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RIO DE JANEIRO CARNAVAL February 19th - February 25th 2009

Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro is the world's most exciting and spectacular celebration, and is a magnet for visitors worldwide. Rio Pride Tour has created this special program for you and your friends to enjoy all the fun, action and excitement of Carnaval and Rio.

On the Friday before Shrove Tuesday the mayor of Rio hands the keys of the city to, Rei Momo, the Lord of Misrule and five days of unbridled hedonism begin, ending with the morning hangover on Ash Wednesday.

Thursday 19th February - Arrive in Rio de Janeiro International Airport, where we greet you and transfer you to your centrally located apartment or hotel accommodation. Our welcome pack provides you with orientation information and details of the best bars, restaurants, clubs adjacent to Copacabana and Ipanema beach, where you can relax and unwind after your flight. In the evening meet your fellow guests at our Welcome Cocktail Party.

Friday 20th February - We take a full day guided tour, including lunch, of Rio de Janeiro's famous sites and landmarks, Corcovado (Christ Statue), Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf), Tijuca Forest and historic downtown.

Saturday 21st February - After a relaxing morning on the beach or just watching the world go by at one of the beach kiosks, come and enjoy Feijoada, the famous Brazilian dish, at the Rio Pride Tour lunch party. In the evening, for those who wish to mingle with the celebrities and society of Rio the option of attending the Copacabana Palace Ball is a must - bring your tuxedos.

Sunday/Monday 22nd/23rd February - Carnaval Parade - Daytime is at your leisure, beach, sight seeing, shopping or just relaxing- your choice.

The main procession of the Division 1 Samba Schools takes place on Sunday and Monday evenings in the Sambodromo. A school's procession comprises the bateria, the percussion section, which has to sustain the cadence that drives the school's song and dance; the samba enredo is the music, the enredo the accompanying story or lyric. The evolucão refers to the quality of the dancers, passistas, lead by the pastoras, the dance master. Costumes are judged by originality, the colors are always traditional ones adopted by each school. The carros alegoricos are the gigantic richly decorated floats.

And so the party really starts - on one of the evenings Rio Pride Tour escorts you to and from the Sambodromo where from a comfortable reserved seat, you experience the color, music and spectacle of the parade.

If you desire to participate - dressed in full carnaval costume - and dance in the procession with a samba school - we will be happy to organize your costume, transportation and guide.
Tuesday 24th February -Gala Gay Ball is the largest gay party of Carnaval. - Spend the day enjoying Rio and all its attractions. In the evening we host dinner at an excellent restaurant before joining the party at Gala Gay, where everyone gets down to the action and parties until dawn. Rio Pride Tour provides a private box at Gala Gay for guests.
Wednesday 25th February. For guests who have not selected the optional Paraty trip you spend your final day in Rio enjoying all Rio has to offer. International flights depart late afternoon / early evening - we arrange transport to the airport for your return flight home.

Wednesday 25th - Sunday 1st March - Paraty - No trip to Rio would be complete without the experience of seeing Paraty. Many people compare Paraty to 'Shangri-La'. A colonial village, frozen in time, set in a magnificent bay with over 60 tropical islands. We travel to Paraty and on arrival we check in to our selected Pousada. The evening provides many opportunities to explore this delightful location.

Thursday/ Friday, February 26th/27th - Paraty - Thursday, we will take a city tour around the historic centre of Paraty with a local guide who will explain the fascinating history of this beautiful city. Later in the morning will drive to a typical historic farm for lunch and see how cachaca (pinga) is produced.

Friday, we walk to the nearby pier and board an exclusively chartered boat for the day. In Paraty's bay you find over 65 tropical islands and dozens of beaches, each offering something different and all covered with vegetation that remains lush and colorful year round. The water of the bay is always the right temperature for swimming, diving and snorkeling. Lunch will be served on one of the lovely islands.

Saturday 28thFebruary - About 10:30 AM we'll board our vehicle for the return trip to Rio. The evening is free to enjoy the many attractions of the city.

Sunday, 1st March - Departure Rio de Janeiro Generally international flights depart in the early evening hours. Rio Pride Tour provides transportation to the Tom Jobin International Airport for your return flight.

To obtain a fully detailed description of the itinerary, hotel choices and prices please complete the e-mail request form. Carnaval time in Rio invariably sees hotels and attractions fully booked months in advance, we also have limited our party to a maximum of 40 guests, and hence we recommend you make an early reservation.

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