, the large white arches aqueduct postcard of Rio.Walk through Rio’s downtown through some of the coolest touristic areas catching sights and culture until Mauá square. The walk passes by historic attractions, lots of bars and restaurants, arriving at Mauá square where all tribes and people get together. See a different side of Rio in its up-and-coming Porto Maravilha area symbol of the renewed Rio after the Olympics.Mural painted by Eduardo Kobra listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest graffiti in the world.Admire the gorgeous cutting-edge museum structure, designed by famous architect Santiago Calatrava.The Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro stands out among the buildings in the Center of the city. Its unique architecture catches the attention of everyone passing by and surprises those who visit it! Its appearance and history are unconventional and make it one of the most curious spots in the wonderful city!The Sambodrome is the home to the Rio Carnival, where the parades take place during three nights every year, a concrete structure built specifically for the Carnival. It's an avenue with bleachers on both sides divided into sectors.Beautiful building and preserved architecture. It's one of the most important Brazilian theaters.The most important Brazilian football temple. Scenery of important Brazilian football classic and facts, like hosting the final matches for the 1950 and 2014 football World Cup and the Olympics final football match in 2014.Beach that inspired the composition of the famous song "Ipanema Girl”. Beautiful beach that deserves all the fame and admiration.We will then go up the Sugarloaf Mountain. A series of two cable cars will take you to the top of Sugar Loaf. At the top, again some of the most breathtaking views of Rio, this time from a different vantage point than at Corcovado. After that, tourists may want to enjoy lunch at a very nice “all-you-can-eat buffet” steakhouse restaurant (not included).Pass by Copacabana beach that was inspiration of songs and poetry, and one of the most famous postcards in Brazil. Copacabana is also stage of one of the biggest New Year's Eve in the world, the neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro has a lot of history, cultural life and bohemia.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Rio de Janeiro. 1 city · 10 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Hotel, airport or port pick-up and drop-off. (Within Rio de Janeiro City)
  • VAT, all taxes, handling charges, parking fees during stops, airport / port Greet & Meet services.
  • Private driver for groups bigger 4 people, otherwise the guide drives the vehicle themselves.
  • Professional licensed private tour guide.
  • Transport by fully-equipped vehicle.

What's Not Included

  • Entrance fees.
  • Meals and drinks.
  • Tips. (optional)

Know before you go

  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Not stroller accessible
  • AIRPORT / PORT ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS:
    Once you have arrived at the airport or seaport there will be a member of our staff waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a clear sign with your name on it, they will then escort you to your waiting private transfer vehicle.

    'For tours starting at the airport or port, please send us the flight / cruise ship information so that we can track it and be waiting for you at the right time and terminal.'
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    HOTEL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS:
    As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby.
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    In the very unlikely situation that the client are not able to locate our driver, please call our emergency telephone number below.

    Contacts:
  • PICK-UP INFORMATION:
    • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio de Janeiro limits.
    • We DO NOT do pick-ups in the countryside or too far from the city of Rio de Janeiro.
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    DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS:
    • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio de Janeiro limits.
    • We DO NOT do drop-offs in the countryside or too far from the city of Rio.
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    AIRPORT / PORT ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS:
    • Once you have arrived at the airport or seaport there will be a member of our staff waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a clear sign with your name on it, they will then escort you to your waiting private vehicle.
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    HOTEL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS:
    • As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk
    to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Rio de Janeiro.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Rio de Janeiro.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 10 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Rio de Janeiro..

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