Rio: Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Small Group Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.72 (801 reviews) 85% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/9

Duration9h

GroupUp to 999

LanguagesEN · DE +4

PickupAt your hotel

Christ statue views, Sugarloaf cable car rides and Rio’s city pulse in one day

You’ll ride through Rio de Janeiro with a local guide, seeing Christ the Redeemer up close before gliding by cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain’s summit. Taste Brazilian dishes at a buffet lunch near Lapa, walk the mosaic Selarón Steps, and glimpse Maracanã Stadium’s legendary walls. This day trip blends big sights with small moments — it sticks with you long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Rio's iconic landmarks and city highlights

Drive through Tijuca Forest to Christ the Redeemer
Visit Christ the Redeemer statue
Take cable car to Urca Mountain
Take cable car from Urca to Sugarloaf Mountain
See Red Beach between Sugarloaf and Urca Mountains
Explore Selarón Steps in Santa Teresa
Visit Rio de Janeiro Cathedral
View Maracanã Stadium exterior
See the Sambadrome carnival venue

The Experience

The first thing I noticed was how the driver threaded us through Rio’s morning traffic like he’d done it a thousand times — probably had. We curved up into Tijuca Forest, windows cracked just enough to catch that mix of green humidity and distant city smells. Our guide, Rafael, pointed out where the favelas climb up the hills. When we finally stood under Christ the Redeemer, I felt oddly small (and not just because of the statue). The clouds drifted so close you could almost taste them — salty from the ocean below. I tried to take a selfie but mostly got other people’s elbows and laughter in the frame.

After that, we zipped across town toward Sugarloaf Mountain. The cable car was smoother than I expected — quiet except for a kid behind me whispering “olha!” every time we passed over something new. The view at the top is wild: downtown Rio on one side, endless blue on the other. Rafael told us about old James Bond scenes filmed here; I pretended not to hum the theme song but probably wasn’t subtle. We stopped at Red Beach for a few minutes — sand stuck between my toes all afternoon.

Lunch was a buffet near Lapa — feijoada if you wanted it, or just grilled chicken and rice if you’re less brave (I went for both). Someone at our table tried to explain samba steps after dessert but honestly, I’m not built for that kind of rhythm. We wandered up the Selarón Steps next; every tile is different and some are chipped or faded but somehow that makes them better. People posed everywhere but my favorite part was just watching an old man sweep tiles like he owned the place (maybe he did?).

We saw Maracanã Stadium from outside — Rafael called it “our temple” and grinned when someone asked about his favorite match there. The Sambadrome was empty but you could almost hear echoes of Carnival drums if you listened hard enough. By late afternoon, my legs were tired and my head was full of color and noise and stories I didn’t expect to remember so clearly weeks later.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees for both Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain (with cable car), a guided walk through downtown highlights like Selarón Steps and Maracanã Stadium (outside only), plus a hearty Brazilian buffet lunch before returning to your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Rio Carioca Tour Ltda