Mysterious Three Guianas
|
Join us as we explore the Guianas: Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Discover one of the greatest untouched rainforests left. This region is home to endangered species such as jaguar, giant anteater, giant river otter, tapir and so much more. Spend time learning about the cultures of the region with visits to Amerindian and Maroon communities. Be amazed at the Space Center in French Guiana and relive the story of Papillion at Devils Island. This is an untouched and unique part of South America.
|
Thursday PARAMARIBO, SURINAME
We will pick you up at the JA Pengal International airport and transfer you to the hotel. Formerly a statuesque townhouse, the Eco Resort Inn has been lovingly renovated while maintaining the authenticity of its exquisite colonial architecture. It has been transformed into the most charming lobby of one of Paramaribo’s most favored hotels with numerous eco-friendly features. Located within a 5-minute walk of the historic center of Paramaribo and the tantalizing city life, rooms offer either a breath-taking view of the Suriname River or a beautiful view of our lovely garden. The hotel is simply ideal for guests who want to visit Suriname to relax and unwind. Overnight in a Standard Room at Eco Resort Inn. (Check in time 1700hrs, Check out time 1300hrs) Friday PARAMARIBO TO DANPAATI RIVER LODGE This morning we start our nature and cultural experience as we depart from Paramaribo After travelling a distance of approximately 190 km you arrive at the village of Atjoni. At the port of Atjoni join a motorized canoe, where our skilled personnel will navigate their way up the Upper Suriname River, which is famous for its breathtaking rapids, to the Danpaati River Lodge. The Danpaati River Lodge is an exceptionally remote and tranquil oasis in the heart of nature, welcoming adventurous visitors in search of an escape from modern stresses and distractions. The lodge features a welcoming and breezy lounge facing the river, a large pool surrounded by a hardwood yoga deck, and easy access to one of the few portions of the Surinam River where it is actually safe to swim. Accommodations are in spacious A-frame style cabins with carefully appointed amenities including fresh coffee service in the mornings, mosquito nets, and unbeatable views into the thick, surrounding nature. Our day comes to an end with an exciting cruise on the river, looking for caiman lying on the river banks. Overnight at Danpaati River Lodge in a standard room. BLD Saturday DANPAATI RIVER LODGE Today we will visit one of the 12 villages that are affiliated with Danpaati. We will have a guided tour through the village you will be introduced to the unique way of life of the local population and to the wonderful traditions brought from Africa by their ancestors. After the tour we then visit the Maroon museum Saamaka which is dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Saramak Maroon population. Pikinslee is located 30 minutes by boat from Danpaati. In the museum you will learn about the history of the Maroon’s, their ancient traditions and crafts. After the tour we return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we will discover the secrets of the rainforest during our walk in the woods. Afterwards you could choose to enjoy a massage done in a combination of traditional and Western techniques. Possibilities to explore the surrounding area are available; fishing or taking the dugout canoe around the island. After dinner you can enjoy a traditional and cultural dance performance. Traditional dances such as the Seketi, Awasa and Bandamba will be performed by the local population. Your guide will explain the cultural significance of each dance. Overnight at Danpaati River Lodge in a standard room. BLD Sunday DANPAATI RIVER LODGE TO PARAMARIBO This morning we still have some time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and take pictures. After saying good bye to the staff, we depart by dugout canoe from Danpaati to Atjoni. From Atjoni we will continue our journey back to Paramaribo by vehicle. Sunset Dolphin tour : Optional Services (not included in price for main tour). Rate per person in US$: 55.00 for 2-12 people We continue our tour to the pier at Leonsburg where we will be picked up for the Sunset Dolphin tour. While having a drink we enjoy the cool breeze and river views, meanwhile the captain searches the horizon for the dolphins. Normally we see them swim by in groups of up to 20 dolphins. Sometimes they’re very curious and if we are lucky they will jump and play close to the boat. After having enjoyed this playful company we part for former plantation Johan and Margaretha where we will enjoy freshly made local snacks like barra, baka bana or eggroll while experiencing the beautiful sunset. All this takes place in a relaxing atmosphere of the old plantation village on a wooden deck near the waterfront of the Commewijne River. After the sun has set we will get back on board, pour another drink, and slowly make our way back to Leonsberg. Transfer back to Paramaribo to your hotel. Overnight in a Standard Room at Eco Resort Inn. BL Monday PARAMARIBO Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname, has been placed on the UNESCO “World Heritage” list of historical monuments since 2002. You receive a guided tour, by car and on foot, along the most prominent historic locations in downtown Paramaribo during which you will be impressed by the unique architecture. The guide gives you extensive information about the former “Fort Zeelandia”, the Presidential Palace, the Independence Square and many other monuments. The monumental buildings are a true representation of the colonial history of Suriname. After a stroll pass the Waterkant, along the bank of the Suriname River and through the Palms Garden, you will also enjoy other interesting sites such as a mosque right next to a synagogue. We proceed to the Commewijne district which is situated to the east of Paramaribo across the Suriname River. The tour takes us along the former colonial plantations, most of which are now abandoned. We make a stop at plantation Peperpot where the old coffee and cocoa factory, deputy-director’s house and the old office are located. This former plantation is one of the oldest plantations in Surinamese history. Peperpot was established by the English and already existed before Suriname was conquered by the natives from Zeeland under command of Abraham Crijnssen in 1667. This is one of the last plantations still in its former original state. On the plantation you can still see coffee and cocoa plants as well as an ancient shed and factory, the manager’s residence and a kampong (workers’ living area). Peperpot is renowned for the many birds which can be spotted. From Peperpot, we make a stop at the mini-museum of Marienburg, a former sugar plantation before enjoying a delicious lunch in a typical Javanese restaurant (warung) in Tamanredjo. We then continue to the confluence of the Commewijne and Suriname Rivers at Nieuw Amsterdam. Here we will visit the outdoor museum Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. The large fortress was built as a defense for the crop fields that were situated along the upper parts of both rivers. After the tour we will transfer you by car or bus to Paramaribo. Overnight in a Standard Room at Eco Resort Inn. BL Tuesday PARAMARIBO TO KOUROU, FRENCH GUIANA We make an early start to comfortably pace ourselves through the journey. The first leg of our travels takes us eastbound along Suriname's coastal road, a throughway that is intermittently getting a much-needed facelift, to Albina border station. Formalities here rarely take more than a few minutes, and soon we find ourselves on the Ferry crossing the Maroni River headed for French Guiana or "Guyane" as it is frequently (and confusingly) called locally. Arrival at St. Laurent du Maroni is relatively uncomplicated, and our French guide will be on hand to help us navigate the usual customs and immigration formalities. French Guyana is a Department of France, so technically you have entered the EU upon landing here. And, evidence of this connection to the "1st world" is immediately evident: every car seems to be a late-model Mercedes, Volkswagen or Peugeot, the roads are in near perfect condition, espresso coffee is on tap nearly everywhere, and the Euro is the currency of choice. We will continue our journey to Kourou. Visit the Center Spatiale Guyanaise (Guyana Space Center) for a tour. Launch schedules are a closely-held secret so our schedule today may be amended on short notice. The usual tour includes a motor coach tour which crisscrosses the center’s mammoth facility, including stops at various assembly buildings and control centers. The entire tour is offered in French, but your guide will supply translations as often as possible. Overnight in a standard room at Hotel Atlantis. BL Wednesday DEVILS ISLAND AND CAYENNE What is commonly referred to as “Devils Island” is really a triangle of three islands - Îles du Salut, or the Salvation Islands - seven miles off the coast of Kourou. After a breakfast buffet at the hotel, we set sail aboard a fine motorized catamaran towards our first stop, Île Saint-Joseph. The islands played a central role in French history as far back as 1792 when they were first employed as a transit point, first for explorers, then slaves and later for political prisoners. Île Saint-Joseph is the southernmost island and is home to the most striking incarceration facilities that made up this notorious penal colony. Île Royale is the site of the oldest buildings on the islands, featuring an old church, administration buildings, officers' quarters, and today, a good restaurant and lodging facilities. Ironically, the actual Île du Diable (Devil's Island) is inaccessible to visitors due to dangerous shoreline conditions. This is the island where the prison's best-known occupant, Alfred Dreyfus, was famously secluded. Your tour begins on Île St. Joseph which can be easily circumnavigated on foot in less than 2 hours. The prison buildings here are quite well preserved, and you can meander at will through the cell blocks, dormitory buildings, and other structures while taking photographs or simply soaking in the powerful ambience. The countless scenes of nature slowly but relentlessly reclaiming the land here are really quite remarkable... you'll lose count of how many tree roots you see growing out of one cell door and curving around to enter an adjacent cell. If your walking tour wraps up early, there are plenty of shady trees under which you can catch a cool breeze, or you can dip your toe in one of the shallow tide pools on the north side of the island. Return to Kourou by Catamaran. Transfer to Cayenne and to your selected hotel. This evening you can explore the capital city of Cayenne at your leisure. Overnight in a standard room at the Central Hotel. BL Thursday CAYENNE TO PARAMARIBO, SURINAME After breakfast transfer to the border of St. Laurent de Maroni. On our way we will make a brief stop in St Joseph’s church, in Iracoubo. The entire inside of the church was hand painted by one of the convicts from a nearby penal colony. Upon arrival of St. Laurent enjoy a mini city tour of St. Laurent du Maroni where we will pay a brief visit to the well-preserved Transportation Center. The facility once served as the processed to the various penal colonies in French Guiana. Starting in the mid-18th century the majority of convicts were transported to French Guiana and served their various convictions. They then had to spend the same amount of time here as their sentence before gaining their freedom. This was a way to try to populate the colony. One of the most famous inmates was Papillion whose initials are carved in one of the cells. A hard-to-miss curiosity just offshore is the British steamer Edith Cavel shipwreck, so overgrown with trees and shrubs that it could be mistaken for a natural island. It partially sank in bad weather in 1924. Continue to the immigration and then cross by boat [Pirogue] to Albina and onwards to Paramaribo. Continue transfer to the local airport Zorg-en-Hoop for GUMAIR flight departing at 1630hrs to Georgetown, arriving at 1645hrs. (ticket not included in the final rates below) Pickup from Eugene F. Correia International Airport and transfer to your selected hotel. Located in Guyana on the East Coast of Demerara, just minutes from the capital city of Georgetown, is the Grand Coastal Hotel. This hotel is a boutique international hotel with local flavors and offers a safe and secure environment with excellent services and accommodation along with restaurant and bar, gym and pool. Overnight in a deluxe room at Grand Coastal Hotel. B (Check in time 1600hrs, Check out time 1100hrs) B Friday GEORGETOWN, GUYANA Our host, guide and culinary master, Chef Delven Adams will guide us around Bourda Market, the largest of the four markets in Georgetown. We will start our tour at the Guyana Store which has all the local products produced and packaged in Guyana, from tamarind balls to cassava bread and all kinds of local jams and jellies. We will then go over to the market and meet some of the vendors who Chef buys from daily. See, touch and taste a variety of fruits and vegetables that are unique in this part of the world. We will visit the fish market and learn about the different kinds of fish that are found in Guyana’s unique coastal waters. Because of the large rivers the water is brown, but don’t let the sediment fool you, these rivers are home to an amazing variety and abundance of fish. We will then visit the meat section of the market where you will see the shoppers getting their cuts of meats, custom cut and weighed right there. In season, you can find half drums of live crabs. Watch out for their pinchers or “tengalas” as we call them. Strolling through the haberdashery section is fun, as one can find anything you can think of from thread to bolts of all kinds of fabric, including some beautiful African prints. You will find many kinds of rice which is the second most important agricultural crop in Guyana. There are also many other dry goods like peas and beans and of course many kinds of demerara sugar, from golden crystals to the dark brown molasses rich sugar that Guyanese like in their tea. There are also the bush medicine stalls. If you have an ailment, ask the person selling about it and she will be glad to prescribe a “concoction” of different herbs. There are bottles of bush medicine for every kind of ailment. We then go outside to the large open air market. All the tropical fruits and vegetables are here and you are encouraged to ask questions and learn the names and try the new and different tastes. There are many kinds of bananas from the tiny sweet fig to the very large red bananas. Try them all and the local pineapple which is long and white inside as opposed to the round yellow ones you may be used to. There are also many different seasonal small fruits that you should try such as seaside grapes, sapodillas, dunks, jamoon, and gineps. You will find things you have never seen before that are a part of the Guyanese culture. Do not try the small red ones. They may look like cherries but are actually very hot peppers. Delven will make his purchases with your suggestions and input of what you would like to try. He will then head home to start preparing while we will head off on a tour of the city of Georgetown. Georgetown the chief port, capital and largest city of Guyana is situated on the right bank of the Demerara River Estuary. It was chosen as a site for a fort to guard the early Dutch settlements of the Demerara River. The city of Georgetown was designed largely by the Dutch and is laid out in a rectangular pattern with wide tree lined avenues and irrigation canals that criss cross the city. Most of the buildings in the city are wooden with unique architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. For the most part the buildings have Demerara shutters and designed fretwork which trim eaves and windows. Main Street, Georgetown provides several excellent examples of old colonial homes, a prime example of which is the State House, built in 1852. The State House is set in large gardens and is painted green and white and has hosted many visiting dignitaries. During your visit to Georgetown there are a number of interesting sights that should not be missed: the most famous being St. George’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is one of the world’s tallest free standing wooden buildings and was consecrated on 1892. The foundation stone was laid on November 23, 1890 and the building was designed by Sir Arthur Bloomfield. The story of the cathedral is told on the interior on tablets and memorials of a historical and sentimental nature: it is the tale of the history of Guyana in general and of the Diocese in particular. At the beginning of the Avenue of the Republic stands the Public Library housed in the Carnegie Building. Other historic buildings along this promenade are the Town Hall, a splendid example of Gothic architecture, and further along are the Victoria Law Courts and St. Andrews Kirk. St. Andrew’s is the oldest surviving structure of any church in Guyana. The famous Stabroek Market, once described as a “bizarre bazaar”, contains every conceivable item from house hold goods and gold jewellery to fresh meat and vegetables brought to town on the river daily. The clock tower can be seen for miles around and is a famous landmark. No trip to Georgetown would be complete without a visit to the Botanical Gardens and zoo. The Botanical Gardens houses one of the most extensive collections of tropical flora in the Caribbean and are laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and bandstand. Over 100 species of Guyanese wildlife can be observed at the Zoo including a wide variety of birds. The National Museum which contains a broad selection of our animal life and heritage should not be missed, nor the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, which explains Amerindian history and life style. The tour will include walking along the Avenues with an experienced guide who will give you the history, rumor and facts on Georgetown and its citizens. The group will be accompanied at all times by a vehicle, which will be used for travel between areas of interest. During the tour there is always the opportunity to purchase that unusual gift or unique Guyanese handicrafts, or for the daring the chance to delve into the gold and diamond market. We will then end up at the Backyard Café for lunch. This, as the name suggests, is a backyard that Chef Delvin has turned into an exclusive little hidden gem of a restaurant. Try not to bang your head on the passion fruit hanging overhead from the arbor. If there are ripe ones you will be welcomed to try a freshly picked one. There are also all kinds of herbs growing around you. Anything you do not recognize, Delven will be only too happy to tell you about it. If you are interested, Chef Delven will welcome you to join him as he prepares a wonderful meal prepared from the fruits and vegetables we bought in the market in the morning. He has a smoker and small fireside right outside and sometimes will prepare the fresh fish right there and you can certainly help him and learn his secrets. His garlic fish is out of this world! Chef will invite you to taste along as he prepares his unique dishes that are a fusion of Guyanese and first world cuisine. Or if you would prefer you can sit under the arbor and sip unique blends of juice or enjoy a cold Banks beer, while taking in the sounds and smells of a delicious meal in the making in a secluded backyard in Georgetown. Once he is ready, we will start eating our way through the courses. We will start with an appetizer, to an entrée and end up with a dessert, which we may be hard pressed to fit, but we will give it our best shot and remember to pace yourself as you will want to try it all. Later this afternoon we will take a tour through the heart of the city to the Stabroek Market area. Here you will join the afternoon commuters using the old ferry stelling to board the river taxi’s which is used to cross the Demerara River. The river taxis are an alternative route to using the Demerara Harbor Bridge. As you slowly cruise along the bank of the Demerara River your guide will give you a brief history and facts of the famous buildings along the waterfront. Some of the Ports have been greeting commuters through the years. We then continue our trip to see the Demerara Harbour Bridge, once the longest floating bridge in the world at a total length of 1,851m long. It was commissioned on 2 July 1978 and was only designed to last for 10 years, yet it is still going strong. As the sun sets over the river you may witness the flock of brilliant Egrets and Scarlet Ibis as they fly across the skies and settle into the Mangroves for the evening. Soon after the sky begin to get dark you return to the ferry stelling enjoying the city light from the river. Overnight in a deluxe room at Grand Coastal Hotel. BL Saturday KAIETEUR FALLS AND GEORGETOWN Birding in Georgetown's Botanical Gardens - 3 Hours Duration : Optional Services (not included in regular tour prices ). Rate per person in US$: $53 with 2 people, $50 with 3, $38 with 4, $56 with 5, $47 with 6 0545hrs pickup and transfer to the extensive and beautiful Georgetown Botanical Gardens where, if we are lucky, we will have more views of the Blood-colored Woodpecker. This astonishingly colorful Veniliornis is found only in the Guianas and even there almost wholly limited to the narrow coastal plain. The gardens host Snail Kite, Gray Hawk, Pearl Kite, Carib Grackle, Red-bellied Macaw, and Red-shouldered. We will walk on trails in the back of the gardens and may see Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Black-crested Antshrike, Silver-beaked Tanager, Buff-breasted Wren, Golden-spangled Piculet and Ashy-headed Greenlet. Return to your hotel. 1130hrs pickup and transfer to Eugene F. Correia International Airport. From the Eugene F. Correia International Airport take a scheduled flight over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rainforest to land at Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall. Kaieteur Falls which was first seen by a European on April 29, 1870 is situated in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo. The water of Kaieteur, one of the worlds natural wonders, flows over a sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge - a drop of 741 feet or 5 times the height of Niagara Falls. There are no other falls in the world with the magnitude of the sheer drop existing at Kaieteur. Amerindian legend of the Patamona tribe has it that Kai, one of the tribe’s chiefs (after whom the falls is named), committed self sacrifice by canoeing himself over the falls. It was believed this would encourage the Great Spirit Makonaima to save the tribe from being destroyed by the savage Caribishi. Kaieteur supports a unique micro environment with Tank Bromeliads, the largest in the world, in which the tiny Golden frog spends its entire life and the rarely seen Guiana Cock- of-the-rock nesting close by. The lucky visitor may also see the famous flights of the Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds which nest under the vast shelf of rock carved by the centuries of water, hidden behind the eternal curtain of falling water. See notes on Kaieteur Falls flight upgrade options below Condition of Sale : Flights to Kaieteur Falls are operated on chartered aircraft and all flights have a minimum passenger restriction. Therefore, any booking to Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls is subject to a minimum of 12 passengers being available to travel. In most cases we are able to fill flights, especially if scheduled for a weekend. However, in the rare case that we cannot meet the required numbers we will reschedule the trip to another day during your stay, if this is possible. Wilderness Explorers retains the right to reschedule a flight as a first option. If we cannot reschedule the flight Wilderness Explorers will guarantee a flight, with a minimum of 2 passengers, to Kaieteur Falls only. If a flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, we will endeavour to reschedule the flight during your itinerary. If this is not possible then a full refund on the flight will be made. Pickup and transfer from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Georgetown. Overnight in a deluxe room at Grand Coastal Hotel. B and snack on the Kaieteur Falls trip Sunday FLY IWOKRAMA RIVER LODGE AND ATTA RAINFOREST LODGE Pickup and transfer to Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Board scheduled flight for journey over hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Fair View Airstrip. (Check in time 0700hrs, Departure 0830hrs) Pick up from Fair View Airstrip and transfer to Iwokrama River Lodge. After your orientation you will depart the lodge by boat, birdwatching along the way, for the hike to Turtle Mountain. A well maintained trail winds through the forest before an exhilarating climb up the mountain to its summit at 935ft (approx. 360m). It takes 1 3/4hrs to walk up the mountain, but the effort is more than worth it for the breathtaking views over the forest canopy when you get there and chances of Green Aracari, White Bellbird or a fly-by of one of five types of eagles. This trail is also a great location for seeing Black Spider Monkey and Red Howler Monkey and if you are very lucky even a Jaguar. This pristine forest offers huge buttress trees and the endemic Greenheart, a highly sought after hardwood. If you think this hike may be too strenuous you can take an alternative boat trip to Stanley Lake to search for Giant River Otters and Black Caiman. Return to the lodge for lunch and a chance to relax. Transfer by 4 x 4 along the trail that is one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar. The Iwokrama forest is rapidly gaining an international reputation for its healthy jaguar populations that seem not to be troubled by the appearance of curious humans. No promises, but many have been lucky! This road is the only north – south access in Guyana and links the country to Brazil. Even so traffic is only very occasional and wildlife is often seen along the road, such as Agouti, Tayra, Puma, Tapir and Black Curassow. The journey concludes at the Atta Rainforest Lodge. The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is situated at Mauisparu, near the southern boundary of the Iwokrama Reserve in central Guyana. The walkway has four suspension bridges leading to three platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground, and these will allow great looks at a range of canopy species, many of which you would struggle to see well from the forest floor. Another area where we will want to spend some time is the clearing around the lodge, as this is one of the best places to see another of Guyana’s “must see” birds, the Crimson Fruitcrow. This species is seen here on a reasonably regular basis, as it often comes to feed in some of the nearby trees. The clearing is also a reliable site for Black Curassow as there is a family party which has become habituated to people and regularly passes through the clearing. With reasonable luck, you should be able to add this bird to the impressive list of species you will see around the lodge and walkway. Atta Rainforest Lodge is 500 metres from the base of the Canopy Walkway, offering comfortable private-room accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, delicious home-cooked meals, and traditional Amerindian hospitality. The lodge is completely surrounded by tropical rainforest which offers a complete immersion in the rainforest experience. The main building is open sided with views across the gardens to the towering forest on all sides and houses the bar, dining area and kitchen. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. BLD Monday ATTA RAINFOREST LODGE TO SURAMA ECO-LODGE Before dawn return to the canopy where you will welcome the dawn chorus. From this tree top vantage you can sometimes see Red Howler Monkeys and Black Spider Monkeys. Apart from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway itself you can enjoy wildlife and birdwatching walks on the trails around the area. For those interested in botany many of the trails have the key trees species marked. Many bird species, stunning insects, noisy amphibians, and playful primates make the surrounding forest their home and you can be fairly certain to spot some extraordinary wildlife without even trying too hard. Deer and agouti are also regular visitors to the lodge. Return to the lodge for breakfast before departure. Transfer from Atta Rainforest Lodge by vehicle or 4x4 Bedford Truck (converted with forward facing seats and canopy) through the rainforest to Corkwood in the Iwokrama Forest. Here there is a comparatively short trail to hopefully see the amazingly brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. This trail is through interesting forest and the guides can show the use of the plants. Then continue the journey to the community of Surama. The Amerindian community of Surama is located in the heart of Guyana. The village is set in five square miles of savannah which is ringed by the forest covered Pakaraima Mountains. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practises of their forebears. This isolated and idyllic location offers an escape from the concrete jungle to a serene and peaceful existence with nature. The guides have lived their entire lives in the rainforest, and have an incredible understanding of nature and how to utilise its resources. On arrival in Surama you will receive a warm welcome from local staff and settle into your accommodation at the Surama Eco-lodge. A local guide will escort you for a short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life. As the afternoon cools your guide will take you on a tour of the village. Visit the local school, medical centre and church along with some of the village houses. Tonight enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark. Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge. BLD Tuesday SURAMA ECO-LODGE Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then climb up Surama Mountain for incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. This is not a technical climb but can be arduous, especially after rain, and not for everyone. Your guides will happily offer alternative activities if you prefer not to do this climb. Return to village for lunch and then take a three mile walk across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River. Your guides will then paddle you on the Burro Burro River for opportunities to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tira, Spider Monkeys and many more species. Return to village for sunset. Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge. BLD Wednesday SURAMA ECO-LODGE TO GEORGETOWN Enjoy dawn breaking across the rainforest. You can choose from a forest walk to look for wildlife and birds or relax around the lodge before breakfast and departure. Pick up from Surama Eco Lodge and transfer to the Rupununi airstrip for scheduled flight. Board scheduled flight for journey over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Pickup and transfer from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to your selected hotel. Guyanese 7 curry dinner : Optional Services (not included in regular tour price) US$50 per person for 2-12 people We head over to the Backyard Café for seven curry to celebrate our wonderful Guyanese tradition; the Seven curry. Seven curry is a staple at all Indo-Guyanese weddings and religious functions. It is served in a freshly picked lotus lily leaf with rice and seven different curries. Traditionally the curries are all vegetarian. Most commonly served are pumpkin, bagee (spinach), catahar (breadnut), potato/channa (chick peas), boulanger (eggplant), eddoe and dhal. You hold the leaf with the curries in one hand, and use your other to eat the food. Definitely a challenge to eat gracefully, but so much fun and delicious!!. Overnight in a deluxe room at Grand Coastal Hotel. B (Check in time 1400hrs, Check out time 1200hrs midday) Thursday DEPART GUYANA Pickup and transfer to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for your departing flight. |
Dates for 2024: Feb. 29 - March 14, March 14-28, April 11-25, Aug. 22-Sept. 5, Sept. 19-Oct. 3, Nov. 14-28 RATE (Per Person) USD for 2024: $8,125.00 per person. Tour operates with a minimum of 2 people. GUMAIR Ticket (PBM/GEO) : from US$ 275.00 per person – price and schedule subject to change by the airline Rate Includes:
- airport transfers - double or twin accommodation - meals as listed - all road and river transfers - internal flights in Guyana - activities as described - local guides - VAT - Kaieteur National Park fee - Iwokrama Forest User Fee - Iwokrama Canopy Walkway fee Not Included: - items of a personal nature - alcoholic drinks except where mentioned above - departure tax - international flights - visa - optional activities - GUMAIR flight ticket (PBM/GEO) Please check with the relevant offices whether you require a visa for countries you are visiting. To apply for your Suriname visa. (please ensure you make a copy of your passport Bio graphic page, the page with the entry stamp and your international flight tickets and fill out the application form) ***A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers coming from or transiting from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission. Vaccination must be undertaken at least 10 days prior to travel to Suriname. Suriname recognizes the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate as valid for life starting 10 days after vaccination. A vaccination certificate is required for children over 1 year of age. Travellers should carry their vaccination card with them at all times while travelling in Suriname.*** Note: Passenger/s traveling on GUMAIR flights in Guyana are allowed a free baggage allowance of 33lbs/15KG exceeding this weight passenger/s will incur a cost of GY$268.00 equivalent to US$ 1.30cents per pound. Please note that additional baggage allowance is subject to availability and cannot be confirmed until day/time of check-in by the airline. We can book excess weight on your behalf but it is subject to being within the payload of the aircraft and at the discretion of the airline. Contact us for more information. Note: Passenger/s traveling on internal flights in Guyana are allowed a free baggage allowance of 20lbs/9.1KG exceeding this weight passenger/s will incur a cost of GY$188.10 (price subject to change) equivalent to US$ 0.98cents per pound. Please note that additional baggage allowance is subject to availability and cannot be confirmed until day/time of check-in by the airline. We can book excess weight on your behalf but it is subject to being within the payload of the aircraft and at the discretion of the airline. Contact us for more information. Extension 1 Add 2 nights to one of Guyana’s best-known lodge’s in the Rupununi savannah with excellent wildlife opportunities, in particular the Giant Anteater. Wednesday
Transfer by vehicle from Surama Eco Lodge to Ginep Landing. From Ginep Landing we take a boat trip on the Rupununi River to Karanambu Lodge. Depending on the river level, this trip offers an excellent opportunity to look for Giant Otters as there are several family groups which live along this stretch of the Rupununi River. Karanambu, a 110-square mile former cattle ranch, was the home of the late Diane McTurk, conservationist and a world-renowned expert on giant otters. Karanambu is located in the North Rupununi, a region of south-western Guyana known for its expansive wetlands and savannah, as well as its biological and cultural diversity. Settled in 1927 by Tiny McTurk, Karanambu was once a working cattle ranch and Balata collection station. It is now an eco-tourist destination known as The Karanambu Lodge. Karanambu encompasses savannah, marshy ponds, riparian forest, and a 30-mile stretch of the Rupununi River. The North Rupununi of southern Guyana is an extraordinary natural and pristine area. The landscape is an integration of four ecosystem types: wetlands, savannahs, rivers, and forests. The number of species found here is much higher than expected given its size. There are at least 600 species of fish, along with 600 species of bird, and over 200 species of mammals. Karanambu is located roughly in the middle of this beautiful and fascinating biological hotspot where endangered species like the Giant Otter, Black Caiman, Jaguar, Giant Anteater, and Arapaima can be found. The seasonally flooded savannahs and forests also draw substantial fish migrations. There may be as many as 700 species of fish at Karanambu — more than anywhere on Earth. This region is rich in history, too. The North Rupununi is the homeland of the Makushi and earlier peoples dating back almost 7,000 years ago. Village neighbours include the Makushi villages of Kwaimatta, Massara, Yupukari, Toka, and Simoni. Several prominent explorers and naturalists have written about their experiences here, including Robert and Richard Schomburg, Charles Waterton, Evelyn Waugh, Gerald Durrell, and David Attenborough. Lake Amuku, not far from Karanambu, was once considered by Sir Walter Raleigh, and later by Alexander von Humboldt, and others to be the location of Lake Parime on whose banks the golden city of “El Dorado” was said to be located. The romance of the Rupununi pioneers lives on at Karanambu. The compound has the flavour of an Amerindian Village. Because of the remoteness of Karanambu, staff live on site and the children can be seen and heard on the weekends and holidays when they come “home” from schools in the nearby villages of Yupakari, Kwaimatta and Massara. This feeling of community is further enhanced by the accommodations, which are traditionally made clay brick cabins. Each private cabin can accommodate two people and includes private bathroom and Veranda with hammocks. With both the river and the savannahs close at hand there is a wide variety of activities to be enjoyed at Karanambu. You are free to determine what you want to do based on your interests, the time of year and whether the guides have found anything especially unique and interesting to see. Two guided excursions are provided each day — one early in the morning and another late in the afternoon and into the evening. As well as being the coolest times to be out, these are usually the best times to see the different birds and animals. Trips may be on the river by boat, on the savannahs by Land Rover or along forest trails on foot to the different ponds in the area. Late in the afternoon we will travel by boat to look for wild Giant River Otters and as dusk falls to the ponds to see the giant Amazonia Regis water lily, bloom at dusk. On the return trip we will spotlight for Black Caiman and birds and creatures of the night. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge. LD Thursday This morning we may make an early start to reach an area of rolling grasslands, which is home to a population of giant anteaters. With luck we shall locate one of these six-foot long animals excavating its breakfast from one of the red termite mounds that stud the savannah. The giant anteater, also known as the ant bear, is a large insectivorous mammal native to Central and South America. It is recognizable by its elongated snout, bushy tail, long fore-claws and distinctively coloured pelage. It feeds primarily on ants and termites, using its fore-claws to dig them up and its long, sticky tongue to collect them. Though giant anteaters live in overlapping home ranges they are mostly solitary except during mother-offspring relationships, aggressive interactions between males, and when mating. Mother anteaters carry their offspring on their backs until weaning them. An evening visit to a nearby pond to see hundreds of Ibis, Anhinga, Heron and Egret roosting (only in rainy season) is a highlight. If you are interested in bird watching you can explore woodland patches or gallery forest along the river where we’ll hope to find such species as Spotted Puffbird, Striped Woodcreeper, Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Golden-spangled Piculet, Bearded Tachuri and Capuchinbird. A feature bird for the area is Agami Heron. An evening walk along the airstrip offers seven species of nightjar and among the grasslands the Double-striped Thick-knees. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge. BLD Friday In the event you did not see a giant anteater the previous morning, there is time to travel out to search the savannah again. Or explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima, making a boat journey along quiet stretches of river. Return to the lodge for breakfast before departure. Transfer by 4x4 from Karanambu Lodge and transfer across the savannah to Lethem. Board scheduled flight for journey from Lethem over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Pickup and transfer from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Georgetown. Optional Services (not included in regular prices ) Guyanese 7 curry dinner : US$50 per person for 2-12 people Overnight in a deluxe room at Grand Coastal Hotel. B (Check in time 1400hrs, Check out time 1200hrs midday) Saturday Pickup and transfer to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for your departing flight. Rate Includes: - airport transfers - double or twin accommodation - meals as listed - limited local bar at Karanambu Lodge - all road and river transfers - internal flights in Guyana - activities as described - local guides - VAT Not Included : - items of a personal nature - alcoholic drinks except where mentioned above - departure tax - international flights - visa Extension 2 Add 2 nights to one of Guyana’s best-known lodge’s in the Rupununi savannah with excellent wildlife opportunities, in particular the Giant Anteater. And then travel to Caiman House for a close encounter with Black Caiman. Wednesday and Thursday - same as on Extension 1
Friday In the event you did not see a giant anteater the previous morning, there is time to travel out to search the savannah again. Or explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima, making a boat journey along quiet stretches of river. Return to the lodge for breakfast before departure. After breakfast we say our goodbyes and transfer upriver by motorized boat to the nearby Amerindian village of Yupukari and Caiman House. At the edge of Yupukari Village in the Central Rupununi is Caiman House Field Station, a combination guest-lodge and education centre focused on research and conservation projects along the nearby Rupununi River. The Field Station is the hub of several participatory development projects, including the introduction of classroom libraries in all three village schools and an Internet-enabled public library. Visitors may have the opportunity to meet local craftspeople, including the furniture builders at Yupukari Crafters, a nonprofit venture to create village jobs and generate income to sustain educational development. Four modest but comfortable guest rooms are situated around a central lounge area in the lodge behind the research centre. Guest rooms feature comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets and running water. Other rooms are available in the annex building, two with ensuite and one with a shared bathroom. Caiman House Field Station and the Guest House are powered 24 hours a day by a large solar array. The entire station is served by wireless internet access. As a guest you have the unique opportunity to support and participate in an ongoing field study of the Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger), the largest member of the alligator family and an endangered species. You are invited to accompany the indigenous crew as they search for and capture Black Caiman on the river. Guests will observe the capture from a separate boat, but will be offered the opportunity to assist in data collection. Caiman are weighed, measured, sexed and tagged before being released back into the river. The research has already discovered interesting information on caimans’ nests that was previously unknown. Overnight at Caiman House. BLD Saturday Guests will be escorted with skilled guides who will go paddling or with an electric motor on the Awariku Lake. The ride on this huge lake takes you through a creek in some lowland forest and comes out into the Rupununi River. Once on the river, you will drift down to the main landing and then come back up to Caiman House. In low water you will paddle back to the landing where you embarked. This is good for birdwatching and Egrets and ibises are regular sightings along the lake and possibility of seeing Giant River Otters, Black Caiman. Vehicle transfer from Caiman House to Lethem. Board scheduled flight for journey from Lethem over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Pickup and transfer from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Georgetown. Optional Services (not included in regular tour) Guyanese 7 curry dinner. Rate per person in US$: 50.00 Overnight in a deluxe room at Grand Coastal Hotel. B (Check in time 1400hrs, Check out time 1200hrs midday) Sunday Pickup and transfer to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for your departing flight. Rate Includes: - airport transfers - double or twin accommodation - meals as listed - limited local bar at Karanambu Lodge - all road and river transfers - internal flights in Guyana - activities as described - local guides - VAT Not Included : - items of a personal nature - alcoholic drinks except where mentioned above - departure tax - international flights - visa KAIETEUR FALLS FLIGHT UPGRADE OPTIONS
PRIVATE GUIDE UPGRADE The flight to Kaieteur Falls is a scheduled flight with a local airline and uses a Kaieteur Warden as guide at the falls and only includes one bottle of water. To enhance your experience you can choose to have your own private guide accompany you on the flight and enjoy a private tour at the falls along with additional food and drinks. ORINDUIK FALLS UPGRADE Upgrade to a Kaieteur and Orinduik Flight is possible subject to availability of that flight combination being operated on the day. This will only likely be confirmed in the week prior to arrival and logistically best to be paid locally. The Orinduik Falls is where the Ireng River thunders over steps and terraces of solid jasper, a semi-precious stone. With a backdrop of the rolling grass-covered hills of the Pakaraima Mountains, this is truly one of the most beautiful locations in Guyana’s hinterland. Its name is derived from the Amerindian (Patamona) word, Orin, which is the name of an aquatic plant found in theses falls. The Ireng River forms the border between Brazil and Guyana. In contrast to Kaieteur, Orinduik is ideally suited for swimming and you will find natural Jacuzzi’s as the falls tumble down the steps of Jasper. ORINDUIK FALLS AND PRIVATE GUIDE UPGRADE TO BOTH FALLS As above with the Orinduik Falls Upgrade, plus enhance your experience with your own private guide accompanying you on the flight and enjoy a tour to both falls along with additional food and drinks. DISCLAIMERS BODY WEIGHTS: Please be advised all customers must provide us with body weights of passengers booked to travel on tour to Guyana for all internal flights. Failure to provide us with this information or the incorrect information can cause delays to flights and inconvenience to other passengers and in some cases either passengers and/or luggage being taken off the flight. To ensure a holiday that is enjoyable and hassle free, it is imperative that passengers provide us with this information. We appreciate some people are sensitive about providing their body weights, but all customers and their baggage are weighed at check-in. This is procedure by the airline so as to ensure that the weight of the load is within the payload limit for the aircraft, and neither they nor Wilderness Explorers will compromise on safety. All passengers are subject to removal of themselves or luggage from the flight if over the weight they provided and/or over the baggage allowance. Passengers are advised to provide a body weight with clothing similar to that which they would expect to travel in on the flight. We cannot be held responsible for any passenger denied boarding or luggage not transported if they are over the weight provided. Weights supplied are provided to the airline in advance to ensure the flight is within the allowable payload. A WORD ON VISAS: The requirement for a visa can change at any time and without notice. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary visa for each country. We recommend you check the visa requirements for each country included in your itinerary. We are happy to provide advice on current requirements and even assistance in obtaining a visa on arrival or tourist cards. If you are unsure of requirements, please contact us for assistance. CONDITION RESTRAINTS: You have selected a tour that is partly in remote areas. This adds to the adventure and opportunity to enjoy a true nature experience. However, due to the nature of the terrain, weather, road conditions, and other elements beyond our control, some elements of tours may have to be altered. Times of some activities may need to be changed or even cancelled due to the conditions. If an activity is cancelled it will be replaced with an alternative activity that is more appropriate for the conditions. Advance notice will be given for any changes where possible, although at times changes may be made whilst the tour is in progress. WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS: With any trip involving wildlife it is impossible to guarantee a sighting, but each trip is designed around know habitats. Wilderness Explorers will make every effort to ensure a sighting but cannot be held responsible if no sighting is made due to the wildlife itself, weather, or any other elements beyond our control. TERMS AND CONDITIONS AUTHORITY ON TOUR At all times the decision of the company or its representative will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety, well-being and enjoyment of the tour. Clients must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should the client fail to comply with the above or commit any illegal act when on tour or, if in the company’s opinion, the client’s behavior causes or is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate that client’s travel arrangements without any liability on the company’s part. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS The Client must be in possession of a valid passport (valid 6 months past the return date), visa (where necessary), permits and certificates including vaccinations certificates, insurance policies required for the journey – the client accepts responsibility of obtaining these. Any information or advice given by the company on visas, vaccinations, clothing, special equipment, baggage, climate, etc. is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company. CONDITION RESTRAINTS You have selected a tour that is, in part, in remote areas. This adds to the adventure and opportunity to enjoy a true nature experience. However, due to the nature of the terrain, weather, road conditions, and other elements beyond our control, some elements of tours may have to be altered. Times of some activities may need to be changed or even cancelled due to the conditions. If an activity is cancelled it will be replaced with an alternative activity that is more appropriate for the conditions. Advance notice will be given for any changes where possible, although at times changes may be made whilst the tour is in progress. WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS With any trip involving wildlife it is impossible to guarantee a sighting, but each trip is designed around known habitats. Wilderness Explorers will make every effort to ensure a sighting but cannot be held responsible if no sighting is made due to the wildlife itself, weather, or any other elements beyond our control. LOCAL CULTURE Many of the areas to be visited are remote and cultures of the people most likely different to what you are accustomed to. These communities welcome visitors under the conditions that their customs, habits and rituals are respected at all times. Wilderness Explorers will endeavor to provide appropriate guidance to visitors as to correct behavior whilst in these communities. The company reserves the right to cancel a visitor’s tour, at any time, should their behavior be inappropriate and offensive to the local communities. ACCEPTANCE OF RISK & RESPONSIBILITY Nature and adventure travel is by character, an activity that requires travelling in areas that are often remote and the terrain difficult. Whilst every precaution is taken to ensure the comfort and safety of our customers, these trips do have elements of risk. By taking part in this tour you acknowledge that there are inherent risks and that you are fully aware of the conditions of travel, accommodation and activities offered. You accept that Wilderness Explorers, its staff and sub-contractors cannot be held liable for any accident, illness or similar occurrence. You hereby accept all such risk and release the company from all claims and causes of action arising from any injuries or damages resulting from these inherent risks. FORCE MAJEURE The company will do its best to minimise the effects of matters outside its control but cannot accept liability of these matters which include political disputes, industrial action, refusal of visas, border closures, unforeseeable climate, delayed or cancelled flights etc. TRAVEL INSURANCE It is the client’s responsibility to obtain adequate personal travel insurance. This insurance should, as a minimum, cover personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation expenses. It is recommended that the coverage extends to include loss of effects, curtailment, cancellation and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the client. PAYMENT A deposit of 20% is required to confirm any booking and balance of payment is due 30 days before commencement of the trip. CANCELLATION BY THE CLIENT Any cancellation by the client must be in writing and acknowledged by us. The date on which the correspondence is received will determine the loss of any monies applicable. • Cancelled more than 90 days before arrival - full refund, less any money transfer and credit card fees. • Cancelled 60 to 90 days before arrival - 9% fee. • Cancelled 41 to 59 days before arrival – 24% • Cancelled 31 to 40 days before arrival - 54%. • Cancelled 2 to 30 days before arrival or no show - 100%. RESPONSIBILITY All services are organised by operator. Notice is hereby given that all arrangements made on behalf of customers are made by the organisers on the sole condition that the organisers shall not be held responsible for any injury, death, accident, delay, loss, damage or irregularity which may be occasioned through acts of any company and /or persons engaged in carrying out the arrangements and operator acts as an agent for transport companies, hotels and other contractors and shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur, including, but not limited to, any defect in a vehicle or any other form of conveying travellers, acts of God, detention, delays or expenses arising from quarantine, strike, riots, theft, force majeure, civil disturbance, government restrictions or regulation, accident by aircraft, boat, bicycle, motor vehicle or any other form of transport or in any hotel, resort, ranch, guest house, camp or other form of accommodation. SEVERABILITY In the event that any term or condition contained herein is unenforceable or void by operation of law or as being against public policy or for any other reason then such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this Agreement or amend accordingly only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining terms and conditions to survive and continue as binding. Payment for a tour is taken as acknowledgement and acceptance of all of the above terms and conditions. |