Rio Samba Adventure Tours
You'll learn directly from Rio's samba school Mestres!
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Elevate your playing by learning directly from the heartbeat of Rio. This is a high-intensity, one-of-a-kind immersion designed for percussionists ready to master the authentic techniques, rhythms, and nuances of the bateria.
Led by Mestre Renan Gohan and Courtney Danley, we take you inside the storied samba school quadras to learn at the source. This isn't just a tour; it's a technical deep-dive and a cultural immersion.
Is This Tour for You?
This trip is specifically curated for:
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Serious Percussionists: Drummers who want to master Rio-style technique and "swing."
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Cultural Explorers: Those who crave an authentic experience beyond the typical tourist path.
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Solo Travelers: Percussionists who want to visit Brazil but prefer the safety and community of an expert-led group.
Note on Skill Level: If you have played percussion but are new to Brazilian instruments, you will fit right in. However, this trip is not suitable for beginners. You need to accept if someone asks you to stop playing. This is an intermediate to advanced trip. If you’re unsure, reach out!
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Beginner or not a drummer at all? Then check out our Rio Samba Lovers' Tour.
Questions about either of these tours this please reach out to Courtney Danley.
Courtney@gosamba.net,
503-309-0220
Be the first to know!
We hold video calls to learn more about these trips. The number of spots is limited. Priority Access email list link:
Sign up for the email list.
Quick facts:
Dates: November 21st to December 5th
Cost shared room: $3399.00 until August 15th.
Discounts available: Total of $190 in discounts are available for early bird discounts and other discounts.
Single occupancy room: Additional fee, TBD based on hotel rates at the time of booking.
Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Join an Info Session
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Monday, June 1st at 6:30 PM (Final call before Early Bird deadline June 10, 2026)
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/teh-dnhj-dvi
At a Glance: The Highlights
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Direct Access: Daily workshops with legendary Mestres and directors inside the school quadras.
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Behind the Scenes: Visits to drum factories (like King or IVSOM) and Cidade do Samba.
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Technical Immersion: Learn the history and distinct "personality" of each school's rhythm.
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The Full Rio Experience: Visit the Sambódromo, relax on Copacabana, and experience the world’s most vibrant nightlife.
Ready to Claim Your Spot?
The 2026 roster is forming now. Because we keep the group small to ensure high-quality instruction, spots fill quickly.
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Next Info Session: Join our upcoming virtual call to meet the guides and ask questions.
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Priority Access: Sign up for the email list to receive early-bird pricing and registration links.
JOIN THE PRIORITY ACCESS LIST & RECEIVE EARLY BIRD PRICING!
What are people saying about last year's trip?
Richard Huntley is a faculty Lecturer at University of Texas Austin Butler School of Music. Richard was on our tour in 2025. Here is what he has to say about the trip.
"There’s really nothing else like it. Courtney and Renan’s unique connection to samba in the states and to the samba schools in Rio give you a completely insider view of the schools."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. Other people from our Bateria have gone to Rio, but no one has had an experience like the one you and Renan delivered. Five stars!"
"This trip was 11/10!!! So incredible!!! Thanks Courtney and Renan :)))"
"If you are interested in a real education that goes deeper than say, CBC, into the culture, history, and working of the Samba schools especially the Bateria, this is the trip for you. [...] This is a well curated trip for those who are ready to dive deeper into the workings of some of the large and small samba schools. Renan really provided and supported this effort well. I really appreciate his efforts and interest in cultivating this connection and comprehension. What a great team!"
To see photos and videos of last year's trip click here.
NEXT INFO CHAT SESSION ABOUT THE TRIP:
We will discuss details about the trip and give you a chance to ask questions.
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Sunday, May 10th at 6:00 PM (Final call before Super Early Bird deadline)
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/tdy-debg-tbg -
Monday, June 1st at 6:30 PM (Final call before Early Bird deadline)
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/teh-dnhj-dvi
JOIN THE EMAIL LIST TO HEAR ABOUT DISCOUNTS, UPCOMING INFO SESSIONS AND FUTURE TRIPS!
Click here
Trip Logistics & Pricing
2026 Dates
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Tour Dates: November 21st – December 5th, 2026
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Workshop Schedule: Intensive programming runs Monday, Nov 23rd through Friday, Dec 4th.
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Check-in/out: Hotel housing is booked from the afternoon of Nov 21st to the morning of Dec 5th.
Travel Planning: If you wish to arrive early or extend your stay in Brazil, we can help! Contact Julia Kasid our travel coordinator (contact below) to arrange extra nights or side trips (planning fees may apply).
Investment & Savings
We believe in rewarding our community. Here is how you can lock in the best rate for 2026:
| Item | Rate / Detail |
| Standard Shared Room | $3399.00 (Locked in until Aug. 15th) |
| Single Supplement | +$TBD (For a guaranteed private room) |
| Info Session Discount | Save $30 (Attend a live info call) |
| Trip Quiz Discount | Save $30 (Score 100% on our Trip Quiz) |
| Cash/Venmo Discount | Save $30 (Skip the credit card fees) |
Early Bird Discount for registrations before June 10th 2026 Save $100!
Payment plans are available. Talk to Courtney courtney@gosamba.net 503-309-0220
Click here to get on our email list and learn about upcoming informational video calls!
Trip Pricing & Accommodations
Please Note: All listed trip prices are per person.
Option 1: Shared Room (Double Occupancy)
Standard Trip Price: $3399.00 per person This is our most popular option. You are paying for one spot in a room shared with one other participant.
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If you have a roommate: Mention their name when you register.
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If you need a roommate: We will pair you with another solo drummer of the same gender.
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The Early Bird Advantage: Roommate matching is prioritized by registration date. The earlier you join the roster, the better our chances of finding you a match to keep your costs at the standard rate.
Roommate matches are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Secure your spot early to increase your chances of being paired and avoiding the single supplement. If you prefer the privacy of your own space, or if a match cannot be made, the single occupancy rate will apply.
Option 2: Private Room (Single Supplement)
Standard Trip Price + Single Supplement price If you prefer the privacy of your own room, this option is for you. This "Single Supplement" covers the additional cost of the room since you won't be splitting the expense with a second person.
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Guaranteed Privacy: Select this during registration to ensure you have a solo space to recharge.
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Unmatched Solo Travelers: If we are unable to find a roommate match for you, the single supplement fee will be added to your final balance.
What’s Included in Your Tuition
We take care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on the music.
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Accommodations: 14 nights in a hand-selected Copacabana hotel (Daily breakfast included).
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Elite Instruction: All workshops with top-tier Mestres and directors.
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Instruments: Professional instruments provided for all workshops (no need to fly with a surdo!).
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Internal Transport: Group transport to quadras and factory visits.
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Exclusive Access: Tickets to Cidade do Samba and drum factory tours (King, IVSOM, etc.).
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Bilingual Support: Portuguese-to-English translation for all technical instruction.
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Community: Official trip T-shirt, pre-departure Virtual calls, and a private WhatsApp group.
What is Not Included
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Airfare to/from Rio de Janeiro.
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Brazilian Tourist Visa (if required for your citizenship).
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Airport transfers to hotel (though we are happy to help you coordinate these).
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Daily lunch and dinner (explore Rio’s incredible food scene at your own pace!).
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Travel and Health Insurance (Highly recommended).
Lodging: Your Home in Rio
You’ll be staying in the heart of Copacabana, just a short walk from the world-famous beach and the Metro. You are surrounded by Rio’s best cafes and vibrant nightlife.
Space is limited! Get in touch today!
Click here to join our email list.
Email directly: Courtney@gosamba.net
Call: 503-309-0220
Once the trip fills up we will start a waitlist.
Tips for travelers:
Travel health insurance
Yellow fever vaccination
International phone plan
Vegans/Dietary restrictions. Happy Cow App can help you find Vegan and Vegetarian restaurants in Rio de Janeiro.
Passport
Brazilian Travel Visa is required at this time. Click here to learn how to get your visa.
Duolingo and sign up for Dica do dia email service
Bring extras of your prescriptions
The sun is strong wear sunscreen
Wear bug spray readily available in pharmacies
Take photocopies of your passport
Bring an old phone if you have one
I wouldn't fly Aero Mexico
Important Notes and Safety
This trip is not suitable for:
Unaccompanied minors.
Non percussionist/drummers and beginners.
If you are in active substance addiction this trip is not right for you.
If you are acting in any way disrespectful to our Brazilian friends and teachers, your fellow travelers or yourself, you will be asked to excuse yourself from the rest of the trip.
Eligibility & Appropriate Behavior
Renan and I will do our best to keep you safe and happy but please know that Samba and samba schools are very loud and chaotic environments. Some nights we will be staying out very late into the night. Confetti cannons, fireworks, going off at unexpected moments is normal. Rio de Janeiro is very very hot and humid and can be a dangerous and violent city. Common sense is a must. If you disregard your personal safety you are disregarding everyone's personal safety.
You will be asked to sign a liability release form.
Interested in designing your own tour for your group?
Private small group tours can be organized with Courtney and Renan. For more information check out this page.
Meet Your Tour Guides
Courtney Danley
Ritmista Imperatriz Leopoldinense Escola de Samba
Former Secretary Percussive Arts Society Oregon Chapter
Owner Go Samba LLC
Owner Go Samba YouTube Channel
Executive Director Portland Samba LLC
Sound designer and Co-Host The Brazilian Beat Podcast
Courtney has spent 4 carnaval seasons playing in samba schools and Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. It was the honor of her life to play with Mestre Lolo's bateria at Imperatriz Leopoldinense for the past 4 seasons winning carnaval in 2023 and coming in runner up in 2024.
Courtney's passion in life is to bridge the worlds of samba communities in the US to samba communities in Rio de Janeiro. Fostering tighter connections, understanding and cultural exchange between the countries. She does this through her podcast, The Brazilian Beat, YouTube channel Go Samba, Instrument import store GoSamba.net. Courtney brings Brazilian teachers to Portland to teach the group she co-founded, Portland Samba, and has also learned Portuguese and spends lots of time in Brazil.
503-309-0220
courtney@gosamba.net
Mestre Renan Gohan
Local on-the-ground expert in samba and connections to inside the baterias.
Renan started in samba at the age of 13 with Barriga, a bloco in Cidade Alta, the neighborhood where he was raised. At 15 he became part of the bateria and has played in baterias ever since. He began at Imperatriz Leopodinense in 2006 as a percussionist on caixa. In 2008 he moved to third surdo, and in 2009 he was invited to be a bateria director for the third surdo. He stayed at Imperatriz until 2011.
In 2013 he was invited to be bateria director at Porto da Pedra, in 2014 he was bateria director at União da Ilha, in 2015 he was a bateria director at Grande Rio, where he stayed until 2018. In 2016 he returned to Imperatriz as a percussionist and in 2020 he returned to bateria director, where he is until today.
He is currently a director at Imperatriz Leopoldinense, the Mestre at Flamanguaça, he is also the bateria Mestre at Bloco Urubuzada since 2014.
He has been part of Batuque Digital performing group since 2013.
He has also been a bateria director at Rocinha, Grande, Rio Renascer de Jacarepaguá, Unidos do Bangu, São Clemente and Flamanguaca.
He has also paraded as a percussionist in Unidos da Tijuca, São Clemente, Estácio de Sá, Portela, and Viradouro among many others.
Renan says:
Imperatriz and samba have given me many good things, in addition to life experience, I have been fortunate to visit many countries in South America, Europe and to several states in Brazil. These were all important moments in my life. I love Carnival and I want to be able to learn more and more and pass on a little of what I learned to other people.
Links:
Julia Kasid
Julia Kasid started dancing Samba in 2014. With many visits to Brazil under her belt, Julia has paraded twice in Rio: as an International Passista with Porta da Pedra and with the local Passistas of Estacio de Sá. She recently served as the Passista Director of Austin Samba for 1.5 years and enjoys learning the drumming alongside it. Professionally, she has coordinated trips to Brazil for over 8 years and is the owner of her own travel agency, Travallure https://travallure.
Julia is helping with booking all hotels and lodging.
julia@travallure.com
512-920-0471