Undiscovered Guyana

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,