Rio is a city with a worldwide known reputation. Ask someone to picture Albuquerque or Zurich, and not much will come to mind. Say "Rio" and mental images explode: the glittering skimpy costumes of Carnival; the statue of Christ, arms outspread on the mountaintop; the beaches of Ipanema or Copacabana, crowded with beautiful people including girls in mini-bikinis; the rocky height of the Sugarloaf; or the persistent rhythm of the samba.

With some cities the image is all there is. Fortunately in Rio there's much more beyond, above, and behind the glitter: historic neighborhoods, compelling architecture, wildlife and nature, dining (of the most various types), nightspots, bookshops, cafes, museums, and enclaves of rich and poor. In Rio, the more you explore, the more there is to see.

Flying into Rio is one of the most beautiful sights in the world, whether at night or during the day, the visitor quickly finds out why Rio is known as the "Marvelous City". It is also an important center for art and fashion. Works by Brazilian and international artists are featured in local galleries and museums. New styles and clothing concepts are always available in Ipanema elegant stores and boutiques. Precious and semiprecious stones are also a specialty in Rio, where some of the world's largest and most renowned jewelers are located.

1- Arrival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Welcome to South America's largest and most populous country. Immigration and Customs. Meet and greet at the airport in Rio de Janeiro and arrival transfer to your hotel. Your room will be ready by noontime, if you prefer we can also arrange you an early check-in (at a surcharge) and you will have your room ready upon arrival, so you can freshen up and rest before exploring Rio de Janeiro.

2- Rio de Janeiro
Half Day City Tour to Sugar Loaf with guide. Today you will take the two-stage cable car up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain - Pão de Açúcar - in the middle of the Guanabara Bay at 396 m (1.300 feet) above sea-level and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. From here you can see Rio's beaches to the south, and beyond, like Sugar Loaf itself, half a dozen granite monolithic morros rising straight from the water’s edge in Guanabara Bay. You may change the date of this tour at your convenience.

3- Rio de Janeiro
At leisure in Rio. Enjoy the surroundings of your hotel or take a tour to Corcovado, where the statue of Christ, the Redeemer, overlooks Rio and its famous beaches.

4- Rio de Janeiro
At leisure in Rio. As an optional tour, experience the rain forest right inside of Rio de Janeiro with the Jeep Tour. If you are a beach lover, a full-day cruise around Rio's Tropical Islands is the tour for you.

5- Rio de Janeiro
This is your last day in Rio. It may be time for shopping. Visit the Amsterdam Sauer Jewelry Museum. They provide free transportation to and from the hotel. We can arrange this visit for FREE. In the evening, as an optional tour we suggest a wonderful dinner followed by a spectacular samba show with elaborately costumed mulatas, singers and dancers, presenting Brazil's folklore and capturing the carnival rhythms.

6- Depart Rio de Janeiro - Next City
Check-out at noon. Transfer to the airport in Rio de Janeiro. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.

Land-Only prices in US-Dollars per person in double occupancy (single supplement available), including:

• Private roundtrip transfer Airport GIG or SDU in Rio de Janeiro/Hotel/Airport GIG or SDU in Rio de Janeiro featuring air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide.

• Half Day City Tour to Sugar Loaf (SIB, approximately 4 hours) with English speaking guide.

• Accommodation in the hotel of your choice.

• Daily Brazilian buffet breakfast, unless indicated above.

• Meals as per description (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

• Hotel taxes.

-> Additional for Russian speaking guide = US$ 130 per person.

-> Additional for breakfast at Hotel Copacabana Palace = US$ 42 per person, per day until October 31, 2010.

-> To reduce or extend number of nights in this package, simply click on the hotel of your choice and check the desired period.

To receive more information, please email us at office@opcotours.com.