English-speaking Guyana is quirky, unusual and friendly with fantastic wildlife, rainforest and waterfalls. Where else in South America can you find a passion for cricket, rum and steel drums? This two-week adventure particularly appears to travellers who are keen to get right off the beaten track.
Highlights: Georgetown – Kaieteur Falls – Guiana Shield -Iwokrama Canopy Walkway Burro Burro – Rupununi
Georgetown
On arrival in Guyana you will be met and driven to your hotel in Georgetown, where the heart of the city has many wooden buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries including the impressive St. George’s
Cathedral. If there is time during your stay, Stabroek Market is worth a visit, living up to the description as a
bizarre bazaar.
Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls
Full day excursion to Guyana's impressive Kaieteur Falls where the Potaro River crashes 741 feet into the
gorge below. The journey continues with a visit to the Orinduik Falls before returning to Georgetown.
Iwokrama and the Guiana Shield
Fly south into this important conservation region of the Guiana Shield which is teeming with wildlife, much of which is under threat. You will be met and driven to your lodge. Noctural river trip to spot caimen.
Excursions in the Guiana Shield
An active day of wildlife spotting including a journey by boat and walk to the summit of Turtle Mountain for wonderful views over the forest canopy. Visit Kurupukari Falls to see the Amerindian petroglyphs and the village of Fair View.
Iwokrama
Dawn wildlife excursion with an Iwokrama ranger along the trail that is recognised as one of the best places for a possible sighting of the elusive jaguar. The trip continues to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway at Mauisparu, near
the southern boundary of the Iwokrama Reserve which is made up of suspension bridges and viewing decks for different perspectives of the rainforest and opportunities to spot wildlife, best experienced at dawn and dusk. The nearby lodge is your base for two nights.
Canopy Walkway
Experience the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway. There are also local trails to follow from the lodge for additional wildlife and bird watching opportunities.
Surama
Excursion to the lek site to see the bright orange cock-of-the-rock. Travel on to the village of Surama which is principally inhabited by the indigenous Makushi tribe who continue to practice the traditions of their ancestors. A portion of every tour goes to a
village fund which is used for community
development projects. Accommodation at a local lodge
Surama
Dawn trek across the savannah with a local guide and
climb Surama Mountain for great views across the Pakaraima Mountains. Afternoon walk across the savannah and through the rainforest for a canoe trip on the Burro Burro River with opportunities to observe
giant river otters, tapir, tira and spider monkeys amongst
other species, possibly even a harpy eagle.
Pakaraima Mountains
Transfer across the North Rupununi savannah towards the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains, near the indigenous villages of Annai and Rupertee.
Exploring the savannah
A great opportunity to join the vacquero on horseback as they take cattle out to graze on the savannah or hike in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. Alternatively visit the peanut butter factory and school at Aranaputa.
Rupununi River
Travel along the Rupununi River to the remote lands of the Makushi people, in the wake of such explorers as Sir Walter Raleigh and Alexander von Humboldt. Lake Amuku was claimed to be the location of the legendary Lake Parime where the golden city of “El Dorado” was said to be located. A range of excursions are included during your two night stay.
Wildlife excursions in the North Rupununi
Visit an oxbow lake, explore the flooded rainforest, take a trip on the river to see giant otters or hike into the savannah. The nearby ponds are also worth a visit with their giant water lilies, Victoria Amazonica, which grow up to 3m across.
Excursions in the North Rupununi
Travel along the Rupununi River searching for giant river otters, black caiman and arapaima before arriving at the Caiman Lodge field station for ecological and educational research in the heart of Yupakari, a Macushi village. There may be opportunities to observe and take part in data collection during which caiman are captured, weighed, measured, sexed and tagged before being released back into the river.
Georgetown
Flight back to Georgetown where you will be met and driven to your hotel.
Depart Georgetown
The above sample Guyana holidayy can be varied in any way you choose to suit your exact requirements so give us a call now on 01932 424252 to discuss any modifications.
We offer a range of accommodation from three star standard hotels to five star luxury so please chat to our staff for informed advice and expertise to discuss arrangements for your tailor-made Guyana holiday.
The tours, excursions & activities mentioned in the above sample Guyana holiday are just a selection of what is available in each location. The programme can be adjusted to fit your particular requirements for this holiday; please liaise with your Travel Consultant to confirm what other activities are available and what you would like to include in your tailor-made Guyana holiday.
If you like the broad sweep of the above sample Guyana holiday but have fewer days to spend, or wish to extend it in any way, please ask your Travel Consultant for ideas on how to shorten or lengthen the holiday, or how to reorganise the itinerary.
We would be delighted to email you a no-obligation, fully-detailed itinerary & quote for your tailor-made Guyana holiday together with links to hotel websites, plus details of any included tours & excursions. The quote will clearly state what is, and what is not included in the quoted price. If you thereafter wish to make any changes to the initial itinerary – be it an alternative hotel, different activities, a different duration in any location etc. – that’s not a problem and we will continue to work with you to adjust the programme until it exactly matches what you’re looking for from this unusual wildlife and rainforest experience.