About this experience
Don’t miss the chance to explore the largest Catholic temple in Brazil and the largest cathedral in the world, the Cathedral Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida. Millions of pilgrims from all parts of Brazil visit the shrine every year to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and admire the monumental temple.
The shrine is located in the countryside about 3:00 h from the city of Rio de Janeiro accessible by car.
In order to welcome approximately 12 million pilgrims every year, the Sanctuary provides its devotees with an area of more than 1.3 million square meters, with about 143 thousand square meters of built-up area filled with a myriad of attractions.
The main reason for the visits are religious. Accompanied by a guide, visit the National Shrine, pass by the image of Our Lady Aparecida and exchange glances with her, participate in a Holy Mass, make requests, thank graces received, pay promises, appreciate craftsmanship, majestic forms and stained-glass windows.
At a glance
- Duration: 12 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 12 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- Transport by fully-equipped vehicles.
- Entrance fees.
- Private driver for groups bigger than 4 people. Otherwise, the guide drives the vehicle themselves.
- Any address pick-up and drop-off are included like hotel or airport.
- VAT, all taxes, handling charges, parking fees during stops, airport and port Greet & Meet services.
Not included
- Meals and drinks.
- Tips. (optional).
Itinerary and highlights
Following pick-up at your hotel in Rio de Janeiro, we drive for 3 hours to the Shrine, located in the city of Aparecida in the state of São Paulo.
The temple, the largest in the country, houses the 36 cm image of Our Lady of Aparecida.
The sanctuary is the largest in the world dedicated to Mather Mary. 12 million pilgrims pass through yearly, making it the main pilgrimage point in Brazil.
In addition to the image, the basilica has the chapel of the candles, where the devotees pray. Each weekend, up to 10 tons of paraffin are taken off from the place. In the Hall of Promises are thousands of objects and photographs of devotees who reported miracles.
Footbridge of Faith
The structure is 392 meters long and reaches a height of 35 meters at its highest point, connects the National Sanctuary of Aparecida to the Old Basilica.
The footbridge is a traditional pilgrimage spot for pilgrims who many cross on their knees to pay promises made to Our Lady of Aparecida. The footbridge also offers a panoramic view of the largest Catholic temple in Brazil.
Old Basilica
Known as Old Basilica, the church is in the downtown area of the city of Aparecida and used to be a meeting point for pilgrims before the construction of the National Sanctuary. The two churches are connected today by the footbridge of faith.
With works started in 1845 and completed in 1888, the church received the title of Basilica of Aparecida from the Vatican in 1908. In 1982, it was listed as a monument of historical, religious and architectural interest.
The cable car connects the National Sanctuary to Hill of the Santo Cruzeiro. On average about 2 thousand visitors per day rides on the cars.
The section covered by the cable car is approximately 1,170 meters long and 115 meter high passing over a major highway nearby.
Hill of the Santo Cruzeiro is accessible by cable car. Devotees also climb the Morro do Cruzeiro in procession to remember the Way of the Cross. Along the way it has 14 stations that recall the last steps of Jesus Christ to the Calvary.
The hill is 900 meters long and 83 meters high.
After having such a spiritual day, we journey back to Rio where the tour started. We’ll engage in a conversation about your interests and our expertise, whether that can be religion, or cultural history of the area.
Meeting and pickup information
- PICK-UP INFORMATION: • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio de Janeiro limits. • We DO NOT do pick-ups in the countryside or far from the city of Rio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS: • Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio de Janeiro limits. • We DO NOT do drop-offs in the countryside or too far from the city of Rio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AIRPORT / PORT ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS: • Once you have arrived at the airport or seaport there will be a member of our staff waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a clear sign with your name on it, they will then escort you to your waiting private transfer vehicle. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HOTEL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS: • As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby.
Languages and tickets
- German — Guide
- Portuguese — Guide
- English — Guide
- Italian — Guide
- French — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Gregtur Turismo
Accessibility and practical details
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
What are the pickup arrangements?
• Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio de Janeiro limits.
• We DO NOT do pick-ups in the countryside or far from the city of Rio.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS:
• Wherever place you specify at the time of the booking. As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs as long as it's within the city of Rio de Janeiro limits.
• We DO NOT do drop-offs in the countryside or too far from the city of Rio.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
AIRPORT / PORT ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS:
• Once you have arrived at the airport or seaport there will be a member of our staff waiting for you at the arrivals area holding a clear sign with your name on it, they will then escort you to your waiting private transfer vehicle.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
HOTEL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS:
• As soon as the tour guide arrives at your hotel, they get the front desk
to call you in the room in case you are not at the lobby.
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
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