Brazil Carnival Essential Experience 6D/5N (Rio de Janeiro)

Thursday (8 February): Rio Arrival, Check-in, Welcome Caipirinha Cocktail & Briefing, Group Samba Dance Class, Face Painting, Night Out in Lapa
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! Upon arrival at the airport, please make your way to your accommodation, which is located in Lapa, Rio's colorful bohemian centre, where many of Carnival's major events and bloco parties take place. You will enjoy a neighbourhood full of samba clubs, theatres, capoeira, trendy antique stores housed in historic buildings, funky bars and much more for you to discover. Feel free to arrive when you wish, however, remember check-in is from 3PM on.
Around 6PM you will meet with the rest of the group for a meeting to revise the schedule of all the planned events.
Then it's time to start partying! Enjoy your first caipirinha and get ready for the group samba class where you can show off all your skills. You'll also have the chance to get your face painted by our professional make-up artist. Then get ready to hit the streets of Lapa for your first night out in the most famous party zone of all Rio, right at your door-step. Your Tour Leader will lead you to where all the action is!!! Get ready to experience what street partying is all about!
Pre-Tour Night: Please note an optional night is available before the beginning of the tour for an additional cost. We highly recommend that you book an extra night, especially if you’ve travelled a long way to get here, to give you time to recover, settle in and visit more of Rio’s sites before Carnival.
Shopping Note: During Carnival, it is customary to wear ‘fancy-dress’ costumes and appendages during the street parties; so make sure you pack some fancy dress items with you! (ANYTHING goes!) You should be able to buy some stuff there too, but please don't rely on that.
NOTE: Please note the itinerary is subject to change due to unexpected circumstances such as bad weather, changes to Carnival schedules, traffic, diversions, demonstrations/strikes, inconveniences or changes caused by local operators and authorities and other circumstances beyond our control.

Friday (9 February): Bloco/Beach Trip, Make-up Artist, Sambadrome Parade (B)
During today's breakfast, your Tour Leader will be available to go through today's plans and answer any questions you may have.
This morning the Essential Experience group will be offered to be accompanied to an action-packed Carnival bloco (street party) OR accompanied on the metro to the best part of Ipanema beach for a relaxing group beach excursion. You can choose which option appeals to you most.
This afternoon you will have time to prepare for the main Carnival event: Sambadrome Parade at Sambodromo! All of the city's best samba schools parade their outrageous floats and costumes down the runway here, and you will be able to view it all from the stands above. There are no fixed seats, but our section will be full of fun, rowdy revelers!
In preparation for this incredible event, you will have the opportunity to get your face painted by our professional make-up artist again, and have your picture taken by our photographer.

Saturday (10 February): Bloco Street Party/Optional tour, Boat Party Cruise (B)
This morning, after breakfast, you will have the opportunity to be taken yet again to one of the best blocos (street parties) in town. Each day your tour leader will tell you about and offer to take you to one of these incredible blocos, all in different locations around Rio. OR you will have the option of booking yourself onto a tour such as the City Tour of Rio de Janeiro (to be booked locally at an extra cost) which includes the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, Santa Teresa with its impressive old mansions, colourful art galleries, trams, the City Cathedral, the tiled Steps of Selaron and last but certainly not least the beautiful Sugarloaf Mountain by cable-car… the views are simply breathtaking! The other third option is to have a rest and do nothing this morning. The choice is yours ;-)
Later in the day the group will meet up at the hotel and stroll down together to the Marina da Gloria. You will then all hop aboard a magnificent schooner boat that will cruise around Rio's spectacular Guanabara Bay for around 3-4 hours. Enjoy an open bar during the first hour of the cruise and make the most of the dance floor, music and chill-out area. Returning just after sunset, you'll have the chance to view the city, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer from a stunningly different light and angle.
After some relaxing time back in your accommodation, prepare yourself for another exciting night. You'll be shown the best nightlife the city has to offer!

Sunday (11 February): Bloco Street Party, Beach Trip, Sunset drink (B)
Once again, you will start your day with a nice breakfast and the chance to meet up with your Tour Leader to check the itinerary for the day and ask any questions you may have. This morning, you'll be taken once again to the very best carnival bloco street-party in town. Feel free to wear your swimsuits underneath your clothes, and don't forget sunscreen. We make the most of this day, going to Copacabana Beach straight from the bloco. Time to relax and chill here. At the end of this perfect day we sip on a drink (out of a coconut if you wish!) and watch the sunset over the Dois Irmãos mountains from Arpoador Rock with beautiful views in all directions from Copacabana to Ipanema and Leblon. You'll then be accompanied back to the accommodation where you can either collapse into bed or get ready for another fun night on the town. Tonight, your Tour Leader will once again offer to take you to the very best Carnival parties that Rio has to offer!

Monday (12 February): Bloco Street Party, Final Night Out (B)
If you’re up for another morning bloco street party, our Tour Leaders will be ready to accompany you to one of the best and last blocos of Rio Carnival! Or perhaps you’re ready for a bit of a sleep-in, a beach morning or a leisurely brunch somewhere lovely? Ask our Tour Leaders for their recommendations.
Amongst other optional tours on offer, you will be offered an optional half day Favela Tour (to be booked locally at an extra cost). Meet the welcoming locals of this pacified Favela and discover the origins of Rio’s legendary Samba Schools during this excellent 3-hour tour. The experienced local guide will take you to the top of the Favela, where you’ll get breathtaking views and see Rio from a completely different perspective. On the walk back down through the narrow streets, you truly get a unique insight into the vibrant spirit of the proud inhabitants. At the end, you'll have the opportunity to buy yourself a delicious icy açai from the local sellers – which will be sure to replenish your energy for the afternoon and night ahead!
Tonight is the last night of our Carnival package! We have a big finale night planned. Starting with a delicious optional Brazilian Churrasco BBQ dinner (to be booked locally at an extra cost). You will then be given the option to party on with all of our crew for the final night of Rio Carnival – One last Party! - We’ll be sure to go out with a bang!

Tuesday (13 February): Accommodation Check-Out (B)
This great adventure comes to an end today. The rest of the day is yours, just remember the check-out is at 11AM (or sometimes MIDDAY – you’ll be advised!).
We wish you safe travels for your onward journey!
*Airport Drop-Off: Please note, an optional transfer to the airport can be scheduled for an additional cost.
NOTE: Please note the itinerary is subject to change due to unexpected circumstances such as bad weather, changes to Carnival schedules, traffic, diversions, demonstrations/strikes, inconveniences or changes caused by local operators and authorities and other circumstances beyond our control.