Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain Full Day

Two cable cars, one day: what you see from Rio's highest points

You ride two cable cars to Rio's highest viewpoints, spend 45 minutes at Christ the Redeemer and 90 minutes on Sugarloaf Mountain, see the Cathedral and Selarón Steps, pass the Sambadrome and Maracanã, and eat lunch included. Hotel pickup from South Zone and all entry tickets are handled. You just show up ready to go.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Christ the Redeemer45m · entry included
2. Sugarloaf Mountain1h · entry included
3. Selarón Steps20m
4. Rio de Janeiro Cathedral20m
5. Sambadrome15m
6. Maracanã Stadium20m

Rio de Janeiro full day tour

• Visit Christ the Redeemer
• Stop at Maracanã Stadium
• Stop at Sambadrome
• Visit Rio de Janeiro Cathedral
• Photo stop at Selarón Steps
• Take cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain

The experience

The cable car swings out over the city in three stages: first to Urca Hill, where the view opens up enough to make you stop talking, then higher still to Sugarloaf Mountain itself. You spend roughly an hour and a half up there, which is enough time to actually look instead of just photograph. The guide points out Guanabara Bay, the beaches spreading east, and the mountains folding into each other. On a clear day the scale of it hits different when you're standing in it rather than reading about it.

Before Sugarloaf comes Christ the Redeemer, the van takes you up Corcovado Mountain and you get about 45 minutes at the statue itself. It's crowded, always, but the guide keeps moving and you're not standing in a queue for three hours like you would be on your own. After that the tour swings through the city proper: the Selarón Staircase (the one covered in blue and yellow tiles that shows up in every Rio photo), the Metropolitan Cathedral with its stained glass that actually catches the light, and external stops at the Sambadrome and Maracanã Stadium so you see where Carnival happens and where the football happens. It's a lot of ground, but the van does the work and the guide handles the timing.

Lunch is included: a free buffet somewhere in the middle of the day, which means you're not hunting for a restaurant or eating airport food at a tourist markup. The whole thing runs full day, which sounds long until you realize how much Rio actually is. The tour picks up from the South Zone (Zona Sul) (that's Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon), and doesn't service Barra or Recreio, so check your hotel location before booking. You get a professional guide and transport between everything, which takes the logistics off your hands and lets you actually absorb the place instead of stressing about directions.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from the South Zone, an accredited tour guide, transportation between all attractions, entry tickets to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain with cable car access, photo stops at the Selarón Staircase and Rio Cathedral, panoramic views of the Sambadrome and Maracanã Stadium, and lunch at a free buffet restaurant.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 19

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 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Rio 40 Graus Turismo

Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Copacabana, Ipanema, or Leblon who want Rio's main landmarks in one day without arranging tickets, transport, or timing themselves. The full-day pace is what fits both mountains, the Cathedral, and the city's cultural sites into a single trip.

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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 (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6): free.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a free buffet included in the tour price.

Do I need to buy tickets separately for Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf?

No. Entry tickets for both Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain are included in the tour.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying in Barra or Recreio?

The tour does not service Barra or Recreio. Pickups are from the South Zone (Zona Sul) only: Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon.

How long do you spend at each attraction?

Christ the Redeemer: approximately 45 minutes. Sugarloaf Mountain: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Other stops (Cathedral, Selarón Steps, Sambadrome, Maracanã) are photo stops or panoramic visits with shorter time on site.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. It is suitable for all other fitness levels. Strollers and prams are permitted for infants and small children.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup, professional guide, transportation between attractions, entry tickets to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, cable car rides, and lunch at a free buffet.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.