The greatest party on earth!
Departs: February 03 and 04th, 2005 - Carnival days February 05-08, 2005
Day 1 USA/RIO DE JANEIRO: Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Rio. Dinner and breakfast on board.
Day 2 RIO DE JANEIRO: Early morning arrival with meeting and transfer to your hotel. Welcome drink. The remainder of the day will be at leisure for rest and relaxation or for sampling Rio’s beaches.B
Days 3 through 5 or 6 RIO DE JANEIRO: Full days to enjoy the Carnival and discover the wonders of Rio. Be delighted at the Parades, dance at ball parties till morning or join events you can participate in as an honor guess of one of the "Samba Schools" and parade with them at the "Sambadrome" with your own costume! See details bellow. B
Days 6 or 7 RIO DE JANEIRO /USA: Evening transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight to the USA. B
STREET CARNIVAL
Each neighborhood in Rio has its favorite Bandas (bun-dush) or Blocos (blo-cush). They consist of an orchestra marching along a pre-determined route, followed by hordes of enthusiastic samba dancers dressed in costumes, bathing suits, plain clothes, and even in drag. The operation of a Banda is really quite simple. First people gather at some wellknown spot, such as a square or neighborhood bar. After a couple or more hours of concentration, the band starts marching its way down the streets.
CARNIVAL BALLS
Rio offers a great selection of Carnival balls you really cannot miss. You won't have to spend a lot of money to have a great time. A ticket to most Carnival balls will cost you around $20 to $50. Costumes are not mandatory, with the exception of a few of the balls. Putting on something special will help you get in the right mood. Coming with a group, you can reserve a table, or even a box. A true Carnival Ball features live music. It usually consists of 2 bands taking turns, and sometimes there is a guest vocalist. Samba percussion is supposed to be very loud. Bring earplugs if you have sensitive ears. There are a big variety of balls for all tastes: Gala Balls, Balls for singles, Gay balls etc.
CARNIVAL PARADE
A)Camarotes - mezzanine boxes - are the most covered positions. Cadeiras de pista are sets of tables with four numbered chairs.
B) Tables are located on street level, offering a very close view of the parade.
C) Frisas - Between the tables and the runway, there is a row of frisas, open boxes with numbered chairs where sit from 6 up to 8 people. They are as close to the runway as it gets, too close according to some. Frisas have chairs, and a small table.
D) Arquibancadas (bleachers) are the most reasonably priced seats. The elevated position gives you a better idea of schools as a group. Standard bleachers do not have numbered seats EXCEPT for the VIP bleachers of Sectors 9 and 11 are the most expensive, and have numbered seats. There aren't actual chairs to sit on - the bleachers are not much more than big concrete steps.
CARNIVAL LIKE A NATIVE
Our exclusive, one of a kind package will let you live all the emotion and excitement of this special celebration. You will be the honored guest of one of Rio's fabled "Samba Schools", following them from preparations and rehearsals, through the grand parade itself. We will take you to their "barracao" or workshop, where last minute preparations are in progress for the coming parade. We will also fit you with your very own costume of the school. That same afternoon, you will participate in the traditional street celebrations downtown on gracious Avenida Rio Branco. Finally, on parade night you will be transported to the awesome "Sambadrome" and in the company of our guide and fellow members of "your Escola de Samba", you will participate in the unforgettable parade that is Carnival in Rio. Why just watch Carnival when you can be a part of it?!! Sign up early and get our special Carnival Promotions.
WINNERS CARNIVAL PARADE (2005 - Saturday Feb.12)
During carnival - that goes on in Rio for 4 days, from Sat to
Tue, we have our official carnival with carnival parades and celebrations in the entire city. The main carnival samba schools parade on Sun and Mon in a kind of samba championship, with a total of 16 samba schools.
During this 2-day championship each samba school parading receives ratings according to their performances (songs, costumes, harmony, dedication, etc... are judged). The results of this championship are published on the following Thursday (after carnival end). The best four samba schools (according to the championship results) parade again celebrating the good position on the ranking on the next Saturday after carnival - what people call "post-carnival". To these four samba schools there are other samba schools of other Brazilian states - and even from abroad - that are invited for the Saturday parade.
On Saturday there are no celebrations on the streets, but only at the Sambodromo (our Samba stadium). The samba parade itself (mainly for those that have never seen it live before) is the same as during carnival - and some people think it's even more interesting because only the best schools will parade and performers are in excellent mood, happy for their good performance one weekend before (the samba schools each belong to a certain community and participants get very happy seeing their community shown all over the world as one of the best).
NOTE:
Entrance tickets and hotel rates can be cheaper during Winners Parade period.
ALTURA’s Included features:
* Roundtrip airfare where applicable.
* Meeting and assistance service at airport.
* Arrival transfer between airport and hotels including baggage handling.
* Choice of hotel accommodations for 4 or 5 Nights.
* Meals: 4 or 5 Brazilian Buffet Breakfasts (B).
* Hotel taxes and service charges.
* Assistance by a local English-speaking Altura Tours representative.
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