About this trip
Deep in the highlands is the indigenous community of Paruima, the only Arecuna settlement in Guyana which offers a challenging but thrilling adventure trek up to about 4000 feet through rainforest into a highland savannah along the way visiting three spectacular waterfalls; Uchi Falls, Kamarang Falls and Panacema Falls.
You will sleep in hammock camps, swim in rivers rarely visited and float downriver through some of the most pristine rainforests in Guyana.
Paruima only has a population of about 500 with nearly half still speaking their native language, living in a mix of modern and traditional thatched roofed homes.
It is largely a farming and hunter-gatherer community with skilled bush knowledgeable villagers. The Arecuna are known for their unique basket weaving skills, wood skin canoes and hunting techniques including blowpipes and their unusual diet of Tuma, Kachiri (a fermented drink) and savannah termites.
You will spend time learning about the way of life in the community and listening to stories from the local hunters and guides as you embark on this physical and cultural adventure.
23 miles of hiking, 8 miles of rafting, 3 waterfalls, ascending to 4500 feet.
If you are looking for another tour, check this out.
Activities & Highlights
- Uchi Falls
- Panacema Falls
- Kamarang Falls
- Rafting
- Highland Savannahs and Tepuis
- Aracuna Culture
- Hiking
- Highland Termites
- Indigenous Community-owned and operated tourism product
Itinerary
Cara Lodge was built in the 1840s. It has a long and romantic history and was the home of the first Lord Mayor of Georgetown. Over the years, the property has been visited by many dignitaries including King Edward VIll who stayed at the house in 1923. Other dignitaries have included President Jimmy Carter, HRH King Charles III and Mick Jagger. This magnificent wooden colonial home turned hotel offers the tradition and nostalgia of a bygone era.
Overnight at Cara Lodge. (Check in time 1400hrs, Check out time 12midday)
Board aircraft and fly over tropical rainforest into the indigenous community of Paruima located in the highland region of Guyana.
Paruima is an Arecuna community with a population of about 500 persons of which about 45% still speak their native language. The community is made up of a combination of modern and traditional thatched roofed homes and has a strong Christian faith which is a result of English protestant missionaries converting the Arecuna at the end of the nineteenth century.
It is largely a farming and hunter-gatherer community with skilled and bush knowledgeable villagers. Arecuna are known for their unique basket weaving skills, wood skin canoes, hunting technique including the use of blowpipes and their unusual diet of Tuma, Kachiri - a fermented drink and savannah termites. You will spend the rest of the afternoon learning about the way of life in the community and listening to stories from the local hunters.
After dinner, you will meet with your lead guide to discuss the next day’s plans and activities.
Overnight at Paruima village Guesthouse. BLD
After an early breakfast, you will set out on the first leg of your journey, a 7.5-mile hike ascending to about 2000 feet to the top of a plateau continuing to your first campsite. This hike begins with a steep climb to the top of the plateau followed by moderately flat terrain through primary rainforest for the rest of the day's journey.
The region is unique for its tepuis, flat-top mountains which are the remains of mighty sandstone plateaus that once stretched across the entire area when it was joined to Africa in the super continent Pangea. With time the plateaus were eroded leaving only the tepuis as giant monuments to their existence. There are hundreds of tepuis of which only a few have been thoroughly explored, many of them are hidden by dense cloud cover for days at a time. Much of the plant and animal life atop the tepuis have evolved in isolation and is unique and endemic.
As night falls and the jungle comes alive you will have the opportunity to explore the array of unique bugs, spiders and other nocturnal critters with your guide.
Overnight at Forest Creek Camp in a basic tarp-covered hammock camp.
After breakfast, you will deconstruct your hammock camp and begin the second leg of your journey. Today you will embark on a 4.7-mile hike through the rainforest before emerging into vast open highland savannahs surrounded by Tepuis in the distance.
During your hike, you may come across wild animal tracks including Jaguars, Peccaries, Foxes and other large mammals which call these forests home. Upon arriving at your destination, you will have to cross the Kamarang River at the top of the Kamarang falls to reach your campsite.
You will spend the remainder of the day setting up your hammock camp and scouting out the Kamarang falls area. Overnight in a hammock camp at Kamarang Falls.
The many plateaus and tepuis in this region of Guyana allow for many spectacular waterfalls in close vicinity of each other. These form the main attraction to a backdrop of open highland savannahs dotted with patches of bush islands and tepuis rising in the distance.
After breakfast, you will pack up camp and begin your 4.4-mile journey across the highland savannah to Uchi Falls. There are some hilly forested areas and streams to wade through but this leg of the journey is flatter than the days before.
The hike takes you through a few termite mounds where your guide will demonstrate how to catch and preserve this protein-packed delicacy of the Arecuna people. This is a custom that has been practised for generations. From many areas along the path, you will be able to see both the Kamarang and Uchi Falls in the distance with the constant roaring sound that they produce in the background. The scene is quite surreal being the onlynon indigenous person in this vast remote landscape with an incredible backdrop of Tepuis all around. Venezuela is a short walk in the distance.
Tonight, you will be accommodated in a simple shack with basic amenities including a bed, nets and blankets situated on the Uchi Plateau overlooking the Uchi Falls and surrounding savannahs. You will spend the rest of the afternoon hiking to the top of the Uchi Falls with exceptional views of its gorge and surrounding rainforests. Overnight at Uchi Falls Campsite.
After a good night's rest, you will begin your 4-mile journey to the bottom of the gorge of Uchi Falls to an area that has only been visited by a handful of individuals. Your journey begins with a hike on the highland savannah where it ends at a cliff overlooking the vast dense rainforest. From here you will descend a steep path for about one hour to the junction where the Kamarang and Uchi rivers converge. From here you will follow a bush trail with your guide upstream to Uchi Falls. This area is damp and wet from the constant mist produced by the waterfalls.
Return to the Kamarang Uchi junction where you will board inflatable rafts with your guides who will navigate a route about 8 miles downstream. This route can be calm or very rough depending on the level of the water at that time. If the water is too high this route becomes impassable. The route includes some areas that are too dangerous to pass and will require portaging. One such area is at the Paracema Falls which is located about 4 miles from the village of Paruima. This is a smaller but more powerful waterfall since it is fueled by both Uchi and Kamarang.
After a short hike, you will arrive back in the village of Paruima.
Overnight at Paruima village Guesthouse.
Today, say goodbye to your guides as you join the scheduled flight to Eugene F. Correia International Airport.
Pickup and transfer from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Georgetown.
Overnight at Cara Lodge. BL (Check in time 1400hrs, Check out time 1200hrs midday)
Group Discount
| Minimum Persons | Price (USD)/Person |
|---|---|
| 10 Persons | $2,945 |
| 8 Persons | $3,775 |
| 6 Persons | $4,205 |
| 4 Persons | $4,295 |
| 2 Persons | $6,045 |
Inclusion
Included
- Airport transfers
- Double or twin accommodation
- Meals as listed
- All road & river transfers in Paruima
- Internal flights
- Activities as described
- Local guides
- Value Added Tax
- Hammocks
- Mosquito nets
Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks
- International flights
- Visas
- Items of personal nature
Terms & Conditions
AUTHORITY ON TOUR
At all times the decision of the company or its representative will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety, wellbeing 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’s 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 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 be changed 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 to 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, as 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 rate is therefore subject to change. Every effort will be made to maintain quoted rate. A deposit of 20% is required to confirm any booking and balance of payment is due 30 days prior to commencement of 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 prior to arrival – Full refund.
- Cancelled 60 to 90 days prior to arrival – 5% administration fee.
- Cancelled 41 to 59 days prior to arrival – 20%
- Cancelled 31 to 40 days prior to arrival – 50%.
- Cancelled 2 to 30 days prior to 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 travellers, 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 form 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.
Payment for a tour is taken as acknowledgement and acceptance of all of the above terms and conditions.
Essential Information
AIRLINE FUEL SURCHARGE NOTICE:
Please be advised that due to rising fuel costs linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, airlines are frequently adjusting their pricing. While we strive to maintain our quoted rates, we reserve the right to apply a fuel surcharge if airline costs increase prior to your departure. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these external market fluctuations.
Note: Passenger/s traveling on internal flights in Guyana are allowed a free baggage allowance of 20lbs/9.1KG exceeding this weight passenger/s will incur a cost of GY$300.00 (price subject to change) equivalent to US$ 2.00 per pound. Please note that additional baggage allowance is subject to availability and cannot be confirmed until day/time of check-in by the airline. We can book excess weight on your behalf but it is subject to being within the payload of the aircraft and at the discretion of the airline. Contact us for more information.
Your itinerary includes a US$5.00 per person voluntary guest contribution to the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana’s (THAG) Tourism Development Fund, which supports industry-wide improvements through capacity building, marketing and product development to make Guyana a world-class destination. By contributing, you directly support the people, places, and experiences that makes Guyana a special place to visit. While this is included in your total, it is entirely voluntary, and you may choose to opt out.
Packing List:
Clothing
· Long lightweight, fast-drying trousers for hiking (2 maximum)
· Long sleeve lightweight, fast-drying shirts for hiking (2 maximum) Short sleeves work as well but long sleeves protect you from bugs in the forest and the sun in the Savannahs
· Comfortable clothing for nights at the camps.
· A hat and sunglasses for when you are out in the Savannah
Footwear
· Flip-flops or sandals for nights at the camps.
· Comfortable, breathable hiking booths (or rubber booths) for hiking
· Long socks (2 pairs)
Luggage
· Comfortable backpacks for hiking (waterproof is HIGHLY recommended)
· Smaller day pack for exploring campsite and activities
- Hiking Poles
Other
· Flashlight or headlamp with batteries
· Water bottle preferably one with a built-in filter or water purification tablets
· Lip balm
· High protein bars or snacks or gummies
· A raincoat is recommended
Shared Items (Items you only need one of for the group)
· Sunscreen
· Bug sprays
· Antifungal Foot powder
DISCLAIMERS
FLIGHTS: Price and schedule of all domestic flights are subject to change by the airline.
BODY WEIGHTS : Please be advised all tour operators and customers must provide us with body weights of passengers booked to travel on tour to Guyana for all internal flights. Failure to provide us with this information or the incorrect information can cause delays to flights and inconvenience to other passengers and in some cases either passengers and/or luggage being taken off the flight. To ensure a holiday that is enjoyable and hassle free, it is imperative that passengers provide us with this information. We appreciate some people are sensitive about providing their body weights, but all customers and their baggage are weighed at check-in. This is procedure by the airline so as to ensure that the weight of the load is within the payload limit for the aircraft, and neither they nor Wilderness Explorers will compromise on safety. All passengers are subject to removal of themselves or luggage from the flight if over the weight they provided and/or over the baggage allowance. Passengers are advised to provide a body weight with clothing similar to that which they would expect to travel in on the flight. Wilderness Explorers cannot be held responsible for any passenger denied boarding or luggage not transported if they are over the weight provided. Weights supplied are provided to the airline in advance to ensure the flight is within the allowable payload.
A WORD ON VISAS : The requirement for a visa can change at any time and without notice. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary visa for each country. We recommend you check the visa requirements for each country included in your itinerary. We are happy to provide advice on current requirements and even assistance in obtaining a visa on arrival or tourist cards. If you are unsure of requirements please contact us for assistance.
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 be changed 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.
