|
 The Gay Carnival in Rio is, beyond any doubt, the biggest party on earth! Not just for gays but for everyone to join together and celebrate. Ornate costumes and those which could barely be called a costumes take to the streets. There is dancing, drinking, parties, music, fun and sunshine, what more could you ask for. We even arrange your ticket to the Gay Ball (and a costume if you want) which you won't want to miss!
 • Day 1 Rio Carnival Arrival
• Day 2 Rio Carnival Tour
• Day 3 Rio Carnival The Biggest Party on Earth
• Day 4 Rio Carnival The Biggest Gay Ball on Earth
• Day 5 Rio Carnival Tour Ends or Extend
• Accommodation:
4 nights in hotels (medium grade) centrally located
• Excursions:
All excursions mentioned as per the itinerary
• Sambadrome ticket for Sunday night
• Famous Gay Ball Ticket
• Costume for the Sambadrome Carnival
• One day tour of Rio
• Transport:
Private car, dancing shoes
• Arrival transfer
• Staff:
Yellow Brick Road Tours rep and local guide
• Meals:
4 hearty Brazilian breakfasts, 1sumptuous Brazilian lunch
• Welcome Cocktail
• International flights and departure taxes
• Domestic flight taxes if applicable
• Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items
• Pre & post tour accommodation
• Optional Excursions - Please note the majority of your package is included
• Spending money to cover snacks, meals not included, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, tips etc
Day 1 - Friday, February 17, 2012
 • Welcome to the International Airport of Rio de Janeiro where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. • All rooms are on a twin share basis. Nearby to the hotel you can walk along the stunning Rio beaches, do some shopping of handcraft items in one of the local markets or shops, or just relax in the exotic and fabulous atmosphere that is Rio de Janeiro. • Why not get the party started early?
• This evening we meet our fellow travellers and head out for a welcome cocktail which the Brazilians do so well.
Day 2 - Saturday, February 18, 2012
 • After an enjoyable tropical buffet breakfast, you will delight in a full day city tour, passing by the Maracana (soccer stadium), the Sambodromo (where the samba schools parade during carnival), the Cathedral, Cinelandia Square and Flamengo Park. • Proceeding to the enchanting Urca district, you will ride the cable car up to Sugar Loaf for some of the most spectacular views of the city and its dozens of idyllic beaches. • We take time out and indulge in a traditional Brazilian lunch with our new friends and travellers. • After lunch we continue our tour and visit to Corcovado, to see the statue of Christ, the Redeemer, one of the seven wonders of the modern world before returning to the hotel with time at leisure to explore, and relax.
Day 3 - Sunday, February 19, 2012
 • Today is a free day to relax on the stunning Rio beaches however, in the evening, you will want to think Brazilian Samba!!!!! • This is the first night of the Samba Schools Parade for a Special Group. Your ticket is included into the Sambadrome and if you ate only going to go for one night, this is definately the night to go. You will need plenty of energy and your dancing shoes. • Please note included in the cost of your package is also a costume for the parade so you can join in the festivities and get into the swing of things. This will really put the Latin America groove into your step.
Day 4 - Monday, February 20, 2012
 • You have time at leisure during the day. • However......included in your package cost is a ticket to the legendary 'Gay Ball'. Bring your dancing shoes and plenty of energy!
Rio Carnival finally culminates in the Scala Gay Gala, at a feverish pitch. The event lives up to Rio de Janeiro's reputation of being the world's most gay friendly city, welcoming and encouraging all individuals of alternative lifestyles.
Day 5 - Tuesday, February 21, 2012
 • After your amazing tropical breakfast, and some free time we transfer you to the International airport for your afternoon or evening return flights you will be exhausted probably but you will always remember your Gay Carnival experience in fabulous Rio de Janeiro!!!
Please note if you wish to extend your stay in the hotel to convalesce or simply sleep in, or you would like Happy Gay Travel to put together a Brazil package for you please don't hesitate to contact us.
Rio Carnival is a spectacular event that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. The party starts on the Friday before Shrove Tuesday. All the main avenues are colourfully lit and full of people wearing fancy dress. Special bandstands are erected throughout the city and its suburbs for public dancing of the samba. Free street parties, also known as carnavalescos or blocos can be found everywhere, with local people dancing, drumming and singing late into the night, you are welcome to join in the festivities.
Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and drags create, recreate, reinforce or show themselves in a remarkable way mainly during the carnival rituals. People come from all over the world to this one event specifically to enjoy our Carnival. They are in the street festivities, in the balls or in the Samba Schools parade, events that live up the Carnival in Rio, known as one of the most famous parties in the whole world.
If you want to take part of the street festivities, you have one more reason to do it: they are all for free! We'll be informing you about the route as it follows. Farme de Amoedo Street is an outstanding gay place to go in Rio; it is in Ipanema, nearby the beach and it brings many national and international celebrities together. You will also find many barbies (term used for muscular gays) during the Carnival, but there are a lot of bars and cafes in which you will find a wide diversity of people.
Several street bands and groups stop the traffic at strategic points of the city and some of them constitute the "official" Gay Carnival in Rio. For those who prefer closed places, there are the classic gay carnival balls. Gala Gay at Scala, situated in Leblon, is on Carnival Tuesday, it is the most traditional one and your ticket is included in your package cost. It shows off some of the most exotic personalities with the most luxurious costumes.
The Le Boy disco promotes gay balls every carnival nights, and besides the samba rhythm, there is also dance music with go-go boys' performances. Next to the Sambadrome, Elite promotes gay balls in a big samba hall on Carnival Sunday and Monday.
There are numerous samba schools in Rio which are divided into two leagues. Each school's position in the league determines whether they parade in the famous "Sambadrome" (the top schools) or in Avenida Rio Branco (not so spectacular but free!). Some schools have up to 5,000 people in them with as many as 30 floats. Each school chooses a theme, composes a samba song and designs the floats and costumes to fit the theme. Then there is a competition to choose the best schools in each league. They have up to 90 minutes to reach the other end of the Sambadrome (which is 600 metres long and holds up to 60,000 spectators) and they are judged for their costumes, designs, music, energy and dancing.
Please note: Due to the fact it is carnival, we are able to offer single supplements however they are a greta deal more expensive than normal. As a rule Yellow Brick Road Tours aim to offer the lowest single supplement on the market for lesbian and gay travellers however for Carnival, this is just not possible.
|
Gay Carnival in Rio
Exclusions
