Arrive in Guyana and transfer to Georgetown. (B,L,D)


From the airport at nearby Ogle we’ll fly by chartered aircraft over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rain forest to land at Kaieteur, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall. Though Venezuela’s Angel Falls are greater in total height, their filamentous drop occurs by stages whereas Kaieteur is a single, massive, thundering cataract 100 meters wide created as the Potaro River makes a sheer drop of 228 meters, nearly five times the height of Niagara. The spectacle is the more impressive for its remoteness and it is altogether possible that we’ll be the only persons viewing it. Here we will hope to find White-chinned and White-tipped Swifts swirling over the gorge, and perhaps we’ll be lucky enough to see the astonishingly colorful Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock. Taking off again, we’ll continue to the Brazilian border and Orinduik Falls, where the Ireng River thunders over steps and terraces of solid jasper, a semi precious stone. With a backdrop of the rolling grass covered hills of the Pakaraima Mountains, this is truly one of the most beautiful locations in Guyana’s hinterland. (B,L)


0915hrs transfer to Ogle Airstrip once again for a flight over the rain forest to the Rupununi Savannah and land at Annai, where we’ll transfer to a four-wheel drive and travel northward to the Amerindian community of Surama. The village is set in five square miles of savannah and surrounded by the densely forested Pakaraima Mountains. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their forebears. Our accommodations will be in the Eco Lodge, and our meals will feature excellent local produce. (B,L,D)


We’ll arise before dawn to walk across the savannah and make the easy ascent of Surama Mountain in the cool of the morning. Breakfast will be served at a point overlooking the village, whilst looking for Pearl Kite, White-tailed and Savannah Hawk, and with a broad prospect of savannahs and the rounded peaks of the Pakaraima’s. We’ll return to the village for lunch. Later, as the afternoon begins to cool off, we’ll make our way on foot through the rain forest to the Burro Burro River, where we’ll spend the night in a hammock camp at Carahaa Landing. (B,L,D)


Wed: Soon after daybreak we’ll set out on the river for a quiet and skillfully guided paddle, hearing the voices of many birds singing in near darkness in the forest, and seeing many of them later when the light grows stronger. We’ll also search the banks for such mammals as Giant River Otter, Tapir, Tayra and Black Spider Monkey. After returning to the village for lunch, we’ll leave Surama by 4x4 Land Cruiser and travel north through the rain forest stopping at a trail we’ll hope to find Guianan Cock-of-the Rock at a locality where the birds are known to display and nest. The journey continues onto the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. Here we can bird watch from the vantage of 35 Metres up in the canopy. After dinner we return to the walkway to experience the canopy at night. (B,L,D)


This morning welcome the dawn chorus from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. Then transfer by 4x4 along the trail where there is a good chance to see the elusive Jaguar. The Iwokrama forest is rapidly gaining an international reputation for its healthy jaguar populations that seem not to be troubled by the appearance of curious humans. No promises, but many have been lucky! Eventually we reach the Essequibo River and the Iwokrama River Lodge. We then set out by boat for half an hour or less to the foot of Turtle Mountain. Here we’ll explore the trail for a few hours, visiting Turtle Ponds and climbing to an elevation of about 900 feet for a spectacular view of the forest canopy below. On the return trip we’ll visit Fair View, a nearby Amerindian village and in late afternoon we’ll take a walk on Screaming Piha Trail near the Field Station. Finally, after dark, we’ll set out on the river once more, in hopes of finding one or another of its four species of caiman, and listening for the voices of nocturnal birds. (B,L,D)


Making another early start, we’ll embark on the Essequibo and circumnavigate nearby Indian House Island, before returning to the Field Station for breakfast. We then depart with a packed lunch, travelling to a locality known as Mori Scrub, characterized by an unusual low, sandy forest. This supports an interesting assemblage of bird species, among them Rufous-crowned Elaenia, Black Manakin and Red-shouldered Tanager. In the afternoon we’ll travel by 4x4 Land Cruiser back toward the Rupununi and Annai, its northernmost community. The Rupununi Savannah is to Guyana what the Gran Sabana is to Venezuela, an extensive area of grassland with termite mounds and scattered or riparian woodland. It differs in that much of it is devoted to cattle raising, though the large ranches are not very productive. Indeed, one can travel for hours without seeing a domestic animal of any sort. Needless to say, the birdlife here is markedly different from that of the rain forest . (B,L,D)


With its tropical gardens and flowering trees, our lodge resembles an oasis in the savannah, and attracts many species of birds, particularly nectar feeders and frugivores. Nearby patches of light forest are home to certain antbirds and flycatchers, and of course the grasslands support an avifauna of their own. We’ll explore the area on foot, and as the afternoon cools we’ll travel a short distance for birdwatching in the Pakaraima foothills. (B,L,D)


This morning we’ll travel by 4x4 across the savannah to Ginep Landing and the Rupununi River, where we’ll embark for travel upstream to Karanambu Ranch. This is the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work rehabilitating orphaned Giant River Otters. Our birdwatching here will be largely in woodland patches or gallery forest along the river where we’ll hope to find such species as Spotted Puffbird, Striped Woodcreeper and Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin. When water levels are appropriate a wooded swamp near the ranch is the site of a surprisingly large colony of Boat-billed Herons, and at any season the river and airstrip provide habitat for no fewer than eight species of nightjars. (B,L,D)


Birdwatching from daybreak to nightfall or later, we’ll devote this entire day to exploring Karanambu and its varied habitats, traveling by boat to certain localities up and downstream, and by Land Rover to one or another forest patch. Double-striped Thick-knees are among the sparse inhabitants of the grasslands, and at widely scattered ponds we may find concentrations of storks and other waterbirds. (B,L,D)


Birdwatching from daybreak to nightfall or later, we’ll devote this entire day to exploring Karanambu and its varied habitats, traveling by boat to certain localities up and downstream, and by Land Rover to one or another forest patch. Double-striped Thick-knees are among the sparse inhabitants of the grasslands, and at widely scattered ponds we may find concentrations of storks and other waterbirds. (B,L,D)


After some early morning birdwatching near the ranch buildings we’ll fly back to Georgetown and transfer by bus and travel south along the Demerara River. For a boat for a trip along the Demerara River to Timehri, the boat then turns into the Kamuni River where overhanging vegetation has stained the water a deep black colour and the chill air is relieved by intermittent bursts of sunlight. The boat will wind through thick rain forest and then savannah before entering the Pokerero Creek and the Amerindian reserve of Santa. The river system is the only means of travel here, and you may see families transporting their farm produce to market or canoeing to the village church. The area is also rich in bird and wild life, and the lucky visitor may catch a glimpse of monkeys in the trees or a toucan gliding overhead. We then stop at the Amerindian village of Santa Mission, which is an Amerindian village of the Arawak and Carib tribes, the residents welcome visitors and often will stop to talk or even invite you into their homes. You will be able to experience village life and see and purchase local handi craft made from materials of the rain forest . Then it is a 15 minute boat ride to Arrowpoint Nature Resort, where you will be greeted by the friendly staff offering a welcome drink. Receive an orientation talk on the resort and surroundings. Arrowpoint Nature Resort’s surroundings offer a variety of habitats: open grassy marsh, scattered stands of moriche palm and fairly tall sandbelt forest. The resort has an ample trail system and additionally the attractive option of birdwatching by boat along peaceful stretches of water upstream. This afternoon you can relax, swim, take a pedal boat out on the creek, try a spot of fishing. Or journey through the rain forest by mountain bike or hiking to Maburi Junction and more opportunity to observed wildlife including a visit to the Bell Bird calling site. The staff will demonstrate the cassava bread making Amerindian style and you will be able to taste the bread when finished. (this Demo is dependent on availability of cassava crop). Tonight dinner will be served on the beach. When the sun goes down, the beach is transformed into a festival of lights provided by traditional mounted flambé and a spectacular large bonfire. An indigenous atmosphere is created as a mouth watering three course dinner is served buffet style on the beach. After dinner enjoy a night walk through the dark jungle trails with your own head lamp (provided by resort) and experienced local guide. This is a unique opportunity to experience the other side of the tropical rain forest . The deep beauty of the tropical night comes alive with vast numbers of fire flies sparkling through the trees as the different colors eyes of the night creatures light up the jungle night. For your return journey you will paddle along the dark waters of the creek which will surprisingly become nearly transparent as you look into it with your head lamp and the colorful eyes of the marine life looks back at you. Overnight at Arrowpoint Nature Resort. BLD (B,L,D)


he adventure continues today with the option of early morning fishing or Birdwatching. After breakfast free to enjoy activities such as Surf Biking, Canoeing, Swimming, Cricket - Soft Ball, Volleyball, Football and Archery (Arrow & Bow). The trails vary in difficulty and are all located in the jungle and will take you through areas of wilderness for many miles, passing along the way isolated Amerindian dwellings. There is also the option of various levels of mountain biking. The staff will demonstrate the cassava bread making Amerindian style and you will be able to taste the bread when finished. (this Demo is dependent on availability of cassava crop). (B,L,D)


After watching the day come over the vast expanse of the river, we’ll board a powerful motorboat and travel down to Arrowpoint Marina, then by vehicle to Georgetown. In the afternoon we’ll take a tour of the city to see its extraordinary wooden architecture and to shop in its exciting markets and craft shops. We’ll conclude at the extensive and beautiful Botanic Garden, where, if we are lucky, the trip’s ornithological finale will be Blood-colored Woodpecker, an astonishingly colorful Veniliornis found only in the Guianas and even there almost wholly limited to the narrow coastal plain. (B)