Big River Adventure

Arrive in Georgetown, Guyana’s capital and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Cara Lodge or similar.

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Georgetown: Located on the coast, Georgetown is Guyana’s largest city and has a distinctly Caribbean feel to it, interspersed with its colonial British, French and Dutch heritage. The city was founded in the 18th century but did not become the capital until it was captured by the French in 1782, only to fall into British hands thirty years later. It owes its existence to the fertility of its soil – early settlers found this to be an ideal region for establishing plantations, and reclaimed what had been floodplains through the building of dykes and canals. Georgetown’s streets are laid out in a grid pattern and contain many interesting historic buildings dating back to the 19th century, as well as some colourful markets.

Experience Guyana’s Historic Landmarks, Colonial Architecture dating back to the Seventeenth Century, and its pluralistic, ethnically, racially and religiously diverse peoples, referred to as the “Melting Pot” of the Caribbean. The City tour is mostly by foot and takes between two to three hours: After lunch take a 1 hour flight across Guyana’s pristine rainforest to Kaieteur Falls (World’s Largest Single Drop Water Falls). Kaieteur is nearly five times the height of Niagara Falls. Here we hope to find White-chinned and White-tipped Swifts swirling over the gorge, and the astonishingly colorful Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock; Return to Ogle Airport by aircraft at 17.00 hrs and transfer to Georgetown: Overnight Cara Lodge or Similar.

(Depending on availability)

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An early morning flight across Guyana’s pristine rainforest, lush Savannahs will take you to Lethem on the Guyana/Brazil Border. Continue by 4*4 vehicle along the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains for approximately two hours to Rock View Lodge or alternatively Surama Amerindian Village & Eco Lodge.

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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 frugivorous. Nearby patches of light forest are home to certain ant birds and flycatchers, and of course the grasslands support an avifauna of their own. Before sunset take a hike in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains on the Panorama Trail where you might see Cinereous Mourner, Finsch’s Euphonia, Reddish Hermit, Rufous-bellied Antwren, Green-tailed and Yellow-billed Jacamar. The views across the savannah and villages as the sun rises are spectacular. Today you can visit a nearby Amerindian village. Enjoy an explanation and demonstration of traditional cashew nut roasting. Finish the day with drinks around the pool.

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Surama Eco Lodge: Surama is a small Makushi village on the savannah with inhabitants still following time-honoured traditions and relying on the jungle for their livelihood. This isolated and idyllic location offers an escape from the concrete jungle to a serene and peaceful existence with nature. Dawn hikes, led by Surama guides across the savannah and up Surama Mountain, reveal a multitude of birds and fantastic vistas. The guides have lived their entire lives in the rainforest, and have an incredible understanding of nature and how to utilise its resources.

After breakfast drive to Kwatamang Landing on the Rupununi River and continue by boat approximately 45 miles to Rewa Amerindian Village. The Village of mostly Macuchi and Wapishana Indians, is located on the confluence of the Rewa and Rupununi Rivers. Depending on the water level, the journey can take between two to three hours and offers an ideal opportunity to see the Giant Otters, Caimans, Capybaras and myriad bird species. In 2005/2006 the Village constructed the first set of Benabs, overlooking the Rewa and Rupununi Rivers, and established a sustainable eco-tourism business, self-owned and operated. Today, accommodation has improved with additional Lodges, despite being relatively unknown and unfrequented. This afternoon, our Guide will take you on a Village Tour, where traditional customs are practices are very much alive. Experience cassava grating, farine (local staple) making, weaving etc-Overnight Rewa Eco Lodge (BLD).

After breakfast, head out to the Rupununi River for a gradual hike, except for a few steep areas, up the Awarmie Mountain. Along the trail, there is chance to see a few specie of primates, lots of birds etc. The summit presents a good opportunity to view the nearby Mountain Ranges, and possibly, sighting of the Red Howler Monkeys, that you would have heard along the way. Return to the Lodge for lunch. After lunch head out to the Rupununi River and continue to Apoteri Village, located on the confluence of the Rupununi and Essequibo Rivers. The name Apoteri comes from the Arawaks name of a tree. The history and development of Apoteri village is closely tied to the balata industry. In the 1970 Apoteri was formed as a base for the business firm, Booker Brothers, McConnell & Company, popularly known as Bookers. Workers from all over the region came to work there mainly from villages in the south Rupununi like Shea, Sand Creek, Sawariwau and Krowdar. Today the village has several tribes including Patamona, Wapashina and Makushi. After lunch take a River tour visiting some of the balata plantations, whilst birding and wildlife viewing. In the evening take a Village tour and meet some of the elders who were balata bleeders. Overnight Apoteri Guest House (BLD).

After breakfast continue along the mighty Essequibo River, where avian fauna such as, Green Aracari, Channel Bill and Red Billed Toucans, Blue and Gold, Red & Green and Scarlet Macaws frequent the river banks. Along the way, Black Spider Monkey, Red Howler, Capuchins, and Squirrel Monkeys can be observed feeding on trees and if we are lucky, even a Jaguar. The boat ride ends at Adventure Guianas Piraiba (Lau Lau) Lodge, which is situated on the Eastern Bank of the Essequibo River, deep into the Jungles of Guyana. This evening we would do a bit of fishing whilst observing the several species of macaws, toucans etc returning to their habitats to sleep. After dark, we’ll set out on the river, in hopes of finding the Black Caiman or another of its four species, and listen for night birds such as Spectacled Owl, White-winged Potoo, Rufous Potoo, Long-tailed Potoo, Zigzag Heron or Blackish Night Jar and one or another of the four species of caiman -Overnight Piraiba Lodge (BLD).

After breakfast, continue on the Essequibo River, along the banks of the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, one of the best places to see the jaguar, to Iwokrama Airstrip located at Fairview Amerindian Village, for your flight to E.F Correia International Airport, where our personnel will pick you up and take you to your Hotel in Georgetown: Free afternoon to self-explore Georgetown: Overnight Hotel (B).

Transfer to Airport for onward International Flights