Itinerary
- Day 1
Rio de Janeiro
You'll arrive in Rio and settle into your accommodation in Lapa, the neighborhood known for its colorful buildings and lively energy. Around 6PM the group gathers for an orientation, then it's time to try your first caipirinha. You'll take a samba dance class with face painting before heading into Lapa's party scene for your first night out.
- Meals
- Other (Welcome Caipirinha Cocktail)
Included Activities
- Samba Dance Class
- Face Painting
Optional Activities
- Pre-tour night in Rio (additional cost)
Landmarks Lapa 
- Day 2
Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast you're off on a comprehensive Rio city tour that includes Tijuca National Park and the Christ the Redeemer statue. From there, you'll check out Santa Teresa's historic mansions and famous trams, then walk through the iconic Selaron Steps back in Lapa. Later you'll take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for views across the city. By evening you'll head to the Sambadrome for the main parade event, getting your face painted and settled in the stands to watch Rio's best samba schools perform.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rio City Tour (Tijuca National Park, Christ the Redeemer, Santa Teresa, Selaron Steps, Sugarloaf Mountain with cable car)
- Sambadrome Parade viewing
- Face Painting
Landmarks Tijuca National Park Christ the Redeemer Santa Teresa Selaron Steps Sugarloaf Mountain Sambadrome 
- Day 3
Rio de Janeiro
This morning you have choices: join the group for a bloco street party elsewhere in the city, head to Ipanema Beach to swim and relax, or stay at your accommodation and rest. Later you'll meet back at the hotel and walk to Marina da Gloria for lunch. Then you'll board a schooner for a 3-4 hour cruise around Guanabara Bay with an open bar during the first hour, a dance floor, and quiet areas if you want to chill. You'll head back just as the sun sets, taking in views of the city and landmarks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Marina da Gloria)
Included Activities
- Bloco Street Party (optional tour leader accompaniment)
- Ipanema Beach visit (optional tour leader accompaniment)
- Lunch at Marina da Gloria
- Schooner Boat Cruise around Guanabara Bay (approximately 3-4 hours with open bar first hour)
Landmarks Ipanema Beach Marina da Gloria Guanabara Bay - Day 4
Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast you'll meet your tour leader to see what's planned for the day. You'll head to one of Rio's best bloco street parties (bring a swimsuit under your clothes and sunscreen). From there you'll go straight to Copacabana Beach to relax and hang out. At sunset you can grab a drink, optionally served in a coconut, from Arpoador Rock while you watch the sun go down over Dois Irmãos mountains, with views stretching across to Ipanema and Leblon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bloco Street Party
- Copacabana Beach visit
- Sunset drink at Arpoador Rock
Landmarks Copacabana Beach Arpoador Rock Dois Irmãos - Day 5
Rio de Janeiro
You can start with an optional morning bloco street party with your tour leader, sleep in, or take a leisurely beach morning with brunch. This afternoon you'll do a half-day favela tour with an experienced local guide to meet locals and learn where Rio's samba schools came from. You'll trek to the top for views, then walk back through narrow streets. Stop at street vendors to try local açaí. Tonight you'll have a Brazilian churrasco BBQ dinner with the group and one final Carnival celebration to close out this part of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Brazilian Churrasco BBQ (all-you-can-eat buffet))
Included Activities
- Bloco Street Party (optional)
- Favela Tour (3-hour guided tour with local guide)
- Brazilian Churrasco BBQ Dinner
Optional Activities
- Açaí purchase from local sellers
- Final night partying with tour crew
Landmarks Favela - Day 6
Rio de Janeiro
After breakfast you'll check out of your accommodation. This is where your Carnival experience wraps up, though your next adventure is coming. You'll have time to rest and recover before departing early the following morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 7
Rio de Janeiro to Paraty
You'll depart early and take a long drive to Paraty, a small colonial town ringed by mountains on Brazil's green coast. You'll arrive around lunchtime and walk through the cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries during the gold rush era. There's time for optional boat tours or cachaça tasting, or grab lunch at a local restaurant. After resting, join a walking tour to learn about the city including Capela de Santa Maria, a whitewashed church built in 1722. The evening's surprises will unfold as you explore.
Included Activities
- Walking Tour of Paraty
Optional Activities
- Boat Tours
- Cachaça Tasting
Landmarks Paraty Historic Center Capela de Santa Maria 
- Day 8
Paraty
You'll head out after a good breakfast to Trindade Beach, a former fishing village with long stretches of sand and natural pools full of fish at the base of mountains. You'll walk along the main beaches and take in the landscapes. Lunch is at casual beachfront restaurants where you can try local seafood. By late afternoon you'll head back to Paraty to say goodbye to the city.
Included Activities
- Trindade Beach Trekking
Optional Activities
- Dining at beachfront restaurants
Landmarks Trindade Beach - Day 9
Paraty to Ilha Grande
Early morning you'll travel to Angra dos Reis and board a boat to Ilha Grande, part of a 187-island archipelago in Ilha Grande Bay on Brazil's Costa Verde. The island is known for green waters, rich biodiversity, mountains, jungle, and beaches with different colored water. You'll settle in at your inn, then take a taxi boat to Pouso. From there it's about an hour's trek to Lopez Mendez beach, considered one of the world's nicest beaches. You'll spend a relaxing afternoon in this paradise-like setting.
Included Activities
- Lopez Mendez Trekking (approximately 1 hour walk)
Landmarks Angra do Reis Ilha Grande Lopez Mendez Beach - Day 10
Departure
Take the morning to do some last-minute shopping and pick up souvenirs and gifts from local stores. Then head back to Angra dos Reis where your transportation is waiting to return you to Rio de Janeiro.
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping and souvenir purchases
