Dancers in Campina Grande, Brazil. Emanuel Tadeu. cc0.
Experience the magic of Rio de Janeiro’s annual Carnival festival this February!
Travelers will begin with time to explore Brazil’s vibrant capital city. They can tour the neighborhoods and favelas, relax on the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, or take a cable car to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain for citywide views. The group will reconvene to learn about Carnival traditions and craftsmanship, with a behind-the-scenes look at the barracão of Académicos do Grande Rio, where the festival’s floats and costumes are carefully made. On day three, travelers will spend time in the colorful neighborhood of Santa Teresa, known for its picturesque yellow tram and the mosaic Selarón Steps, before joining in the festivities at a traditional “Bloco” party. These Brazilian street parties are known for their samba rhythms and dance.
The group will continue with a guided tour of Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. That night, travelers will experience the official Carnival celebration at the Sambadrome, where elite samba dancers and schools compete in a colorful and elaborate parade. To finish off the week, travelers can dance the night away at endless bloco parties or relax and enjoy Rio’s natural beauty.
This is a 6-day trip that costs $2,379 led by G Adventures, a sustainable, small group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.