Beija Flor Rio Carnival Package
REF: SARC6
VERSION: 4
| Duration: |
6 days - Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro |
| Countries Visited: |
Brazil |
| Age Guide: |
18-55 years |
| Max Group Size: |
160 |
| Transport: |
Bus, Cog Railway, Cable Car, On Foot, Jeep |
| Accommodation: |
Twin Share Hotel Accommodation (5 Nights) |
| What's Included: |
Sambadrome Parade - Sector 6 Box seat - 5 Breakfasts - 1/2 day tour to Corcovado and Christ Statue - 1/2 day tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain - 1/2 day jeep tour of Tijuca Forest |
| Local Payment: |
NO LOCAL PAYMENT |
| Highlights: |
Rio de Janeiro - Copacabana Beaches - Street Parties - Corcovado and Christ Statue - Sugar Loaf Mountain - Tijuca Forest - Sambadrome Parade |
| Optional Highlights: |
No optional highlights |
| Meeting Point: |
Hotel Asturias
Rua Senador Dantas, 14
Centro - 20031-202
Rio de Janeiro
Tel : 55 21 2195-1500 / 2217-0700
Fax: 55 21 2195-1515
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| Introduction: |
The 6 day Rio Carnival package for 2010 is bigger and better than ever. This year we are introducing an all inclusive package so you can spend less time planning and more time partying!! Being a part of the biggest party in the world can be exhausting, you will need a nice, comfortable place to relax, so we have selected a luxurious 3.5 star hotel right in the heart of Rio, close to the beach and the carnival action! 5 nights accommodation, based on twin share is included in the price of all our Carnival packages. Single rooms are available on payment of a single supplement.
We also know that there are many things to do and see in Rio even when it’s not carnival time, and so your package also includes a half day tour to the Christ the Redeemer statue including entrance fees, a half day jeep tour to the beautiful Tijuca forest to do some wildlife spotting right in the middle of the city and a tour up to the iconic Sugar Loaf mountain in the cable car to watch the sunset over the party capital of the world!
The biggest event of carnival in Rio is undoubtedly the Sambadrome parades, at which the city’s best Samba schools dance their way through the packed stadium, showing off their intricate costumes and dazzling floats. The Beija Flor Rio Carnival 2010 Package also includes a ticket to Sector 6 Box Seating area - a very popular and excellent seating option for the sambadrome parade on Sunday night.
Sector 6 Box seats: These seats are numbered and on the ground, so you will be on the same level as the party! Right at the end of the parade, this is a prime position to be able to get your hands on one of the stunning costumes that many of the performers throw away! This is the performers' last chance to impress the judges. An excellent choice if you do not want to spend loads of money but don’t want to be a long way from the action.
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| Day 1: |
The Asturias Hotel is located close to excellent transport connections and just 10 minutes from Copacabana. Rio's other tourist landmarks are located nearby: the affluent financial center and cultural options like theatres, cinemas and museums. At night visit the bohemian district of Lapa with its exciting atmosphere and filled with bars and restaurants where live Brazilian music is played. What better location to experience all the excitement of Rio Carnival! It's a comfortable 3 star hotel with a restaurant and 24 hour room service. Additionally there is a swimming pool, bar and fitness facility. All rooms are equipped with air-con, minibar, telephone, private safe, and cable TV. Included in the price is the famous Brazilian breakfast: Cafe da Manha is a buffet spread of tropical fruits and juices, coffee or tea, breads, cheeses, hams and more. A perfect way to prepare for a day soaking up the sun on sun-drenched Copacabana Beach, and after a long night partying!
The Friday night of Carnival is traditionally the night of the Red and Black Ball – themed to fit in with the colours of Rio’s favourite football team, Flamengo. This popular fancy dress ball at the famous Scala club in Leblon is a great way to celebrate the start of Carnival. (This is an optional activity)
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| Day 2: |
Free morning to sleep in, head to the beach or wander the streets and enjoy the carnival vibe. In the afternoon we will meet at the hotel and enjoy a 4 hour tour to Sugarloaf Mountain. The classic cable car ride to this famous peak on Rio’s water’s edge. Travel to a height of 400m above sea level, offering beautiful views over Rio. 4 hours. Departs at 2pm.
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| Day 3: |
No visit to Rio is complete without a trip to the world famous statue of Jesus Christ on the Corcovado mountain, which can be viewed from almost anywhere in the city. Standing 100 feet high on the mountain, the statue commands the best view in town. We advise getting there early in order to beat not only the crowds but also the haze, which covers the city about mid-morning. Return trip by bus and cog railway, up the forested Corcovado mountain to the Christ Redeemer Statue overlooking Rio and its famous beaches. 4 hours. Departs at 8am. Free afternoon to relax at the beach, or have a siesta in preparation for the all night party at the Sambadrome.<
The Sambadrome parade is the biggest event of Carnival in Rio. It is the competition between the city’s most popular Samba schools to prove that they are the best! The schools spend an entire year preparing for this competition, making costumes, building floats learning the dances and composing the music. It is an all night party beginning at 9pm and continuing on until sunrise the following morning.
A ticket to SECTOR 6 BOX seating sector is included with this package.
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| Day 4: |
Today is a free day to spend at the golden beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, sunbathing and watching the locals in their element. Visit the many market stalls along the waterfront areas at both beaches
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| Day 5: |
Fat Tuesday – This is the final day of Carnival, and you will find that the locals still haven’t run out of steam! There are still plenty of street parades and parties going on all around the city.
Today we take half a day to enjoy a Tijuca Forest Tour. Get another insight into Rio; the stunning Tijuca Forest, which is the biggest urban forest in the world and home to monkeys and a huge variety of exotic birds. Travelling by jeep we'll discover the granite rocks, waterfalls and stunning viewpoints which form this beautiful back drop to Rio. 1/2 day tour.
This night is also the night for the very popular Gay ball, held at the Scala Club in Leblon. Whether you want head down to the entrance of the club and watch the parade of people strutting their stuff, or go inside and check it out for yourself, it’s a spectacle that shouldn’t be missed!! (This is an optional activity).
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| Day 6: |
Tour finishes after breakfast and the memories begin. |
| Please Note: |
The price is based on twin share accommodation and same sex single travellers will be allocated together in twin rooms. If you wish to extend your holiday in Rio, extra nights are available on request, either before or after Carnival.
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| Pre Departure Information Follows |
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| Insurance: |
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then please visit our Travel Insurance page for more information.
Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Tour without travel insurance.
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| Passport: |
Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. It must be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate.
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| Visa Requirements: |
It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your South America trip. Country entry regulations change daily. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs.
EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.
Please note that clients travelling on SA6 Buenos Aires to Rio tours should be aware that Brazilian visas (if required) can take up to 3-4 working days to issue. We strongly advise that you arrive into Buenos Aires at least 4 working days before your trip starts in order to ensure that you have sufficient time to obtain your Brazilian visa.
Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.
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| Medical Information and Vaccinnations: |
Vaccinations:
It is necessary to obtain an International Certificate of Vaccination before travelling. This is a record of your injections and should be issued with your first inoculation. Make sure that after each injection your certificate is dated, signed and stamped.
Compulsory Inoculations:
Yellow Fever for Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru but only if arriving from an infected area.
Please refer to the Yellow Fever information under the Latest News section on our website. Yellow Fever vaccination is now recommended for parts of Argentina, Bolivia (if arriving from Paraguay or Brazil) and parts of Brazil. We strongly recommend that you consult your GP or Travel Clinic at least several weeks prior to departure to check current Yellow Fever vaccination requirements. Your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate should be carried with you at all times.
Recommended inoculations:
Yellow fever, hepatitis A, diphtheria, typhoid, tetanus and polio.
We also recommend:
- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.
Medical Supplies:
We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:
Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.
A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.
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| Malaria: |
Prophylactic tablets are essential in some areas of South America. They are prescribed by your vaccinating doctor and should be taken as directed.
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| Security: |
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We recommend that you do not take unnecessary valuables with you. Wearing jewellery and expensive watches will attract attention.
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A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
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DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at your own risk.
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Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care. Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.
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| Money: |
We suggest passengers budget for between US$25-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.
Take your money is US dollars only. This the only foreign currency readily exchanged in
Latin America.
Traveller’s cheques should be AMERICAN EXPRESS. American Express is the most widely accepted. Cash is far easier to exchange than Travellers Cheques, but also more risky as once lost, is irreplaceable.
However, we do recommend that you take some US dollars cash in small denominations ($10 and $20). In many countries, you may exchange US Dollars traveller’s cheques for US cash, or retrieve US dollars cash from ATMs (with a credit card), usually for a small commission but please do not rely solely on this option .
Credit cards are accepted frequently, particularly in the larger cities. They can also be used to get money from ATMs. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are the most widely accepted credit cards. Visa being the most useful.
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| Staying in Touch: |
Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:
Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad. You can opt to use an International SIM Card.
Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers.
Blog – You can keep your friends and family updated by blogging about your adventures.
Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!
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| Tour Feedback: |
Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. Seven days after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still write a review on the tour page you've done on our site.
Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email at tours [at] travel-amazing-southamerica.com
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| Drug Policy: |
Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.
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| Map: |
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