Rio de Janeiro Private Tour: Christ Redeemer & Sugarloaf

Two mountain summits and the bohemian heart of Rio in one guided day

An 8-hour private tour of Rio de Janeiro with a licensed guide covers Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car, the colorful Sélaron Steps, Lapa's arches and colonial streets, downtown landmarks, and beaches including Ipanema and Copacabana. Hotel, airport or port pickup and drop-off are included. The route adjusts to your preferences. Entrance fees and meals are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoonpass by
2. Christ the Redeemer40m
3. Lapapass by
4. Sambadromepass by
5. Museum of Tomorrow10m
6. Ipanema Beachpass by
7. Sugarloaf Mountain1h
8. Copacabana Beachpass by

Explore Rio's iconic attractions

• Meet guide at hotel
• Drive past beaches and lagoon
• Take cogwheel train to Christ the Redeemer
• Climb stairs to statue summit
• Walk around and take photos
• Visit Santa Teresa neighborhood
• See Selaron Steps in Lapa
• Pass by Lapa Arches
• Walk through Rio downtown to Mauá square
• Explore Porto Maravilha area
• View Eduardo Kobra mural
• Pass by important Brazilian theater
• Visit Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio
• Pass Sambadrome carnival venue
• Admire Museum of Tomorrow
• Pass Maracana stadium
• Drive along Ipanema, Copacabana, and Leblon beaches
• Take cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain
• Enjoy views from Sugarloaf summit
• End tour with hotel drop-off

The experience

The guide meets you at your hotel, airport or port and drives toward Corcovado's base, passing the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and Rio's beachfront on the way. A Swiss cogwheel train climbs the mountain from the Cosme Velho district nearly to the summit. You walk the final stairs to stand at Christ the Redeemer, the statue that anchors the skyline. The view spreads across Tijuca National Forest and the Guanabara Bay, ringed by mountains. After time to walk and photograph, you descend and head into Santa Teresa, a neighborhood of local galleries, boutiques and bars perched on hillside streets.

From Santa Teresa, the route drops into Lapa through the Sélaron Steps: a stairway tiled in blues, yellows and reds by a local artist. Lapa itself is the city's bohemian core, built around the white stone arches of a colonial aqueduct that became the neighborhood's symbol. You walk through downtown Rio's historic center toward Mauá Square, passing the Metropolitan Cathedral with its unusual cone-shaped architecture, the Sambadrome (the concrete venue where Rio Carnival parades happen each year), and the Museum of Tomorrow, a cutting-edge structure designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. The route also passes the Maracanã stadium and a mural by Eduardo Kobra, listed by Guinness as the world's largest graffiti work.

The afternoon takes you to Sugarloaf Mountain via two cable cars that climb to the summit, offering views from a different angle than Corcovado. You then drive past Ipanema and Copacabana beaches (both famous in song and history) before returning to your hotel or starting point. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or German, and the entire itinerary can shift based on what interests you most.

What’s included

• Professional licensed guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or German.
• hotel, airport or port pickup and drop-off within Rio de Janeiro.
• transport in a fully-equipped private vehicle.
• parking fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

3 options

Up to 15 per booking · Guide in 4 languages13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 11:00

Up to 15 per booking · Guide in 4 languages13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 11:00

Up to 14 per booking · Guide in 4 languages13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 11:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 11:00

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Gregtur Turismo

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want a guide who adjusts the route based on your interests: ideal when you're torn between Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain, the beaches, and cultural sites like the Sambadrome.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German and Portuguese.

What's the difference between visiting Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain on the same tour?

Christ the Redeemer sits atop Corcovado and is reached by cogwheel train, offering views across Tijuca National Forest and the bay. Sugarloaf Mountain is accessed by cable car and provides a different vantage point of the city and coastline. Both are included in the same 8-hour day.

Can I customize which neighborhoods and attractions the tour covers?

Yes. The itinerary is fully customizable based on your preferences, so you can prioritize Lapa and downtown culture, focus more on beaches, skip the Sambadrome if you prefer, or adjust the route however suits your interests.

Where does the tour pick me up, and how does that work?

You choose pickup at your hotel in Rio, at Rio Port (Pier Mauá), or at one of Rio's airports. The guide meets you there and drops you back at the same location at the end of the tour.

What is the Sélaron Steps, and why is it worth visiting?

The Sélaron Steps are a stairway in Lapa decorated with colorful tiles by a local artist. They connect Santa Teresa to Lapa and are a well-known landmark reflecting the neighborhood's bohemian character and local creativity.

Are entrance fees to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain included?

No. Entrance fees to the attractions are not included in the tour price. The guide takes you to each site, but you pay separately for cable cars, trains and any museum or monument entries.

How many people can go on this private tour?

The tour is private, so it's just your group. For groups of four or more, a separate driver accompanies the guide. Smaller groups have the guide drive the vehicle.