Highlights of Guyana
Get close to nature on this tour through undiscovered Guyana. Anteaters, tapirs and monkeys surround us as we venture deep into the forested interior.
As we travel by river we discover the wildlife and may even be rewarded with a glimpse of the giant river otter. As a special highlight, the magnificent Kaieteur Falls await.
Note: If circumstances dictate, certain details, such as overnight stops, may vary from those shown below.
Saturday
Arrive in Guyana. Transfer to Georgetown. Overnight at Cara Lodge.
Sunday
Full day trip to Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls in light aircraft. The water of Kaieteur, one of the world’s natural wonders, flows over a sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge - a drop of 822 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. 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.
Overnight at Cara Lodge. (B/L)
Monday
After breakfast transfer to Ogle Airstrip for a flight across the rainforest to the Iwokrama Airstrip. Take a short transfer boat ride on the Essequibo River to the Iwokrama Field Station.
In the afternoon you can explore the trails around the field station with an Iwokrama Ranger. After dinner, we will take you out on to the river to spot caiman and other nocturnal wildlife.
Overnight at Iwokrama Field Station. (B/L/D)
Tuesday
Making an early start we will embark on the Essequibo and circumnavigate Indian House Island giving us a chance for dawn song on the river returning to the Field Station for breakfast. After breakfast, you will leave the field station for the journey to Turtle Mountain, and a leisurely stroll up the mountain to its summit at 935ft (approx. 360m). It takes an hour 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. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest (for those who may find the Turtle Mountain trek too strenuous they can take an alternative boat trip to Stanley Lake to search for Giant River Otters and Black Caiman or go birding along the trails near the Field Station). On the return trip, visit Kurupukari Falls to see the Amerindian petroglyphs (dependent on the water level). Then visit the small Amerindian village of Fair View before returning to the Field Station.
Overnight at Iwokrama Field Station. (B/L/D)
Wednesday
At dawn take a wildlife walk with an Iwokrama Ranger close to the Field Station. After breakfast we will transfer you 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. The journey ends at the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway which allows you to view the forest from 35 M up in the canopy. Experience the activity in the mid and upper canopy of the forest and see darkness settle over the forest. From this tree top vantage you can sometimes see Red Howler Monkeys and Black Spider Monkeys. As darkness falls on the Canopy Walkway, we will hope to see the White-winged Potoo.
Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. (B/L/D)
Thursday
Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway. After breakfast travel by 4x4 vehicle or 4x4 Bedford Truck (convert with forward facing seats and canopy) to a trail in the Iwokrama Forest to hopefully see the amazingly brilliant Guianian Cock-of-the-rock. Continue your trip onto the Amerindian village of Surama. The village is set in five square miles of savannah and surrounded by the densely forested Pakaraima Mountains. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their forebears. On arrival in Surama receive a welcome from a village counsellor and settle into your accommodation. 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. As the afternoon cools a local guide will escort you for a short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life. See the forest through the eyes of your indigenous guide and learn about the medicinal plants and their uses in the Amerindian culture. Tonight enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark.
Overnight at Surama Guest House. (B/L/D)
Friday
Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then the exhilarating climb up Surama Mountain in the cool morning air. This is the best time to observe bird life along the trail. Breakfast will be served at a lookout point which affords incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. 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 Guest House. (B/L/D)
Saturday
After breakfast depart Surama by 4x4 vehicle or 4x4 Bedford Truck for Rock View Lodge at Annai. The road travels through the savannah and the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains with excellent opportunity for savannah birding. Jabiru Stork are often seen along this stretch of road. Eventually we reach the Rupununi and Annai, its northernmost community. The Rupununi Savannah is to Guyana what the Gran Sabana is to Venezuela, an extensive area of grassland with termite mounds and scattered or riparian woodland. It differs in that much of it is devoted to cattle raising, though the large ranches are not very productive. Indeed, one can travel for hours without seeing a domestic animal of any sort. Needless to say, the birdlife here is markedly different from that of the rainforest. Rock View Lodge is located where the savannah meets the forest-covered foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. With its tropical gardens and flowering trees, the lodge resembles an oasis in the savannah, and attracts many species of birds, particularly nectar feeders and frugivores. Nearby patches of light forest are home to certain ant birds and flycatchers, and of course the grasslands support an avifauna of their own.
Overnight at Rock View Lodge. (B/L/D)
Sunday
Today you can join the vaqueros on horse back (optional) as they take cattle out to graze on the savannah. Or hike in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains and visit nearby Amerindian villages.
Overnight at Rock View Lodge. (B/L/D)
Monday
After breakfast transfer by 4x4 vehicle or 4x4 Bedford Truck to Ginep Landing for a boat trip on the Rupununi River to Karanambu Ranch. This is the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned, giant river otters to the wild. Diane and her otters have appeared on National Geographic, Jeff Corwin Experience, Really Wild Show (BBC) and the Calgary’s “Zoo World”. Karanambu has a long history of visiting naturalists and Diane’s father, Tiny McTurk, has welcomed David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell (Three Singles to Adventure). 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 Victoria Regis waterlily, bloom at dusk. On the return trip we will spotlight for Black Caiman and birds and creatures of the night. Dinner with Diane will include stories on the history of the family and the Rupununi Savannahs.
Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. (B/L/D)
Tuesday
Diane sometimes has resident orphaned otters and you can help her as she tends to them. You can visit Simoni Pond for some of the best inland fishing (add US$15.00) in Guyana including Peacock Bass or explore the flooded forest or savannah. Explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima. An evening visit to Crane Pond to see hundreds of Ibis, Anhinga, Heron and Egret roosting is a highlight.
Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. (B/L/D)
Wednesday
This morning travel out onto the savannah to search for a Giant Anteater. Explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima. After lunch transfer by boat, birdwatching along the way, to the Amerindian village of Yupukari and Caiman House. Caiman House 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. Tonight enjoy a foray on the Rupununi River from Caiman House Field Station. 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. During periods of high water it is difficult to capture Caiman to you will have another chance to enter the nocturnal world of the Rupununi River and associated gallery forests which offer an experience, and world of wildlife entirely different than those viewed on a day trip. Skilled guides will expertly escort visitors to meet elusive denizens of darkness by outboard powered boats, while interpreting the sights, and sounds of Guyana after dark. Just after darkness settles on the River many creatures emerge such as black caiman (to over 12 feet), spectacled caiman, tree boas, iguanas, frogs, and many fish species( i.e arrawana, piranha). Sleeping birds (kingfishers, small perching birds) nightjars, potoos, Boat-billed Herons and other aquatic birds, bats, (harmless) spiders, insects, moths, and more can be closely approached in way not possible during the hours of light. Few nights pass without some unusual offering. After dinner take a boat trip with experienced guide to spotlight along the banks for wildlife. You will most certainly see Black Caiman, as this river has South America’s second largest population of the species. You may also see tree boas, frogs and even sleeping monkeys..
Overnight at Caiman House. (B/L/D)
Thursday
This morning we will have some time to visit the village, to learn about their way of life. Or go birdwatching in search of the many good savannah, gallery forest and river-edge birds found in the Caiman House area including Pinnated Bittern, Green-tailed Jacamar, Black-chinned Antbird and Capuchinbird. After an early lunch take a flight back to Georgetown. Enjoy an afternoon Georgetown city tour.
Overnight at Cara Lodge. (B/L/D)
Friday
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight. (B)
Please explore our many Guyana options, from our Kaieteur and Roraima trek to a jungle trek to the Kaieteur Falls.
We also have group Wildlife and Wilderness trip, or for birdwatchers, check out our Guyana birdwatching options.
You can always contact the office for more information on tailor made and group options.
Our price includes:
Airport transfers, double or twin accommodation, meals as listed, local bar at Karanambu Ranch, all road and river transfers, internal flights in Guyana, activities as described, local guides, hotel tax, Kaieteur National Park fee, Iwokrama Forest User Fee, Iwokrama Canopy Walkway fee
It does not include:
Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks except where mentioned, departure tax, international flights
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