Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Guyana
Arrive in Guyana. Transfer to Georgetown.
Overnight at Cara Lodge


Day 2 - Botanical Gardens and city tour, afternoon tour of Demerara Distillery
This morning enjoy a Georgetown city tour highlighting the architecture, markets and botanical Gardens (see full description below). Lunch at Cara Lodge. This afternoon visit Demerara Distillers Limited to see how rum is processed in their plant at Diamond. The tour also includes a visit to the Rum Heritage Museum. Late this afternoon visit the home of Roy Geddes for a cultural evening and local dinner. Roy is Guyana’s most famous steel pan player and maker. He will demonstrate how steel pans are made and discuss their history and a rendition of pop, rock, soca, classical and jazz numbers of the pans.
Overnight at Cara Lodge


Day 3 - Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls
Today enjoy a trip to Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls
Overnight at Cara Lodge


Day 4 - Road trek across Guyana to the Iwokrama rain forest
0730 depart Georgetown by 4x4 for a trip through the rain forest into the heart of Guyana. Take a short transfer by boat on the Essequibo River to the Iwokrama River Lodge. Afternoon free to 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 River Lodge


Day 5 - Dawn river exploration, hike Turtle Mountain, visit Kurpukari Falls and Amerindian petroglyphys, visit Fair View Village
This morning we will take you on an early morning boat ride near the River Lodge. After breakfast, you will leave the River Lodge for the journey to Turtle Mountain, and a gentle climb up the mountain to its summit at 935ft (approx. 360m). It takes 1 ¾ hours 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. 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 River Lodge.
Overnight at Iwokrama River Lodge


Day 6 - Dawn jaguar run on Iwokrama Road, visit Iwokrama Rainforest Canopy
At dawn take a wildlife walk with an Iwokrama Ranger close to the River Lodge. After breakfast we will transfer you by 4 x 4 or Bedford truck (convert with forward facing seats and roof) 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! 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.
Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge


Day 7 - Dawn on the Canopy Walkway; visit Cock of the Rock lek, visit Surama Village
Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway. After breakfast travel 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. On arrival in Surama receive a welcome from a village counsellor and settle into your accommodation. 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


Day 8 - Breakfast atop Surama Mountain; Burro Burro river excursion
Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then the gentle 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 look out 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 rain forest 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 and dinner.
Overnight at Surama Eco-Lodge


Day 9 - 4x4 to Annai Village, visit local school and communty center
After breakfast depart Surama by 4x4 for Rock View Lodge at Annai. 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. Visit the village of Aranaputa to see their Peanut Butter Factory and a visit to the school for a short cultural presentation.
Overnight at Rock View Lodge


Day 10 - Hike the Pakaraima Mountains or visit nearby villages
Today you can hike in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains or visit nearby Amerindian villages.
Overnight at Rock View Lodge


Day 11 - Travel by boat to Yupukari Village, night time caiman spotting
After breakfast we will travel to Ginep Landing and then by boat up the Rupununi River 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. We will have some time to visit the village, to learn about their way of life. 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 f the species. You may also see tree boas, frogs and even sleeping monkeys.
Overnight at Caiman House


Day 12 - Travel to Karanambu Ranch
After breakfast transfer by 4x4 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). Dinner with Diane will include stories on the history of the family and the Rupununi Savannahs. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. BLD http://www.wilderness-explorers.com/karanambu.htm
Overnight at Karanambu Ranch


Day 13 - Birdwatching, hikes, and tending to otters at Karanambu
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. Visits can be made to nearby ponds for birdwatching and to view the Victoria Amazonica, the world’s largest water lily and Guyana’s national flower. 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


Day 14 - Look for the giant anteater, fly to Georgetown, travel along Kamuni River to Santa Mission
This morning travel out onto the savannah to search for a Giant Anteater. After an early lunch take a flight back to Georgetown. Then travel south along the Demerara River. Transfer to a boat for a trip along the Demerara River to Timehri, the boat then turns into the Kamuni River where overhanging vegetation has stained the water a deep black colour and the chill air is relieved by intermittent bursts of sunlight. The boat will wind through thick rain forest and then savannah before entering the Pokerero Creek and the Amerindian reserve of Santa. The river system is the only means of travel here, and you may see families transporting their farm produce to market or canoeing to the village church. The area is also rich in bird and wild life, and the lucky visitor may catch a glimpse of monkeys in the trees or a toucan gliding overhead. We then stop at the Amerindian village of Santa Mission, which is an Amerindian village of the Arawak and Carib tribes, the residents welcome visitors and often will stop to talk or even invite you into their homes. You will be able to experience village life and see and purchase local handi craft made from materials of the rain forest . Then it is a 15 minute boat ride to Arrowpoint Nature Resort, where you will be greeted by the friendly staff offering a welcome drink. Receive an orientation talk on the resort and surroundings. Arrowpoint Nature Resort’s surroundings offer a variety of habitats: open grassy marsh, scattered stands of moriche palm and fairly tall sandbelt forest. The resort has an ample trail system and additionally the attractive option of birdwatching by boat along peaceful stretches of water upstream. This afternoon you can relax, swim, take a pedal boat out on the creek, try a spot of fishing. Or journey through the rain forest by mountain bike or hiking to Maburi Junction and more opportunity to observed wildlife including a visit to the Bell Bird calling site. The staff will demonstrate the cassava bread making Amerindian style and you will be able to taste the bread when finished. (this Demo is dependent on availability of cassava crop). Tonight dinner will be served on the beach. When the sun goes down, the beach is transformed into a festival of lights provided by traditional mounted flambé and a spectacular large bonfire. An indigenous atmosphere is created as a mouth watering three course dinner is served buffet style on the beach. After dinner enjoy a night walk through the dark jungle trails with your own head lamp (provided by resort) and experienced local guide. This is a unique opportunity to experience the other side of the tropical rain forest . The deep beauty of the tropical night comes alive with vast numbers of fire flies sparkling through the trees as the different colors eyes of the night creatures light up the jungle night. For your return journey you will paddle along the dark waters of the creek which will surprisingly become nearly transparent as you look into it with your head lamp and the colorful eyes of the marine life looks back at you.
Overnight at Arrowpoint Nature Resort


Day 15 - Dawn birdwatching, boat to the airport and departy Guyana
This morning before breakfast take canoes out to birdwatch along the creek. In palms we may encounter the strikingly beautiful Point-tailed Palmcreeper. We may also see Sungrebe, Sunbittern, Green Ibis, Trogons, Macaws and a myriad of hummingbirds including the Black-throated Mango and Green-tailed Goldenthroat. But the one everyone wants to see is the magnificent Crimson Topaz which occurs along the streams. Or if you prefer go fishing with a guide. Breakfast is served on the verandah. Then take a boat back to the marina and transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

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