Day Trip To The Shrine Of Our Lady Of Aparecida In Honor To The Blessed Virgin Mary

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

  • VISIT THE LARGEST CATHOLIC TEMPLE IN BRAZIL IN A FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR

From R$

Fill out the form for a quote

BOOK NOW

Tour type: Private tour.

Live guide & available language: Español, English, and Português.

Tour Operating Hours: Book this tour between 06:00 to 09:30.

Transport: Fully-equipped hatchbacks, sedans, minivans, vans, buses according to you group size.

Instant confirmation: Yes, from Monday through Sunday.

Tour start location / Final tour location: Any pick-up & drop-off in Rio de Janeiro or elsewhere are included like hotel or airport.

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, stained-glass windows and interesting history, in short, renew the faith. Then, shop and stroll around visiting as many attractions as possible. 

Still in the National Sanctuary, there are unforgettable places to be visited such as the Chapels of Santíssimo Sacramento, São José, of the Candles, Baptism and Resurrection. There is a massive tower with a museum and a lookout, a nativity scene, a wax museum and the underground has ample cozy lounge to rest, have a snack and be touched by the Room of Promises.

Crossing the footbridge of faith, we have the historic center, where the Old Basilica that houses the Redemptorist Memorial is located. It’s also where the tomb of Father Vitor Coelho, whose process of beatification continues accelerated, is located.

Going down the Monte Carmelo slope, we have the church of St. Benedict, with the relic coming from Italy.

Aparecida has many other unmissable sights such as the hill of Santo Cruzeiro accessible by cable car, port Itaguaçu where the image of the virgin Aparecida was found, lookouts of the stones and Our Lady of Aparecida and a big Market.

The structure was consecrated on 1980, by Pope John Paul II, when he visited Brazil for the first time. It also received visits of the popes Benedict XVI and Francisco.

The proposed itinerary can last about 12 hours starting the count from the pick-up moment in the city of Rio de Janeiro or its surroundings.

GREGTUR is the number 1 company on the TRIP ADVISOR rank. Check our TRIP ADVISOR & FACEBOOK pages on the links below before booking.
 REVIEWS ON TRIP ADVISOR
 REVIEWS ON FACEBOOK
 Highlights

 Learn about the history and legacy of Christianity in Brazil.

 An expert guide for historical and artistic insights.

 Admire the richly decorated National Shrine and its greatness.

 Visit the churches and cathedral in the company of a private guide, and see and hear details you might otherwise miss.

 Stop at sights to explore in the company of the guide who will escort you in your tour expedition, providing an interpreting service along the way.

 Things to do & see in Aparecida

The full-day suggested itinerary is taken into consideration pick-up & drop-off locations in the city of Rio de Janeiro with stops at the city of Aparecida for pictures, contemplation, exploration, snacks or lunch, and a little shopping for souvenir, but it's just a suggestion. 

Notice that some of the suggested activities charge admission fees that are NOT covered for the given rates here. Although, the tour is not aimed to get into museums and sights that charge admission fees. 
Meals and drinks are NOT covered as well. 
The " " sign indicates stops during the itinerary. 

National Sanctuary of Aparecida

The temple, the largest in the country, houses the 36 cm image of Our Lady of Aparecida. 

The Shrine is located in the city of Aparecida in the state of São Paulo. It’s also the largest sanctuary in the world dedicated to Mather Mary. 12 million pilgrims pass through yearly, making it the main pilgrimage point in Brazil.

There are 143 thousand square meters of built area where 25 million bricks were used in the construction.

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.

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.

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.

Hill of the Santo Cruzeiro

Devotees 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.

In 1925 the place had a cross embedded in the summit and became a pilgrimage point.

The first official religious celebration took place on the site in 1948.

The most traditional procession takes place every year on the Friday of the Passion of Christ.

Hill of the Santo Cruzeiro is also accessible by cable car.

Santa's Viewpoint

The viewpoint dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida was inaugurated in December 2006 on top of a hill in Aparecida. 

The 17.6 meter high statue was built after the landowner was cured of the cancer she faced in 2002. At the time, her father promised that if the grace of healing was achieved, he would build a large image in honor of the Patroness of Brazil.

Itaguaçu Port

Itaguaçú means 'big stone in the indigenous language Tupi-Guarani. In this place, on one curve of the Paraíba do Sul River, the image of Aparecida was found. The place is also a pilgrimage point.

Port Itaguaçú has an area of 129 thousand m² with a chapel reminding the miraculous fishing.

A boat tour is provided on the Paraíba do Sul River every 20 minutes from 7 am to 5 pm.

Memorial of Devotion

Our Lady of Aparecida Devotion Memorial is a tourist complex in the courtyard of the National Sanctuary. The place has a cinema, a wax museum with more than 60 pieces and an exhibition space.

The attractions combine art with multimedia effects. It takes the visitors through a sensory experience showing the history of the Patroness from its encounter in the waters of Paraíba River to the construction of the National Sanctuary.

The place is open to visitors from Monday to Sunday.  

Cable Car

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. 

Bom Jesus Seminar

Built in 1894 the hotel building draws attention for its size and architecture - inspired by the Palace of Versailles, in France.

The sumptuous building, 2 kilometers from the basilica, received three popes on visits to Aparecida - Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and, the last, Pope Francis, in 2013. 

In the garden, a giant statue of Frei Galvão, a Brazilian saint, is the visiting card.

A wing of the building where the popes stayed is opened to the public. 

Monuments of Miracles

Five monuments installed throughout the city of Aparecida, produced in metal by the artist Gilmar Pina, portray the miracles attributed to the Patroness.

The miracles of the slave Zacarias were portrayed, who, after a frustrated escape, returned chained to the farm. After praying in the chapel in Aparecida the chains loosened.

Miracles of the candles were also portrayed. It consists of candles that lit themselves at the foot of the image of Our Lady. 

Miracle of the blind man who saw again is also portrayed. 

 Observations
 It's highly recommended to read the "IMPORTANT INFO", "PICK-UP / DROP-OFF" and FAQ'S sections before booking.

 

 Inclusions

 Transport by fully-equipped vehicles.

 Any address pick-up & drop-off are included like hotel or airport as long as the booking system accepts the address you enter. 

 Professional / licensed / bilingual private tour guide.

 Private driver for groups bigger than five (5) people, otherwise the guide drives the vehicle themselves.

 VAT, all taxes, tolls, handling charges, parking fees during stops, airport Greet & Meet service.

 Entrance fees.

 Exclusions

 Meals & drinks.

 Gratuities & tips. (optional).

 Additional Info

 Confirmation is sent just after the booking is made.

 Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.

 Tour guide details is sent 1 day before the booking date.

 This tour offers stops en route for pictures, contemplation, relaxation, exploration, snacks or lunch, and a little shopping for souvenir. 

 Adult pricing applies to all travelers.

 Wheelchair accessibility: As long as the tourist has some mobility then this tour would be suitable.

 Casual clothes.

 Sunscreen.

 Comfortable walking shoes, flip flops or sandals are recommended. 

 Cancellation Policy

 If you cancel at least 5 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.

 If you cancel between 2 & 4 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.

 If you cancel within 1 day of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

 Pricing

 The charge is made in Brazilian currency. 

 Make a down payment online of either 50% or the total amount. If 50% of the payment is made online as a down payment, the remainder should be in cash directly to the guide on spot.

 Pick-up Location

 Wherever you specify at the time of the booking as long as the booking system accepts the address you enter. The booking system may automatically reject too long-distance pick-ups & drop-offs.

 As it’s a private tour, you choose the best pick-up point that suits your needs.

 Tour Operating Days

 Any day available on the timetable of the “PRICE FORM”, which is from Monday through Sunday.

 Departure Time

 Any time available on the timetable of the "PRICE FORM".

 Tour Duration

 The key part of our system is the flexibility to book a tour according to number of people, pick-up and final drop-off locations. 

 We don't actually sell a set tour program for a certain number of hours, but instead we sell the number of hours the “TOUR GUIDE & VEHICLE ” are going to be at your availability to do a certain activity with you. There is also private driver for groups bigger than five (5) people in addition to the guide.

 Drop-off Location

 Wherever you specify at the time of the booking as long as the booking system accepts the address you enter. The booking system may automatically reject too long-distance pick-ups & drop-offs.

 As it’s a private tour, you choose the best drop-off point that suits your needs.

 Voucher Info

 You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.  

 

 AIRPORTS ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS

 Once you have arrived at the airport there will be a member of our staff (or guide) 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 vehicle. 

 Our team member will be waiting for you even if the flight is delayed. 

 In the very unlikely situation that the customer is not able to locate our guide, please call our emergency telephone number on the voucher.

 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.

 In the very unlikely situation that you are not able to locate our guide, please call one of our emergency telephone numbers that are on the voucher.

 Requirement of "list of pax" & "passport or ID numbers" for taking highways with vehicles with more than 15 seats

 For long-distance trips, we may have to ask the state or federal road department authorization for taking open highways with big vehicles like vans and buses. Thus, in order to do that, it's required the list of all passengers and their passport or ID numbers at the time of the booking (send it via e-mail after the booking). Therefore, it’s extremely important to book tours with long-distance pick-ups or drop-offs with at least 24 hours in advance. (valid for this tour)

 If big vehicles like a van or a bus is traveling without the required documents and the police pulls it over, the trip cannot continue. 

 For local pick-ups or drop-offs like airport or nearby cities, there is NO need of such list and passport or ID numbers.

 Such requirement is not necessary for small vehicles like sedans, minivans and SUVs.

 Who drive me during the tour throughout the city?

 The tour guide themselves drives the vehicle in case of groups with up to five (5) people besides guiding and giving all the tour explanations. Groups bigger than five (5) people have also a private driver along with the tour guide.

 Vehicle models

 The assigned vehicle is according to the number of passengers for the tour. The vehicles are all fully-equipped and suitable to fit you and your group comfortably. 

 Hatchback vehicles 

 Midsize sedans

 Minivans

 15-seater vans

 19-seater vans

 29-seater minibus

 44-seater buses

Veículos GREGTUR

 

 Please, read these frequently asked questions before booking. 
 When does the hired number of hours start to be counted?

 Count starts from the pickup moment, no matter where you are.

 Do I pass by or visit all the listed sights in the suggested itinerary?

 We don't actually sell a set tour program for a certain number of hours, but instead we sell the number of hours the “TOUR GUIDE & VEHICLE ” are going to be at your availability to do a certain activity with you. The offer for 12-hour guide & vehicle availability is enough to cover the Rio de Janeiro-Aparecida round trip transfers and do the suggested itinerary tour. 

 In case tourists want to spend more time at a sight, it should impact on the tour coverage reducing the number of seen sights.

 The tour coverage depends on the tour rhythm as the guide goes at your pace, and also pretty much on the pick-up & drop-off locations.

 Other adversities may also slow down the tour progress such as traffic jam, and the group size that determines the size of the vehicle. Bigger vehicles assigned for bigger groups tend to be slower, and thus cover less ground and sights.  

 What if I am in a city far away from Rio de Janeiro and want to take this tour?

 Just fill out the “PICK-UP” and “FINAL DROP-OFF” location fields to have the price for the tour guide to pick you up wherever you are, take you on the tour, and return you back to your place afterwards. The booking system may automatically reject too long-distance pick-ups & drop-offs, as the tour may NOT be worth taking because of the trip time to the city of the tour. In this case, you can either select closer locations or get in touch with us for options.

 Have in mind that the tour guide may depart from Rio de Janeiro to pick you up at your place. So in case you are out of or far from Rio de Janeiro, consider the trip time from Rio de Janeiro to your city NOT booking short notice. 

 On the price form, what’s the field “GUIDE & VEHICLE AVAILABILITY” for?

 This field is to specify the number of hours the licensed private “TOUR GUIDE & VEHICLE” will be at your availability. The count starts from the pickup moment the tour has been set to get started at your hotel, airport or any address you have chosen. However, this specific tour has a defined number of 12 hours, so this field for this specific tour program can not be changed.

 What time range is it recommended to take the tour? Or what time should the tour start?

 Any time available on the timetable of the "PRICE FORM". However, it’s recommended to set the pick-up time in Rio de Janeiro around 7:00 in order to reach Aparecida about 9:30 or 10:00 to then effectively start the tour.

 How many hours is the guide going to be at the customer’s availability?

 The guide is going to be at customer’s availability for 12 hours in a row doing the Aparecida to-and-from transfers and tour activities.

 Can I take this tour at night?

 No, this tour is designed to be taken in daytime.

 How do I book the tour?

 Just fill out the beside “PRICE FORM” with the required information according to your demands.  

 The price is shown after all the fields are filled out. If you agree with the price, click on the “BOOK NOW” button.

 The next page is for login, or sign-up in case you still don’t have an account with us.

 After the login, land on a page with a form to collect more information to organize the tour.

 Then go to the “CONFIRMATION PAGE”, and continue on to make the payment on the following page inserting the credit card details.

 At the end of the booking process, you will receive an e-mail voucher containing the confirmation and pickup instructions.

 Confirmed your booking, now start counting down the hours!

 How is the tour price formed?

 To form the price the system takes into consideration the number of people, the number of hours the tour guide and vehicle are going to be at your availability, the pick-up and drop-off locations, and the tour language. So just feed the price form with your demands, and it will automatically show "ALL-INCLUSIVE-RATES" for the tour guide to pick you up with a suitable vehicle.

 Does the tour guide always pick the customers up at their places?

 Yes, always. Sometimes, other than the tour guide, there is also a driver depending on the number of people.

 Can I personalize the tour according to what I want to see?

 Yes, private tours are totally personalizable according to your interests and likes. Talk directly to the tour guide about your wishes or state / type them in the “BOOKING OBSERVATION BOX” further during the booking process.  

 Do other unknown tourists join the tour with me? Or is this tour in group or private? 

 The tour is totally private and exclusive for you and your group. No other person out of your group must join your tour, unless it's invited by you.

 Who drive me during the tour throughout the city?

 The tour guide themselves drives the vehicle in case of groups with up to five (5) people. Groups bigger than five (5) people have also a driver along with the tour guide.

 Does the guide pay their own expenses during the tour?

 The guide’s basic expenses such as meals, drinks and parking lot are paid by themselves on spot. Museums, cultural and some entertaining activities are free of charge for tour guides. 

 The guide may decline to participate in high-priced activities that fall out of the scope of a regular tour such as going to fancy restaurants or anything out of a standard tour. In these cases, if customer wishes to have the guide as a permanent companion, the guide’s expenses should be covered by the customer. Otherwise, the guide must wait for the customer just nearby to continue on the tour afterwards. 

 What does the tour guide talk about? 

 All tour guides have complete knowledge about the city sights, culture, history, and social-economic aspects of Rio de Janeiro, Aparecida and Brazil. Also, the guide for Aparecida should have a deeper knowledge about different religious aspects of Brazil especially catholicism.

 If you want a deeper understanding of a specific topic, please state / type your interests in the “BOOKING OBSERVATION BOX” further during the booking process.  

 What if I arrive at the airport? Does the tour guide wait for me at the arrivals area of the terminal? 

 Once you have arrived at the airport, there will be a member of our staff / guide 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 vehicle.

 When does the "tour count" of hours start when I arrive at the airport?

 The "tour count" of hours starts to run from the time the tour guide meets the tourist.

 Our staff / guide will be waiting for you even if your flight is delayed, without extra charges.

 What’s the minimum and maximum number of people can I hire a city tour for?

 The tour can be hired for 1 person up to 42 people. We will assign a suitable vehicle according to your group.

 If you have groups with more than 42 people, the ideal is to make two (2) bookings splitting the group and using two vehicles plus two tour guides. 

 Does the company have references or reviews of other tourists who hired GREGTUR?

 Yes, we have been delivering tours for about 8 years, and car services for more than 19 years. We have hundreds of customers who left reviews & comments on our TRIP ADVISOR & FACEBOOK pages.

 GREGTUR is the number 1 company on the TRIP ADVISOR rank among hundreds of other tour companies.

 Check our TRIP ADVISOR & FACEBOOK pages on the links below: 

 REVIEWS ON TRIP ADVISOR

 REVIEWS ON FACEBOOK 

Read more...