Of all the places in the world that can surprise tourists, Sugar Loaf Mountain occupies one of the leading positions on the list. The area where it is located is so picturesque that it is incredibly difficult to convey all the beauty in words. Why the mountain was named that way, no one knows for sure. Of the working versions, two can be distinguished:
- From afar, the outline of the hill resembles the shape in which sugar was cast in ancient times.
- The name of the rock was given by local tribes, and its original name came to us through the centuries.
The country in which Mount Sugarloaf is located is Brazil. The rock is located near the most beautiful and famous city of Rio de Janeiro in these places. It is located in that part of the peninsula where the Guanabara Bay separates the land from the Atlantic Ocean.
A bit of history
Historians have reliable information that in 1565 several Portuguese settlements arose at the foot of the mountain, which united into a tiny village. This village in the future was destinedwill turn into a modern city, one of the best and most beautiful in the country - Rio de Janeiro. Henrietta Carstairs was the first to officially climb the peak of the rock in 1817 and plant the flag of England on it.
In the first decade of the 20th century, the government started building a cable car, which, despite its advanced age, is still working properly, bringing considerable financial income to the state treasury. Among the local population, the combination of concepts "Sugar Loaf Mountain - Rio" is inseparable. It's practically one piece. Since ancient times, it was believed that the rock is a symbol of protection and guardian of the city.
Cable car
Modern equipment, which had to be installed to replace the old one, opens up new opportunities for viewing landscape beauties from a height of 400 m. The road is able to serve 72 passengers in one flight. Despite the fact that the age of the funicular is solid (more than a hundred years), for the entire period of its existence, it has never had an emergency.
Local residents have taken care of a variety of recreation for tourists. You can climb to the top of the mountain by a route that links Moro da Urca and Praia Vermelha. As historical facts say, this mechanism was unique in its own way at the time of its creation (1912). It was the first cable car in the country, and the third in the world.
Fun fact: Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the most visited places in Brazil, and the funicular has to serve up to 30 million travelers a year. The most amazing thing is how the specialists who monitorthe state of the cable car, it is possible to make scheduled repairs with such an influx of tourists.
How to get on the tour
Once in Rio de Janeiro, the first place a traveler should go to is Sugarloaf Mountain. How to get to this miracle of nature, anyone will tell you: from small to large. The rock is the pride of local residents and also brings considerable financial replenishment to the budget. It is very easy to get to the mountain from the central square of the city. Tourist buses ply the peninsula. In order not to confuse route numbers, it is best to remember or write it down immediately. For people living in different parts of the city, the easiest way to get to the center is by taxi, already from the central square you can get to the foot of the cliff by a tourist bus in half an hour.
Tour cost
There is something to see in Brazil: the Statue of Jesus Christ, the famous Niteroi Bridge, Sugarloaf Mountain. Rio de Janeiro is rich in beautiful and unique places, so tourists will not be bored here. From a geological point of view, it is impossible to call a quartz-shaped rock a mountain. Sugar loaf is a monolith that arose during the formation of the earth's crust. Its location is most likely a series of fortunate coincidences. From this hill, there is a beautiful panoramic view of the city, the ocean and the peninsula, and there really is something to see here.
Sugar Loaf Mountain is 396 m high. You can climb this hill by cable carroad. For children under six years old, the funicular ride is free. Older children will have to pay 26 USD for the tour, but for adults it will cost twice as much. Tickets are sold at special ticket offices in the central square of the city and at the foot of the mountain, however, the queue will have to stand rather long.
What else to see in Rio de Janeiro
Millions of travelers come to Brazil every year, and during the carnival period, the number of tourists increases several times. Crowds of onlookers from different countries are simply dumbfounded by the action that is taking place on the streets of the city. The best place to see Rio is Sugarloaf Mountain, or rather, plastic transparent booths that slowly rise up and then just as slowly fall.
But there are other places on the funicular route:
- PraiaVermelha, or Red Beach. Actually, this is a translation of the name of a small town, next to which there is a beach for vacationers. The views that open from the height of a bird's flight are simply amazing. Landscapes appear before the tourist: the incredible whiteness of the beach sand and the blueness of the ocean. This can only be seen on the cover of eminent glossy publications.
- Mount Urka (220 m). Although the elevation is inferior in height to the Sugar Loaf, there is still something to see. Landscapes will leave indelible impressions for the rest of your life. It was here that an amphitheater was arranged, where various entertainment shows are arranged, preparations for carnivals are held, danceprograms.
What to pack
Brazil is a country of contrasts and bright colors, what and whom you will not see here. I want to take a good look at everything and take a picture. For convenience, it is best to have a backpack: you can put all the necessary things in it to free your hands for a video camera or camera. If at the same time your equipment has good optics, there is no doubt that everything will be visible in the pictures to the smallest detail.
You can also rent good optics: spyglass or binoculars. They will help you find the objects you need to take pictures. Make sure the batteries are charged and have a spare set of batteries with you. Take care of an internal drive (flash drive) with a good amount of memory. In addition to documents and a certain amount of money, you need to prepare a couple of sandwiches: for yourself and the children - fresh air and adrenaline will make you feel hungry.
