Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience

Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience

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Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience

7 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Rio de Janeiro

Visiting: Rio de Janeiro

Tour operator:

Expat Explore Travel

Tour code:

LATAMC

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

10 - 51

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

10-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Special Events

Activities:

Sightseeing

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Do you love sun, sand and celebration? This Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience is for you! Embark on a 7-day tour through Rio’s iconic festivities and dive head first into local Brazilian culture. Visit some of the world’s most famous beaches, including Copacabana and Ipanema. See top sights, taste delicious local cuisine and immerse yourself in the Rio Carnival. Become a part of the parade, dance the nights away, get your very own Carnival kit and make memories to last a lifetime on this Brazil guided tour.

Highlights

  • Join the world’s biggest party and watch the main Rio Carnival parade

  • Soak up the Rio sun on Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca beaches

  • Get a taste of Brazil with a traditional BBQ

  • Experience the local Brazilian spirit at a street party

Places You'll See

Christ The Redeemer

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Start Of Tour In Rio De Janeiro

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Meals Included: Dinner

Get ready for a week of vibrant festivities as this Rio Carnival tour starts this evening! After meeting up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel, head to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. Stop on the way at the legendary Praia de Copacabana (Copacabana Beach) for a walk along the iconic mosaiced promenade. Taste Brazil’s national dish with an all-you-can-eat feijoada buffet. This delicious and hearty bean stew is sure to leave you satisfied. At dinner, receive your Carnival Kit which contains a T-shirt, dazzling Carnival mask and glitter to add some extra sparkle! Afterwards, head back to the hotel or head out and explore Rio’s lively nightlife.

  • Enjoy the expertise of a local Brazilian tour leader

  • Visit the world-famous Copacabana beach

  • Taste feijoada, Brazil’s national dish, at a welcome dinner in Rio

  • Get a Carnival Kit complete with a T-shirt, mask and glitter

Day 2: Ipanema Beach

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend the day like a local or Carioca as they say in Rio. Travel on the metro with your tour leader to the stunning Ipanema Beach, famously mentioned in the Bossa Nova songThe Girl from Ipanema. Look forward to a spectacular beach day complete with dreamy blue waters and plenty of sunshine. Why not enjoy a game of soccer or volleyball? This afternoon, go back to the hotel to freshen up for tonight’s optional activity. This excursion includes a meal featuring delicious local treats and drinks at a local bar.

  • Soak up the Rio sun on Ipanema Beach

Day 3: Bloco Carnival

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Meals Included: Breakfast

Prepare to become immersed in the Rio Carnival today! Take to the streets and experience an unforgettableBlocos de Carnaval(Carnival Block) celebration. Join the many locals who are sure to be out and about dancing along to the bands which will be bringing the spirit of Carnival to the bustling streets of Rio. This is the perfect opportunity to get your Carnival Kit out, don your t-shirt and mask, and truly become a part of the Carnival. After embracing the festivities, the evening is free to spend as you wish.

  • Join the locals for a livelyBloco de Carnavalstreet party

Day 4: Sambódromo Parade

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Meals Included: Breakfast

The party continues today but first, look forward to a laidback morning to rest up after yesterday’s activities. This morning is the ideal time to soak up some more sun at the tranquil nearby Praia do Leme (Leme beach) or revisit Copacabana beach. This afternoon’s optional excursion is highly recommended for foodies who want to discover Brazil’s exceptional meat and BBQ culture. Indulge in an all-you-can-eat Rodizio and tuck into some of the country’s best cuts of meat. Later, sit down at the Sambódromo and experience the world’s biggest party on Parade Day! This will undoubtedly be a highlight of the whole tour.

  • See the world’s biggest party, the Sambódromo Parade

Day 5: Rio De Janeiro: Free Day

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today offers a free day to explore Rio to the fullest! Enjoy a lazy morning after last night’s festivities and then experience this captivating city your way. Be sure to tick some of Rio’s top attractions off your bucket list such as the towering Christ the Redeemer statue or the impressive Botanical Gardens. Admire the views from atop Sugarloaf Mountain which can be reached via cable car. Make sure you save some energy for tonight’s unmissable optional excursion where you can join a parade! Not only will you get to witness the biggest show in the world but you’ll actually be a part of it. Wear a beautiful costume and dance the night away!

Day 6: Barra Da Tijuca Beach

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today offers a relaxing morning followed by an afternoon at Barra da Tijuca beach. This gorgeous beach is lesser known compared to many of Rio’s crowded beaches, such as Ipanema, making it the ideal location for a serene day at the seaside. While lazing on the beach, enjoy some included snacks. As the day comes to an end, sit down with the group for a delicious included dinner at the deck bar. Reminisce about the many memories made after the last few days on tour!

  • Laze on the less-crowded Barra da Tijuca Beach

  • Say goodbye to Carnival spirit with a farewell dinner

Day 7: End Of Tour In Rio De Janeiro

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Accommodation Name: 4* hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This whirlwind journey through local Rio life, Brazilian Carnival culture and some of the city’s most stunning beaches comes to an end this morning. Bid farewell to your newfound travel buddies after breakfast and be sure to swap contact details. Expat Explore wishes you a safe trip onwards.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    6 nights in 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
    Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)

  • Transport

    Air-conditioned vehicles

  • Meals

    6 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request

  • Tour Leader

    Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
    Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details

What's Not Included

  • International flights

    Travel to the start point and from the endpoint is not included.

    We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.

  • Travel insurance

    All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.

    For more information, visit the Expat Explore insurance page.

Mode of Transport

  • Air-conditioned vehicles

Accommodation

  • 6 nights in 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
    Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)

Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours

We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.


Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.


Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.


We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.


For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.


With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.


For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.

Health and Fitness

International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.



All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.

Experiences

  • Enjoy the expertise of a local Brazilian tour leader

  • Visit the world-famous Copacabana beach

  • Taste feijoada, Brazil’s national dish, at a welcome dinner in Rio

  • Get a Carnival Kit complete with a T-shirt, mask and glitter

  • Soak up the Rio sun on Ipanema Beach

  • Join the locals for a livelyBloco de Carnavalstreet party

  • See the world’s biggest party, the Sambódromo Parade

  • Laze on the less-crowded Barra da Tijuca Beach

  • Say goodbye to Carnival spirit with a farewell dinner

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 6 nights in 4-star hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. Single travelers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room, subject to availability.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Yes, the tour package includes 6 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Vegetarian options are available for all meals upon request.

  • What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

    The tour uses air-conditioned vehicles for transportation.

  • What activities are included in the tour?

    The tour includes a variety of activities such as visiting Copacabana Beach, tasting Brazil’s national dish feijoada at a welcome dinner, receiving a Carnival Kit, joining a Bloco de Carnaval street party, watching the Sambódromo Parade, and spending time at Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca beaches.

  • Is there an opportunity to participate in the Rio Carnival Parade?

    Yes, there is an optional excursion where you can take part in a Parade Day performance, donning a costume and experiencing the parade like a true Rio local.

  • What is included in the Carnival Kit?

    The Carnival Kit includes a T-shirt, a classic and colorful Carnival mask, and plenty of glitter.

  • Are there any optional excursions available during the tour?

    Yes, there are optional excursions such as the Carioca Dinner Experience and an all-you-can-eat Rodizio at a local Churrascaria.

  • What should I expect on the first day of the tour?

    On the first day, you will arrive at the hotel, meet your tour leader and fellow travelers, and head to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. You will also receive your Carnival Kit.

  • What happens on the last day of the tour?

    The tour wraps up after breakfast on the last day. You will have the opportunity to exchange contact details with your new friends before departing.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.

  • Children on tour?

    Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 2005

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc

Reviews of this operator

ANTHONY NDUNGU   ITALY

Balkan Explorer - 16 Days

03-Sep-2024

I had a blast!!!! Simply amazing and would highly recommend.

Roger  

Wonderful new addition

19-Oct-2022

Great new country and addition by Expat. One of the most interesting and beautiful countries I've ever been. Great food, scenery and lovely people.

Jamie the Kingslayer  

Everything I had expected and more

01-Oct-2022

It was my first time traveling to Europe so I was nervous about everything including finding my way around, speaking the languages, and finding lodging. It turned out to be an incredible experience, I couldn't ask for a better your guide. Luke truly is the best in the business and we were so lucky o have him on the last tour of the season. I am definitely going to recommend Expat to my family and friends when they want to travel to Europe. I am going to go as far as finding out when Luke will be the guide and have family/friends specifically book the tour with him.

Randy  

Outstanding!

25-Sep-2022

From orientation to farewell dinner Martina was always there to ensure that everyone was happy and enjoying the tour! It was fast paced, especially with the added excursions, but the tour covered the best of Italy and Martina was absolutely the best. She was entertaining and informative. Look forward to another tour with her!!

Emma  

Perfect combination of sites, history, culture and food

19-Oct-2022

The highlights of Japan tour with Expat Explore was the ideal way to see the country. It had the perfect mix of big cities, small quaint villages, historical sites and food! The tour was well organised and a good pace to enjoy the various places and activities. We had the opportunity to be immersed in local culture and try the cuisine in a range of dining experiences. The hotels were clean and roomy to rest for days filled with adventures. Japan with Expat should be on your wish list!

CCY  

Good experience

07-Oct-2022

Enjoyed the views of different places and learnt about the history of different places in UK/Ireland.

Kendra Olson   United States

Classic Europe - 14 Days

03-Apr-2024

Such a great trip and saw so many places, if we did this trip on our own I think we would only get half of what we did done in this time period. It definitely was busy with not much down time but we didn’t pay to go be bored. Beautiful and memorable trip!

Travelling Solo  

12 Day Italian Delights

18-Oct-2022

A great tour made even better by our tour leader Marty. She was so knowledgeable and helpful. Made us laugh, showed us amazing sites and always had great recommendations.

Tash  

Really nice experience

26-Oct-2022

Loved the small country towns. Very beautiful MARTY AND ALEX THE DRIVER , made the tour experience perfect for me. She is a brilliant guide.

Disappointed  

Totally exhausted

05-Oct-2022

I need a holiday to recover from this full-on, insufficient down time, tour. Late hotel arrivals, late city tours, late dinners and excessive walking due to public transport use and then early morning starts. And to top it off, no seat rotation (tour leader advised on day 2 for covid reasons) which made sense on day 2 but not by day 3 or 4 when we had been grouped together at meals, on walking tours, and sharing rooms with people we had just met...merrily spreading our germs between our group anyway! This seating rule however was waived for a special few...those who insisted that they get travel sickness (and must sit in the front seat) and..those who think the rule is not for them and aren't challenged by the tour leader anyway. No seat rotation also meant not getting the opportunity to get to know everyone on the tour on an equal basis.

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.

    At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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