There’s a little bit of Carnival celebrated here everyday. From its famous beaches to its iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio radiates an air of exuberance that is hard to find anywhere else. Make the scene on trendy Ipanema or take a cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain and enjoy the amazing views. Sway your hips to the rhythm at a samba show or enjoy the tranquility of king Dom João VI’s Botanical Gardens and verdant Tijuca Forest.
A delightful introduction to this vibrant and captivating city! Visit its major attractions including Sugar Loaf Mountain and the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã or “(Tomorrow´s Museum)”. The group will also visit a Samba Factory to learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival.
DAY 1
Upon flying into the Rio International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel which is located just steps from Ipanema Beach.
Check in is at 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arriving flight you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is available upon arrival at the hotel.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure, allowing you time to settle in. Meals are on your own today.
DAY 2
Following a buffet breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide and take a drive downtown for an intriguing tour of Rio. You will see its beautiful buildings dating from colonial and Imperial days sharing space with the very modern architecture of the Brazilians Oscar Niemeyer, Afonso Reidy and many others. Adding to this group of masters, is the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava who designed the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã, (Tomorrow´s Museum).
Your tour includes visits to the modern Catholic Cathedral, the ancient and gorgeous Saint Bento Monastery as well as The Tomorrow’s Museum. You will also see the Opera House, the Fine Arts Museum and the National Library.
Following your introductory tour of Rio de Janeiro, you will head back to your hotel via Rio’s most scenic beach, the Copacabana. Back at your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore as you wish. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
DAY 3
Enjoy another buffet breakfast at your hotel before driving to Praia Vermelha. Here, you’ll board a cable car for a ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The 600-million-year-old granite and quartz mountain was named for its tall cone, supposedly because it resembles sugar that was shaped into a loaf for transport in the 19th century.
The cable-car ride is in two stages. The first takes you to Urca Hill, where there are lush, fragrant gardens and several scenic lookouts. If you wish to venture even higher, the second segment of the cable car ride will take you to the very top of Sugarloaf, which rises 1300 feet above sea level. From here, you will enjoy mesmerizing views of the city, Guanabara Bay, the ocean and smaller, densely vegetated mountains.
After descending Sugarloaf, you will drive through a number of pleasant residential areas and eventually stop for a typical Brazilian BBQ lunch.
Lunch is followed by a drive downtown for a unique backstage visit to a Samba School Pavilion. Here, you will learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival. It will be especially fascinating to see how the lavish costumes and floats are made. If you wish, you can try on some of the costumes from last year’s Carnival for a photo.
Following this entertaining visit, board your vehicle for a drive through the Rebouças tunnel and return to the hotel by late afternoon. On arrival, you still have time to relax at the hotel. Dinner is on your own.
DAY 4
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant before transferring to the port to embark the ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included
DAY 1
Arrive at the Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro
You are met outside the customs and transferred to your hotel to spend the afternoon and the evening at your leisure. Meals are on your own
Check in time at your hotel is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
Overnight at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
From 7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Introductory tour of downtown Rio
1:00pm Return to your hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 3
From 7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Tour Sugar Loaf, BBQ lunch and visit the Samba School Pavilion
5:00pm Return to the hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with dinner on your own
Overnight at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 4
7:00am Full Brazilian breakfast at your hotel before check-out
12:00pm Transfer to the pier for embarkation
Expected Weather:
Summer is from the end of November until March. During these months, the daily high averages 29° Celsius (84° Fahrenheit, although it can frequently climb as high as 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) in parts of the city.
At night, the temperatures remain in the mid-20s Celsius (high 70s Fahrenheit).
What to Bring:
Casual, comfortable attire, good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, camera, and umbrella
Local Currency:
The local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). You will need Real’s, as the U.S. Dollar is not accepted in Brazil; however, dollars can still be used for small tips or to buy items in some tourist shops.
Electricity
In Rio - 127V-60H - adaptors may be available at the hotel however we recommend brining your own international adaptor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is needed. International guests are required to check with their travel agents with regards to Visa requirements.
Hotel addresses:
Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel Avenida Niemeyer 121, Leblon
Av. Atlântica, 4240 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22070-002, Brazil
Phone: +55 21 2525-1232
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Includes for guests:
3 nights at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro or similar hotel - deluxe ocean front room
Breakfast buffet daily
Two half-day tours, including the Tomorrow’s Museum; the São Bento Monastery and Sugarloaf
BBQ lunch on Day 3 including 1 water plus 1 beer, juice or soda
Air-conditioned coaches with English-speaking guide
Luggage handling and porterage at the airport and hotel
Service charges, handling fees, and local taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
Any meals or beverages not listed above
Gratuities to drivers and guides
Hotel incidentals including mini bar and personal expenses
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Explore the defining iconic landmarks of Rio de Janeiro and then fly to Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina for an adventurous, up-close view of the thundering cascades and their surrounding natural beauty.
Please note: This program requires an extensive amount of walking, at times over for approximately two miles (about 3.2 kilometres), over uneven, rocky, grassy, sandy, slippery, and/or natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach vehicle, and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back or neck problems, heart or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, those who suffer from vertigo, guests with limited mobility or those who utilize a wheelchair.
Special Note: Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
Day 1:
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be met and transferred to your hotel which is located along Copacabana Beach.
Check in time is at 3:00pm.
The remainder of the day at your leisure and meals are on your own.
DAY 2:
Today you will see why Rio is considered one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world. The key natural elements, the Tijuca rainforest, the Guanabara Bay and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, have shaped the development of the city and inspired the Carioca culture. Through this full-day tour with a local guide, you will better appreciate the natural beauty of Rio and the Cariocas.
Following breakfast begin by visiting the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the ‘new’ Seven Wonders of the World. From the top of Corcovado Mountain, the views are breathtaking. You will understand why the natural landscape of the city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Afterwards, you will stop for lunch at the Brazilian barbeque restaurant Assador Rio or similar venue. The tour will then continue to the Urca district, where you will rise 396 meters (1,300 feet) to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car, while enjoying awe-inspiring views of the harbor below.
*Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking. Expect delays and long lines at the Corcovado Train Station. Please be advised that the mountain is frequently enshrouded by clouds, which may affect views of the city. It is highly recommended that guests wear flat, comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes.
In the evening you will drive to the Santa Teresa district for dinner at the tropically designed Tereze Restaurant. Located in the Santa Teresa Hotel, this restaurant offers contemporary cuisine that presents the best of local gastronomy with a Latin American touch.
After dinner return to your hotel.
DAY 3:
Following breakfast and check out, transfer to the airport for a flight to Iguazu. Excess luggage will be separated before departure.
Upon arrival in Iguazu, you will be met and transferred to the Belmond Das Cataratas Hotel. The hotel is located on the Brazilian side of the falls within Brazil’s Iguazu National Park. With its unrivaled location just a short stroll from the sensational waterfalls, you can enjoy exclusive access to the falls in the evening and at dawn when the park is closed to other visitors.
After lunch at the hotel, you will begin a walking tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu National Park by descending a trail down the canyon, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of more than 240 falls. You will then board the glass elevator to a platform to enjoy more exquisite views of the cascades.
Along with its sister park in Argentina, the Iguazu National Park forms the most significant remaining rainforest in the southern cone of South America which, along with the waterfalls, UNESCO has declared a National Heritage Site.
After your tour, you will return to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.
Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at Fabio Tavera's House. The former Head Chef of the Das Cataratas Hotel, Fabio is a talented Brazilian chef who for the past 15 years has been traveling all around the country in search of the flavors that bring this vast and exotic land to life. Fabio will guide you through a six-course meal which pays homage to the heritage of natives, Africans and Europeans that forged Brazil’s flavors in 500 years of history and, of course, while the journey goes on, enjoy fine wine pairings with exquisite South American wines. Throughout the night, the chef will closely and interactively explain the origins of the ingredients and tell curiosities about Brazil’s culinary past.
After dinner return to your hotel.
DAY 4:
Following breakfast, you will begin a full-day tour of the Argentine side of the falls.
After departing the hotel, you will cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge, enjoying its lovely view of the Iguazu Canyon and head towards the Argentine side of Iguaçu National Park. At the entrance, a small train will take you on a tour through the park, making two stops: one to the upper circuit and another to the lower circuit.
You will follow the walkways to the top of the waterfalls, which provide spectacular views of the falls set among the abundant nature filled with orchids, colorful birds and other wildlife. The highlight of the trip will be visiting the suspended platform at the very brink of the Garganta do Diabo waterfall (Devil’s Throat), the largest of the waterfalls in the park.
A stop will be made for lunch at the Melia Iguazu Restaurant located inside the hotel Gran Melia on the Argentine side.
Proceed next on a Macuco Safari tour. Set off in open jeep-towed wagons, allowing for an unobscured view of the scenery along the trail. During the three-kilometer (two-mile) stretch through the jungle, guides draw your attention to the flora and fauna of the park, sharing their expert knowledge.
The second stage of the tour is an optional 600-meter (2,000 feet) hike, which leads up to the Macuco Falls waterfall. Tumbling down from a height of approximately 20 meters (65 feet), it’s the perfect spot for a refreshing dip on days of intense heat. Access the falls via a stairway carved into an ancient rock.
Your final stop is the Macuco Safari dock on the Brazilian side of the Iguassu River. The boat then departs upriver, passing through the canyon and along the rapids at a comfortable speed, allowing you to appreciate of the stunning scenery.
After this amazing adventure, return to your hotel to freshen up before dinner.
Note: the jeep ride can be bumpy, walking to the falls includes steps and natural trails. Guests wishing to take a dip at the falls should wear their bathing suit and carry a towel.
For guests who do not wish to participate in this portion of the program, they can wait at the Melia Iguazu Hotel following lunch.
At the end of this adventurous day, you will return to the hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.
NOTE: When crossing the border between Brazil and Argentina, changing vehicles may be required due to border-crossing regulations. There may be a wait at the border depending on how many others are crossing at the same time. Visas are required for Brazil – please see documentation notes further below.
Day 5
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will transfer to the Iguazu Airport for the flight back to Rio de Janeiro. A boxed lunch to eat en-route will be provided at the hotel.
On the way, you will stop at the Parque das Aves (Bird Park) to experience the native flora and fauna firsthand by following trails through the forest. You will have the exclusive opportunity for an up-close view of native Brazilian bird species, some of which are endangered. This is the biggest bird sanctuary in South America with more than 800 species. It is also an internationally recognized rescue and conservation center for birds.
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be met and transferred to port for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive one last final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Rio de Janeiro International Airport.
You are met just outside the baggage claim area and transferred to your hotel where the afternoon and the evening are at your leisure.
Check in time at your hotel is at 3:00pm.
Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
Meals are on your own.
Overnight at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel or similar
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
8:20am Depart the hotel for Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
9:20am Corcovado Train and Christ the Redeemer
10:50am Descend by train and continue sightseeing tour of the beaches of Rio (Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana)
12:00pm Lunch at Assador Barbecue Restaurant or similar venue
1:15pm Continue to Sugar Loaf and board the cable car
1:40pm Visit Sugar Loaf
3:25pm Descend the cable car and return to your hotel
4:15pm Arrival at the hotel
7:30pm Drive to Tereze Restaurant in Santa Teresa district
9:30pm Return to your hotel
10:00pm Arrive at your hotel
Overnight at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel or similar
DAY 3
6:30am Breakfast at your hotel
8:50am Transfer to the Rio airport
10:40am Flight from Rio to Iguazu (flight details TBA and subject to change)
12:55pm Arrival in Iguazu
1:30pm Transfer to your hotel and check in
2:30pm Lunch at your hotel
3:30pm Walking tour of Brazilian side of the falls
5:30pm Return to your hotel
7:30pm Transfer to restaurant for dinner
8:00pm Dinner at Casa do Chef
10:00pm Return to your hotel
10:20pm Arrival at your hotel
Overnight at the Hotel das Cataratas or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at your hotel
7:30am Full day Argentina side of the falls.
Stop without getting off the bus at the border of Brazil and Argentina
9:15am Board the train to Devils Throat station
9:30am Walk towards the Devil´s Throat
10:40am Arrive at Devils Throat Train Station
11:00am Superior Circuit of the Falls
1:30pm Lunch at Melia Restaurant
3:00pm Continue your tour with the Macuco Safari
5:00pm Return to your hotel
7:30pm Dinner at your hotel
Overnight at the Hotel das Cataratas or similar hotel
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at your hotel
10:00am Check out
10:30am Visit the Bird Park
11:30am Transfer to IGU airport
1:15pm Flight from Iguazu to Rio (flight details TBA and subject to chagne)
Boxed lunch will be provided
3:15pm Arrive in Rio and transfer to pier
Expected Weather:
During the summer in Brazil, temperatures can reach 30 to 40 degrees Celsius in Rio de Janeiro and into the regions in the south but accompanied by frequent showers and a rather heavy humidity.
Rio de Janeiro – Average temperatures between: 30°C - 40°C / 86°F – 104°F
Iguazu – Average temperatures between 26°C - 35°C / 79°F – 95°F
What to Bring:
Light loose clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, swimsuit, backpack, waterproof camera, umbrella or raincoat, mosquito repellent
Local Currency:
The local currencies are the Brazilian Real (BRL) and Argentine Peso (ARS); however, US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and major credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels
Electricity
In Brazil the power plugs and sockets are of type N. The standard voltage is 127 / 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. Adaptors may not be available at your hotel therefore we recommend your bring your own travel adaptor for any electric devices.
Luggage: (conditions subject to change by the airline):
Each guest is permitted to fly to Iguazu with one carry-on up to 10 kg/ 22lb plus a hand purse and two checked pieces of luggage up to 23 kg/ 50lbs each. Please pack accordingly. Excess luggage over this limit and brought to Iguazu will be subject to fees imposed by the airline and payable by guests at the time of check in. Luggage storage is no longer an option as we are including an extra piece in the cost of the program.
If luggage exceeds 23kg/50lbs, guests will be charged at check in approx. $7 USD per additional kilo (BRL $35). No item can exceed 45kg/99 lbs on domestic flights. For example, if your luggage is 31.75 kg / 70 lbs you can expect to pay approximately $61 USD extra per piece that is overweight.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at Regent Seven Seas Cruises at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements
Foreign passengers entering Brazil must have a passport valid at least 6 months past the day of arrival in Brazil.
Passport holders from certain countries are required to obtain a visa prior to entering Brazil.
Please note, the visa waiver for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan is no longer available therefore passport holders from these countries will now require a visa to enter Brazil. A multiple entry visa will be required for this program.
Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Brazil and Argentina. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before departure. This program crosses between Brazil and Argentina.
Citizens travelling with passports from Australia, Canada and the United States visiting Brazil for tourism and business will be subject to visa requirements for entry into Brazilian territory starting from January 10th, 2024. Required e-Visas can be obtained through the portal https://brazil.vfsevisa.com
The process is easy, and quick and if the requirements mentioned below are met, in a few days the applicant will receive the e-Visa on his or her e-mail. The Visa issued is valid for multiple entries for 10 years for US Citizens (5yrs for Canada and Australia).
E Visa - Visa application form (to be completed online https://brazil.vfsevisa.com)
1 Valid Passport (signed, valid up to the end of the travel to Brazil, 2 visa pages free)
2 Passport-style photo (2” x 2”, white background)
3 Confirmation of flight reservation (showing entrance into and exit from Brazil)
4 E-visa fee payment (US$ 80.90)
5 Bank statement, or credit card, showing balance of at least US$ 2,000.00 for travel expenses
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase, otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.
Accommodations
Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel
Avenida Av. Atlântica, 4240 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22070-002, Brazil
Phone: +55 21 2525-1232
Das Cataratas Hotel
Rodovia Br 469, Km 32, Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Foz do Iguaçu - PR, CEP 85855-750, Brasil
Phone: +55 (45) 2102-7000
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•2 nights at the Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana Hotel in a Deluxe partial ocean view room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
•2 nights at the Das Cataratas Hotel in a Deluxe Garden View Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
•2 lunches in Iguazu (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•2 dinners in Iguazu (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•1 boxed lunch in Iguazu (1 soda, 1 mineral water)
•1 lunch in Rio de Janeiro (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•1 dinner in Rio de Janeiro (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•Any applicable entrance fees during the program
•Tours per the itinerary
•English-speaking guides throughout
•Local escort to accompany the group
•Airport porterage
•Gratuities for waiters, hotel staff and drivers
•Bottled water on transportation
•Economy class flights between Rio and Iguazu – direct flights not guaranteed
•Two pieces of checked luggage (max 23 kg / 50 lbs) per piece
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Any meals and beverages not listed above
•Gratuities for guides
•Camera fees if required
•Visa fees if required
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Excess or overweight luggage fees in addition to what is included
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Explore the defining iconic landmarks of Rio de Janeiro and then fly to Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina for an adventurous, up-close view of the thundering cascades and their surrounding natural beauty.
Please note: This program requires an extensive amount of walking, at times over for approximately two miles (about 3.2 kilometres), over uneven, rocky, grassy, sandy, slippery, and/or natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach vehicle, and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back or neck problems, heart or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, those who suffer from vertigo, guests with limited mobility or those who utilize a wheelchair.
Special Note: Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
Day 1:
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Copacabana Palace. Since its Art Deco doors swung open in 1923, the Copacabana Palace has been welcoming the rich and famous and is considered by many to be the most glamorous hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
Check in time is at 3:00pm.
The remainder of the day at your leisure and meals are on your own.
DAY 2:
Today you will see why Rio is considered one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world. The key natural elements, the Tijuca rainforest, the Guanabara Bay and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, have shaped the development of the city and inspired the Carioca culture. Through this full-day tour with a local guide, you will better appreciate the natural beauty of Rio and the Cariocas.
Following breakfast begin by visiting the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the ‘new’ Seven Wonders of the World. From the top of Corcovado Mountain, the views are breathtaking. You will understand why the natural landscape of the city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Afterwards, you will stop for lunch at the Brazilian barbeque restaurant Assador Rio or similar venue. The tour will then continue to the Urca district, where you will rise 396 meters (1,300 feet) to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car, while enjoying awe-inspiring views of the harbor below.
*Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking. Expect delays and long lines at the Corcovado Train Station. Please be advised that the mountain is frequently enshrouded by clouds, which may affect views of the city. It is highly recommended that guests wear flat, comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes.
In the evening you will drive to the Santa Teresa district for dinner at the tropically designed Tereze Restaurant. Located in the Santa Teresa Hotel, this restaurant offers contemporary cuisine that presents the best of local gastronomy with a Latin American touch.
After dinner return to your hotel.
DAY 3:
Following breakfast and check out, transfer to the airport for a flight to Iguazu. Excess luggage will be separated before departure.
Upon arrival in Iguazu, you will be met and transferred to the Belmond Das Cataratas Hotel. The hotel is located on the Brazilian side of the falls within Brazil’s Iguazu National Park. With its unrivaled location just a short stroll from the sensational waterfalls, you can enjoy exclusive access to the falls in the evening and at dawn when the park is closed to other visitors.
After lunch at the hotel, you will begin a walking tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu National Park by descending a trail down the canyon, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of more than 240 falls. You will then board the glass elevator to a platform to enjoy more exquisite views of the cascades.
Along with its sister park in Argentina, the Iguazu National Park forms the most significant remaining rainforest in the southern cone of South America which, along with the waterfalls, UNESCO has declared a National Heritage Site.
After your tour, you will return to the hotel.
Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at Fabio Tavera's House. The former Head Chef of the Das Cataratas Hotel, Fabio is a talented Brazilian chef who for the past 15 years has been traveling all around the country in search of the flavors that bring this vast and exotic land to life. Fabio will guide you through a six-course meal which pays homage to the heritage of natives, Africans and Europeans that forged Brazil’s flavors in 500 years of history and, of course, while the journey goes on, enjoy fine wine pairings with exquisite South American wines. Throughout the night, the chef will closely and interactively explain the origins of the ingredients and tell curiosities about Brazil’s culinary past.
After dinner return to your hotel.
DAY 4:
Following breakfast, you will begin a full-day tour of the Argentine side of the falls.
After departing the hotel, you will cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge, enjoying its lovely view of the Iguazu Canyon and head towards the Argentine side of Iguaçu National Park. At the entrance, a small train will take you on a tour through the park, making two stops: one to the upper circuit and another to the lower circuit.
You will follow the walkways to the top of the waterfalls, which provide spectacular views of the falls set among the abundant nature filled with orchids, colorful birds and other wildlife. The highlight of the trip will be visiting the suspended platform at the very brink of the Garganta do Diabo waterfall (Devil’s Throat), the largest of the waterfalls in the park.
A stop will be made for lunch at the Melia Iguazu Restaurant located inside the hotel Gran Melia on the Argentine side.
Proceed next on a Macuco Safari tour. Set off in open jeep-towed wagons, allowing for an unobscured view of the scenery along the trail. During the three-kilometer (two-mile) stretch through the jungle, guides draw your attention to the flora and fauna of the park, sharing their expert knowledge.
The second stage of the tour is an optional 600-meter (2,000 feet) hike, which leads up to the Macuco Falls waterfall. Tumbling down from a height of approximately 20 meters (65 feet), it’s the perfect spot for a refreshing dip on days of intense heat. Access the falls via a stairway carved into an ancient rock.
Your final stop is the Macuco Safari dock on the Brazilian side of the Iguassu River. The boat then departs upriver, passing through the canyon and along the rapids at a comfortable speed, allowing you to appreciate of the stunning scenery.
After this amazing adventure, return to your hotel to freshen up before dinner.
Note: the jeep ride can be bumpy, walking to the falls includes steps and natural trails. Guests wishing to take a dip at the falls should wear their bathing suit and carry a towel.
For guests who do not wish to participate in this portion of the program, they can wait at the Melia Iguazu Hotel following lunch.
At the end of this adventurous day, you will return to the hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.
NOTE: When crossing the border between Brazil and Argentina, changing vehicles may be required due to border-crossing regulations. There may be a wait at the border depending on how many others are crossing at the same time. Visas are required for Brazil – please see documentation notes further below.
Day 5
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will transfer to the Iguazu Airport for the flight back to Rio de Janeiro. A boxed lunch to eat en-route will be provided at the hotel.
On the way, you will stop at the Parque das Aves (Bird Park) to experience the native flora and fauna firsthand by following trails through the forest. You will have the exclusive opportunity for an up-close view of native Brazilian bird species, some of which are endangered. This is the biggest bird sanctuary in South America with more than 800 species. It is also an internationally recognized rescue and conservation center for birds.
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be met and transferred to port for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive one last final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Rio de Janeiro International Airport.
You are met just outside the baggage claim area and transferred to your hotel where the afternoon and the evening are at your leisure.
Check in time at your hotel is at 3:00pm.
Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
Meals are on your own.
Overnight at the Copacabana Palace Hotel or similar hotel.
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
8:20am Depart the hotel for Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
9:20am Corcovado Train and Christ the Redeemer
10:50am Descend by train and continue sightseeing tour of the beaches of Rio (Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana)
12:00pm Lunch at Assador Barbecue Restaurant or similar venue
1:15pm Continue to Sugar Loaf and board the cable car
1:40pm Visit Sugar Loaf
3:25pm Descend the cable car and return to your hotel
4:15pm Arrival at the hotel
7:30pm Drive to Tereze Restaurant in Santa Teresa district
9:30pm Return to your hotel
10:00pm Arrive at your hotel
Overnight at the Copacabana Palace Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 3
6:30am Breakfast at your hotel
8:50am Transfer to the Rio airport
10:40am Flight from Rio to Iguazu (flight details TBA and subject to change)
12:55pm Arrival in Iguazu
1:30pm Transfer to your hotel and check in
2:30pm Lunch at your hotel
3:30pm Walking tour of Brazilian side of the falls
5:30pm Return to your hotel
7:30pm Transfer to restaurant for dinner
8:00pm Dinner at Casa do Chef
10:00pm Return to your hotel
10:20pm Arrival at your hotel
Overnight at the Hotel das Cataratas or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at your hotel
7:30am Full day Argentina side of the falls.
Stop without getting off the bus at the border of Brazil and Argentina
9:15am Board the train to Devils Throat station
9:30am Walk towards the Devil´s Throat
10:40am Arrive at Devils Throat Train Station
11:00am Superior Circuit of the Falls
1:30pm Lunch at Melia Restaurant
3:00pm Continue your tour with the Macuco Safari
5:00pm Return to your hotel
7:30pm Dinner at your hotel
Overnight at the Hotel das Cataratas or similar hotel
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at your hotel
10:00am Check out
10:30am Visit the Bird Park
11:30am Transfer to IGU airport
1:15pm Flight from Iguazu to Rio (flight details TBA and subject to chagne)
Boxed lunch will be provided
3:15pm Arrive in Rio and transfer to pier
Expected Weather:
During the summer in Brazil, temperatures can reach 30 to 40 degrees Celsius in Rio de Janeiro and into the regions in the south but accompanied by frequent showers and a rather heavy humidity.
Rio de Janeiro – Average temperatures between: 30°C - 40°C / 86°F – 104°F
Iguazu – Average temperatures between 26°C - 35°C / 79°F – 95°F
What to Bring:
Light loose clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, swimsuit, backpack, waterproof camera, umbrella or raincoat, mosquito repellent
Local Currency:
The local currencies are the Brazilian Real (BRL) and Argentine Peso (ARS); however, US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and major credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels
Electricity
In Brazil the power plugs and sockets are of type N. The standard voltage is 127 / 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. Adaptors may not be available at your hotel therefore we recommend your bring your own travel adaptor for any electric devices.
Luggage: (conditions subject to change by the airline):
Each guest is permitted to fly to Iguazu with one carry-on up to 10 kg/ 22lb plus a hand purse and two checked pieces of luggage up to 23 kg/ 50lbs each. Please pack accordingly. Excess luggage over this limit and brought to Iguazu will be subject to fees imposed by the airline and payable by guests at the time of check in. Luggage storage is no longer an option as we are including an extra piece in the cost of the program.
If luggage exceeds 23kg/50lbs, guests will be charged at check in approx. $7 USD per additional kilo (BRL $35). No item can exceed 45kg/99 lbs on domestic flights. For example, if your luggage is 31.75 kg / 70 lbs you can expect to pay approximately $61 USD extra per piece that is overweight.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at Regent Seven Seas Cruises at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements
Foreign passengers entering Brazil must have a passport valid at least 6 months past the day of arrival in Brazil.
Passport holders from certain countries are required to obtain a visa prior to entering Brazil.
Please note, the visa waiver for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan is no longer available therefore passport holders from these countries will now require a visa to enter Brazil. A multiple entry visa will be required for this program.
Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Brazil and Argentina. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before departure. This program crosses between Brazil and Argentina.
Citizens travelling with passports from Australia, Canada and the United States visiting Brazil for tourism and business will be subject to visa requirements for entry into Brazilian territory starting from January 10th, 2024. Required e-Visas can be obtained through the portal https://brazil.vfsevisa.com
The process is easy, and quick and if the requirements mentioned below are met, in a few days the applicant will receive the e-Visa on his or her e-mail. The Visa issued is valid for multiple entries for 10 years for US Citizens (5yrs for Canada and Australia).
E Visa - Visa application form (to be completed online https://brazil.vfsevisa.com)
1 Valid Passport (signed, valid up to the end of the travel to Brazil, 2 visa pages free)
2 Passport-style photo (2” x 2”, white background)
3 Confirmation of flight reservation (showing entrance into and exit from Brazil)
4 E-visa fee payment (US$ 80.90)
5 Bank statement, or credit card, showing balance of at least US$ 2,000.00 for travel expenses
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase, otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.
Accommodations
Copacabana Palace Hotel
Avenida Atlântica 1702, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, CEP 22021 001, Brasil
Phone: +55 21 2548 7070
Das Cataratas Hotel
Rodovia Br 469, Km 32, Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Foz do Iguaçu - PR, CEP 85855-750, Brasil
Phone: +55 (45) 2102-7000
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•2 nights at the Copacabana Palace Hotel in Superior Partial Ocean View Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
•2 nights at the Das Cataratas Hotel in a Deluxe Garden View Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
•2 lunches in Iguazu (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•2 dinners in Iguazu (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•1 boxed lunch in Iguazu (1 soda, 1 mineral water)
•1 lunch in Rio de Janeiro (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•1 dinner in Rio de Janeiro (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•Any applicable entrance fees during the program
•Tours per the itinerary
•English-speaking guides throughout
•Local escort to accompany the group
•Airport porterage
•Gratuities for waiters, hotel staff and drivers
•Bottled water on transportation
•Economy class flights between Rio and Iguazu – direct flights not guaranteed
•2 checked pieces of luggage per person on the flights (no more than 23kg/50lb each)
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Any meals and beverages not listed above
•Gratuities for guides
•Camera fees if required
•Visa fees if required
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Excess or overweight luggage fees above what is included
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
A delightful introduction to this vibrant and captivating city! Visit its major attractions including Sugar Loaf Mountain and the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã or “(Tomorrow´s Museum”. The group will also visit a Samba Factory to learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival.
Day 1
Upon flying into the Rio International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort. It is the city´s only beachfront resort with an extensive recreational area, spa and amenities. The lush, landscaped grounds are set above a white-sand beach fronting the tropical South Atlantic and flanked by towering mountains. Your hotel is located approximately a 10-minute drive from Ipanema Beach and 20-25 minutes to Copacabana Beach.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure, allowing you time to settle in. Meals are on your own today.
Day 2
Following a buffet breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide and take a drive downtown for an intriguing tour of Rio. You will see its beautiful buildings dating from colonial and Imperial days sharing space with the very modern architecture of the Brazilians Oscar Niemeyer, Afonso Reidy and many others. Adding to this group of masters, is the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava who designed the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã, (Tomorrow´s Museum).
Your tour includes visits to the modern Catholic Cathedral, the ancient and gorgeous Saint Bento Monastery as well as The Tomorrow’s Museum. You will also see the Opera House, the Fine Arts Museum and the National Library.
Following your introductory tour of Rio de Janeiro, you will head back to your hotel via Rio’s most scenic beach, the Copacabana. Back at your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore as you wish. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
Day 3
Enjoy another buffet breakfast at your hotel before driving to Praia Vermelha. Here, you’ll board a cable car for a ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The 600-million-year-old granite and quartz mountain was named for its tall cone, supposedly because it resembles sugar that was shaped into a loaf for transport in the 19th century.
The cable-car ride is in two stages. The first takes you to Urca Hill, where there are lush, fragrant gardens and several scenic lookouts. If you wish to venture even higher, the second segment of the cable car ride will take you to the very top of Sugarloaf, which rises 1300 feet above sea level. From here, you will enjoy mesmerizing views of the city, Guanabara Bay, the ocean and smaller, densely vegetated mountains.
After descending Sugarloaf, you will drive through a number of pleasant residential areas and eventually stop for a typical Brazilian BBQ lunch.
Lunch is followed by a drive downtown for a unique backstage visit to a Samba School Pavilion. Here, you will learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival. It will be especially fascinating to see how the lavish costumes and floats are made. If you wish, you can try on some of the costumes from last year’s Carnival for a photo.
Following this entertaining visit, board your vehicle for a drive through the Rebouças tunnel and return to the hotel by late afternoon. On arrival, you still have time to relax at the hotel. Dinner is on your own.
Day 4
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant before transferring to the port to embark the ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included
Day 1
Arrive at the Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro
You are met outside the customs and transferred to your hotel to spend the afternoon and the evening at your leisure. Meals are on your own
Check in time at your hotel is 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.
Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Rio Resort or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
Day 2
7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Introductory tour of downtown Rio
1:00pm Return to your hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with dinner on your own
Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Rio Resort or similar hotel
Day 3
7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Tour Sugar Loaf, BBQ lunch and visit the Samba School Pavilion
5:00pm Return to the hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Rio Resort or similar hotel
Day 4
AM Buffet breakfast at your hotel
12:00pm Check out, settle any incidentals if you have any
Transfer to the ship for embarkation
Expected Weather:
Summer is from the end of November until March. During these months, the daily high averages 29° Celsius (84° Fahrenheit, although it can frequently climb as high as 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) in parts of the city.
At night, the temperatures remain in the mid-20s Celsius (high 70s Fahrenheit).
What to Bring:
Casual, comfortable attire, good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, camera, and umbrella
Local Currency:
The local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). You will need Real’s, as the U.S. Dollar is not accepted in Brazil; however, dollars can still be used for small tips or to buy items in some tourist shops.
Electricity
In Rio - 127V-60H - adaptors may be available at the hotel however we recommend brining your own international adaptor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is needed. International guests are required to check with their travel agents with regards to Visa requirements.
Hotel address:
Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort
Avenida Niemeyer 121, Leblon
Rio de Janeiro 22450-220
Phone (+55) – 21 2274 1122
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Includes for guests:
3 nights at the Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort or similar hotel - Classic ocean sideview room/High Floor
Breakfast buffets
Two half-day tours, including the Tomorrow’s Museum; the São Bento Monastery and Sugarloaf
1 BBQ lunch
Air-conditioned coaches with English-speaking guide
Luggage handling and porterage at the airport and hotel
Service charges, handling fees, and local taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
Any meals not listed above
All beverages
Gratuities to drivers and guides
Other hotel incidentals including mini bar and personal expenses
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Explore the defining iconic landmarks of Rio de Janeiro and then fly to Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina for an adventurous, up-close view of the thundering cascades and their surrounding natural beauty.
Please note: This program requires an extensive amount of walking, at times over for approximately two miles (about 3.2 kilometres), over uneven, rocky, grassy, sandy, slippery, and/or natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach vehicle, and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back or neck problems, heart or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, those who suffer from vertigo, guests with limited mobility or those who utilize a wheelchair.
Special Note: Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
DAY 1
Disembark the ship in Rio de Janeiro, meet your guide and proceed to the airport for a flight to Iguazu. Excess luggage will be separated before departure on the pier.
Note: Each guest is permitted to fly to Iguazu with one piece of hand luggage up to 10 kg/ 22lb and one checked piece of luggage up to 23 kg/ 50lbs. Any excess luggage will be separated in the morning and stored in Rio where you will be reunited with it on Day 3. Be sure that all stored luggage is sufficiently labeled with your full name and ship suite number. Don’t forget to bring valuables, medications and documents with you. Please pack accordingly prior to disembarking the ship. Excess luggage brought to Iguazu will be subject to fees imposed by the airline and payable at the time of check in.
Upon arrival in Iguazu, you will be met and transferred to the Belmond Das Cataratas Hotel. The hotel is located on the Brazilian side of the falls within Brazil’s Iguazu National Park. With its unrivaled location just a short stroll from the sensational waterfalls, you can enjoy exclusive access to the falls in the evening and at dawn when the park is closed to other visitors.
After lunch at the hotel, you will begin a walking tour of the Brazilian side of Iguazu National Park by descending a trail down the canyon, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of more than 240 falls. You will then board the glass elevator to a platform to enjoy more exquisite views of the cascades.
Along with its sister park in Argentina, the Iguazu National Park forms the most significant remaining rainforest in the southern cone of South America which, along with the waterfalls, UNESCO has declared a National Heritage Site.
Tonight, enjoy a special dinner at Fabio Tavera's House. The former Head Chef of the Das Cataratas Hotel, Fabio is a talented Brazilian chef who for the past 15 years has been traveling all around the country in search of the flavors that bring this vast and exotic land to life. Fabio will guide you through a six-course meal which pays homage to the heritage of natives, Africans and Europeans that forged Brazil’s flavors in 500 years of history and, of course, while the journey goes on, enjoy fine wine pairings with exquisite South American wines. Throughout the night, the chef will closely and interactively explain the origins of the ingredients and tell curiosities about Brazil’s culinary past.
After dinner return to your hotel.
DAY 2
Following breakfast, you will begin a full-day tour of the Argentine side of the falls.
After departing the hotel, you will cross the Tancredo Neves Bridge, enjoying its lovely view of the Iguazu Canyon and head towards the Argentine side of Iguaçu National Park. At the entrance, a small train will take you on a tour through the park, making two stops: one to the upper circuit and another to the lower circuit.
You will follow the walkways to the top of the waterfalls, which provide spectacular views of the falls set among the abundant nature filled with orchids, colorful birds and other wildlife. The highlight of the trip will be visiting the suspended platform at the very brink of the Garganta do Diabo waterfall (Devil’s Throat), the largest of the waterfalls in the park.
A stop will be made for lunch at the Melia Iguazu Restaurant located inside the hotel Gran Melia on the Argentine side.
Proceed next on a Macuco Safari tour. Set off in open jeep-towed wagons, allowing for an unobscured view of the scenery along the trail. During the three-kilometer (two-mile) stretch through the jungle, guides draw your attention to the flora and fauna of the park, sharing their expert knowledge.
The second stage of the tour is an optional 600-meter (2,000 feet) hike, which leads up to the Macuco Falls waterfall. Tumbling down from a height of approximately 20 meters (65 feet), it’s the perfect spot for a refreshing dip on days of intense heat. Access the falls via a stairway carved into an ancient rock.
Your final stop is the Macuco Safari dock on the Brazilian side of the Iguassu River. The boat then departs upriver, passing through the canyon and along the rapids at a comfortable speed, allowing you to appreciate of the stunning scenery.
After this amazing adventure, return to your hotel to freshen up before dinner.
Note: the jeep ride can be bumpy, walking to the falls includes steps and natural trails. Guests wishing to take a dip at the falls should wear their bathing suit and carry a towel.
For guests who do not wish to participate in this portion of the program, they can wait at the Melia Iguazu Hotel following lunch.
At the end of this adventurous day, you will return to the hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.
NOTE: When crossing the border between Brazil and Argentina, changing vehicles may be required due to border-crossing regulations. There may be a wait at the border depending on how many others are crossing at the same time. Visas are required for Brazil – please see documentation notes further below.
DAY 3
Following breakfast and check out, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Rio.
En-route, make a stop at the Parque das Aves (Bird Park) to experience the native flora and fauna firsthand by following trails through the forest. You will have the exclusive opportunity for an up-close view of native Brazilian bird species, some of which are endangered. This is the biggest bird sanctuary in South America with more than 800 species. It is also an internationally recognized rescue and conservation center for birds
A boxed lunch will be provided for your journey back to Rio.
Upon arrival in Rio, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel Copacabana Palace. Since its Art Deco doors swung open in 1923, the Copacabana Palace has been welcoming the rich and famous and is considered by many to be the most glamorous hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
DAY 4
Today you will see why Rio is considered one of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world. The key natural elements, the Tijuca rainforest, the Guanabara Bay and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, have shaped the development of the city and inspired the Carioca culture. Through this full-day tour with a local guide, you will better appreciate the natural beauty of Rio and the Cariocas.
Following breakfast begin by visiting the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the ‘new’ Seven Wonders of the World. From the top of Corcovado Mountain, the views are breathtaking. You will understand why the natural landscape of the city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Afterwards, you will stop for lunch at the Brazilian barbeque restaurant Assador Rio or similar venue. The tour will then continue to the Urca district, where you will rise 396 meters (1,300 feet) to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car, while enjoying awe-inspiring views of the harbor below.
*Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking. Expect delays and long lines at the Corcovado Train Station. Please be advised that the mountain is frequently enshrouded by clouds, which may affect views of the city. It is highly recommended that guests wear flat, comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes.
In the evening you will drive to the Santa Teresa district for dinner at the tropically designed Tereze Restaurant. Located in the Santa Teresa Hotel, this restaurant offers contemporary cuisine that presents the best of local gastronomy with a Latin American touch.
After dinner return to your hotel.
DAY 5
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out. Transfers to Rio’s international airport will be arranged based on your flight details. Luggage storage is available at the hotel for guests with late flights.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
Day 1 - timings on this day are subject to change based on actual flight times – below is a sample itinerary
8:00am Disembark the ship
8:50am Transfer to the airport
10:40am Flight Rio to Iguazu (flight details TBA and subject to change)
12:55pm Arrival to Iguazu
1:30pm Transfer to your hotel and check in
2:30pm Lunch at the hotel
3:30pm Walking tour of Brazilian side of the Falls
5:30pm Return to hotel
7:30pm Transfer to dinner
8:00pm Dinner at Casa do Chef
10:00pm Return to your hotel
10:20pm Arrive at the hotel
Overnight at the Hotel das Cataratas
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
7:30am Full day tour to the Argentina side of the falls.
Border crossing
9:00am Arrive at the Ticket Office at the Argentine Park
9:15am Board the train to Devils Throat station
9:30am Walk towards the Devil´s Throat
10:40am Train station Devils Throat to Falls Station
11:00am Take the Superior Circuit of the Falls
1:15pm Lower circuit – guests not wanting to continue can wait at the Melia Hotel
1:30pm Lunch at Melia Restaurant
3:00pm Continue your tour with the Macuco Safari
5:00pm Return to your hotel on the Brazilian side – border crossing
7:30pm Dinner at your hotel
Overnight at the Hotel das Cataratas or similar hotel
DAY 3 - timings on this day are subject to change based on actual flight times – below is a sample itinerary
AM Breakfast at your hotel
10:00am Check out
10:30am Visit the Bird Park
11:30am Transfer to the airport
1:15pm Flight from Iguazu to Rio (flight details TBA and subject to change)
Boxed lunch will be provided
3:15pm Arrive in Rio and transfer to your hotel
4:30pm Check-in
7:30pm Dinner at your hotel
Overnight at the Copacabana Palace or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at your hotel
8:20am Depart for Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer
9:20am Corcovado Train and Christ the Redeemer
10:50am Descend with train and continue sightseeing tour of the beaches of Rio (Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana)
12:00pm Lunch at Assador Barbecue Restaurant
1:15pm Continue to Sugar Loaf and board the cable car
1:40pm Visit Sugar Loaf
3:25pm Descend the cable car and return to your hotel
4:15pm Arrival at your hotel
7:30pm Transfer to Tereze Restaurant in Santa Teresa district
9:30pm Return to your hotel
10:00pm Arrive at the hotel
Overnight at the Copacabana Palace or similar hotel
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at your hotel
12:00pm Check out time at the hotel
Transfers to Rio’s International Airport are arranged based on your flight details.
Luggage storage is available at the hotel for guests with late flights.
Extra Nights:
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers:
•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather:
During the summer in Brazil, temperatures can reach 30 to 40 degrees Celsius in Rio de Janeiro and into the regions in the south but accompanied by frequent showers and a rather heavy humidity.
Rio de Janeiro – Average temperatures between: 30°C - 40°C / 86°F – 104°F
Iguazu – Average temperatures between 26°C - 35°C / 79°F – 95°F
What to Bring:
Light loose clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, swimsuit, backpack, waterproof camera, umbrella or raincoat, mosquito repellent
Local Currency:
The local currencies are the Brazilian Real (BRL) and Argentine Peso (ARS); however, US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and major credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels
Electricity
In Brazil the power plugs and sockets are of type N. The standard voltage is 127 / 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. Adaptors may not be available at your hotel therefore we recommend your bring your own travel adaptor for any electric devices.
Luggage:
Each guest is permitted to fly to Iguazu with one piece of hand luggage up to 10 kg/ 22lb and one checked piece of luggage up to 23 kg/ 50lbs. Any excess luggage will be separated in the morning and stored in Rio until your return. Be sure that all stored luggage is sufficiently labeled with your full name and ship suite number. Don’t forget to bring valuables, medications and documents with you. Excess luggage brought to Iguazu will be subject to fees imposed by the airline and payable at the time of check in for each flight.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at Regent Seven Seas Cruises at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements
Foreign passengers entering Brazil must have a passport valid at least 6 months past the day of arrival in Brazil.
Passport holders from certain countries are required to obtain a visa prior to entering Brazil.
Please note, the visa waiver for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan is no longer available therefore passport holders from these countries will now require a visa to enter Brazil. A multiple entry visa will be required for this program.
Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Brazil and Argentina. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before departure. This program crosses between Brazil and Argentina.
Citizens travelling with passports from Australia, Canada and the United States visiting Brazil for tourism and business will be subject to visa requirements for entry into Brazilian territory starting from January 10th, 2024. Required e-Visas can be obtained through the portal https://brazil.vfsevisa.com
The process is easy, and quick and if the requirements mentioned below are met, in a few days the applicant will receive the e-Visa on his or her e-mail. The Visa issued is valid for multiple entries for 10 years for US Citizens (5yrs for Canada and Australia).
E Visa - Visa application form (to be completed online https://brazil.vfsevisa.com)
1 Valid Passport (signed, valid up to the end of the travel to Brazil, 2 visa pages free)
2 Passport-style photo (2” x 2”, white background)
3 Confirmation of flight reservation (showing entrance into and exit from Brazil)
4 E-visa fee payment (US$ 80.90)
5 Bank statement, or credit card, showing balance of at least US$ 2,000.00 for travel expenses
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase, otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.
Accommodations
Das Cataratas Hotel
Rodovia Br 469, Km 32, Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Foz do Iguaçu - PR, CEP 85855-750, Brasil
Phone: +55 (45) 2102-7000
Copacabana Palace Hotel
Avenida Atlântica 1702, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, CEP 22021 001, Brasil
Phone: +55 21 2548 7070
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•2 nights at the Das Cataratas Hotel in a Deluxe Garden View Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
•2 nights at the Copacabana Palace Hotel in Superior Partial Ocean View Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
•2 lunches in Iguazu (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•2 dinners in Iguazu (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•1 boxed lunch in Iguazu (1 soda, 1 mineral water)
•1 lunch in Rio de Janeiro (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•2 dinners in Rio de Janeiro (Local beer or wine, water, soda, juice, and 1 hot beverage)
•Any applicable entrance fees during the program
•Tours per the itinerary
English-speaking guides throughout
•Local escort to accompany the group
•Airport porterage
•Gratuities for waiters, hotel staff and drivers
•Bottled water on transportation
•Economy class flights between Rio and Iguazu – direct flights not guaranteed
•Excess luggage storage in Rio and transfer to the port
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Any meals and beverages not listed above
•Gratuities for guides
•Camera fees if required
•Visa fees
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Excess or overweight luggage fees on the internal flight
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
A delightful introduction to this vibrant and captivating city! Visit its major attractions including Sugar Loaf Mountain and the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã or “(Tomorrow´s Museum)”. The group will also visit a Samba Factory to learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival.
DAY 1
Following disembarking in Rio, meet your guide and take a drive downtown for an intriguing tour of Rio. You will see its beautiful buildings dating from colonial and Imperial days sharing space with the very modern architecture of the Brazilians Oscar Niemeyer, Afonso Reidy and many others. Adding to this group of masters, is the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava who designed the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã, (Tomorrow´s Museum).
Your tour includes visits to the modern Catholic Cathedral, the ancient and gorgeous Saint Bento Monastery as well as The Tomorrow’s Museum. You will also see the Opera House, the Fine Arts Museum and the National Library.
Following your introductory tour of Rio de Janeiro, drive to your hotel and check in at the Fairmont Hotel located right across the street from the famed Copacabana Beach.
After checking in, the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore as you wish. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Note that hotel check in time is at 3:00pm and although every effort will be made to have rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Guests may store luggage at Reception should your room not be ready immediately upon arrival.
DAY 2
Enjoy another buffet breakfast at your hotel before driving to Praia Vermelha. Here, you’ll board a cable car for a ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The 600-million-year-old granite and quartz mountain was named for its tall cone, supposedly because it resembles sugar that was shaped into a loaf for transport in the 19th century.
The cable-car ride is in two stages. The first takes you to Urca Hill, where there are lush, fragrant gardens and several scenic lookouts. If you wish to venture even higher, the second segment of the cable car ride will take you to the very top of Sugarloaf, which rises 1300 feet above sea level. From here, you will enjoy mesmerizing views of the city, Guanabara Bay, the ocean and smaller, densely vegetated mountains.
After descending Sugarloaf, you will drive through a number of pleasant residential areas and eventually stop for a typical Brazilian BBQ lunch.
Lunch is followed by a drive downtown for a unique backstage visit to a Samba School Pavilion. Here, you will learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival. It will be especially fascinating to see how the lavish costumes and floats are made. If you wish, you can try on some of the costumes from last year’s Carnival for a photo.
Following this entertaining visit, board your vehicle for a drive through the Rebouças tunnel and return to the hotel by late afternoon. On arrival, you still have time to relax at the hotel. Dinner is on your own.
DAY 3
After your breakfast buffet the day is yours to explore the city at your leisure.
Your hotel concierge can assist with sightseeing suggestions or you may wish to book in advance a private car and guide for the day through our Executive Collection team.
Lunch and dinner are on your own.
DAY 4
Enjoy one final buffet breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to Rio’s Galeão International Airport. Transfers will be set up based on the flight time provided. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:30am Disembark the ship in Rio and meet your guide
9:00am Introductory tour of downtown Rio
1:00pm Arrive at your hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own
3:00pm Official hotel check in time
Overnight at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana or similar hotel
DAY 2
From 7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Tour Sugar Loaf, BBQ lunch and visit the Samba School Pavilion
5:00pm Return to the hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with dinner on your own
Overnight at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana or similar hotel
DAY 3
From 7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel
Day at leisure
Lunch and dinner on own
Overnight at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Buffet breakfast at your hotel
12:00pm Check out, settle any incidentals if you have any
TBA Transfer to Rio’s Galeão International Airport. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer. Transfers will be set up according to the flight details provided.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather:
Summer is from the end of November until March. During these months, the daily high averages 29° Celsius (84° Fahrenheit, although it can frequently climb as high as 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) in parts of the city.
At night, the temperatures remain in the mid-20s Celsius (high 70s Fahrenheit).
What to Bring:
Casual, comfortable attire, good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, camera, and umbrella
Local Currency:
The local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). You will need Real’s, as the U.S. Dollar is not accepted in Brazil; however, dollars can still be used for small tips or to buy items in some tourist shops.
Electricity
In Rio - 127V-60H - adaptors may be available at the hotel however we recommend brining your own international adaptor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is needed. International guests are required to check with their travel agents with regards to Visa requirements.
Hotel addresses:
Fairmont Rio De Janeiro Copacabana Hotel Avenida Niemeyer 121, Leblon
Av. Atlântica, 4240 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22070-002, Brazil
Phone: +55 21 2525-1232
Program Includes for guests:
3 nights at the Fairmont Rio De Janeiro or similar hotel - deluxe ocean front room
Breakfast buffet daily
Two half-day tours, including the Tomorrow’s Museum; the São Bento Monastery and Sugarloaf
BBQ lunch on Day 2 including 1 water plus 1 beer, juice or soda
Air-conditioned coaches with English-speaking guide
Luggage handling and porterage at the airport and hotel
Service charges, handling fees, and local taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
Any meals or beverages not listed above
Gratuities to drivers and guides
Hotel incidentals including mini bar and personal expenses
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
A delightful introduction to this vibrant and captivating city! Visit its major attractions including Sugar Loaf Mountain and the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã or “(Tomorrow´s Museum)”. The group will also visit a Samba Factory to learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival.
Day 1
Following disembarkation in Rio, meet your guide and take a drive downtown for an intriguing tour of Rio. You will see its beautiful buildings dating from colonial and Imperial days sharing space with the very modern architecture of the Brazilians Oscar Niemeyer, Afonso Reidy and many others. Adding to this group of masters, is the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava who designed the neo-futuristic building Museu do Amanhã, (Tomorrow´s Museum).
Your tour includes visits to the modern Catholic Cathedral, the ancient and gorgeous Saint Bento Monastery as well as The Tomorrow’s Museum. You will also see the Opera House, the Fine Arts Museum and the National Library.
Following your introductory tour of Rio de Janeiro, drive to your hotel and check in. The Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort is the city´s only beachfront resort with an extensive recreational area, spa and amenities. The lush, landscaped grounds are set above a white-sand beach fronting the tropical South Atlantic and flanked by towering mountains. Your hotel is located approximately a 10-minute drive from Ipanema Beach and 20-25 minutes to Copacabana Beach.
After checking in, the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore as you wish. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Note that hotel check in time is at 3:00pm and although every effort will be made to have rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Guests may store luggage at Reception should your room not be ready immediately upon arrival.
Day 2
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel before driving to Praia Vermelha. Here, you’ll board a cable car for a ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. The 600-million-year-old granite and quartz mountain was named for its tall cone, supposedly because it resembles sugar that was shaped into a loaf for transport in the 19th century.
The cable-car ride is in two stages. The first takes you to Urca Hill, where there are lush, fragrant gardens and several scenic lookouts. If you wish to venture even higher, the second segment of the cable car ride will take you to the very top of Sugarloaf, which rises 1300 feet above sea level. From here, you will enjoy mesmerizing views of the city, Guanabara Bay, the ocean and smaller, densely vegetated mountains.
After descending Sugarloaf, you will drive through a number of pleasant residential areas and eventually stop for a typical Brazilian BBQ lunch.
Lunch is followed by a drive downtown for a unique backstage visit to a Samba School Pavilion. Here, you will learn about the process of creating and producing a parade for Rio’s famed Carnival. It will be especially fascinating to see how the lavish costumes and floats are made. If you wish, you can try on some of the costumes from last year’s Carnival for a photo.
Following this entertaining visit, board your vehicle for a drive through the Rebouças tunnel and return to the hotel by late afternoon. On arrival, you still have time to relax at the hotel. Dinner is on your own.
Day 3
After your breakfast buffet the day is yours to explore at your leisure.
Your hotel concierge will be able to assist with sightseeing recommendations or you may wish to purchase in advance a private car and guide for the day through our Executive Collection team.
Lunch and dinner are on your own.
Day 4
Enjoy one final buffet breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to the Rio de Janeiro International Airport. Transfers will be set up based on the flight time provided. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
Day 1
8:30am Disembark the ship in Rio and meet your guide
9:00am Introductory tour of downtown Rio
1:00pm Arrive at your hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own
3:00pm Official hotel check in time
Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Rio Resort or similar hotel
Day 2
7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Tour Sugar Loaf, BBQ lunch and visit the Samba School Pavilion
5:00pm Return to the hotel
The remainder of the day is at leisure with dinner on your own
Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Rio Resort or similar hotel
Day 3
From 7:00am Buffet breakfast at your hotel
Day at leisure
Lunch and dinner on own
Overnight at the Sheraton Grand Rio Resort or similar hotel
DAY 4
AM Buffet breakfast at your hotel
12:00pm Check out, settle any incidentals if you have any
TBA Transfer to Rio’s Galeão International Airport. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage is available at the hotel until your transfer. Transfers will be set up according to the flight details provided.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather:
Summer is from the end of November until March. During these months, the daily high averages 29° Celsius (84° Fahrenheit, although it can frequently climb as high as 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) in parts of the city.
At night, the temperatures remain in the mid-20s Celsius (high 70s Fahrenheit).
What to Bring:
Casual, comfortable attire, good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, camera, and umbrella
Local Currency:
The local currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). You will need Real’s, as the U.S. Dollar is not accepted in Brazil; however, dollars can still be used for small tips or to buy items in some tourist shops.
Electricity
In Rio - 127V-60H - adaptors may be available at the hotel however we recommend brining your own international adaptor for electric devices.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is needed. International guests are required to check with their travel agents with regards to Visa requirements.
Hotel address:
Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort
Avenida Niemeyer 121, Leblon
Rio de Janeiro 22450-220
Phone (+55) – 21 2274 1122
Program Includes for guests:
3 nights at the Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort or similar hotel - Classic ocean sideview room/high floor
Breakfast buffets
Two half-day tours, including the Tomorrow’s Museum; the São Bento Monastery and Sugarloaf
1 BBQ lunch
Air-conditioned coaches with English-speaking guide
Luggage handling and porterage at the airport and hotel
Service charges, handling fees, and local taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
Any meals not listed above
All beverages
Gratuities to drivers and guides
Other hotel incidentals including mini bar and personal expenses
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
