Nearly five hundred years have seen Rio de Janeiro transformed from a fortified outpost on the rim of an unknown continent into one of the world's great cities. It's recorded past is tied exclusively to the legacy of the colonialism on which it was founded. Almost half of the ten million slaves shipped out from Africa between 1500 and 1850 came to Brazil. By the eighteenth century, the majority of Rio's inhabitants were African slaves.

Nearly five hundred years have seen Rio de Janeiro transformed from a fortified outpost on the rim of an unknown continent into one of the world's great cities. It's recorded past is tied exclusively to the legacy of the colonialism on which it was founded. Almost half of the ten million slaves shipped out from Africa between 1500 and 1850 came to Brazil. By the eighteenth century, the majority of Rio's inhabitants were African slaves.

Unlike other foreign colonies, in Brazil miscegenation became the rule rather than the exception: even the Catholic Church tolerated procreation between the races, on the grounds that it supplied more souls to be saved. As a result, virtually nothing in Rio remained untouched by African customs, beliefs and behavior – a state of affairs that clearly influences today's city, too, with its mixture of Afro-Brazilian music, spiritualist cults and cuisine.

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. Afterwards, you will also enjoy a visit to Cidade do Samba. Here visitors can watch real floats being built and see Carnival costumes being prepared, while learning about unique percussion instruments that hammer out that irresistible samba beat. You may change the date of this tour at your convenience.

As an optional tour, enjoy Rio by Night, a folkloric show where you will have the opportunity to hear a gamut of Brazilian rhythms and see exotic costumes worn by performers. Have fun at this great show where mulatas exhibit the intricate steps of local dances and batuqueiros produce a delirium beat from exotic percussion instruments.

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.

As an optional, take part in a Favela Tour. You will go to the favelas of Vila das Canoas and Rocinha, the largest one in Rio. Picturesque from a distance, once closer they reveal their complex architecture, developing commerce and friendly local people. Most of the Samba Schools participating on the Carnival parade come from there. The tour changes the reputation of favelas, often related to violence and poverty only. Don't be shy, you are welcome there, and the local people support your visit. If you really want to understand Brazil, don't leave Rio missing the Favela Tour.

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.

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 and Cidade do Samba (private, approximately 6 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.

-> Optional Favela Tour (SIB) with English speaking guide = US$ 59 per person.

-> Optional Tour Rio by Night (SIB) with folkloric show and English speaking guide = US$ 114 per person.

-> Additional for breakfast at Hotel Copacabana Palace = US$ 51 per person, per day until October 31, 2009.

-> 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.