PRE - ULTIMATE RIO - SOFITEL
Code: riol07
Experience vibrant Rio de Janeiro at landmarks such as Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue, and also through free time, which allows you to venture into parts of the city that interest you the most.
Day 1
Upon flying into the Rio International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Sofitel Rio Hotel, located right across the street from the famed Copacabana Beach.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure, allowing you time to settle in. Meals are on your own, and you'll have plenty of choices regarding cuisine because restaurants are plentiful in the beach area.
Day 2
Enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the hotel before driving along Rio's picturesque beaches to the laid-back Urca district, which exudes a genuine neighborhood feel. Here, you'll board a cable car for a ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The 600-million-year-old granite and quartz mountain was named for its tall cone, supposedly because it resembles sugar that was shaped into a loaf for transport in the 19th century.
The cable-car ride is in two stages. The first takes you to Urca Hill, where there are lush, fragrant gardens and several scenic lookouts. If you wish to venture even higher, the second segment of the cable car ride will take you to the very top of Sugarloaf, which rises 1300 feet above sea level. From here, you will enjoy mesmerizing views of the city, Guanabara Bay, the ocean and smaller, densely vegetated mountains.
After descending Sugarloaf, you will drive through a number of pleasant residential areas, around Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and past the Botanical Gardens, which boasts 5,000 species of tropical plants.
You will return to the hotel by early afternoon and have the remainder of the day to do whatever you please. You might sunbathe on Copacabana Beach and then stroll the black-and-white wave-shaped mosaic boardwalk. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
Day 3
Following a buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to lovely Cosme Velho, a neighborhood known for its brightly colored neo-colonial homes and cobbled streets. Before long, you will board the funicular railway for a 20-minute ride through the Tijuca Forest, the world's largest urban forest.
As the train climbs Corcovado (meaning "Hunchback" in Portuguese) Mountain, you will enjoy spectacular views of Rio de Janeiro peeking through the dense vegetation. A majestic statue of Christ the Redeemer crowns the mountain, which is nearly twice as high as Sugarloaf. Inaugurated in 1931, the 700-ton statue stands 100 feet tall.
Following the descent on the train, you will drive back to the hotel via Rio's most scenic beaches. The remainder of the day is free, so you can explore wherever you wish. If shopping is on your list, you might look for beachwear, gemstone jewelry and leather goods, all of which are signature items in Rio de Janeiro.
Day 4
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the port to embark the ship.
Land Program Step by Step
The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. The times indicated are only approximate, given here for general reference purposes, and are subject to change.
Additional Nights: Optional extra nights can be purchased for guests wishing to arrive earlier than the program start date. Transfers are included when purchased through the cruise line. Please contact our Reservations Department for details.
Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the most current and updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. Should you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided
DAY 1
Fly into Rio de Janeiro and transfer to the Sofitel Rio hotel, where you will spend three evenings. The remainder of today is at your leisure with meals on your own.
DAY 2
AM Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Tour Sugarloaf Mountain
1:00pm Return to the hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Rio Sofitel or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Tour Rio de Janeiro, including Corcovado
1:00pm Return to the hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Rio Sofitel or similar hotel
DAY 4
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel. After check out at 12pm (noon), you will be transferred to the ship for embarkation.
Expected Weather
Summer is from the end of November until March. During these months, the daily high averages 29° Celsius (84° Fahrenheit, although it can frequently climb as high as 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) in parts of the city. At night, the temperatures remain in the mid-20s Celsius (high 70s Fahrenheit). Rainfall peaks in the summer with more than 100mm (about four inches) of rain per month. December is typically the wettest month of the year, although rainfall is unpredictable. It can easily be sunny one day and rain torrentially the next.
What to Bring
Casual, comfortable attire, good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, camera, and umbrella
Currency
The Brazilian Real (BRL) is the currency. You will need Reals, as the U.S. Dollar is not legal tender in Brazil. However, dollars can still be used for small tips or to buy items at some tourist locations.
Electricity
127V-60H
Documents and Visa Requirements
A valid passport is needed. International guests are required to check with their travel agents with regards to Visa requirements.
Accommodation
Sofitel Rio
Avenida Atlantica 4240, Copacabana
Rio De Janeiro 22070002
Phone: (+55) 21 2525 1235
If a similar hotel is required due to unforeseen circumstances, it will be of equal ratings and standards.
Program includes
3 Nights in a deluxe room in the Sofitel Rio
Breakfast buffets
Two half-day tours, including Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer
Air-conditioned coach with English-speaking guide
Luggage handling and porterage at the airport and hotel
Service charges, handling fees, and local taxes
Program excludes
Any meals not listed above
All beverages
Gratuities to drivers and guides
Other hotel incidentals and personal expenses
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces, which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather-appropriate clothing, hats, sunglasses, and flat comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
PRE - ULTIMATE RIO - SOFITEL
Price: $1,499.00 per guest based on double occupancy.
PRE - ULTIMATE RIO - SOFITEL (Concierge-Level Suites and Above Only)
Price: $1,424.00 per guest based on double occupancy.