About this trip
A challenging and rewarding exploration of one of the tallest and most powerful waterfalls in the world. Explore the rich gold mining region around the frontier town of Mahdia before setting off to tackle the Kaieteur Gorge. Marvel at the spectacular rainforest-covered mountains that tower over the gorge as you trek and take a small boat, crossing over Amatuk and Waratuk Falls on the journey. Conquer the steep trail to the top of Kaieteur Falls, which isn’t known as “Oh, my god” for nothing.
The rewards of this adventure are the breath-taking views of the falls and the likelihood you will have the entire area to yourself. It is hard to believe that such a natural wonder is still barely known and those tackling the gorge and staying overnight at the falls may encounter no other tourists. Every view point could be yours alone and you can explore paths that lead to the leking area of one of the Guiana Shield’s fantastic endemics, the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock.

Kaieteur Falls

Journey through Kaieteur George

Trekking the OMG Trail

Guianan Cock-of-the-rock

Golden frog

Kaieteur Swifts
Itinerary
Day 1 - Flight to Mahdia. Overnight Roger's Hotel.
Friday - The four-day adventure sets off from Georgetown by light aircraft, which passes over some of Guyana’s mightiest rivers, the Demerara, Essequibo and Mazaruni. The endless rainforest, stretching from horizon to horizon, is a testament to Guyana’s pristine environment and part of the Guiana Shield, one of the last four remaining intact large areas of rainforest left in the world.
Day 2 - Boat ride, rapids and hiking in the Kaieteur Gorge. Overnight at Tukiet Rest House.
Saturday - It’s an early start by 4x4 to the Potaro River where you will begin the journey up the Kaieteur Gorge. Mountains rise steeply from the gorge, with streams teeming down the mountainsides after rain. We head out by boat on the river and stop at a small island overlooking Amatuk Falls. Back on the river, we encounter Waratuk Falls and you can join in or observe as the team portage the boat over the falls before continuing upriver to Tukiet Falls and our overnight location.
Day 3 - Hike up the "Oh, my god" trail to the Kaieuer Plateu. Visit various viewing points over Kaieteur Falls. Overnight at Kaieteur Guesthouse.
Sunday - Today will be the biggest challenge with the trek up the mountain and conquering “Oh, my God”, the steepest part of the trail. On average this trek will take four to five hours, before bursting onto the plateau and your first full view of Kaieteur Falls from Johnson’s View. Kaieteur never fails to amaze visitors. Not just the 741-foot single drop but also the background of tepui mountains, untouched rainforest and regional endemics species. Explore the Giant Bromeliad forest, where giant tank bromeliads dominate and provide a life-long home to the Golden Frog, another endemic.
Day 4 - Morning coffee overlooking the falls, search for Guianan Cock-of-the-rock and aerial views of the falls. Overnight Cara Lodge.
Monday - Enjoy a coffee at the top of the falls, as you marvel at the gorge completely filled with mist. It’s hardly surprising that the gorge supports its micro-environment. As the sun burns off the mist, it reveals the eternal rainbow that clings over the falls, adding yet another magical dimension to the experience. Just a few minutes walk from the mouth of the falls, is a lek site where it is possible to observe the brilliantly orange coloured male Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. The males display in the lek area for the drab coloured females, watching on from the trees.
Trip Information
Length of trip | 4 Days / 3 Nights |
Tour suitable for | Persons with a good fitness level who enjoy hiking, adventure, wildlife, nature and pristine environments. |
Minimum # of passengers | 2 |
Maximum # of passengers | 10 |
Minimum age recommended | 14 Years |
Language of guides | English |
Transportation | Transportation on this journey includes cars, mini bus, light aircraft, 4x4 vehicles and boats. |
Accommodation | Guests are accommodated in a mix of a heritage house hotel, hotel and simple guest houses |
Meals | The tour includes 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners |
Guyana
Climate
Current time
Timezone
Religions
Languages
Currency
- Guyana dollars
Kaieteur Falls | Guianan Cock-of-the-rock |
Trail walks | Forest walking |
River boat trips | Mountain hikes |
Wildlife spotting | A journey off the beaten path |
Bird watching |
Caribbean Airlines
American Airlines
LIAT
Copa Airlines
Suriname Airways
Aruba Airways
Jet Blue
VISA
The following countries do not need a visa: Commonwealth countries, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. Visa requirements should be checked as requirements can change at any time.
Wilderness Explorers can assist in obtaining permission for a visa on arrival at an additional fee. However, the granting of visas remains at the discretions of the Ministry of Citizenship.
YOUR SAFETY
Our number one priority is your safety and welfare. We always get the question is Guyana safe? Like any big city, Georgetown has areas that are to be avoided by visitors. But we only use hotels that have good standards and are safe. Most of the time in Georgetown you will be accompanied by our experienced guides and drivers who live in the city. During your free time if you want to visit a bar or restaurant in the evening we recommend a taxi, which is inexpensive. Your hotel will be happy to call one for you.
Once out of Georgetown and into what we call the interior, it is a different scenario. You will be in areas with small villages where everyone greets you with a smile and you will be perfectly safe. Some lodges don’t even have locks on the doors as there is no need. There will always be an experienced guide close by to accompany you on your excursions and bring the rainforest and savannah to life and share their knowledge and experience.
Generally, you will find the Guyanese people extremely friendly and only too willing to help you enjoy their country.
VACCINATIONS
Malaria - Many of the areas you visit in Guyana’s interior will have no malaria. However, it is recommended to take malaria Prophylactics as a precaution on some trips. Please consult your physician before your departure. All beds in the interior have mosquito nets, and on camping trips, hammocks with specially fitted mosquito nets are provided. It is advisable to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and long trousers at night. The mosquitoes are often more prevalent at dusk and dawn.
Yellow Fever - A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers coming from or transiting from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission. Vaccination must be undertaken at least 10 days before travel to, or through Suriname. Suriname recognizes the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is valid for life starting 10 days after vaccination. Children over 1 year of age are required to have a vaccination certificate. Travellers should carry their vaccination card (Yellow Fever) with them at all times.
CLOTHING
In the interior wear casual, comfortable clothing. A shirt with a collar helps protect you from the sun, and a hat and sunglasses are vital. During the day shorts and shirt are fine. In the evening you would want long trousers and a shirt with long sleeves. There is no need to dress up in the interior. You can leave any travel or city clothes in your city hotel or with our office when you are travelling around the interior.
Footwear - Comfortable walking shoes or boots and sandals.
Included | Not Included |
Airport transfers | Items of personal nature |
Double or twin accommodation | International flights |
Meals as listed | Alcoholic drinks |
Snacks | Departure tax |
Water | Visas |
All road & river transfers | Hiking and camping equipment |
Internal flights | |
Activities as described | |
Expert local guides | |
Value Added Tax | |
Kaieteur National Park Fee |
At all times the decision of the company or its representative will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety, well being and enjoyment of the tour. Clients must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited. Should the client fail to comply with the above or commit any illegal act when on tour or, if in the company’s opinion, the client behaviour causes or is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate that client’s travel arrangements without any liability on the company’s part.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
The client must be in possession of a valid passport (valid 6 months past the return date), visa (where necessary), permits and certificates including vaccinations certificates, insurance policies required for the journey – the client accepts the responsibility of obtaining these. Any information or advice given by the company on visas, vaccinations, clothing, special equipment, baggage, climate, etc. is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
CONDITION RESTRAINTS
You have selected a tour that is, in part, in remote areas. This adds to the adventure and opportunity to enjoy a true nature experience. However, due to the nature of the terrain, weather, road conditions, and other elements beyond our control, some elements of tours may have to be altered. Times of some activities may need to change or even cancelled due to the conditions. If an activity is cancelled it will be replaced with an alternative activity that is more appropriate for the conditions. Advance notice will be given for any changes where possible, although at times changes may be made whilst the tour is in progress.
WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
With any trip involving wildlife, it is impossible to guarantee a sighting, but each trip is designed around known habitats. Wilderness Explorers will make every effort to ensure a sighting, but cannot be held responsible if no sighting is made due to the wildlife itself, weather, or any other elements beyond our control.
LOCAL CULTURE
Many of the areas to be visited are remote and cultures of the people most likely different from what you are accustomed to. These communities welcome visitors under the conditions that their customs, habits and rituals are respected at all times. Wilderness Explorers will endeavour to provide appropriate guidance to visitors as to correct behaviour whilst in these communities. The company reserves the right to cancel a visitor’s tour, at any time, should their behaviour be inappropriate and offensive to the local communities.
ACCEPTANCE OF RISK & RESPONSIBILITY
Nature and adventure travel is by character, an activity that requires travelling in areas that are often remote and the terrain difficult. Whilst every precaution is taken to ensure the comfort and safety of our customers, these trips do have elements of risk. By taking part in this tour you acknowledge that there are inherent risks and that you are fully aware of the conditions of travel, accommodation and activities offered. You accept that Wilderness Explorers, its staff and sub-contractors cannot be held liable for any accident, illness or similar occurrence. You hereby accept all such risk and release the company from all claims and causes of action arising from any injuries or damages resulting from these inherent risks.
FORCE MAJEURE
The company will do its best to minimise the effects of matters outside its control but cannot accept liability of these matters which include political disputes, industrial action, refusal of visas, border closures, unforeseeable climatic events, epidemics and pandemics, delayed or cancelled flights etc. Wilderness Explorers may change, modify, rebook or cancel a trip for defined force majeure events
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is the client’s responsibility to obtain adequate personal travel insurance. This insurance should, at a minimum, cover personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation expenses. It is recommended that the coverage extends to include loss of effects, curtailment, cancellation and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the client.
PAYMENT
All rates are quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Rates are correct at the time of publishing, but are subject to change without notice. Due to fluctuating world fuel prices, internal airfares cannot be guaranteed and the rate is therefore subject to change. Every effort will be made to maintain the quoted rate. A deposit of 20% is required to confirm any booking and balance of payment is due 30 days before commencement of the trip.
CANCELLATION BY THE CLIENT
Any cancellation by the client must be in writing and acknowledged by Wilderness Explorers. The date on which the correspondence is received will determine the loss of any monies applicable.
• Cancelled more than 90 days before arrival - full refund, less any money transfer fees.
• Cancelled 60 to 90 days before arrival - 5% administration fee.
• Cancelled 41 to 59 days before arrival – 20%
• Cancelled 31 to 40 days before arrival - 50%.
• Cancelled 2 to 30 days before arrival or no show - 100%.
RESPONSIBILITY
All services are organised by Wilderness Explorers. Notice is hereby given that all arrangements made on behalf of customers are made by the organisers on the sole condition that the organisers shall not be held responsible for any injury, death, accident, delay, loss, damage or irregularity which may be occasioned through acts of any company and /or persons engaged in carrying out the arrangements and Wilderness Explorers acts as an agent for transport companies, hotels and other contractors and shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur, including, but not limited to, any defect in a vehicle or any other form of conveying a traveller, acts of God, detention, delays or expenses arising from quarantine, strike, riots, theft, force majeure, civil disturbance, government restrictions or regulation, accident by aircraft, boat, bicycle, motor vehicle or any other form of transport or in any hotel, resort, ranch, guest house, camp or other forms of accommodation.
SEVERABILITY
In the event that any term or condition contained herein is unenforceable or void by operation of law or as being against public policy or for any other reason then such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this Agreement or amend accordingly only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining terms and conditions to survive and continue as binding.
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