Sugar Loaf & Copacabana

No trip to Rio would be complete without discovering two of Rio’s most famous landmarks - Copacabana and Sugar Loaf.

Traveling from the pier and downtown commercial district, you'll first enjoy a drive to exotic Praia Vermelha, also referred to as Red Beach and located near Urca Hill, the first ascent on your way to the summit of Sugar Loaf. The Sugar Loaf, or Pão de Açucar, rises as a massive granite cone at the entrance of Guanabara Bay.

Upon arriving at the cable car station, you'll board one of the cars for the short climb to the top of Urca Hill which sits at 650 feet. Here, you’ll find shops and restaurants tucked amongst beautiful shady gardens. The second phase of your journey involves a breathtaking ride to the 1,200 ft. summit of Sugar Loaf. From high atop the mountain, the bird's eye view of the city and surrounding beaches is simply stunning. Tour participants then have the choice of traveling on both rides all the way to the top, or the faint-hearted may choose to remain on the middle level and enjoy the views from that vantage point.

Descending back to the base of the mountain, you'll re-join your coach and travel through one of the city's residential areas, en route to Copacabana, Rio's widely celebrated stretch of crescent beach. Set against a backdrop of towering skyscraper apartment buildings, this vibrant area of Rio that never seems to rest, is a must-see for visitors. Your tour will also travel past the neighboring beach areas of Leme and Ipanema before making your way back to the pier.