Guyana Undiscovered

Arrive in Georgetown,

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

Visit the famous Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall, where the Potaro River drops 741 feet into the gorge below. Afterwards we return to Georgetown for the evening. Overnight at Cara Lodge or similar. (BL)

*On occasion the visit to Kaieteur Falls may need to be re- scheduled. Kaieteur Falls Kaieteur Falls is a spectacular site, five times higher than Niagara Falls, and one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. First seen by Europeans in 1870 it was known to indigenous people before this – the legend is that it was named after a great chief. Although there are taller and wider falls, Kaiteur’s distinction comes from its combination of both volume of water and height.

Fly over Guyana’s rainforest to Rupununi where we transfer by 4WD to Iwokrama, an incredible region of rainforest with a breathtaking diversity of species. Iwokrama offers one of the best opportunities to see Jaguar in the wild. This afternoon is free to explore the trails with a ranger, and later we take a night boat trip to look for Caiman and other nocturnal creatures. Overnight at Iwokrama River Lodge. (BLD).

Iwokrama Iwokrama Forest covers nearly a million acres and is home to a bewildering array of different species. Its name means ‘place of refuge’ in the language of the Makushi Amerindians, who retreated here to avoid the predations of the slave trade. Iwokrama was established as a centre for the study of the rainforest and has been set aside to promote sustainable tourism within the region. Wildlife here includes Jaguar, Caiman, Howler and Spider Monkeys, rodents such as Pacas and Agoutis, and Peccaries among numerous other species. The birdlife here is equally spectacular, with Toucans, Macaws, Hummingbirds and the sought after Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock.

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. After lunch, we will transfer you by boat to Adventure Guianas Piraiba (Lau Lau) Lodge, which is situated on the Eastern Bank of the Essequibo River, deep into the Jungles of Guyana. Piraiba Lodge offer guests a mixture of comfort and rusticity, surrounded by pristine rainforest, full of wildlife. Named after the largest freshwater cat fish species of South America, the Piraiba or Lau Lau, because of its proximity to their habitats, the Lodge is constructed primarily from one of our finest and most durable of wood specie-the Green Heart. 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).

Our day starts with a dawn wildlife walk, and afterwards we will transfer by boat and vehicle to travel along one of the best trails for seeing Jaguar. Sightings cannot be guaranteed but if you are very lucky you may see one of Guyana’s most elusive creatures. We then head to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, 35 metres up into the canopy, for a different perspective of the forest. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. (BLD).

 

Canopy Walkway & Atta Lodge: The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is situated at Mauisparu, 73kms south of the Iwokrama Field Station & River Lodge. The walkway has four suspension bridges leading to three platforms, the highest of which extends 30 metres above the forest floor and provides a good opportunity to see species such as Painted Parakeet, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Guianan Puffbird, Green Aracari, Waved Woodpecker, Pygmy Antwren, Guianan Streaked-Antwren, Dusky Purpletuft, Purple-breasted Cotinga, Guianan Toucanet, Pompadour Cotinga, Buff-cheeked Greenlet, Caica Parrots, and a host of crown specialists may come within our view. From this tree top vantage you can sometimes see Red Howler Monkeys and Black Spider Monkeys.

Enjoy a full day exploring the forest around Atta Lodge, and also the clearing around the lodge, where you will have an excellent chance of spotting the Crimson Fruit Crow. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge (BLD).

Experience the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway, and visit an area renowned for sightings of one of Guyana’s most intriguing birds, the Cock of the Rock. We then continue to the Amerindian village of Surama, where a local guide will give us a tour of the forest and the village, with an opportunity to visit some of the houses, and the local school. This evening we go out to experience the forest at night. Overnight in the basic accommodation at Surama Eco Lodge. (BLD).

 

Surama 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.

Rise before dawn and walk across the savannah in the cool morning air to climb Surama Mountain. This is not a technical climb but can be arduous, and for those who prefer, the local guides can arrange alternative activities. After lunch back at the village we set off this afternoon to walk the three miles to the Burro Burro River for a canoe trip, hoping to spot Giant River Otters, Tapir and Spider Monkeys amongst other wildlife. Overnight in the basic accommodation at Surama Eco Lodge. (BLD).

Take a walk through the forest to enjoy dawn breaking. After breakfast we travel by 4WD vehicle to the Rupunini River, and take a boat to Karanambu Lodge (depending on the water levels or continue by vehicle to Karanambu Lodge which was established by the late Diane McTurk. In the late afternoon we take a boat out on the river to look for Giant River Otters and other species. As dusk falls we continue by boat to the ponds to see the giant Amazonia Regis water lily which blooms at this time of day. On the boat ride back a spotlight will be used to search for Black Caiman and other night animals. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge. (BLD).

Karanambu: Karanambu Lodge is situated where the north savannah grassland, swamp and flood forest meet on the Rupununi River and the horse flats stretch towards the Pakaraima Mountains and into Brazil. The settlement has the flavour of an Amerindian village, with its clay brick and palm thatched cabanas set in a compound between the bush and the open range. The lodge accommodates guests in five cabanas with verandas; twin bedded rooms and en-suite bathrooms. Meals are served around a large dining table in the open hammock-swagged living room of the main ranch house. Outstanding tropical freshwater fish and teeming bird life abound. The area is also a last refuge for the Giant River Otter and the river reveals Black Caiman and for the lucky, the huge Arapaima, the world’s largest fresh water fish.

This morning travel out to an area of rolling grassland which is home to a population of Giant Anteaters There is a good chance of seeing some of these remarkable looking creatures. During the afternoon you can explore the area around the river to glimpse some of the many birds, and in the evening, walk along the airstrip for the chance to spot some of the seven species of Nightjar that live there. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge (BLD).

This morning transfer by boat, birdwatching along the way, to the Amerindian village of Yupukari and Caiman House. Tonight enjoy a foray on the Rupununi River from Caiman House Field Station. As a guest you have the unique opportunity to support and participate in an ongoing field study of the Black Caiman, the largest member of the Alligator family, and an endangered species. If the water level is low enough you will be invited to accompany the indigenous crew as they search for and capture these magnificent reptiles on the river. Overnight at Caiman House. (BLD).

Caiman House: Caiman House is the hub of several participatory development projects, including the introduction of classroom libraries in all three village schools and an internet-enabled public library. Visitors may have the opportunity to meet local craftspeople, including the furniture builders at Yupukari Crafters, a non-profit venture to create village jobs and generate income to sustain educational development. Tonight enjoy a foray on the Rupununi River from Caiman House Field Station. As a guest you have the unique opportunity to support and participate in an ongoing field study of the Black Caiman (melanosuchus niger), the largest member of the alligator family and an endangered species. Guests will observe the capture from a separate boat, but will be offered the opportunity to assist in data collection. Caiman are weighed, measured, sexed and tagged before being released back into the river. The research has already discovered interesting information on caimans’ nests that was previously unknown. During periods of high water it is difficult to capture Caiman so you will have another chance to enter the nocturnal world of the Rupununi River and associated gallery forests which offer an experience, and world of wildlife entirely different than those viewed on a day trip.

Today we will travel by boat from Awariku Lake following the creek through the forest, before emerging into the Rupunini River and drifting downstream- this provides good opportunities for spotting a variety of birds including the elusive Agami Heron and the Rufescent Tiger Heron. We will spend time this morning observing village life before returning to Caiman House. This afternoon we will head out on to the Rupununi River, where we will select the perfect sandbank to set up camp for dinner under the stars- this is a good opportunity to try your hand at local fishing. Sip your drinks as the sun sets while the crew prepare dinner. On the way back to the lodge you will see many birds settled for the night in the branches of the trees, such as Capped Herons, Black Crowned Herons, Boat Billed Herons, and Nightjars. Along the banks you can look for black and spectacled caiman and on occasions Capybara who come down to drink at the river. Overnight at Caiman House. (BLD).

After breakfast transfer to Lethem for your flight to Georgetown. Lethem, located in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana is considered the capital of Region 9 and is a hub linking many of the surrounding Indigenous Villages with Georgetown and Boa Vista, the nearest town in Brazil. The recently commissioned Takutu River Bridge links the two countries and offers greater opportunities for trade and commerce. The town is approximately 280 feet above sea level and has a mixed population of approximately 3,500, with a heavy influence of Brazilian Culture. It is named after Sir Gordon James Lethem, who was the Governor of British Guiana from 1941 to 12 April 1947, in the Rupununi Savannahs On arrival enjoy a city tour of the capital. Overnight at Cara Lodge. (B).

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B).