Suriname and the Guyana Experience

Suggested flight (not included) AA1513 departs Miami at 1805hrs and arrives at Cheddi Jagan International Airport at 2327hrs, pickup and transfer to Georgetown and your selected hotel.

The history afficionado will appreciate a stay at Cara Lodge: It is one of the oldest and grandest structures in Georgetown. The Quamina Suite epitomizes Georgetown's colonial elegance and the bygone charm of Guyana's past while steeping you in both comfort and convenience.

The building has a long and romantic history, initially as the home to the first Lord Mayor of Georgetown. The wooden post in the Quamina Suite was hand carved by the world-renowned Guyanese artist Philip Moore when he lived in what once was the attic of the hotel. He would later go on to design the 1763 Monument, better known as 'Cuffy'. Cara Lodge has been visited by many prominent dignitaries including King Edward the VIII, US President Jimmy Carter, HRH Prince Charles, Mick Jagger, and even superstar Channing Tatum. Overnight at Cara Lodge in the Quamina Suite. (Check in time 1400hrs, Check out time 1200hrs midday).

0545hrs pickup and transfer to the extensive Georgetown Botanical Gardens where, if we are lucky, we will have views of the Blood-colored Woodpecker. This colorful Veniliornis is found only in the Guianas and even there almost wholly limited to the narrow coastal plain. The gardens host Snail Kite, Gray Hawk, Pearl Kite, Carib Grackle, Red-bellied and Red-shouldered Macaws and the rare festive parrots. We will walk on trails in the back of the gardens and may see Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Black-crested Antshrike, Silver-beaked Tanager, Buff-breasted Wren, White-bellied Piculet and Ashy-headed Greenlet. You may even want to take a break from birding to feed some manatees in one of the nearby ponds. Return to your hotel. 1130hrs pickup and transfer to Eugene F. Correia International Airport.

From the Eugene F. Correia International Airport take a scheduled flight over hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rainforest to land at Kaieteur Falls, the world's highest free-falling waterfall.

Kaieteur which was first seen by a European on April 29, 1870 is situated in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo. The water of Kaieteur flows over a sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge - a drop of 741 feet or 5 times the height of Niagara Falls.

There are no other falls in the world with the magnitude of the sheer drop existing at Kaieteur. Amerindian legend of the Patamona tribe has it that Kai, one of the tribe's chiefs (after whom the falls is named), committed self-sacrifice by canoeing himself over the falls. It was believed this would encourage the Great Spirit Makonaima to save the tribe from being destroyed by the savage Caribishi.

Kaieteur supports a unique micro environment with Tank Bromeliads, the largest in the world, in which the tiny Golden frog spends its entire life and the rarely seen Guiana Cock- of-the-rock nesting close by. The lucky visitor may also see the famous Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds which nest under the vast shelf of rock carved over millions of years by the black water of the Potaro River.

Condition of Sale:
Flights to Kaieteur Falls are operated on chartered aircraft and all flights have a minimum passenger restriction. Therefore, any booking to Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls is subject to a minimum of 12 passengers being available to travel. In most cases we are able to fill flights, especially if scheduled for a weekend. However, in the rare case that we cannot meet the required numbers we will reschedule the trip to another day during your stay, if this is possible. We retain the right to reschedule a flight as a first option. If we cannot reschedule the flight we will guarantee a flight, with a minimum of 2 passengers, to Kaieteur Falls only. If a flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, we will endeavour to reschedule the flight during your itinerary. If this is not possible then a full refund on the flight will be made. Pickup and transfer from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Georgetown.
Overnight at Cara Lodge in the Quamina Suite. B and snack on the Kaieteur falls tour.

Pickup and transfer to Eugene F. Correia International Airport.
Board scheduled flight for journey over hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Fair View Airstrip. (Check in time 0730hrs, Departure 0900hrs)

Pick up from Fair View airstrip and transfer along the trail that is one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar. No promises, but many have been lucky! Along the road, we will watch for the myriad of bird species that frequent the forest edge. This road is the only north - south access in Guyana and links the country to Brazil. Even so traffic is only very occasional and wildlife is often seen along the road. The journey concludes at the Atta Rainforest Lodge, home of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.

The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is situated near the southern boundary of the Iwokrama Reserve in central Guyana. The walkway has four suspension bridges leading to three platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground.

Another area where we will want to 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 as there is a large and growing family party which has become habituated to people and regularly passes through the clearing.

Atta Rainforest Lodge is 500 metres from the base of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, offering comfortable private-room accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, delicious home-cooked meals, and traditional Amerindian hospitality. The communal building houses the bar, dining area and kitchen and is open sided with views across the gardens to the towering forest, which completely surrounds the lodge. Hammocks and outdoor benches enhance the lovely gardens which include varieties of heliconias that attract over ten different hummingbirds, close enough for the perfect photo. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. BLD

Before dawn we will return to the canopy where we can birdwatch easily and may see Rufous-throated Sapphire, Green Aracari, Pygmy Antwren and Guianan Streaked-Antwren. With some luck Guianan Toucanet, Pompadour Cotinga, Buff-cheeked Greenlet and a host of crown specialists may come within our view. From this tree top vantage, you can sometimes see Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys.

Apart from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway itself you can 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. Night walks are also possible and something interesting or new always seems to pop on to the scene including one of the six different cats to be found along the transnational road near the lodge. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. BLD

Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway and then return to the lodge for breakfast before departure. Transfer from Atta Rainforest Lodge through the rainforest to Corkwood in the Iwokrama Forest. Here there is a comparatively short trail to hopefully see the amazingly brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. This trail is through interesting and pristine rainforest and the guides can explain how the plants are used for medicine and other purposes. Continue to the community of Surama.

The Indigenous community of Surama is located in the heart of Guyana. The village is set in five square miles of savannah which is ringed by the forest-covered Pakaraima Mountains. The villagers of Surama are mainly from the Macushi tribe. The Surama Eco Lodge is owned and operated by the entire community. The Village Council serves as the Board of Directors and through consultation, they decide how the profits from the tourism business are to be spent to benefit the entire community.

On arrival in Surama, you will receive a warm welcome and settle into your accommodation at the lodge.

Take three mile walk across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River. This is the best time to observe bird and wildlife along the trail. Your guides will then paddle you on the river for opportunities to observe wildlife and also the Harpy Eagle, also known as the "flying wolf" which is one of the largest eagles in the world. Now considered a near-threatened species, the eagle still has a refuge in Guyana. Today when we journey on the river, we will visit an active harpy nest where we will have a very good chance to view this amazing bird of prey.

Tonight, enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark. Make sure to bring your flashlights to look for the eyeshine of the creatures of the night. Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge. BLD

This morning depart Surama and transfer to Lethem. Scheduled flight to Eugene F. Correia International Airport.

Pickup and transfer from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Georgetown.

This afternoon we will take a drive through the heart of the city to the Stabroek Market area. Here we will join the afternoon commuters using the old ferry stelling to board the river taxis which are used to cross the Demerara River. The river taxis are a faster alternative route to using the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

We will slowly cruise along and across the Demerara River while your guide will give a brief history of the famous buildings along the waterfront. We then continue our trip to see the Demerara Harbour Bridge, once the longest floating bridge in the world at a total length of 1,851m long. We will cross under the bridge and tie up our boat near a mangrove that is the nightly roost for a variety of birds. As the sun sets over the river we will have a cold drink and some snacks (or cutters as they call them in Guyana) as we enjoy flocks of brilliant Scarlet Ibis, Snail Kites, Herons, and three kinds of Egrets as they fly across the sky and settle into the mangroves for the evening.

Soon after the sun sets we return to the ferry stelling while enjoying the city and ship lights from the river.

Overnight at Cara Lodge in the Quamina Suite. B

This morning we make an early start to have breakfast at one of the local stands with our host, guide and culinary master, Chef Delven Adams who will guide us around Bourda Market, the largest of the four markets in Georgetown. We will start our tour at the Guyana Shop which has all the locally packaged products, before heading over to the market where we will meet some of the vendors who Chef buys from daily.

We will visit the fish market, the meat section and the haberdashery section - where one can find anything you can think of from thread to bolts of all kinds of fabric. A stop at the bush medicine stalls is always educational. Heading outside you can see, touch and taste a variety of local fruits and vegetables unique in this part of the world. Chef will make his purchases with your suggestions of what you would like to try and will then head home to start preparing while we continue on a tour of the city of Georgetown with an experienced guide who will give you the history, rumour and facts on Georgetown and its citizens.

During your visit to Georgetown, there are a number of interesting sights that should not be missed such as Stabroek Market - once described as a "bizarre bazaar, and St. George's Cathedral which is one of the world's tallest free-standing wooden buildings. Other historic buildings along this promenade are the Public Library, City Hall, the Victoria Law Courts and St. Andrews Kirk. Visit the National Museum, which contains a broad selection of our animal life portrayed in taxidermy including an amazing extinct giant sloth. The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology houses a wonderful collection of artefacts and explains indigenous history and lifestyle, in a beautiful colonial wooden building that is worth the visit on its own.

After our city tour, we will go to the Backyard Café for lunch. This, as the name suggests, is a backyard that Chef has turned into an exclusive little hidden gem of a restaurant. You can sit under the arbour and sip unique blends of juice or enjoy a cold beer while taking in the sounds and smells of a delicious meal in the making. Once he is ready, we will start eating our way through the courses, remember to pace yourself as you will want to try it all.

After lunch, we will visit the Botanical Gardens, home to an extensive collection of tropical flora, and the Zoo which has become a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre that houses over one hundred different species of tropical wildlife. We will also pay a visit to a pond either in the gardens or the National Park, to feed the endangered West Indian Manatees. Pickup and transfer to Eugene F. Correia International Airport for departing GUMAIR flight departing Georgetown at 1515hrs to Zorg-en-Hoop, arriving at 1730hrs (tickets not included in the final price)

Pick up from the local airport at Zorg-en-Hoop and transfer to your hotel in Paramaribo.

Royal Torarica is the most luxurious and prestigious hotel in Suriname. In addition to all the features desired by high-end business travellers, it is also perfect for holidaymakers with a longing for abundant luxury. This hotel, which features unique glass elevators and high ceilings, will provide you with personal service, originality, modern 'state of the art' meeting rooms, high speed Internet and a beautiful saltwater swimming pool. Overnight at Royal Torarica in a Deluxe Terrace Room. BL (Check in time 1700hrs, Check out time 1300hrs)

This morning we start our nature and cultural experience as we depart from Paramaribo. After travelling a distance of approximately 190 km you arrive at the port of Atjoni where we join a motorized canoe. Our skilled personnel will navigate their way up the Upper Suriname River, which is famous for its breathtaking rapids, to the Danpaati River Lodge.

The Danpaati River Lodge is an exceptionally remote and tranquil oasis in the heart of the rain forest, and welcomes adventurous visitors in search of an escape from modern stresses and distractions. The lodge features a welcoming and breezy lounge facing the river, a pool surrounded by a hardwood yoga deck, and easy access to one of the few portions of the Suriname River where it is actually safe to swim. Accommodations are in spacious A-frame style cabins with carefully appointed amenities including fresh coffee service in the mornings, mosquito nets, and unbeatable views into the thick, surrounding nature.

Our day comes to an end with an exciting cruise on the river, looking for caiman lying on the river banks. Overnight at Danpaati River Lodge in a Comfort cabin. BLD

Today we will visit one of the 12 villages that are affiliated with Danpaati. Pikin slee is located 30 minutes by boat from Danpaati. We will take a guided tour through the village. You will be introduced to the unique way of life of the local population and to the wonderful traditions brought from Africa by their ancestors. After the tour we then visit the maroon museum Saamaka which is dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Saramak Maroon population. In the museum you will learn about the history of the Maroon's, their ancient traditions and crafts. After the tour we return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, we will discover some of the secrets of the rainforest during our walk. Afterwards you could choose to enjoy a massage done in a combination of traditional and Western techniques. There are also are other possibilities to explore in the surrounding area. You can go fishing or take the dugout canoe around the island.

After dinner you can enjoy a traditional and cultural dance performance. Traditional dances such as the Seketi, Awasa and Bandamba will be performed by the local population. Your guide will explain the cultural significance of each dance. Overnight at Danpaati River Lodge in a Comfort cabin. BLD

This morning we still have some time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and take pictures. After saying good bye to the staff, we depart by dugout canoe from Danpaati to Atjoni. From Atjoni we will continue our journey back to Paramaribo by vehicle. Overnight at Royal Torarica in a Deluxe Terrace Room. BL (Check in time 1700hrs, Check out time 1300hrs) B

We start our tour in the inner city of Paramaribo with a visit to the ancient building complex, Fort Zeelandia. You will have a guided tour from our guide. We continue the trip by foot and visit the Independence Square surrounded by historical buildings including the Presidential Palace, the Palm Gardens and Lim a Po Street, one of the most beautiful streets in Paramaribo. After this walk, we drive along the most prominent historical buildings with their unique architecture. We will make a photo stop at the Synagogue and Mosque right next to each other. Our next stop will be the Cathedral. This is the highest wooden building in the Western Hemisphere. Our city tour ends at the Waterkant along the Suriname River, the favorite meeting place in Paramaribo for many Surinamese.

We continue our tour to Commewijne which is situated right across the river from Paramaribo. The tour takes you along the former colonial plantations. The plantation Peperpot is located on the right bank of the Suriname River. We make a stop at the former plantation for a visit of the premises and the workers living area called a Kampong. We also visit the recently installed nature park at the plantation, famous for bird life and small rainforest animals, such as monkeys. After Peperpot our next stop will be a visit to the outdoor museum at Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. Fort Nieuw Amsterdam is situated on the precise meeting point of the Commewijne and the Suriname River, close to the ocean. The large fortress was built by as a defense for the plantations that were situated along the upper parts of both rivers. The fortress is an earthwork construction. It has the shape of a polygon and features 5 bastions. At the outdoor museum, we see several restored buildings, including the gunpowder storage building from 1740 and the coach house with a few coaches dating from the 19th century. In one of the ponds is the famous giant water lily, Victoria amazonica.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

We continue our tour to the pier at Leonsburg where we will be picked up for the Sunset Dolphin tour. While having a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) we enjoy the cool breeze and river views. Meanwhile the captain searches the horizon for the dolphins. Normally we see them swim by in groups of up to 20. The Sometimes they're very curious and if we are lucky, they will jump and play close to the boat.

After having enjoyed this playful company, we part for the wonderful restored plantation where we will enjoy freshly made local snacks like barra, baka bana or eggroll while experiencing the beautiful sunset. All this takes place in a relaxing atmosphere on a wooden deck near the waterfront of the Commewijne River. After the sun has set, we will get back on board, pour another drink, and slowly make our way back to Leonsberg. Transfer back to the hotel.

This evening transfer to a stylish Indonesian restaurant "Mirosso" for Javanese dinner. Overnight at Royal Torarica in a Deluxe Terrace Room. BLD

Transfer from your hotel to the JAP International Airport.

End of our services.

Please note rate is subject to change on the Suriname section as it is anticipated that the government will implement a Value Added Tax in 2025. Additional cost: GUMAIR Ticket (GEO/PBM) US$350.00 per person - price and schedule subject to change by the Airline