Hotels in Rio de Janeiro
The 38 m (125 ft) statue of Christ the Redeemer, standing arms outstretched on a mountain, is the symbol of Rio de Janeiro. The mountain is the 709 m (2,326 ft) Corcovado ('Hunchback'), and : the Corcovado,Rack Railway takes you up - and to the most sublime views of the world's most glittering city. The Rack Railway is itself a treat. Opened in 1884 by the Emperor Dom Pedro II, it runs on the Riggenbach ladder rack system for 3.8 km (2.4 rni) from Cosme Velho Station, climbing the steep, forested hillside to emerge just behind and below the statue. From here, you can choose to climb 222 steps to the statue itself, or take a panoramic elevator all the way.
The rail trip only takes 20 minutes, but there are just four electrically-driven trains with two cars each, so capacity is limited to 360 people an hour. You can wait hours for your turn, but the really is worth it. The rack cranks you up Corcovado's granite crags by way of the TIjuca Forest National Park. Originally cleared by early coffee growers, the mountain was replanted with native species between 1855-70 to safeguard the springs that supplied-Rio with water. Now the Park is the biggest urban forest in the world, and for visitors to the viewing platform above it, a green frame to the 360 degree panorama of downtown Rio, the Sugarloaf (from its best 'sleeping giant' angle), the Lagoa, Copacabana. Ipanema, Niteroi and several favelas.
For those in the know, a special VIP version of the ; train is suitable for business·presentations, sofa conversations, and the luxury of onboard cocktails or appropriate snacks. With background music and a tour guide for 20 minutes, it's the best train for the descent.
HOW
By train
WHEN TO GO
Year round
TIME IT TAKES
Twenty minutes up and 20 minutes down. Trains leave Cosme Velho Station every half-hour, every day from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm.
HIGHLIGHTS
The vast skies arcing across Rio’s bays, beaches, and beautiful geography.
The VIP train’s office suite – for one of the world’s Great views Painera Station – you can leave the train halfway up, take a walk in Tijuca Forest, and re-board with the same ticket (but caution: most of Corcovado is only safe for experienced climbers not for hikers)
YOU SHOULD KNOW
If possible, avoid Christmas and Easter, when group pilgrimages to Christ the Redeemer make the wait for the train even longer.
