Dona Marta's Sunrise, Undisturbed Christ The Redeemer And More

Marco was an amazing guide, he made the tour fun, exciting and he knew all the tips and tricks to get the best photos and be in the right queues. We had a tricky morning due to a lof of clouds in the area, but Marco knew which spots to take us too to get great pics.

Victoria & Billy were the BEST. 100/100 recommend booking with them!!

We had such an amazing experience with Marco as our tour guide in Rio! From the very beginning, everything was incredibly well structured and thoughtfully planned. Marco truly takes care of every little detail ,you can see the effort and attention he puts into making the experience special, even in the lovely breakfast kit he prepared for us! He is not only incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Rio and every place he takes you to, but he also makes the whole experience fun and entertaining. Marco has a great sense of humor, and you genuinely never get tired of talking and listening to him throughout the day. The conversations were just as enjoyable as the places we visited! A special mention as well to the driver, who was absolutely amazing and made us feel comfortable and safe throughout the tour. If you’re looking for a tour that is well organized, informative, fun, and personal, we couldn’t recommend Marco enough. He truly goes above and beyond to make sure you have the best possible experience in Rio. Thank you, Marco, for making our time in this beautiful city so memorable!

I think the tour was my favorite at Rio. It was well organized. The only thing is I found it was a bit too pricey for what it was. It was basically just taking us to different spots. I wish the tour guide explained a bit the history behind each spot. But seeing sunrise was beautiful and they did provide us with a nice little breakfast, so there's that.

We highly recommend this tour. Breakfast was delicious, the driver was very nice and our guide knew a lot about the statue of Christ and its surroundings.

Lovely guide! We had the car to ourselves and learned a lot about Rio.

I would like to thank Billy the driver and most of all Vicki! She was my guide and I had such an amazing experience with her! This tour is definitely worth getting started early at 5am. Catching the sunrise, Christ the Redeemer and the Salaron steps with little crowds. Exactly what I was wanting as a solo traveler and want to avoid big crowds and groups. My first time in Rio and I was very impressed!

This was the perfect tour to hit all the tourist spots in one go. Marco was so nice and had us laughing throughout the tour! He takes great pictures and made the whole experience stress free! Highly recommend :)

Unbelievable excursion with Marcos and Luis. He was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. His energy was incredible and was the best tour we had while in Rio!

Our 4am pick-up time from the cruise port was well worth it. We were able to be ahead of the pack to catch an amazing sunrise and then off to visit Christ the Redeemer before the crowds got too crazy. And, to top it off, our guide Gabriel was fantastic; informative, accommodating and knowledgeable. All in all, a great way to spend an early morning in Rio!

The sights were fantastic: the sunrise over Rio was breathtaking. The Selaron Steps were remarkable, and we got there before the crowds. Christ the Redeemer was awesome even on a cloudy day. But…the organization of the trip wasn’t great. The van was booked to capacity with participants, so the guide had to ride alongside on a motorcycle, leaving us with only the driver in the van, who didn’t speak English. I had expected the guide to talk with us on the van about the history, background of the sights, etc. When we got to the steps the guide kept us all in a group while telling us the background, and by the time they had finished speaking other tour groups had arrived—a missed opportunity for fantastic photos during those first minutes when we were the only ones there. I also thought the other guides did a better job of positioning their groups for the best sunrise photo spots. The photos we took ourselves, when we asked people to step aside for a moment, were better than the ones we took with the guide. I spent the whole time we were in the van wedged in the middle seat between two men. One was my partner :) so that was ok, but overall not ideal. Still, the sites were AH-MAZ-ING and I’m glad we did this tour, we did skip the line at Christ the Redeemer which saved us a ton of time.

You do have to be up early. Think 0400. But it's well worth it. The guide not only took us to the places, but he made sure we were able to take pictures and he gave us a brief history lesson on the attractions. The itinerary was adjusted to where we did the Selaron Steps before Christ the Redeemer but that was the best thing to do. We started at the top of the steps and walked down, instead of walking up. I think regardless of the time, especially during Carnaval season, it will be almost impossible to be the crowd at Christ the Redeemer.

A very early start time but so worth getting up! Sunrise crowded with Instagram photographers s be prepared for crowding. After Sunrise your see the steps and Christ the Redeemer before the crowd. Great guide and driver. Plus the benefit of pick up from our hotel.

What an amazing review. Besting the crowds made a world of different. Our guide Joanna was efficient and knowledgeable. Would recommend to anyone visiting Rio.

One of the best tours I’ve ever experienced in Brazil! Everything was perfectly organised, they were on time, clear in their communication, and delivered an absolutely unforgettable experience. Gabriella our tour guide, was outstanding. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, explains everything clearly, and has such a warm, engaging personality. She’s fun, easy to talk to, and brings a relaxed, positive energy to the group. You can genuinely tell she cares about everyone, always making sure we stayed together and felt comfortable. She also took us to hidden spots away from the crowds, turning what could have been busy, chaotic areas into peaceful and enjoyable moments. I can’t recommend this tour, and Gabriella, highly enough!

Yes,it's an early start but SO worth it.!!!! Get to see the main sites without massive amounts of other people and the hassle of traffic. We were the only ones at the Seralon Steps,it was wonderful taking photos without having others in them or waiting for people to move. Marco was great and provided the humor throughout the tour. Don't hesitate booking,you can always sleep when you get home!!

My experience with Rio Normal was top notch. I found the operator to be very responsive and knowledgeable. They helped me construct an itinerary that was perfect for my family. The guides Marco and Gabriel were knowledgeable, friendly, and fun! They went the extra mile to ensure we saw the best of Rio and had a terrific time. Can’t thank them enough really. Their prices are very fair and deliver a lot of value.

This experience was truly amazing on its own but what really made it spectacular was my amazing tour guide, Marco! As a solo traveler in a group with people I don’t know, in a country I’ve never visited, Marco made me feel like I was visiting a friend that was showing me the most interesting things about their country. I’m grateful for his knowledge and photo skills!

A really fun day out and ticking off 3 of our must do’s on the trip! Our second day with Marco. Picked up on time right outside our hotel, given a packed lunch for the morning and listened to some fun Brazilian music 🤣😍 met 2 solo travellers from LA & India and had such a fun day together! Marco made loads of effort in getting photos of us in all the tourist spots, especially Christ the Redeemer. He’s knowledgeable, fun and friendly and you won’t regret booking your tours with him - thank you! 🙏🏻

Amazin tour with amazin people. The experience was very good to make us feel like really locals. Guide Yasmin was excellent very knowledgeable and friendly all the time helping with the best spots for photos. Highly recommended!

I loved this tour! The landscape is breathtaking and the guide Yasmin was very gentle, showed us amazing aspects of all the journey and took great pictures of us! She also recommended us some good places to have dinner and enjoy the city even more. I highly recommend and hope to go on more city tours with her during my trip

The highlight of my trip was undoubtedly this experience. The guides demonstrated excellent timing, skillfully navigating to avoid crowds and identifying optimal locations for photographs. Their extensive knowledge across various subjects ensured that there was never a dull moment. I particularly enjoyed the "sing-along" sessions during transit to and from different areas. I was fortunate to have "Snoop and his sidekick" (whose name I regrettably cannot recall) as my guides. Overall, it was an experience that was well worth the investment, and I highly recommend it.

It was a great experience, I really enjoyed watching the sun rise at the view point the guide took us. The guide used his time very wisely. I highly recommend it.

We had a fantastic morning with Danny the guide and Billy the driver. Early pick up was fine and fantastic for beating the queues and crowds. packed lunch provided which had. a few Brazilian favourites. All the sites were absolutely stunning but best of all our guide Danny was a great laugh, friendly, very knowledgable and made the tour unbeatable.

Loved this tour ! We got to Christ the Redeemer and Selaron steps before the crowds.. tour guide was great .. very funny and knowledgeable!

AMAZING experiences ! Thank you very much to Clara and Billy who make this day wonderful for me and my friend. For sur we recommend it at 100%.

First and foremost I want to thank the company for working with me and rescheduling when my flight was delayed. Secondly, I want to think Clara and our driver for keeping us safe and on schedule. Clara was very knowledgeable about Brazilian culture and I love how we were able to beat the crowds at the attractions. Clara took wonderful pictures which I appreciate as a solo traveler. The other guest were pleasant as well. I think they did good scheduling us together. Unfortunately this was my last day in Brazil. I would have loved to do more tours with the company and Clara like the soccer game. I will definitely save her info for the next time I’m in Brazil.

Clara is sooooo adorable. Super sweet girl and excellent guide! Just an absolute doll. Very accommodating, knowledgeable and great at taking the best photos! 🫶🏽

The experience was amazing, Marco is a great guide and he could share all his knowledge with the group and took amazing pictures! I recomend this tour 100%.

Marco and Gabriel did an excellent job showing us the sights. They ensured we had the best experience possible by getting tickets early in line so see Christ the redeemer before the large crowds arrived.

If you’re looking for a magical, crowd-free experience in Rio, this tour is an absolute must! Waking up early for the sunrise at Dona Marta was worth every minute—the panoramic views of the city waking up, with the golden light hitting Sugarloaf Mountain and the beaches, were unforgettable. Yazmin was the perfect guide—passionate, knowledgeable, and full of great stories about Rio’s history and culture. She made sure we got the best photos and took the time to explain everything we were seeing. She knew all the angles for good photos ! The highlight? Arriving at Christ the Redeemer before the crowds, when it was just few small groups and the majestic statue. It felt like a private, peaceful moment with one of the world’s most iconic sights. Yazmin’s warmth and professionalism made the experience even better. She clearly loves sharing Rio’s beauty, and her enthusiasm was contagious. If you want a unique, intimate, and awe-inspiring tour, don’t hesitate to book this tour ! 100% recommended!

Amazing and interesting experience, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable guide! Definitely worth it above going to the places for yourself without a guide.

I have never previously joined a group tour in any city, but on this solo trip I wanted to get the major sites 'out of the way' so that I could relax and explore without feeling I had missed anything major (I know that's kind of ridiculous, but you get my drift). The itinerary for this tour was great. Yes, an early start but that is never an issue for me. The driver was already waiting for me outside the hotel, and we quickly and efficiently picked up the other 8 or so guests in a comfortable minibus. It was good to get to the viewing points early because even then, there were many people there. Brazil is super-Instagrammable and this was very evident by the many people posing and preening with special camera lights, costumes, etc - but all good fun. Marco, our guide, was good. Informative without being boring, and a fun guy. I also booked a tour with him to the Maracana the following day. Overall, really good and good value too.

Starting the day early with Marco and Gabriel who are skilled in navigating the city, efficient with time and welcoming energy to show us the most unforgettable iconic locations was one of the highlights of my stay in Rio! If I had a week in the city, I might have ventured out by myself taking the tram etc but because I had only a few days, signing up for this tour allowed me to spend more time exploring instead of waiting in long lines! Listening to the living and political situation of the lives of people was also invaluable. Highly recommend!

At first the thought of getting up so early on vacation was questionable but we are so glad we did it. Watching the sunrise, beating the crowds and all the great pictures Marcos took for us totally makes this tour worth doing. They were punctual, informative and getting around Rio with them was a breeze. No photo shop will be needed to erase people from your pictures. Do your self a favor and book this cruise and set your alarm and enjoy a wonderful morning in Rio.

I slept in (combination of jet lag and loud air con meaning I did not hear my alarms) but managed to hear the tour guide's phone call. They were kind enough to wait for 5-10 minutes as I got ready and left. Breakfast provided was sandwich, juice box, crisps, fruit and peanut butter chocolate bar which was needed. Arriving at the sunrise spot around 20 minutes before the sun could be seen gave enough time to take pictures and soak in the changing colours of the sky. All tour guides seem to know each other, they allowed people to have their space for photos and helped take them. Going to the Selaron steps at an early time helped avoid crowds of people and the heat of the day, that was ideal although still people were around. Christ the Redeemer was visited in good time and we only had to queue for 10-15 minutes to get in and take a minibus up the mountain. It was very busy but it will always be busy at the top with Christ the Redeemer no matter when you get there. But we had about 20 mins to play with before Marco provided some history and commentary Marco provided good commentary and some history on the drive and was always keen to answer questions and take photos throughout the tour. Would recommend as it saves you the hassle of doing it all yourself, especially the Christ the Redeemer part as by the time we left I think the queues had gotten much longer, so it is best to go as soon as it opens (people are queueing before it opens!)

Marco was the best guide! We started real early and avoided all the crowds at all the planned stops. A little snack bag was thoughtful to keep us satiated during the tour. Beautiful sunrise experience; plenty of time of photo opportunities. The Selaron Steps was near empty when we got there, and we had more photo shoots to enjoy. We arrived at Christ the Reedemer with nearly no wait; by the time we finished, the line to enter was alreasy over an hour long. This is a perfect tour to miss the crowds. Ask for Marco because he is the most energetic and vivacious tour guide!!

Super fun experience, Marco is a great guide and very knowledgeable about the locations. He even takes some great photos for everyone!

Marcos is amazing!! He is a great story teller and a wonderful guide and host. The experience was top notch because he took us to other site besides Christ Redeemer.

Such a great time! Marco was so fun, engaging and knowledgeable. He kept us moving and laughing while helping us capture great pictures and memories. Highly recommend!

The tour guide Marco and Driver Lucas were absolutely amazing. The early morning tour allowed us to beat the crowds. The only negative experience were a group of incredibly rude and entitled people on the tour with us who yelled at the driver in his face and argued with the guide because they didn’t listen to his instructions. If they happen to leave a negative review, don’t listen to them. They are the problem. This tour is wonderful

Here’s a review based on your trip: Amazing Experience at Dona Marta’s Sunrise Tour! This tour was absolutely incredible! Watching the sunrise from Dona Marta was a breathtaking experience, offering a stunning, crowd-free view of Christ the Redeemer. The peaceful atmosphere made it even more special. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly, sharing fascinating insights about the city and its landmarks. Everything was well-organized, and we had plenty of time to enjoy the views and take photos. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Rio de Janeiro. It’s a perfect way to experience the beauty of the city from a unique perspective!

The tour guide is amazing! It is a very good program with beautiful highlights and great timing. I would totally recommend anyone.

There is no other better way to see the Christ the Redeemer than in this tour and with tour guide Marco! Believe me i went theough the regular tours and it is stressful with all the crowds and lining up! It was an early trip, with snacks and light breakfast, and only 3 other guests! It was fun and intimate which isbgow i prefer it. Marco is AMAZING, u cant get a better guide who is funfunfun and very informative!

Before I get into the tour itself, let me tell you about our guide, Marco!!! Simply put, he was amazing. He made this tour sooo much fun. Between his jokes, his knowledge and his attention to us, he was truly the best tour guide I’ve experienced all of my travels. The tour itself is beyond memorable. Visiting one of the seven wonders of the world was simply something you will always remember. The sunrise at Dona Martes is a view to die for. A must do if visiting Brazil!!!

Despite the fact that you have to wake up very early, it's worth it! Professionally organized tour which will be remembered not just with an amazing sunrise at the Dona Marta area and an opportunity to "meet" Crist the Redeemer but also with an excellent guide. Marco ir so friendly, conversant, solicitous, supportive, charismatic, and, what is more important, very passinated about his work! Many thanks to our driver Billy as well!

If you’re shopping around for a guide, stop searching and hire Marco. The City of Rio has an incredible energy that is passionate, positive and kind. Marco embodies all of this and was an absolute pleasure to spend time with. This tour allowed us to enjoy most of Rio’s main attractions without any crowds. We also did a tour of the Rocinha favela with Marco and Billy. If you are on the fence about this, do it. Our family of four was hesitant, but it was a highlight of our trip and unlike anything we had done before. Thank you, Marco!

A great opportunity to see fantastic colors of a sunrise and uncrowded most famous places in Rio. Our guide Marco was a very energetic and took good care of us during the tour. I would probably appreciate some more talking and stories etc. but agree the views speak for themselves . I enjoyed the tour very much.

What a wonderful morning! Whilst getting up early was not easy, I was so much better! We saw a beautiful sunrise, and avoided all of the cues because it was early. We saw huge lines that may have taken 2 hours of waiting for those that had joined the standard full day tours. Marco had wonderful energy and spoke excellent English, and was able to share personal experience rather than just the trite tour guide. There were 4 of us and this made the experience both more interactive and more personal. We also weren't waiting around that is inevitable with larger groups. I highly recommend this tour in preference to those that start later and with groups of 10 or more.