Sugar Loaf Mountain Half-Day Tour

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

4 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.2

· Shelly_M ·

Jan 2026

My husband and I had a fabulous time with TT (Tania Uhlala.) She was an incredible tour guide giving us so much energy, information, and giving us time to explore on our own. She also answered all of our personal questions and kept things going at a perfect pace. We really enjoyed this experience and ofcourse Sugar Loaf mountain was beautiful!!

· SallyAnn_C ·

Feb 2026

A brilliant experience, a real must do. Guide was excellent. Stunning trip, views are wonderful. Cable cars are so fast.

Explore our promoted experiences

Likely to Sell Out

The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill

Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil

4.8

(1,469)

The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill

from $85

City Tour of Rio de Janeiro con ingressi e pranzo

Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil

4.8

(49)

City Tour of Rio de Janeiro con ingressi e pranzo

from $250

Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil

Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour

from $9

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Explore Rio and visit Sugar Loaf Mountain during this 4-hour morning tour. Visit some of the city's most important landmarks, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and Copacabana Beach. Then, board a glassed-in cable car bound for Sugar Loaf's peak, stopping once at a scenic viewpoint. Upon reaching the top of Sugar Loaf at 1,299 feet (396 meters) above sea level, admire the views of Niteroi, Copacabana, and Santa Cruz Fortress. Round-trip transportation from selected Rio hotels is included.

4-hour guided tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain including cable car ride (options with ticket included or excluded).
Admire the impressive view below, including Copacabana Beach, Guanabara Bay, and Santa Cruz
Drive through downtown Rio including the Municipal Theater (Teatro Municipal) and Flamengo Park
Roundtrip transport from selected Rio de Janeiro hotels included

What's Included

Roundtrip transfer to most hotels in São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana
Professional Tour Guide
Panoramic city tour
Cable Car Ticket (if option selected)
Live audio guide – available in 9 different languages

Gratuities
Food and drinks
Pickup from selected hotels in Barra da Tijuca available on request ($10.00 per person). Please contact the local provider to arrange this service

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Please stay at the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pick up time.

Itinerary

Following morning pickup from your hotel in Rio (pickup is available in São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana), embark on a tour of the city with your local guide.

Drive by the traditional Cinelandia Square where the various historic buildings such as the Municipal Theater, the National Library, and the National Museum of Fine Arts are located.

Pass the Sambadrome, where Carnival's samba competition takes place, and stop at the Metropolitan Cathedral, famous for its unusual architecture.

When you reach the Urca neighborhood, board a glassed-in cable car for the ascent to the peak, stopping once at a scenic viewpoint. Upon reaching the top of Sugar Loaf at 1,299 feet (396 meters) above sea level, admire the views of Niteroi, Copacabana, and Santa Cruz Fortress.

When you descend from Sugar Loaf Mountain, enjoy transportation back to your Rio hotel.

Please note: This tour offers options with and without tickets. Ensure you select your preference on booking.

Praia do Leblon (Pass By)

Ipanema Beach (Pass By)

Copacabana Beach (Pass By)

Guanabara Palace (Pass By)

Sambodromo da Marques de Sapucai (Pass By)

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Aterro Do Flamengo (Pass By)

Botafogo Bay (Pass By)

Morro da Urca

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Sugarloaf Mountain

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
If you select the option without tickets, we suggest you bring the amount in cash so it can be paid directly to the guide so you can be included on our voucher, otherwise you may have to enter the line for the purchase of tickets
During Carnival, between Friday and Tuesday, there is the possibility of City Tour being reduced or excluded from the itinerary due to traffic issues and streets closed over the city
Most travelers can participate

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat in case it’s hot
The specific departure time for this tour will be determined upon reconfirmation.
Keep in mind that if you want to avoid picking other passenger, just ask us to be picked up from the last departure point on the tour.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.2

based on 219 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great tour!!

Jacob_H, Apr 2026

This was an absolutely incredible experience from start to finish—easily a 5-star tour. The views from Sugarloaf Mountain are breathtaking, and the entire process was seamless and well-organized. What truly made the day unforgettable, though, was our guide, Sandra. She went far above and beyond in every way—knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely invested in making sure we had the best possible experience. Since we had a private tour, she even accommodated us by adding on Christ the Redeemer, which completely elevated the day and made it feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Everything felt personalized, relaxed, and thoughtfully planned. If you’re considering this tour, don’t hesitate—especially if you can get Sandra as your guide. It doesn’t get better than this.

A Rio must do.

SallyAnn_C, Feb 2026

A brilliant experience, a real must do. Guide was excellent. Stunning trip, views are wonderful. Cable cars are so fast.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks. Att, Giovanna Maldonado

Very informative and well...

Sandie_W, Jan 2026

Very informative and well organised. Being part of a small group helped move through the queues more quickly.

Sugar Loaf with Tania Uhlala

Shelly_M, Jan 2026

Better late than never.

Robert_M, Dec 2025

The tour was good; however, you will need to be patient with your pick up time. We were to be ready 10 minutes prior to our scheduled pick up time of 8 o’clock. Another document stated pick up time at 8:30. Our transportation actually showed up at 8:45 with no notifications.

Very efficient way to see...

Matthew_P, Dec 2025

Very efficient way to see Sugar Loaf. Needed to get back to our ship - they arranged an uber- very helpful. Tour of the church and steps were ok.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks. Att, Giovanna Maldonado.

Sugar Loaf the highlight of Rio

Carol_N, Jun 2025

Sugar Loaf Mountain was excellent and well worth it. Views were breathtaking. Smooth transfer and cable car was great. I would prefer more time at Sugar Loaf and miss the Cathedral but the famous Selarón steps were interesting. Tour guide Gabi provided relevant information and kept us to time. Only feedback is related to insisting people stay on the same seats on the bus ‘policy of company’ which is unfair if you were last on the bus and have a seat at the back and no view. Seats should be shared so everyone can enjoy the tour. Overall tour was good and really enjoyed Sugar Loaf Mountain, even over Corcovado.

Tour guide was friendly...

Lisa, Jun 2025

Tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable! George was friendly and funny. Highly recommend this tour !!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

Wonderful tour

Matthew_W, Jun 2025

Being a solo traveler, I loved how well-organized the trip was. I was able to locate the guide at the meeting point and everything was perfectly organized. THANK YOU

Sugarloaf Tour w/ Patricia

Marc_M, Feb 2025

Had an amazing experience at Sugarloaf Mountain, thanks to our incredible guide, Patricia! Her outgoing personality and deep knowledge of Copacabana Beach, Urca, and the fascinating history behind Sugarloaf’s name made the tour truly special. She was attentive, enthusiastic, and ensured we had a great time. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

A nice tour that is very...

Ben_S, Feb 2025

A nice tour that is very specific to Sugar Loaf mountain vs a whole city tour. If you’re looking for a tour that is not a full day tour and are looking for something specific this is a great tour.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

Guided tours only way to experience Rio

Roland_K, Jan 2025

Guided tours has a separate entrance to the park. It’s a shorter line and less waiting in lines. My sister and I were the only customers.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

Great tour guide in uncooperative weather

Alison_S, Oct 2024

Warley was a fabulous tour guide , so knowledgeable, passionate , spoke great English and was very entertaining. Unfortunately the weather was average & we could barely see through the clouds, but it would be beautiful in the sun & I would absolutely book with him again !

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

Well conducted trip

Raghu_J, May 2024

Fully satisfied with the trip organization. We had a good experience and would appreciate and thank all the staff associated with the trip.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

Great trip

liz, Apr 2024

Great trip, very relaxed and competent guide made the trip a pleasure. Saw all we wanted to in good timings.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

Very poor service

yjzluo, Apr 2024

The tour only include the transport but no more. Pickup was almost a hour late and no drop back to the hotel. No other service provided. It was easy money for this tour

Response from Host, May 2024

Dear client Good morning To understand better, could you please contact us with more details? we need to investigate your complaint as it doesn relate to our standart procedures. (As we dont get complains for this tour). We need your booking number for proper reply. reservations@grayline.com.br kind regards

An excellent way to see Sugar Loaf and Rio's other main attractions!

Chris_W, Dec 2023

We opted to do a series of half day tours while in Rio to reduce the risk of Rio's temperamental weather impacting all of our sightseeing. We had nothing to worry about here though! Magnificent weather, the guide arrived early to pick us up, and we were at the start of the cable car before the crowds. Once up the top we had plenty of time for a coffee and to take pics of the 360° views and watch the planes land and take off from the Santos Dumont Airport below. We then took in a few of Rio's other landmarks. Once we were dropped off after our half day, those on the full day tour were heading out for a traditional Brazilian BBQ lunch, and then up to Christ the Redeemer. Rather than being dropped off at our hotel, we even joined them for lunch to top off our great morning tour and then walked the few blocks back to our hotel. An excellent way to see the best of Rio de Janeiro!

Awesome trip to the sugarloaf mountain

Ajit_N, Sep 2023

We had a great half day tour to sugarloaf mountain. Was offered convenient pick up from the hotel lobby. Mr. Warley was our guide. He was awesome !! very knowledgeable and explained the history in great detail. Highly recommend this tour

Very well spent time

Barbara, May 2023

Great tour guide and great weather made this experience memorable . You need good visibility to enjoy Sugar Loaf

A nice tour and guide

BRIAN_R, Mar 2023

Nice tour with amazing views from the top of mountain with a friendly guide. The only thing i didn't like was the rip off photo seller on the mountain 130 Real for 1 photo.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks

Fabulous tour with experienced, friendly and informative guide

Alison_L, Mar 2023

Minibus picked us up exactly on time so good start. The whole tour was brilliant and we were given plenty of time for photos etc. Sugarloaf was amazing , stunning views and cable cars ran very frequently. Don't be put off by the exterior of cathedral, it is unexpectedly breathtaking. Fabulous atmosphere at the tiled steps.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

Spectacular

Susan_G, Mar 2023

Views are spectacular. Would be 5* if pick up was more timely. Waited from 7.50 am to 8.50 am. No apology given - courier so laid back he fell over !

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Dear Susan i am sorry for the delay. At this date, traffic was heavy but our guide should have apologised and explained it. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

Fun tour

DENNIS_P, Nov 2022

This was fun tour and Sugar Loaf has beautiful views of the entire city. The tour guide was funny and informative. I had a good time. I recommend it to anyone visiting Rio!

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.

Good tour despite the weather

Arlene_K, Jun 2022

Luis was fantastic. He took good care of all of us and took some amazing photos. (I was struggling to take good selfies ☺️.) It was rainy and chilly but the tour was still quite good.

Amazing

Mohammed_A, Apr 2021

Awesome experience. Great tour guide. Great way of exploring the city of Rio de Janeiro and learning about the culture

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Dear Mohammed, Thank you for your review! We are so happy that you had such a good time with us. Wanderley will surely be very happy you had such a great time with him, too! We hope to see you again in future visits! Thank you.

Good idea to do this separate.

jeanannf2020, Jan 2020

So many of the highlight tours include ALL the sights in one day. We booked this separate from Christ the Redeemer.

Great Trip and Good Value for the Money

moenmoco, Aug 2019

My wife and I have never been to Rio, so it was great to have a guide and transportation from our hotel and back again. Our guide was very knowledgeable and spoke multiple languages. We felt the time spent at Sugar Loaf and the surrounding area was just right. I would definitely recommend this half-day excursion.

A great tour with a great tour...

NADIA_M, Jun 2018

A great tour with a great tour guide. I dont remember her name but she was very informative about all the locations and very patient with out requests. Highly recommend this tour. We were in Rio for a family vacation and this was definitely a highlight of our trip. A must do in Rio!

This Tour was brilliant, our guide...

LINDA_T, Jun 2018

This Tour was brilliant, our guide with bus turned up on time and the mountain didn't disappoint, with magnificent views, it would have been nice to spend a bit more time up there but most enjoyable half day tour.