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Experience fourteen nights of discovery and exploration in Guyana's largest rainforest reserves and protected sites. Travelling through Kaieteur National Park and Iwokrama Reserve will allow you to see giant anteaters, big birds and the giant otter at Karanambu in their natural habitats. A Nature adventure at Sloth Island adds flavour to a comprehensive itinerary.
Departures Dates: This tour is all year round.
Guyana undiscovered will take you on a fifteen days of discovery and exploration in Guyana's largest rainforest reserves and protected sites. Your travels through Kaieteur National Park and Iwokrama Reserve will give you the opportunity to see giant anteaters, big birds and the giant otter at Karanambu in their natural habitats. A Nature adventure at Sloth Island adds flavour to a comprehensive itinerary.
Your journey will take you to some of Guyana's most remote regions and fascinating wildlife areas. You will stay at campsites built on raised wooden platforms, with well-ventilated sleeping tents fitted with mosquito nets.
The country is home to many endemic species, including birds of prey, such as the Guyanan harpy eagle and the red-bellied macaw. There are also at least four monkey species, including a small nocturnal primate known as a brown capuchin monkey. The elusive red uakari monkey is also found here, along with other mammals such as anteaters, macaws, jaguars, sloths and armadillos.
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrive in Guyana
Arrive in Guyana. Pick up and transfer to Georgetown and your hotel. If you’re a birder and arrive during the day, we will offer a Botanical Gardens birding tour.
Your afternoon visit will be an opportunity to see Blood-coloured Woodpeckers, White-bellied Piculet, Snail Kites, Limpkins, Donacobius, and many parrots such as Festive Macaws, including both Red-bellied and Red-shouldered, Black-crested Antshrike, White-bellied and many more species.
Alternatively, you’ll spend the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at Sleep Inn International Hotel or similar
Day 2
First Leg to Kaieteur
At 6:30 a.m., we will pick you up at your hotel for an overland journey passing through Linden, a mining town, and continuing along a dusty road to Mabura Hills and Konawaruk.
The short drive from Madhia to Pamela's landing stage on the Potaro River will be your last comfort travel for a few days. Then, you travel upstream by boat, arriving near Amatuk Falls, where you can set up camp in the jungle.
Take a quick dip in refreshing river water accompanied by the sound of water gushing down the falls. Enjoy bush-cooked meals. (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Overnight at jungle camps with hammocks
Day 3
Trekking and Camping
After breakfast, change to another boat above the falls to continue your river journey through the Kaieteur Gorge, where steep slopes rise on either side to 2,000 feet (609 meters).
Some of the bare rock faces resemble ancient temples. The boat will drop you off at a point where you will continue hiking to the camp at Tukeit.
On the way to Tukeit, visit a beautiful waterfall to enjoy a comfortable swim before arriving at the bottom of Kaieteur Falls.
Set up camp and enjoy the wonderful jungle setting with bush-cooked meals. (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Overnight at jungle camps with hammocks
Day 4
Kaieteur Falls
From Tukiet, climb to the top of Kaieteur Falls, a four-hour hike which winds through mountains and streams to the final stage known as "Oh My God" because of its steep ascent.
On reaching the top, all is forgotten as you catch your first glimpse of the mighty Kaieteur Falls.
At dusk, clouds of thousands of swifts gather before plunging into the water of the falls to their rocky nesting sites behind the wall of water. (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Overnight at Kaieteur Guest House
Day 5
Return to Georgetown
Early morning mist gives way to a fantastic view of the Falls from Johnson View.
You will see golden frogs in giant bromeliads, where they spend their entire lives from tadpole to maturity. Then, in the afternoon, fly back to Georgetown by aeroplane.
You will be transferred to the hotel overnight. (Meals: breakfast, lunch)
Overnight at Sleep Inn International Hotel or similar
Day 6
Iwokrama
We will transfer you to the Ogle airport ( 0745 hours) for your flight to Lethem and transfer by bus to Iwokrama.
Iwokrama is one million-acre reserve established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and the world in general”.
Apart from being a research centre, Iwokrama promotes eco-tourism, a venture which sees many tourists visiting daily.
In transit between lodges along the trail, there are opportunities for sightings of capuchin monkeys, red-rumped agouti, red-brocket deer and Guyana’s monitor lizard.
We may also spot Cocoi and Capped Herons, Black Skimmers, Pied Lapwings, Large-billed and Yellow-billed Terns and Anhinga.
As we walk the nature trails, we may also spot red-throated Caracara, Gray-winged Trumpeter, Spix’s Guan, Collared Trogon, several woodpeckers including Chestnut, Golden-collared, Golden-green and Ringed, Eastern Slaty-Antshrike.
Including Amazonian Antshrike, Rufous-capped Antthrush and Sooty-headed Tyrannulet.
You’ll stay at the River Lodge, which features comfortable cabins overlooking the Essequibo River.
(Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Overnight at Iwokrama River Lodge
Day 7
Turtle Mountain
After an early breakfast, you will leave the Field Station travelling by boat for half an hour to the foot of Turtle Mountain, then commence a leisurely stroll up the mountain to its summit at 953 feet (approx. 106 meters).
This mildly challenging stroll takes about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, but the effort is more than worth it for the breathtaking views over the forest canopy.
At Turtle Mountain, you will have opportunities to see giant river 0tters, yellow-headed river monkeys, black spider monkeys, red howlers, capuchin monkeys, coatimundis and white-lipped peccaries. Then, return to the Field Station or River Lodge for Lunch.
After dinner, enjoy a boat tour on the Essequibo River in search of nocturnal wildlife. (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Overnight at Iwokrama River Lodge
Day 8
Boat and Drive to Surama
After breakfast, you will leave the River Lodge and continue southwest along the Iwokrama Road to the Atta Rainforest Lodge and Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the elusive jaguar, South America's giant cat.
The 505-foot (154 meters) state-of-the-art Iwokrama Canopy Walkway offers a unique experience in the region and envelopes you in the jungle's mid-level canopy through a series of suspension bridges and decks from heights of up to 98 feet (30 meters).
You will have the chance to see birds like the Green Aracari, Scarlet Macaw, Guiana Toucanette and Channel-bill Toucan. You can also observe Red howler monkeys.
Check out the epiphytes, such as orchids and bromeliads, and look for the excellent parasitic ficus plant as it engulfs another tree. There is also the greenheart tree, the waramadan (endemic in Guyana only to the Iwokrama Forest) and the poisonous aromata!
After leaving the walkway, continue to Surama Eco Lodge. Upon arrival in Surama, receive a welcome from a village councillor and have a refreshing snack while we discuss your itinerary to confirm any changes.
Then you'll have time to settle into your accommodation and learn about the eco-lodge grounds. Next, your guide will take you on a village tour to visit the local school, medical centre, church, and some village houses before lunch.
This tour involves approximately 1.8 miles (3 kilometres) of walking. As the afternoon cools, your guide will take you for a short walk on the Marabunta trails to observe the forest and bird life. Enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the forest's mystique after dark.
(Meals: lunch and dinner)
Overnight at Surama Eco-Lodge
Day 9
Camping at Carahaa Landing Camp
Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then take a challenging climb up Surama Mountain in the cool morning air - Which is the best time to observe bird life along the trail.
Breakfast will be served at a lookout point which affords incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. This tour is approximately 3.1 miles (5 kilometres) roundtrip.
After returning to the lodge for an early lunch and a 1-hour siesta, take a walk or transfer across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro-Burro River. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Overnight in a hammock at the Carahaa Landing Camp
Day 10
Karanambu Lodge
Depart at dawn from Surama, drive to Ginep landing, and journey by boat to Karanambu.
Upon arrival at Karanambu Lodge, you will be met and transferred to the lodge. Karanumbu Ranch is located within the rainforest and savannah.
Typically there are two guided excursions each day — one early in the morning and another late in the afternoon and into the evening.
As well as being the best temperature to be out, these are usually the best times to see the different birds and animals.
Trips may be on the river by boat, on the savannahs by Land Rover or along forest trails on foot to the other ponds. Activities usually include:
- Searching for wild otters along the river and among the ponds.
- Tracking a giant anteater across the savannah.
- Sipping rum punch while watching the giant Victoria Amazonica lily blossom before your eyes.
- Boating through the flooded forest in the wet season.
- Enjoy flora and fauna along the walking trails among the forest ponds.
- Spotting all sorts of amazing animals when they come out of hiding at night.
Many species of birds can be observed along nearby rivers and oxbow lakes, such as Capuchinbirds, Striped Woodcreeper, Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Bearded Tachuri, Bicolored Wren, and White-tailed Goldenthroat.
As we go along the rivers, we can observe Jabiru, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Ringed and Amazon Kingfishers, Purple Gallinule, Agami Heron, and Wattled Jacanas walking on water lilies.
In the late afternoon, you’ll most likely see Lesser Razor-billed Curassow, Sunbittern, Black-chinned Antbird, and Boat-billed Heron. (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Overnight at Karanambu Lodge
Day 11
Karnamabu Lodge
This morning you will make an early start to reach an area of rolling grasslands home to a population of giant anteaters. In addition, you’ll look for black and spectacled caiman, giant river otter, and many species of monkeys.
With luck, you will locate one of these six-foot-long animals excavating its breakfast from one of the red termite mounds that stud the savannah. The giant anteater, also known as the ant bear, is a large insectivorous mammal native to Central and South America.
It is recognizable by its elongated snout, bushy tail, long foreclaws and distinctively coloured pelage. It feeds primarily on ants and termites, using its foreclaws to dig them up and its long, sticky tongue to collect them.
In the afternoon, you will travel on the Rupununi River to Simoni Lake, where you will likely find Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Bare-necked Fruitcrow and Spot-breasted Woodpecker.
Return to Karanambu Lodge in time for dinner. (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Overnight at Karanambu Lodge
Day 12
Fly to Georgetown and Sloth Island Nature Resort
On the first day, you will fly to Georgetown. Transfer to the town of Parika and join a boat to Sloth Island. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your hosts.
Settle into your accommodation after a long journey in Guyana's interior. Sloth Island Nature Resort is the perfect place to unwind.
You may also take a kayak to nearby coves and bays, swim in the cooling Essequibo river, or relax and play board games.
(Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Overnight at Sloth Island Nature Resort
Day 13
Harpy Eagle/Parrott Island and Marshall Falls
Early morning birding tour on Sloth island's nature trails. After breakfast, enjoy an expedition to search for wildlife and the often spotted Harpy Eagle.
We will go further to the mainland to visit the village of Amerindian Falmouth. Here we may witness the cassava bread-making demonstration, talk to the villagers and enjoy a trek along the old logging trail.
After lunch, we will boat to Marshall Falls for a dip in the gushing water. Return in the afternoon and enjoy a tour of Parrot Island.
Return in time for dinner. (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Overnight at Sloth Island Nature Resort
Day 14
Transfer to Georgetown
Transfer to Georgetown and enjoy a city tour.
Overnight in Georgetown
Day 15
Depart Guyana
Transfer to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for departing flight home.
- Accommodation
- Internal flights
- Transfers between airports and hotels
- Listed hotels and hotel taxes
- Activities as described and admission charges where applicable
- River and land transfers
- Listed lodges with full board and other meals as indicated
- Local guides
- Local beverages.
International airfare, airport/departure taxes, gratuities, optional excursions, and travel insurance.
Items you should bring:
- Raincoat/poncho
- Hats
- Suntan lotion
- Insect repellent
- Malaria tabs (not necessary but reasonable to have anyway)
- Head torch
- Waterproof bags for passports and important documents, money, etc.
- Breathable hiking boots (high top)
- Sneakers/trainers for other locations and indoors
- Long sleeve shirts for colder nights and protection against insects and the sun
- Short sleeve cotton shirts for warmer days in the city and some lodges
- Short cotton pants for warmer days
- Small backpack(s) for separating luggage for interior travel
Note: Luggage should not exceed more than 10 kilos for internal trips. Any extra weight will incur an additional cost of USD 0.75 per pound.
PLEASE NOTE
- Hotel upgrade at extra cost.
- Tour information and prices are subject to change without notice.
- Hotels and lodges are subject to availability.
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