Rio Private Tour: Christ, Sugarloaf, Lapa in One Day

Experience Rio’s iconic sights seamlessly with a private guide and personalized route.

A 10-hour private tour of Rio de Janeiro with a licensed guide, hotel or airport pickup, and vehicle included. You visit Christ the Redeemer via cogwheel train, ride cable cars to Sugarloaf Mountain's summit, walk the colorful Sélaron Steps in Lapa, and pass through downtown neighborhoods, the Sambadrome, and iconic beaches: all stops and timing arranged so the day holds together without you building it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoonpassing by
2. Christ the Redeemer40m
3. Santa Teresa30m
4. Lapapassing by
5. Museum of Tomorrow10m
6. Rio de Janeiro Cathedral15m
7. Sambadromepassing by
8. Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiropassing by
9. Ipanema Beachpassing by
10. Sugarloaf Mountain1h
11. Copacabana Beachpassing by

Explore Rio's iconic landmarks

• Meet guide at hotel
• Drive past beaches and lagoon
• Take cogwheel train to Christ the Redeemer
• Climb stairs to statue summit
• Return down the mountain
• Visit Santa Teresa neighborhood
• Walk Selaron Steps to Lapa
• See Lapa Arches
• Walk through downtown to Mauá square
• Explore Porto Maravilha area
• View Eduardo Kobra mural
• Admire Museum of Tomorrow
• Visit Rio de Janeiro Cathedral
• Pass Sambadrome
• Pass Municipal Theater
• Pass Maracana stadium
• Pass Copacabana beach
• Take cable cars up Sugarloaf Mountain
• Enjoy views from Sugarloaf summit
• End tour and drop off at hotel

The experience

The guide meets you at your hotel or airport and drives you toward Corcovado, passing the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and Rio's beachfront on the way. At the base of the mountain, you board a Swiss cogwheel train that climbs to the summit, where you walk the final stairs to stand at Christ the Redeemer: the view spreads across Tijuca National Forest and the Guanabara Bay with a circle of mountains at the horizon. After time to photograph and walk around, you descend and head toward Santa Teresa, a bohemian neighborhood of local boutiques, galleries, and bars perched on hillsides with views across the city.

From Santa Teresa, the route drops into Lapa through the Sélaron Steps, a stairway covered in colorful tiles that marks the entrance to Rio's most energetic neighborhood. You walk past the famous white Lapa Arches (the aqueduct that is the official image of the district), and continue through downtown, passing the Metropolitan Cathedral with its unconventional cone-shaped architecture, the Museum of Tomorrow designed by Santiago Calatrava, and a Guinness-record mural by Eduardo Kobra in the Porto Maravilha area. The walk includes Mauá Square, where the guide shows you the layers of Rio's history and current culture in one stretch.

The afternoon takes you past the Sambadrome, where Rio Carnival parades happen three nights a year, and the Maracanã stadium, one of the world's most important football venues. You drive along Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, then take two cable cars up Sugarloaf Mountain for a second vantage point over the city and bay. The guide drops you back at your hotel or airport at the end, and the entire route is customizable. If a stop matters more to you than another, the guide adjusts the itinerary to fit your interests.

What’s included

• Professional licensed guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
• hotel, airport, or port pickup and drop-off within Rio de Janeiro.
• private vehicle with driver (or guide-driven for groups of four or fewer).
• parking fees at all stops.
• VAT and taxes.

Options for this experience

4 options

Pickup from any hotel in RioUp to 14 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 11:00Pickup is included

Pickup at the Rio port (Pier Mauá)Up to 14 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 11:00Cruise ship information: give the cruise ship name and the estimated time you will be out at the arrivals area, ready for pickup. Also provide a cell phone number. Pickup is included

Pickup from Rio's airportsUp to 14 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 13 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 11:00Flight information: provide the airline and flight number, the drop-off location and a contact telephone number. Pickup is included

Monday Special DealUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 08:00Hotel, airport or port pickups at 8 am: enjoy the exact same private tour experience at a reduced Monday rate. Available only on Mondays at 8:00 am. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

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

Book up to8h before

GroupPrivate

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Gregtur Turismo

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want a guide to drive you through Rio's landmarks and handle all routing. You'll see Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the main beaches in one day without managing transport yourself.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

114 verified traveler reviews

5 ★111

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What's the best way to get to Christ the Redeemer without renting a car?

The tour includes transport by private vehicle to Corcovado's base, then a Swiss cogwheel train climbs the mountain and stairs lead to the Christ the Redeemer statue at the summit. The guide handles all logistics and timing.

Can I see both Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer in one day?

Yes. The 10-hour tour visits Christ the Redeemer in the morning via cogwheel train, then Sugarloaf Mountain in the afternoon via two cable cars, with multiple neighborhoods and landmarks in between.

Does the tour include meals or entrance fees?

The tour includes transport, the guide, hotel or airport pickup, and parking at each stop. Entrance fees to attractions and meals are not included. Lunch at a steakhouse restaurant near Sugarloaf is optional and at your own cost.

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

The Sélaron Steps are a stairway in Lapa decorated with thousands of colorful tiles, marking the entrance to Rio's most vibrant bohemian neighborhood. The tour walks them as part of the downtown and cultural section of the day.

Can I customize the stops on this tour?

Yes. The itinerary is totally customizable according to your preferences. The guide works with you to create the best Rio experience within the 10-hour window.