Guyana In Living Colour

DAY 1: GEORGETOWN.

Arrival and transfer to Georgetown. Time at leisure with optional excursions available to book, including The Mangrove Heritage Trail Tour.

DAY 2: GEORGETOWN - KAIETEUR FALLS (B).

Today take a scheduled flight over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers, and hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest. Land at Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall. Situated in the heart of Guyana on the Portaro River, the Falls was first seen by a European in 1870. The drop of 741 feet is 5 times the height of Niagara Falls. Spend some time discovering the unique microenvironment and you may even see the famous flight of the Kaieteur Swifts or Makoaima Birds which nest under the vast shelf or rock carved over millions of years by the black water of the Potaro River. Return flight to Georgetown later in the day. Evening at leisure, or optional restaurant experiences available on request.

Optional Excursion- Birding in Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens – 3 hours. Depart hotel at 05:45 hrs.

DAY 3: GEORGETOWN - LETHEM -SURAMA ECO LODGE (B, L, D).

Morning departure to the airport. Fly to Lethem Airstrip and transfer Surama Eco Lodge. Home of the Amerindian community. The village is set in five square miles of savannah ringed by the forest covered Pakaraima Mountains. Meet the inhabitants who are mainly from Macushi tribe and still observe many old traditions.

Receive a warm welcome at the Surama Eco Lodge, and after settling in take an escorted short walk to observe the forest and bird life. In the afternoon with your guide, visit the village, local school, medical centre and some of the local houses. Enjoy the evening observing the wildlife after dark

DAY 4: SURAMA ECO LODGE (B, L, D).

Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and climb the Surama Mountain for incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. Alternative activities available if you prefer not to climb.

Return to the lodge for lunch followed by a three mile walk across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River. Take the opportunity to spot Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tayra, spider monkeys and much more, whilst your guide paddles you down the river. Return to the lodge for the evening.

DAY 5: SURAMA ECO LODGE - ATTA RAINFOREST LODGE (B, L, D).

Experience dawn breaking across the rainforest. Choose from a forest walk or relax around the lodge before breakfast. Depart to Corkwood in the Iwokrama Forest. See the amazingly brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. The trail is through pristine rainforest and the guide will explain how the plants are used in medicine and other purposes.

Continue the journey to Atta Rainforest Lodge, home of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. The walkway has four suspension bridges leading to three platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground.  You will also spend some time is the clearing around the lodge, as this is one of the best places to see another of Guyana’s “must see” birds, the Crimson Fruitcrow. The clearing is also a reliable site for Black Curassow.

Atta Rainforest Lodge is just 500 metres from the base of the Canopy Walkway offering traditional Amerindian hospitality. Spend time in the Hammocks and outdoor benches in the lovely gardens which include varieties of heliconias that attract hummingbirds. Evening at leisure.

DAY 6: ATTA RAINFOREST LODGE (B, L, D).

Before dawn return to the canopy to birdwatch easily and from this treetop vantage you can sometimes see Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys.

Apart from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway itself enjoy wildlife and birdwatching walks on the trails around the area. Many bird species, stunning insects, noisy amphibians, and playful primates make the surrounding forest their home. Deer, tapir, and agouti are also regular visitors to the lodge. Serious birders will want to search the undergrowth for the rarely seen Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo.

As darkness falls on the canopy walkway, you may see the White-winged Potoo, and enjoy a night walk to see other interesting things.

Evening at leisure.

DAY 7: ATTA RAINFOREST LODGE - GEORGETOWN (B, L).

Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway and then return to the lodge for breakfast before departure. Transfer to Fair View Airstrip for your flight to Georgetown. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 8: GEORGETOWN (B).

This morning we make an early for breakfast at one of the local stands with our host, guide and culinary master, Chef Delven Adams, who will guide you around Bourda Market, the largest of the four markets in Georgetown. Meet some of the venders who Chef buys from daily. Visit the fish market, the meat section, and the haberdashery section - where you can find anything from thread to bolts and all kinds of fabric. A stop at the bush medicine stall is always educational!

Visit the open-air market full of tropical fruits and vegetables, and here you are encouraged to ask questions and learn the names and try the new and different tastes. There are many kinds of bananas from the tiny sweet fig to the very large red bananas.

Chef will make his purchases with your suggestions of what you would like to try. Continue a city tour of Georgetown with a guide to learn about the history and stories from the city. Some interesting sights you will see include Stabroek Market, St. George’s Cathedral, National Museum and pay a visit to a pond in the gardens or the National Park, to feed the endangered West Indian Manatees.

Lunch is at the Backyard Café, which is Chef’s own backyard turned into an exclusive hidden gem. Chef will welcome you to join him prepare a wonderful meal with produce purchased at the market in the morning. Or you can sit and relax with a unique blend of juice or a cold beer, taking in the atmosphere. Following the tasty lunch visit the Botanical Gardens, home to an extensive collection of tropical flora, and the zoo which has become a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre with many species of tropical wildlife. The Botanical Gardens are laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and bandstand. Their collection of palms, especially a unique branching one, is very special.

Evening optional Demerara Historical River Tour available to book.

DAY 9: DEPART GEORGETOWN (B).

Time at leisure until your transfer for your flight or extend your stay.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Accommodation - 8 nights in minimum 3-star hotels.

Meals - As specified in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).

Luggage - One normal suitcase and one handbag per person included for hotel porterage.

Transfers - all airport transfers from arrival on Day 1 to final day (assuming specific group flights booked) Internal flights in Guyana.

Tours (with local bilingual English-speaking guides) - Kaieteur National Park fee, Iwokrama Forest User Fee, Iwokrama Canopy Walkway fee. Kaieteur Falls day trip, Iwokrama Canopy Walk, Surama village experience, Surama Mountain & Savannah walks, Georgetown city & Bourda Market tour, Botanical Gardens.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

International flights and airport taxes to join the tour.

Day 1 - Optional Mangrove Heritage Centre and Trail – from US$150.00 per person.

Day 2 - Optional Birding in Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens – 3 hours US$65.00 per person.

Day 8 - Optional Demerara Historical River Tour - from US$126.00 per person.

Tips for local guides / drivers.

Early Check-in / Late Check-out.

Travel Insurance.

NOTES

• Free baggage allowance on internal flights is 9kg. Additional weight is charged extra.

• Check required group internal flights at time of booking.

• Tour prices are based on shared group services (not private services).

• Passport copies required 30 days prior to arrival for all passengers.