Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Sunset: Cable car views

Two of Rio's highest points in one afternoon, ending at sunset

You visit Christ the Redeemer at the summit of Corcovado mountain, see the colorful Selarón Steps and Metropolitan Cathedral in the city center, then take a cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain for sunset views over Guanabara Bay. Hotel pickup, all entry tickets, and air-conditioned transport are included. The tour runs in the afternoon and returns you to your hotel by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Christ the Redeemer1h · entry included
2. Selarón Steps30m
3. Rio de Janeiro Cathedral30m
4. Sugarloaf Mountain1h · entry included

Visit Christ Redeemer and Sugarloaf

• Depart hotel to Corcovado peak
• Drive through Tijuca Forest
• Visit Christ the Redeemer statue
• Admire city views from belvedere
• Visit Metropolitan Cathedral
• Explore Selarón Steps
• Take cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain
• Enjoy panoramic views and sunset
• Return to hotel

The experience

So you've got the afternoon free and you're standing in your hotel lobby wondering if you can actually fit both Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf into a few hours without losing your mind to logistics. Turns out you can: the drive from your hotel heads straight up into the Tijuca Forest, which blankets most of Corcovado mountain, and by the time you step out at 2,329 feet you're standing at the feet of the colossal Christ statue looking down at Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the Maracanã, and basically the entire northern zone of the city spreading out below you. The guide points things out, but honestly you're just trying to take it in.

After that, you swing through the city center to hit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Selarón Steps. Those wild, hand-painted tile stairs that glow warm orange and blue in the late afternoon light. It's crowded, it's colorful, and it's the kind of stop where you realize how much personality this city has packed into a single staircase. Then you're heading toward Sugarloaf, boarding the cable car that climbs 395 meters to the summit, and suddenly you're watching the sun drop over Guanabara Bay with Copacabana, Botafogo, and Flamengo all lit up in that golden hour. The 360-degree view is the thing people come back and talk about, not because someone told them to, but because it actually stays with you.

The whole afternoon runs on a fixed schedule, which means you're not negotiating timing or worrying about missing a cable car window. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included (selected hotels), the minivan is air-conditioned, and both entry tickets are already sorted. You show up, you get picked up, and by evening you're back at your hotel having seen the two things everyone asks about when you say you're going to Rio.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels, professional guide, air-conditioned minivan transport between all three stops, entry ticket to Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer, cable car ticket to Sugarloaf Mountain, and time at the Selarón Steps and Metropolitan Cathedral in the city center.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:30Last departure this season: 19 Dec

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want Rio's two most famous viewpoints without arranging separate tickets, transport, or timing: the fixed afternoon schedule and included pickups mean you show up and the rest is handled.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the tour?

The afternoon tour typically runs several hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, with time at each of the three main stops.

Are entry tickets included?

Yes, both the Corcovado entrance ticket and Sugarloaf Mountain cable car ticket are included in the tour price.

What time does the tour start?

The tour departs in the afternoon to allow time for sunset at Sugarloaf. Pickup is from your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Rio.

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. All transportation, areas, and surfaces are accessible, though you should confirm with the operator which specific hotels offer pickup.

Is the transport air-conditioned?

Yes, you travel by air-conditioned minivan between stops.

What's the best time to book this tour?

Book in advance to secure your preferred date and confirm hotel pickup availability. The sunset timing means the tour is popular in the late afternoon.