Fly into Guyana's Chedi Jagan International airport from Barbados, Trinidad, New York, or Toronto.


Today enjoy a trip to Kaieteur Falls and Orinduik Falls. (B,L)


0915hrs transfer to Ogle Airstrip for a flight across the rainforest to Annai. Lunch at Rock View Lodge and then transfer by 4x4 vehicle or 4x4 Bedford Truck (converted with forward facing seats and canopy) to Iwokrama River Lodge. The Iwokrama Rainforest is a vast wilderness of one million acres. This protected area was established in 1996 as the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development. The Iwokrama Forest is in the heart of one of four last untouched tropical forests of the world - The Guiana Shield of North-Eastern South America. Iwokrama was established as a living laboratory for tropical forest management because the unsustainable utilisation of these forests will result in the extinction of half the world's plant and animal species and unknown changes to global climate. This is a protected area with a difference - the full involvement of people. Iwokrama is exceptional among conservation organizations because it joins with local people in every aspect of its work. From research to business, Iwokrama ensures local economic and social benefits from forest use and conservation. The Forest is in the homeland of the Makushi people, who have lived here and used the forest for thousands of years. The success of Iwokrama relies on the ownership of local people and the combined skills of specialists and communities. Iwokrama does what so many International conventions have acknowledged as best practice. It has begun conservation locally and integrated conservation into national development. After lunch an Iwokrama Ranger or manager will give you a brief overview of Iwokrama and the work they are conducting along with a tour of the facilities. Afternoon free to explore the trails near the River Lodge. Finally, after dark, we’ll set out on the river, in hopes of finding one or another of its four species of caiman, and listen for nightbirds such as Spectacled Owl, or Blackish Nightjar. You most certainly snakes including Cox boa, tree frogs and if lucky maybe some mammals. Maybe even a puma or capybara. Dinner at the River Lodge. (B,L,D)


Making an early start we will embark on the Essequibo and circumnavigate Indian House Island giving us a chance for dawn song on the river before returning to the River Lodge for breakfast. After breakfast, you will leave the river lodge for the journey to Turtle Mountain, and an exhilarating climb up the mountain to its summit at 935ft (approx. 360m). It takes 1 3/4hrs to walk up the mountain, but the effort is more than worth it for the breathtaking views over the forest canopy when you get there and chances of Green Aracari, White Bellbird or a fly-by of one of five types of Eagles. This trail is also a great location for seeing Black Spider Monkey and Red Howler Monkey and if we are very lucky even a Jaguar. This pristine forest offers huge buttress trees and the endemic Greenheart, a highly sought after hardwood. Return to the River Lodge for lunch. As the afternoon cools you set out on a boat trip to visit Kurupukari Falls to see the Amerindian petroglyphs (dependent on the water level). Then visit the small Amerindian village of Fair View where you can experience the process and use of cassava, the staple of the Amerindian diet. We will visit the Butterfly Farm where butterflies are bred for export. (B,L,D)


After a pre-dawn breakfast we depart by vehicle to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. This transfer is through the heart of the Iwokrama Forest; 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! Along the road, we will watch for the myriad of bird species that frequent the forest edge. This road is the only north – south access in Guyana and links the country to Brazil. Even so traffic is only very occasional and wildlife is often seen along the road. The journey concludes at the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway where we can bird watch from the vantage of 35 metres up in the canopy. From this tree top vantage you can sometimes see Red Howler Monkeys and Black Spider Monkeys. The trails also have an interpretative walk with the trees named and you can learn about their varied uses in the Macushi culture. Deer and agouti are also regular visitors to the lodge. We will then travel to a rainforest trail to a special locality where Guianan Cock-of-the-rock are known to display and nest. This trail is through interesting forest and the guides can show the use of the plants. We will then continue on to the Amerindian community at Surama. The village of Surama is situated in a small savannah, deep in the rainforest and surrounded by forest clad hills. It was here that Charles Waterton passed through in 1812 in search of the secrets of the useful Wourali poison known as Curare. Waterton was so stunned by this spot that he wrote in his memoirs “The finest park that England boasts falls short of this delightful scene”. On our arrival, we will receive a warm welcome from the local people and will be shown to our basic accommodation. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their forebears. After a rest, we might choose to explore the surrounding habitats. Birds characteristic of the Rupununi savannah, such as Fork-tailed Flycatchers and Grassland Sparrow can be seen well, whilst it hopefully won’t be too long before our attention is drawn to the far-carrying growling song of the bizarre Capuchin bird. The skilled local guides sometimes know of the territories of these canopy-dwelling birds, their bald heads and strange hump-shouldered appearance an unforgettable sight if we are lucky enough to latch onto them. 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. As the afternoon cools a local guide will escort you for a short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life. See the forest through the eyes of your indigenous guide and learn about the medicinal plants and their uses in the Amerindian culture. Tonight enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark. (B,L,D)


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 along the trail.Breakfast will be served at a lookout point which affords incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. Later this morning we will visit Daniel and Paulette Allicock, to learn about their lifestyle. Daniel has continued the Macushi tradition of making bows and arrows, if there are materials available we will see him at work. We will enjoy lunch with them Daniel and Paulette. This afternoon we will 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. (B,L,D)


After breakfast we will depart Surama by 4x4 for 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 bird and wildlife here is markedly different from that of the rainforest. We eventually arrive at Rock View Lodge, 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. Nearby forest patches are home to Amazonian Scrub Flycatcher, and a variety of antbirds. This afternoon take an orientation tour to view the farm, orchards, carpenters centre, shop and more. Then relax in the beautiful gardens or by the lovely swimming pool with a rum. (B,L,D)


Saturday After breakfast transfer by 4x4 vehicle along the road through the savannah and at the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. Jabiru Stork and Toco Toucan are often seen along this stretch of road, as are Red Howler and Spider Monkey. From Ginep Landing we take a boat trip on the Rupununi River to Karanambu Ranch. Depending on the river level, this trip offers an excellent opportunity to look for Giant Otters as there are several family groups which live along this stretch of the Rupununi River. The journey ends at Karanambu Ranch, the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned, giant river otters. Diane and her otters have appeared on National Geographic, Jeff Corwin Experience, Really Wild Show (BBC) and the Calgary’s “Zoo World”. Karanambu has a long history of visiting naturalists and Diane’s father, Tiny McTurk, has welcomed David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell (Three Singles to Adventure). Diane sometimes has resident orphaned otters and you can help her as she tends to them. Late in the afternoon we will travel by boat to look for wild Giant River Otters and as dusk falls to the ponds to see the giant Victoria Regis waterlily, bloom at dusk. On the return trip we will spotlight for Black Caiman and birds and creatures of the night. Dinner with Diane will include stories on the history of the family and the Rupununi Savannahs. (B,L,D)


Sunday Diane sometimes has resident orphaned otters and you can observe 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. If you are interested in birdwatching you can explore woodland patches or gallery forest along the river where we’ll hope to find such species as Spotted Puffbird, Striped Woodcreeper, Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Golden-spangled Piculet, Bearded Tachuri and Capuchinbird. When water levels are appropriate a wooded swamp near the ranch is the site of a surprisingly large colony of Boat-billed Herons, as well as several species of Egrets, Anhingas and Wattled Jacarnas. A feature bird for the area is Agami Heron. An evening visit to Crane Pond to see hundreds of Ibis, Anhinga, Heron and Egret roosting is a highlight. (B,L,D)


This morning travel out onto the savannah to search for a Giant Anteater. Explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima. After breakfast transfer by vehicle to Lethem. Pickup by Dadanawa vehicle. Meet your guide, an experienced adventurer and naturalist Duane DeFreitas or one of his representatives. Travel by 4x4 southward breaking the journey to look at some marshy ponds near Makusi Village for Buff-necked and Sharp-tailed Ibis, Grassland Yellow-finch and White-headed Marsh Tyrant before continuing toward Dadanawa Ranch a cluster of raised wooden buildings surmounted by a towering Brazil nut tree and more or less surrounded by low gallery forest along the Rupununi River. This is the largest ranch in Guyana, covering 1700 square miles. Your guide will give you an orientation tour of the ranch. (B,L,D)


Leaving by Land Rover we’ll make an all-day trip to some of the ranch’s outstations and several extraordinarily beautiful sites, with lightly forested mountainsides and high, black domes. We should see a variety of raptors including a variety of hawks and caracaras and other open country birds like White-throated Kingbird, Red shouldered Macaw and Yellowish Pipit but our particular object will be Red Siskin, recently found to occur here. Our route may also permit us to visit a “bush island”, or isolated patch of heavier forest, most importantly looking for Jaguar. We can also spend some time with the vacquero’s doing their normal ranching duties. (B,L,D)


After an early breakfast transfer by vehicle to Lethem, for TGA scheduled flight to Georgetown. This afternoon enjoy a Georgetown City Tour. This evening enjoy a Heritage Dinner in the Ballet Room at Cara Lodge with a local guest speaker. (B,L,D)


Transfer to the airport for GUM AIR flight to Zorg-en-Hoop departing Georgetown at 1000hrs and arriving at 1215hrs, pickup and transfer to a Hotel Torarica. The short drive to our hotel near the town's center reveals why Parimaribo was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site: striking Dutch wooden buildings in various states of refurbishment (or disrepair) are seen at every turn, giving Parimaribo a distinctive, historical look and feel. This afternoon we take you on a Paramaribo City tour, by bus and on foot you will visit one of the most attractive cities of South America, Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname with its magnificent architecture. During this tour you will visit the Palm Gardens, the Waterfront and the Central Market. Naturally, you will also see the many historical buildings like the recently renovated Presidential Palace, the Mosque and Synagogue next to each other and the magnificent Hindi Temple. Overnight in a Standard room at Hotel Torarica. B (B)


This morning transfer to the local airport for a chartered flight to Kayana airstrip, approximately 60 minutes southwards by airplane from Paramaribo. Upon arrival a hearty welcome from the Maroons who will guide you to the dugout canoe for a trip on the Gran Rio River, past the farthest village in the area, to your holiday destination. Awarradam Jungle Lodge located on a small island, at the foot of the Awarradam Rapids, is reached after a 30 minute journey by dugout canoe. After your check-in and meeting with the personnel at the jungle lodge, you will enjoy lunch after which, in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to explore the resort and relax in the rapids. You will soon discover the eco tourism starting points of our resort: the personnel consists of friendly Maroons from the Saramaccan tribe and your jungle lodge is built in the traditional style. The cool evenings make air-conditioning or a fan redundant but you will enjoy the comfort of a mosquito net. The evenings are spent in an atmospheric ambiance with kerosene lamps and the meals are prepared in the local manner with primarily local ingredients. On your first night the guide will provide information about the Saramaccan culture. (B,L,D)


After breakfast, we take you on an informative and adventurous “jungle walk”. While you are enjoying the environment in the pristine tropical rainforest, the guide provides information about the various trees and plants and how you can recognize animals by their sounds and footmarks. After a sturdy walk back at the jungle lodge, lunch will be served after which you have the opportunity to enjoy leisure time by swimming in the rapids, peddle in a dugout canoe or relax in a hammock. In the afternoon, departure by dugout canoe to Stonhuku, the farthest village in the living area of the Saramaccan, followed by a walk in the jungle via various villages to Kayana village. During this trip you have the opportunity to get to know the local people, their culture and lifestyle. Upon arrival in Kayana, meet and greet by the village authority and invitation to enjoy dinner and a performance of cultural singing and dancing. The guide will explain the songs and the dancers will greatly appreciate it if you try out their dance style yourself! After the cultural evening, departure by dug out canoe, for the return trip, under the starry sky, to Awarradam. Overnight at Awarradam Jungle Lodge. BLD (B,L,D)


A full day for an adventurous trip on the river awaits you. After breakfast, all necessary goods for the trip are loaded in the dug out canoe and you depart to Gran Dam, the largest rapid, north of Kayana. You have the opportunity to relax in the magnificent seething rapids, take beautiful walks in the area and more adventurous travelers may try to prove themselves in the rapids (depending on the water level). After enjoying this impressive morning, lunch served on location will be the perfect closing of the trip. During the return trip, you will get a chance to see some of the animal inhabitants of the forest such as the howler monkey or arras, parrots or toucans flying over. Maybe you will even see a crocodile basking in the sun on one of the riverbanks. (B,L,D)


Morning free with opportunity to paddle in a dug out canoe, swim or take a short walk in the forest or just relax and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the rainforest. The personnel will say goodbye to you in their traditional manner. You will depart with the dug out canoe to Kayana for your lunch and return flight to Paramaribo. (B,L,D)


Breakfast at the hotel. Today we cross the bridge over the Suriname River and drive into district Commewijne for an idea of how life must have been on the plantations during their booming period in the colonial times. Most plantations are now no longer active. We make our first stop at Meerzorg, formerly the cross-over site from Paramaribo to Commewijne, which was once a coffee plantation. We continue our trip towards the open-air museum at Nieuw Amsterdam. Then continue to Mariënburg, a former sugar plantation to view a stylish plantation residence from the golden days, and where the first group of Javanese indentured laborers were put to work. We drive further along the old plantations of Ellen, Leliëndaal and Alkmaar and we enjoy a delicious lunch in a typical Javanese restaurant (warung) in Tamanredjo. After lunch, we visit Plantation Peperpot, this former plantation is one of the oldest plantations in Surinamese history. Peperpot was established by the English and already existed before Suriname was conquered by the natives from Zeeland under command of Abraham Crijnssen in 1667. This is one of the last plantations still in its former original state. On the plantation you can still see coffee and cocoa plants as well as an ancient shed and factory, the manager’s residence and a kampong (workers’ living area). Peperpot is renowned for the many birds which can be spotted. We continue our tour to the pier at Nieuw Amsterdam where we will be picked up for the Sunset Dolphin tour. While having a drink we enjoy the cool breeze and river views. Meanwhile the captain searches the horizon for the dolphins. Normally we see them swim by in groups of up to 20 dolphins. Sometimes they’re very curious and if we are lucky they will jump and play close to the boat. After having enjoyed this playful company we part for former plantation Johan and Margaretha where we will enjoy freshly made local snacks like barra, baka bana or eggroll while experiencing the beautiful sunset. All this takes place in a relaxing atmosphere of the old plantation village on a wooden deck near the waterfront of the Commewijne River. After the sun has set we will get back on board, pour you another drink, and slowly make our way back to Leonsberg. (B,L)


Breakfast at the hotel. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so we make an early start to comfortably pace ourselves through the journey. The first leg of our travels takes us eastbound along Suriname's coastal road, a throughway that is intermittently getting a much-needed facelift, ultimately delivering us to the unassuming Albina border station. Formalities here rarely take more than a few minutes, and soon we find ourselves in a Piaka canoe crossing the Maroni river headed for French Guiana... or "Guyane" as it is frequently (and confusingly) called locally. Arrival at St. Laurent du Maroni is relatively uncomplicated, and our French guide will be on hand to help us navigate the usual customs and immigration formalities. French Guyana is a Department of France, so technically you have entered the EU upon landing here. And, evidence of this connection to the "1st world" is immediately evident: every car seems to be a late-model Mercedes, Volkswagen, or Peugeot, the roads are in near perfect condition, espresso coffee is on tap nearly everywhere, and the Euro is the currency of choice. We make a brief visit to the well-preserved Transportation Center here in St. Laurent. The facility once served as the transit point for slaves and indentured servants imported from overseas and destined for plantations throughout South America and the Caribbean. A hard-to-miss curiosity just offshore is the British steamer Edith Cavel shipwreck, so overgrown with trees and shrubs that it could be mistaken for a natural island. It partially sank in bad weather in 1924. We then continue onto Cayenne and enjoy a mini city tour. Cayenne, is the administrative and commercial center of French Guiana. At the same time, it is a typical creole town with about 50,000 inhabitants, half of the entire population of the country. The Fort Cépérou, the Place Léopold Heder, the hotel of the Jésuites, the Place de Grenoble, the Place des Palmistes, the colonial hospital, the Franconie Museum, the town hall and the city center are the gems of Cayenne. We will also visit the traditional market, full of exotic odors, as well as an opportunity for shopping. (B,L)


What is commonly referred to as “Devils Island” is really a triangle of three islands - Îles du Salut, or the Salvation Islands - seven miles off the coast of Kourou. This morning we transfer to Kourou to sail aboard a fine motorized catamaran towards our first stop, Île Saint-Joseph. The islands played a central role in French history as far back as 1792 when they were first employed as a transit point, first for explorers, then slaves and later for political prisoners. Île Saint-Joseph is the southernmost island and is home to the most striking incarceration facilities that made up this notorious penal colony. Île Royale is the site of the oldest buildings on the islands, featuring an old church, administration buildings, officers' quarters, and today, a good restaurant and lodging facilities. Ironically, the actual Île du Diable (Devil's Island) is inaccessible to visitors due to dangerous shoreline conditions. This is the island where the prison's best-known occupant, Alfred Dreyfus, was famously secluded. Your tour begins on Île St. Joseph which can be easily circumnavigated on foot in less than 2 hours. The prison buildings here are quite well preserved, and you can meander at will through the cell blocks, dormitory buildings, and other structures while taking photographs or simply soaking in the powerful ambience. The countless scenes of nature slowly but relentlessly reclaiming the land here are really quite remarkable... you'll lose count of how many tree roots you see growing out of one cell door and curving around to enter an adjacent cell. If your walking tour wraps up early, there are plenty of shady trees under which you can catch a cool breeze, or you can dip your toe in one of the shallow tidepools on the north side of the island. Lunch in the Auberge des Iles. Return to Kourou by Catamaran at 1800 and transfer in bus to hotel. Our day concludes at the Hotel des Roches, resting on a tiny finger of sand jutting into the Kourou River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The tower adjacent to the hotel, Dreyfus Tower, was a communication link to the Iles du Salut: its rocky perch serves as a perfect place to relax during sunset. (B,L)


Friday Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Kourou to the Center Spatiale Guyanaise (Guyana Space Center) for a tour. Launch schedules are a closely-held secret so our schedule today may be amended on short notice. The usual tour includes a motorcoach tour which criss-crosses the center's mammoth facility, including stops at various assembly buildings and control centers. The entire tour is offered in French, but your guide will supply translations as often as possible. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch transfer by vehicle for the Suriname border via St. Laurent de Maroni and cross by small boat. Transfer to Paramaribo. (B,L)


Transfer this morning to Pengel International Airport for your departure. (B)