Highlights of Guyana

16 days London to London

Day 1. Depart UK for Georgetown. 3-nights. Cara Lodge [B, L]

Georgetown is the principal port and the capital city of Guyana situated on the Demerara River estuary. Most of the buildings in the city are still wooden with a unique architecture dating back to the 18th century, consisting of Demerara shutters and fretwork trimming eaves and windows. During your visit to Georgetown there are a number of interesting sights to see including St. George's Cathedral (one of the tallest free standing wooden buildings in the world) the Public Library and the Town Hall. Visitors with enough time should not miss a visit to the Botanical Gardens and Zoo. The Botanical Gardens are home to one of the most extensive collections of tropical flora in the Caribbean, this in turn brings glorious birds including the Bloodcoloured Woodpecker.

Cara Lodge is a charming family hotel with 34 rooms that combines tradition and nostalgia with the comfort of a modern establishment. This historic colonial hotel originally consisted of two houses, built in the 1840's, and has a long and romantic history. It was the home of the first Lord Mayor of Georgetown, and over the years it has hosted dignitaries and celebrities including Edward VII, Jimmy Carter, Prince Charles and Mick Jagger!

Day 2. Georgetown City Tour [B, L, D]

Day 3. Visit Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls [B, L]

Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River support a unique micro-environment with the world's largest Tank Bromeliads providing home for the tiny Golden Frog. Guyana Cock-of-the-Rock nests close by and you may be lucky enough to see Kaieteur Swifts which nest beneath the vast shelf of rock carved by centuries of flowing water.

The Orinduik Falls occur where the Ireng River (which forms the border with Brazil) thunders over steps and terraces of solid jasper, a semi precious stone. With a backdrop of the rolling grass covered hills of the Pakaraima Mountains, this is truly one of the most beautiful locations in Guyana's hinterland. In contrast to Kaieteur, Orinduik is ideally suited for swimming and you will find natural jacuzzis as the falls tumble down the steps of jasper.

Day 4. Arrowpoint, 1-night. Arrowpoint Nature Resort [B, L, D]

Arrowpoint Nature Resort is a charming rainforest lodge situated on the Pokero River upstream from the Amerindian village of Santa Mission. The resort is set against a backdrop of the rainforest and is staffed by a committed local team who welcome guests with open arms. There are four Amerindian-style bungalows offering eight comfortable rooms.

Day 5. Iwokrama, 2-nights. Iwokrama Field Station [B, L, D]

The Iwokrama forest is in the homeland of the Makushi people, who have lived here and used the forest for thousands of years. The Iwokrama Mountains at 1000 metres are the focal point of the forest that provides a refuge for both the native people and wildlife. The wildlife here is spectacular and includes Red Howler Monkey, Wedge-capped Capuchin, Black Spider Monkey, Black Caiman, Tree Boas, Pacas and Hula Tree Frogs. There are also over 500 species of birds including Screaming Piha, Grey-chinned Hermit, Blacknecked Aracari, Scarlet Macaw, Guiana Toucanette and Channel-billed Toucan. Iwokrama is also considered to be one of the best places to see wild Jaguars. Nearby, Kurupukari Falls have some well preserved Amerindian petroglyphs, interesting epiphytes and an amazing parasitic Ficus plant.

Iwokrama Field Station consists of eight large timber and thatch cabins - each beautifully situated on the banks of the mighty Esequibo River with private facilities and solar powered electricity. It is equipped with a lounge, bar and library, and whilst it is remote it, has all that you could possibly need for a comfortable stay. There are strategically placed hammocks for daytime relaxation and the birdwatching here is excellent. At Iwokrama there are various activities available including day, and night-time boat trips and guided nature walks. In addition there is the nearby Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. This series of suspension bridges and decks high above the forest floor offers commanding views out over the forest and the chance to seem a number of the canopy-dwelling species.

Day 7. Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, 1-night. Atta Rainforest Lodge [B, L, D]

Atta Rainforest Lodge is a simple hammock camp situated close to the entrance of the canopy walkway. It consists of two open-sided buildings in pristine forest. Whilst the sleeping accommodation is simply in hammocks, going to sleep to the night sounds of the forest and waking to the sound of howler monkeys will for many, be one of their trip highlights.

Day 8. Surama Village, 2-nights. Surama Eco-Lodge [B, L, D]

The Amerindian village community of Surama in southwest Guyana is reached by 4-wheel drive from nearby Annai Landing or from the Iwokrama Field Station. The community is in the heart of Guyana where eight square kilometres of savannah are surrounded by the forestcovered Pakaraima Mountains. Surama's inhabitants are mainly from the Makushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their forebears.

Surama Eco Lodge is an isolated and idyllic community project in the Pakaraima Mountains. It has four simple cabins with en-suite bathrooms and a central dining, bar and lounge area offering fantastic views across the savannah, rainforest and mountains. Surama guides lead dawn nature walks up Surama Mountain, revealing 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. They will also lead short nature walks by day and night in the nearby forest, and take longer hike to the Burro Burro River to head off by canoe in search of Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tira, Spider Monkeys and many more species.

Day 10. Annai Landing, 2-nights. Rockview Lodge [B, L, D]

This Amerindian Village is in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains 420 kilometres south of Georgetown. Rock View Lodge, a working ranch in the village, makes the perfect base from which to explore the Rupununi area. Guests are accommodated in eight well-furnished suites in two guesthouses. The lodge is surrounded by acres of lush gardens which attract hummingbirds and other wildlife and at dawn you can often hear the Howler Monkeys calling nearby. There is plenty to do here with 4-wheel drive explorations to the forest, savannah, mountains and Rupununi River on offer, as well as simply relaxing in a hammock or beside the pool or horse-riding.

Day 12. Rupununi River, 2-nights. Karanambu Ranch [B, L, D]

Karanambu Ranch is an eco-tourism resort well-known for its tranquillity, abundant wildlife and legendary hospitality. Located 500 kilometres south of Georgetown it is on the Rupununi River where the savannah grassland, swamp and flood forest, making it particularly good for wildlife. It is surrounded by forest with the open range in front and has the flavour of an Amerindian village, with its clay-brick and palm-thatched cabanas. Guests are accommodated in six en-suite cabanas each with a verandah. The facilities here are comfortable but basic, with no hot water and limited availability of electricity.

Day 14. Georgetown, 1-night. Cara Lodge [B, L]

Day 15. Return to UK

Day 16. Arrive home