Guyana Highlights Tour
Going wild in Guyana
Guyana is a wild frontier - a land of few roads, pristine rainforest and wildlife-rich savannahs. This spectacular trip includes visits to many of the Guyana’s hotspots for wildlife and birds, Kaieteur - the world’s longest freefalling waterfall and Iwokrama Forest, a one-million acre protected area located in the heart of one of four last untouched tropical forests of the world - The Guiana Shield of North-Eastern South America, and one of the best locations for an opportunity to spot Jaguar. During a stay in Surama village, you’ll experience the indigenous way of life of the Makushi tribe first hand, while Karanambu Ranch offers the chance for close encounters with Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Giant Anteaters.
2 nights Georgetown • 2 nights Iwokrama Field Station • 2 nights Surama Village • 2 nights Annai • 3 nights Karanambu Ranch • 1 night Georgetown
Day 1: Guyana
Upon arrival in Guyana transfer to your Georgetown accommodation.
Stay: Cara Lodge (B)
Day 2: Kaietuer Falls / Orinduik Falls
Fly over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rainforest to Kaieteur, the world’s longest freefalling waterfall (at 229 metres, Kaieteur is nearly five times the height of Niagara Falls) before continuing your trip to the Brazilian border and Orinduik Falls, where the Ireng River thunders over steps and terraces of solid jasper, a semi precious stone. Late afternoon flight back to Georgetown
Stay: Cara Lodge (B,L)
Day 3: Iwokrama Field Station
Fly across the rainforest to the Iwokrama Airstrip. Take a short transfer by boat on the Essequibo River to the Iwokrama Field Station. Afternoon free to explore the trails around the field station with an Iwokrama Ranger. After dinner, head out on to the river to spot caiman and other nocturnal wildlife.
Stay: Iwokrama Field Station (B,L,D)
Day 4: Turtle Mountain / Iwokrama Field Station
This morning you will head out for an early morning boat ride near the Field Station. After breakfast, you will leave the field station for the journey to Turtle Mountain, and climb to its summit 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 Field Station.
Stay: Iwokrama Field Station (B,L,D)
Day 5: Iwokrama Canopy Walkway / Atta Rainforest Lodge
At dawn take a wildlife walk with an Iwokrama Ranger close to the Field Station. After breakfast transfer by 4 x 4 along the trail that is one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar. The Iwokrama forest certainly has a healthy jaguar population of this spectacular cat but you will still require considerable luck to catch sight of one. The journey ends at the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway which allows you to view the forest from 35 metres up in the canopy. Experience the activity in the mid and upper canopy of the forest and see darkness settle over the forest.
Stay: Atta Rainforest Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 6: Surama Village
Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway and follow a trail in the Iwokrama Forest to hopefully see the colourful Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. Continue to the Amerindian village of Surama where you’ll 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. In the afternoon 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.
Stay: Surama Eco-lodge (B,L,D)
Day 7: Surama Mountain / Burro Burro River
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. 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 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.
Stay: Surama Eco-lodge (B,L,D)
Day 8: Rock View Lodge
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.
Stay: Rock View Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 9: Rock View Lodge
Today you can join the vaqueros (local cowboys) on horse-back as they take cattle out to graze on the savannah, hike in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains or visit nearby Amerindian villages.
Stay: Rock View Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 10: Karanambu Ranch
After breakfast embark on 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. Karanambu has a long history of visiting naturalists and Diane’s father, Tiny McTurk, has welcomed David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell. Dinner with Diane will include stories on the history of the family and the Rupununi Savannahs.
Stay: Karanambu Ranch (B,L,D)
Day 11: Otters and Rupununi River
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 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.
Stay: Karanambu Ranch (B,L,D)
Day 12: Karanambu Ranch
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.
Stay: Karanambu Ranch (B,L,D)
Day 13: Georgetown
This morning travel out onto the savannah to search for a Giant Anteater. After an early lunch take a flight back to Georgetown. Enjoy an afternoon Georgetown city tour highlighting the architecture, markets and botanical Gardens.
Stay: Cara Lodge (B,L)
Day 14: End of Tour
Depart Guyana. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK (B)
To book, call 0845 643 6548
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX101957.
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