Take in Rio’s historic architecture and breathtaking natural setting on this guided exploration of the city streets, concluding with a cable car ride up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for panoramic vistas over “The Marvelous City.”

After being picked up from your hotel, pass by the Sambadrome, where samba schools parade during the city’s world-famous Carnival celebration. Gaze up at the pyramidal structure of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, and admire its beautiful stained glass windows that strech from the floor all the way to the ceiling.

Then cruise through the sprawling Aterro do Flamengo park to the seaside neighborhood of Urca, where Sugarloaf mountain soars up from the waves. Board a teleférico cable car at Sugarloaf Mountain for a 2-part ride to the top of this monolithic granite peak—named by the Portuguese during the area’s sugar trading heyday because the rocky hill resembles the conical molds once used to transport sugar by ship. Your first ascent takes you up 720 feet (220 m) to Morro da Urca, and your second to Pau de Acucar, which rises 1,299 feet (396 m) over the harbor.

From this spectacular vantage point, take in sweeping views out over Rio. Look down on Guanabara Bay, the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, the white swath of Copacabana, the Fortaleza de Santa Cruz, and the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain before you descend back into town.