Undiscovered Guyana
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 adventurous itinerary is probably the best introduction to Guyana and 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
Undiscovered Guyana - a tailor-made itinerary
Day 1
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.
Day 2
Kaieteur Falls
Full day excursion to Guyana's impressive Kaieteur Falls where the Potaro River crashes 741 feet into the gorge below.
Optional extra (supplement applies): There may be a possibility to include a visit to the Orinduik Falls where the Ireng River thunders over steps and terraces of solid jasper, against a backdrop of the grass-covered hills of the Pakaraima Mountains, Flights are only likely be confirmed in the week of arrival so it is best logistically to arrange this locally.
Day 3
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.
Day 4
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.
Day 5
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.
Day 6
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.
Day 7
Surama
Witness the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway before breakfast and departure by 4x4 to Corkwood in the Iwokrama Forest for a short trek to lek site where there is the best hope for sighting the bright orange Guianan 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, your base for 2 nights.
Day 8
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, possibly even a harpy eagle.
Day 9
Pakaraima Mountains
Transfer across the North Rupununi savannah towards the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains, near the indigenous villages of Annai and Rupertee.
Overnight at a local lodge where there is an opportunity to see how cashews are roasted.
Day 10
Exploring the savannah
Take a dawn hike in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains before returning to the lodge for breakfast.
Travel south by road to Ginep Landing and continue by boat on the Rupununi River keeping your eyes peeled for families of Giant Otters which inhabit this stretch of the river.
You will based at the lodge in North Rupununi for two nights. Two guided excursions are provided each day — one early in the morning and another late in the afternoon and into the evening. Additional excursions and actitivies can be arranged locally.
Late in the afternoon travel by boat to look for wild Giant River Otters and as visit the ponds to see the giant Amazonia Regis water lily bloom at dusk.
Day 11
North Rupunini
Make an early start to reach an area of rolling grasslands, which is home to a population of giant anteaters.
Free time during the day to arrange optional additional excursions and activities,
An evening visit to a nearby pond to see the birdlife. Ibis, Anhinga, Heron and Egrets can be spotted and you may find such species as Spotted Puffbird, Striped Woodcreeper, Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Golden-spangled Piculet, Bearded Tachuri and Capuchinbird.
Day 12
Central Rupununi
Travel by motorized riverboat 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.
Day 13
Return to Georgetown
After breakfast transfer from your lodge to the airstrip at Letham for your flight to Georgetown.
You will be met on arrival.
A tour with an experienced guide will give you a good insight into life in the city.
Dinner is included at a local restaurant. If you are interested we can turn this into a cooking class with a local chef,
Overnight back at your hotel in Georgetown.
Day 14
Depart Georgetown
Transfer to the airport in time to check in for your transatlantic flight home,
The above Guyana holiday can be adjusted to fit your own particular requirements. Please talk to our team of travel specialists to discuss your arrangements and what you would like to include in your tailor-made holiday.
Hotels & Ground Arrangements
From relatively sophisticated hotels in the capital cities to remote and rustic jungle lodges reached by small aircraft, river journeys or overland by 4 x 4 vehicle, we book all accommodation, transfers and excursions according to the logistics of your itinerary.
Tours, Excursions & Activities on your Guyana holiday
Please liaise with your Travel Consultant to discuss what additional activities may be available and what you would like to include in your tailor-made Guyana holiday.
Duration of your Guyana holiday
If you like the broad sweep of the above Guyana holiday but either 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.
No-Obligation Quote
We would be delighted to send you by e-mail a no-obligation, fully-costed, detailed itinerary, containing photos of the accommodation we suggest for your tailor-made holiday together with details of any included tours & excursions. The quote will clearly state what is, and what is not, included in the quoted price.
If you wish to make any changes to the initial itinerary – such as alternative accommodation, different activities, extra nights in any particular location etc. – that is not a problem. We want to work with you on the itinerary until it exactly matches what you’re looking for from your tailor-made holiday to Guyana.
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