Rio Carnival Package

6 Nights - from $1090

The Rio Carnival is the greatest party on earth - an amazing spectacle of colour and costumes set to the sultry sounds of samba music. It's a once in a lifetime experience, joining thousands of Cariocas in a six-day frenzy of dancing and celebration. We offer the whole package so you get the full Rio experience: tickets to the Sambadrome, a guided half-day trip up Corcovado and another to the Sugar Loaf Mountain, and a sunset boat trip out on the waters of Guanabarra Bay. We can also help with various optional activities which must be requested at the same time as booking, please see the 'what can I do on the way?' section below.

Carnival Brazil style - its the festival that is a must do and don't underestimate the size and life of this extravaganza. You will never have partied like this.

Rio Carnival is one of the most colourful spectacles in the world and lasts for about 5 days on the run up to Shrove Tuesday. The whole city comes alive with music, singing and dancing, and the streets are never empty. Be prepared for sleepless days and nights, as the partying is non-stop, be it in the streets, or at one of the many fancy dress balls, or in the famous Sambadrome watching the parading carnival groups with their extravagant costumes and floats. The various samba 'schools' all compete for a prize and the honour of being the champion carnival group of the year. Around the time of Rio Carnival, our trips are timed to fit in with the event, either at the start or end of your overland trip, so you can be sure of enjoying Rio Carnival with a group of like-minded travellers. You can also book this package by itself but in both case we recommend that you book early to guarantee availability.

Optional Activities at Rio Carnival:

• Watch a football match at the legendary Maracana Stadium
• Join a Samba school and parade parade with them through the Sambadrome
• Re-visit the Sambadrome for a close up view of the parade
• Take an Historical Samba Tour to learn about the origins of Samba Dancing
• Take a tour of colonial Rio and learn about the city's history and heritage
• Visit the Morrinho Project - a 300 metre squared model favela
• Dress up and go to the Gay Ball, the most colourful and sequin orientated of all the balls

ALL OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE, WE ADVISE YOU DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Click here for more details on our optional activites or you can ring our sales team on +44 (0) 1728 861 133. If you have booked through a travel agent please book these activites through your agent

Itinerary:

Friday: Dragoman Carnival crew to look after you during your stay Meet your fellow travellers at the welcome meeting Saturday: Half day guided tour of Corcovado Optional: Watch a football match at the legendary Maracana Stadium Sunday: Party all night to the fantastic sounds and sights of the Samba schools parade Optional: Take an Historical Samba Tour to learn about the origins of Samba Dancing Ticket to the Sambadrome Parade Monday: Optional: Return to the Sambadrome for a closer view of the parade* Optional: Join in with the Samba Parade Optional: Visit Community Project Morrinho - a model favela Check out the local parades and soak up the Brazilian Carnival atmosphere Tuesday: Optional: Dress up and go to the Gay Ball, the most colourful of all the balls Half day guided tour of Sugar Loaf Mountain Free time to chill out on the beach Wednesday: Optional: Take a tour of colonial Rio and learn about the city's history and heritage Sunset Boat Cruise on Guanabarra Bay

Optional Extras

• Click for more details on optional activites

Accommodation: Shared rooms (twin/triple/quad) in a friendly tourist standard hotel, in the lovely area of Flamengo - close to city centre and beach.(100% hotels)
Vehicles: Local transport.
Notes: There is no kitty. Accommodation is on a B&B basis, in shared rooms and is covered by the tour cost. The exact itinerary may vary slightly. This package is 6 nights in 2010 - see Trip Notes.If you are looking at this trip as part of an epic trip: Rio Carnival only occurs once each year, in the lead up to ash Wednesday. If the epic trip you are looking at does not coincide with Rio Carnival we are unable to offer you this package. Instead there will be a 6 day break from the trip in Rio.
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.