A Cable Car Ascent to the Sugarloaf Mountain and its Astounding Panoramic Views (private tour)

• A section of the largest mural on Earth on Rio’s newly-renovated Olympic Boulevard

Get ready to behold some of the most eye-popping panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, embarking on a ride in a cable car to the mountaintop of one of the city’s most recognized icons: Sugarloaf Mountain. This is one of the main highlights that made Rio de Janeiro the #1 destination in South America, as voted by millions of travelers on Trip Advisor in 2017. Once we reach the top of Mount Sugarloaf, we’ll feast our eyes upon a stunning 360-degree panoramic view, including Rio’s beaches, mountains, and the Tijuca forest (it’s the largest tropical forest in the world in an urban setting). Also, in a leisurely walk across the newly-renovated Olympic Boulevard, we’ll see the largest graffiti on the planet, a colorful and detailed depiction of Brazilian faces. To top it off, we’ll end this tour relaxing at Arpoador peninsula, a beach that boasts one of the most magnificent views of Rio’s beaches and coastline.

Our expert “Carioca” (as locals are called) guide will first kick off our experience with a walk through the Boulevard Olimpico, a newly-overhauled stretch of real estate that came alive for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games. Walk around the Praça Maua, which boasts the world’s largest street art mural, painted by a single man! The sheer size of this undertaking will leave you agape: 30,300 square feet (9845 square meters). It is an intricate depiction of African, indigenous and mixed-race Brazilian faces, mirroring the melting pot that is Rio, and moreover, Brazil. From there, we’ll take a glimpse at the daringly futuristic structure that houses the newly-built Museum of Tomorrow, designed by renowned contemporary architect Santiago Calatrava; whose marriage of civil engineering and architecture makes for some of the most interesting examples of beauty and function, together as one.

Now it’s time for the tour’s showcase stop, as we prepare for an exhilarating, panoramic ride in a cable car to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, one of the most recognized and iconic attractions in Rio. As we ascend in the cable car, we’ll be treated to a commanding, panoramic view along the ride, and also make an intermediate stop at Sugarloaf’s shorter brother, Urca. The cable cars themselves are also a bit of a pop culture icon, as they were made famous when Agent 007 (played by Roger Moore) fought a henchman nicknamed "Jaws" in 1979’s "Moonraker," as both stood atop the roof of one of the cable cars, at an altitude of a thousand feet! Other famous visitors like John F. Kennedy, Sting, Robert de Niro, Pope John Paul II, and Albert Einstein have made it a point to take in the majestic views offered by this high-wire, Swiss-made, bubble-shaped vehicle; offering passengers 360-degree views of the Cidade Maravilhosa ("marvelous city" as Rio is often referred to).

Moving right along, we’ll drive by the iconic Copacabana and Leme beaches to reach Arpoador, a small stretch of peninsular beach famous for its surfing and its magnificent vistas of Ipanema, Cobacabana and the Atlantic Ocean… once there, you’ll think ‘oh, that’s where everybody takes THAT picture of Rio from!’

Our tour will draw to a close with a ride back to our hotel, and the experience of having seen the breathtaking views from atop the magnificent Sugarloaf mountain!

Since you’ll be doing this tour with your own private vehicle and guide, you’ll be able to enjoy each attraction at your own pace; making all the stops you want, all the while enjoying personalized assistance and care from your expert guide. You’ll also enjoy more convenient and faster transfers to and from your hotel, as there will be no other travelers to pick up or drop off at other hotels.

Important: the tour’s exact itinerary and duration may change subject to weather conditions and decisions of the tour guide, so as to optimize your tour experience.