Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience
Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience
$2220
Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience
7 Days Starting and ending in Hotel in Rio de Janeiro
Visiting: Rio de Janeiro
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LATAMC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Beach Tours, Cultural, Festival & Special Events, Foodie and Wine Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Do you love sun, sand and celebration? This Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience is for you! Embark on a 7-day tour through Rio’s iconic festivities and dive head first into local Brazilian culture. Visit some of the world’s most famous beaches, including Copacabana and Ipanema. See top sights, taste delicious local cuisine and immerse yourself in the Rio Carnival. Become a part of the parade, dance the nights away, get your very own Carnival kit and make memories to last a lifetime on this Brazil guided tour.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Meals Included: Dinner
Get ready for a week of vibrant festivities as this Rio Carnival tour starts this evening! After meeting up with your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel, head to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. Stop on the way at the legendary Praia de Copacabana (Copacabana Beach) for a walk along the iconic mosaiced promenade. Taste Brazil’s national dish with an all-you-can-eat feijoada buffet. This delicious and hearty bean stew is sure to leave you satisfied. At dinner, receive your Carnival Kit which contains a T-shirt, dazzling Carnival mask and glitter to add some extra sparkle! Afterwards, head back to the hotel or head out and explore Rio’s lively nightlife.
Enjoy the expertise of a local Brazilian tour leader
Visit the world-famous Copacabana beach
Taste feijoada, Brazil’s national dish, at a welcome dinner in Rio
Get a Carnival Kit complete with a T-shirt, mask and glitter
Day 2: Ipanema Beach
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day like a local or Carioca as they say in Rio. Travel on the metro with your tour leader to the stunning Ipanema Beach, famously mentioned in the Bossa Nova songThe Girl from Ipanema. Look forward to a spectacular beach day complete with dreamy blue waters and plenty of sunshine. Why not enjoy a game of soccer or volleyball? This afternoon, go back to the hotel to freshen up for tonight’s optional activity. This excursion includes a meal featuring delicious local treats and drinks at a local bar.
Soak up the Rio sun on Ipanema Beach
Day 3: Bloco Carnival
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Meals Included: Breakfast
Prepare to become immersed in the Rio Carnival today! Take to the streets and experience an unforgettableBlocos de Carnaval(Carnival Block) celebration. Join the many locals who are sure to be out and about dancing along to the bands which will be bringing the spirit of Carnival to the bustling streets of Rio. This is the perfect opportunity to get your Carnival Kit out, don your t-shirt and mask, and truly become a part of the Carnival. After embracing the festivities, the evening is free to spend as you wish.
Join the locals for a livelyBloco de Carnavalstreet party
Day 4: Sambódromo Parade
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Meals Included: Breakfast
The party continues today but first, look forward to a laidback morning to rest up after yesterday’s activities. This morning is the ideal time to soak up some more sun at the tranquil nearby Praia do Leme (Leme beach) or revisit Copacabana beach. This afternoon’s optional excursion is highly recommended for foodies who want to discover Brazil’s exceptional meat and BBQ culture. Indulge in an all-you-can-eat Rodizio and tuck into some of the country’s best cuts of meat. Later, sit down at the Sambódromo and experience the world’s biggest party on Parade Day! This will undoubtedly be a highlight of the whole tour.
See the world’s biggest party, the Sambódromo Parade
Day 5: Rio De Janeiro: Free Day
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today offers a free day to explore Rio to the fullest! Enjoy a lazy morning after last night’s festivities and then experience this captivating city your way. Be sure to tick some of Rio’s top attractions off your bucket list such as the towering Christ the Redeemer statue or the impressive Botanical Gardens. Admire the views from atop Sugarloaf Mountain which can be reached via cable car. Make sure you save some energy for tonight’s unmissable optional excursion where you can join a parade! Not only will you get to witness the biggest show in the world but you’ll actually be a part of it. Wear a beautiful costume and dance the night away!
Day 6: Barra Da Tijuca Beach
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today offers a relaxing morning followed by an afternoon at Barra da Tijuca beach. This gorgeous beach is lesser known compared to many of Rio’s crowded beaches, such as Ipanema, making it the ideal location for a serene day at the seaside. While lazing on the beach, enjoy some included snacks. As the day comes to an end, sit down with the group for a delicious included dinner at the deck bar. Reminisce about the many memories made after the last few days on tour!
Laze on the less-crowded Barra da Tijuca Beach
Say goodbye to Carnival spirit with a farewell dinner
Day 7: End Of Tour In Rio De Janeiro
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Accommodation Name: 4* hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This whirlwind journey through local Rio life, Brazilian Carnival culture and some of the city’s most stunning beaches comes to an end this morning. Bid farewell to your newfound travel buddies after breakfast and be sure to swap contact details. Expat Explore wishes you a safe trip onwards.
What's Included
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Accommodation
6 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Air-conditioned vehicles
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Meals
6 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
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International flights
Travel to the start point and from the endpoint is not included.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights. -
Travel insurance
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
For more information, visit the Expat Explore insurance page.
Mode of Transport
Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation
6 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Health and Fitness
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance.
Experiences
Enjoy the expertise of a local Brazilian tour leader
Visit the world-famous Copacabana beach
Taste feijoada, Brazil’s national dish, at a welcome dinner in Rio
Get a Carnival Kit complete with a T-shirt, mask and glitter
Soak up the Rio sun on Ipanema Beach
Join the locals for a livelyBloco de Carnavalstreet party
See the world’s biggest party, the Sambódromo Parade
Laze on the less-crowded Barra da Tijuca Beach
Say goodbye to Carnival spirit with a farewell dinner
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 6 nights in 4-star hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. Single travelers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room, subject to availability.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes 6 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Vegetarian options are available for all meals upon request.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses air-conditioned vehicles for transportation.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes a variety of activities such as visiting Copacabana Beach, tasting Brazil’s national dish feijoada at a welcome dinner, receiving a Carnival Kit, joining a Bloco de Carnaval street party, watching the Sambódromo Parade, and spending time at Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca beaches.
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Is there an opportunity to participate in the Rio Carnival Parade?
Yes, there is an optional excursion where you can take part in a Parade Day performance, donning a costume and experiencing the parade like a true Rio local.
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What is included in the Carnival Kit?
The Carnival Kit includes a T-shirt, a classic and colorful Carnival mask, and plenty of glitter.
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Are there any optional excursions available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional excursions such as the Carioca Dinner Experience and an all-you-can-eat Rodizio at a local Churrascaria.
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What should I expect on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive at the hotel, meet your tour leader and fellow travelers, and head to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner. You will also receive your Carnival Kit.
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What happens on the last day of the tour?
The tour wraps up after breakfast on the last day. You will have the opportunity to exchange contact details with your new friends before departing.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
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Feb 27, 2025 - Mar 05, 2025Thursday - Wednesday
Feb 12, 2026 - Feb 18, 2026Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 91 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.