Journey to Guyana

Day 1. Georgetown

Depart for Georgetown where you spend a night at Cara Lodge, a beautiful 150-year old building converted into one of Guyana's finest hotels. Most of the buildings in Georgtown are wooden with unique architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th century. Probably the most famous of these buildings is St. George's Cathedral which is one of the world's tallest free standing wooden buildings.

Day 2 & 3. Iwokrama [B, L, D]

This morning you depart for Iwokrama Field Station in the heart of the rainforest. Accommodation is in timber cabins with thatched roofs, on the banks of the Essequibo River each with private facilities. You may if you prefer, spend one night deeper into the forest at one of the field station's satellite camps.

Nearby Turtle Mountain offers a challenging hike rewarded by spectacular views across the canopy and river to the distant mountains. Boat trips at night should offer good sightings of Spectacled Caiman, and by day visit Kurupukari Falls to see Amerindian petroglyphs. Also there is probably no better place on earth to see Jaguar in the wild with a high percentage of visitors having viewing them at dusk or dawn.

Day 4 to 5. Surama [B, L, D]

After breakfast you transfer to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, a series of suspension bridges and decks high above the forest floor.

Continue your journey onwards to the Amerindian village of Surama where you stay in comfortable guesthouse chalets. Here you may visit the local school, medical centre and church along with some of the village houses, or simply observe many of the traditional practices. Dawn hikes, led by Surama guides across the savannah and up Surama Mountain, reveal a multitude of birds and fantastic vistas. The nearby Burro Burro river is a fantastic place to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tira and Spider Monkeys.

Days 6 & 7. Annai Landing [B, L, D]

After breakfast you transfer to Rock View Lodge located where the savannah meets the forest-covered foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. Accommodation is in well furnished and spacious self contained suites, and meals are taken in the old ranch house or under enormous mango trees in the garden.

Days 8 - 10. Karanambu Ranch [B, L, D]

After breakfast you transfer to Karanambu Ranch, the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned Giant River Otters. You can visit Simoni Pond for some of the best inland fishing in Guyana or explore the flooded forest or savannah. Trips can be made to nearby ponds for birdwatching and to view Victoria Amazonica - the world's largest water lily and Guyana's national flower. Explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima (the world's largest fresh water fish).

Days 11 & 12. Kaieteur & Orinduik Falls [B, L, D]

Today you enjoy a trip to Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls. Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River support a unique micro environment with Tank Bromeliads providing home for the tiny Golden Frog, whilst Guyana Cock-of-the-Rock and Kaieteur Swifts nest here.

On returning from the falls you fly to Baranara Island and then transfer by boat on the Essequibo River to Shanklands Rainforest Resort. The lodge nestles into a majestic cliff face and overlooks Guyana's largest river. A nature trail leads into the thick rainforest where you may encounter Tapir and other wildlife. The birdlife here is excellent too with some 200 recorded species. Spend your time exploring the forest, beaches, coves and creeks.

Day 13. Homeward [B]

Today you transfer by boat on the Essequibo River to Parika and then by vehicle to the airport for your departing flight.

Day 14. Arrive home

Extension idea:

On the Rupununi River deep in the southern savannah, Dadanawa Ranch is the largest and most isolated ranch in Guyana covering some 1,500 square kilometres. Dadanawa Ranch is the perfect base for expeditions in search of Harpy Eagle in the rainforest, and Amerindian paintings and petroglyphs on the savannah. It is also the jumping off point for boating and trekking adventures into the pristine wilderness of the Kanuku Mountains.