Hidden Guianas

Day 1: Arrive in Paramaribo

Arrive in Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Torarica Hotel or similar. No meals nor guided arrangements are included today.

Paramaribo

Suriname’s capital looks rather out of place in South America – an unusual collection of architecture that often has you wondering exactly where you are. Located on the banks of the Suriname River, Paramaribo (Parbo to the locals) changed hands a few times between the Dutch and the English in the early days of their involvement in the region, but was under Dutch control from 1815 until the end of colonial rule in 1975. Evidence of this heritage can be seen in the city’s historic district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), where wooden houses with elaborate and elegant facades line the streets close to the old Fort Zeelandia. Elsewhere African markets vie for space with mosques and Hindu temples and buildings sport Chinese script, all of these reflecting the unique ethnic make-up of the capital and of Suriname itself. On street corners and open-air bars look out for men sitting with caged birds – a popular pastime in Suriname is entering songbirds in singing competitions. The population of the city is just 250,000, giving it rather an intimate feel, and the historic inner city is a fascinating place to wander round, with stunning old wooden churches and whitewashed mansions lining the streets.   

Day 2: Paramaribo - Danpaati

Early this morning (around 630am) we head south from Paramaribo by road to Atjoni, and then travel by a small open motorised boat (approx. 2.5-3hrs depending on water levels) along the Upper Suriname River to Danpaati River Lodge which is situated on an island in the middle of the rainforest. We pass Maroon villages through breath-taking scenery. On arrival you can swim in the pool or the river and relax in the forest surroundings. In the evening we head out on the river in search of Caiman lying on the river banks. Overnight at Danpaati River Lodge or similar. (BLD)

Local currency is required to use the washroom on the boat, approx. 5-10 SRD per person, foreign currency not accepted. 

Day 3: Danpaati

Today we will visit one of the twelve villages that are affiliated with Danpaati to learn about the customs and culture of the local Maroon groups. In the afternoon we take a forest walk and learn about the traditional medicinal uses of the plants here. The rest of the day is at leisure with the opportunity to take a dugout canoe around the island or try some fishing. Overnight at Danpaati River Lodge or similar. (BLD) 

The Maroons

The Maroon people are the descendants of former runaway slaves who fled the colonial plantations from the end of the 17th century onwards, for a better life in the interior. Most settled alongside rivers, some crossing into French Guyana and customs that they had brought with them from Africa remain largely free from outside influences. A visit to Maroon villages presents an utterly different side of Latin America that is rarely encountered by travellers.

Day 4: Danpaati - Paramaribo

This morning is at leisure at the lodge until lunch, and in the afternoon, we depart by dugout canoe for Atjoni and return by vehicle to Paramaribo. Overnight at Torarica Hotel or similar. (BL) 

Day 5: Paramaribo - Commewijne Plantations

Today we head to the Commewijne district to the east of Paramaribo across the Suriname River. The tour takes us along the former colonial plantations, most of which are now abandoned. We make a stop at plantation Peperpot where the old coffee and cocoa factory, deputy-director’s house and the old office are located. This former plantation is one of the oldest in the history of Suriname. Peperpot was established by the English and already existed before Suriname was conquered by the natives from Zeeland under the command of Abraham Crijnssen in 1667. This is one of the last plantations still in its original condition.  Peperpot is renowned for the many birds which can be spotted. From here we make a stop at the mini-museum of Marienburg, a former sugar plantation, before enjoying a delicious lunch in a typical Javanese restaurant (warung) in Tamanredjo. We then continue to the confluence of the Commewijne and Suriname Rivers at Nieuw Amsterdam. Here we will a visit the outdoor museum of Fort Nieuw Amsterdam, with its large fortress which was built as a defence for the crop fields that were situated along the upper parts of both rivers. Optional dolphin tour before heading back to the hotel. Overnight at Torarica Hotel or similar. (BL) 

Day 6: Commewijne – Cayenne

Make an early start (approx. 0645am) and travel 2.5 hours along the coastal road to the border point at Albina where we will go through the customs and immigration formalities. This is generally very quick and we will soon be on the pirogue (small semi covered motorised boat) crossing the Maroni River heading for French Guiana. We will be met by our French guide on arrival in St Laurent. Enjoy a mini city tour making a brief visit to the well-preserved Transportation Centre. The facility was the processing centre for the majority of convicts being sent to the penal colonies in French Guiana. Having served their original sentences, the convicts were then obliged to serve the same length of time here in an attempt to populate the colonies- perhaps the best-known inmate was Papillon. Just offshore lies the wreck of the British steamer Edith Cavel which sank in bad weather in 1924- it is now so overgrown with vegetation that it looks like an island. After the tour, we journey for 3 hours by road to Cayenne where we enjoy a city tour. Overnight at Central Hotel or similar (BL) 

Day 7: Cayenne – Devil’s Island - Kourou

What is known as Devil’s Island is actually a triangle of three islands. After an early breakfast, we travel 1 hour by road to Kourou and we take a motorised catamaran to our first stop, Île Royale. It can be easily walked around in less than two hours before the next stop, Île Saint-Joseph . Ironically Devil’s Island is closed to visitors due to dangerous shoreline conditions. Return to Kourou by catamaran and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Atlantis or similar. (BL) 

Iles du Salut

The islands played a central role in French history from as far back as 1792 when they were used firstly as a transit point for explorers, then slaves and later for political prisoners.  Ile St Joseph is the southernmost island of this notorious former penal colony and the prison buildings here are quite well preserved; you can wander through the cell blocks, dormitories and other structures at leisure and observe Nature slowly reclaiming the land. Ile Royale is the site of the oldest buildings on the islands with an old church, administration buildings, officers’ quarters and today a restaurant and lodging facilities. 

Day 8: Kourou - Paramaribo

This morning we will join a tour of the Guyana Space Centre. The tour is conducted in French but your guide will provide translations as often as possible, before transferring by road to St Laurent de Maroni, making a brief stop at the church of Saint Joseph in Iracoubo, to see the interior which was hand painted by one of the convicts from a nearby penal colony. Make the return journey by pirogue to Albian and continue to Paramaribo. Overnight at Torarica Hotel or similar. (BL) 

Note: Launch schedules are a closely guarded secret so the schedule today may be changed at short notice. 

Day 9 – Paramaribo – Georgetown (Regional Flight)

This morning we make an early start for the flight to Georgetown departing at 0730 and arriving at 0745, where we will join our chef Delven Adams from the Backyard Café at the fresh produce markets, as he shops for ingredients for our lunch later today. While he heads back to prepare lunch, we continue on a tour of the capital city, visiting a number of the places of interest including the cathedral of St George, the Avenue of the Republic with its historic buildings, the renowned Stabroek Market and the National Park to feed the endangered West Indian Manatees. We will make our way to the Backyard Café for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we head to the waterfront to board a water taxi for a cruise along the banks of the Demerara River. Your guide will give you a brief history of the buildings as we pass and we will continue to the Demerara Harbour Bridge, once the longest floating bridge in the world. As we return to shore with the sun setting you may see Egrets and Scarlet Ibis as they make their way to the Mangroves for the night. Overnight at Grand Coastal Hotel or similar. (BL) 

Day 10: Georgetown - Kaieteur Falls (Domestic Flight) - Georgetown

Close to noon we transfer to the airport for a scheduled flight over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rainforest to 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 Grand Coastal Hotel or similar. (B) 

Notes:

a. There is the option of a tour of the Botanical Gardens before leaving for Kaieteur Falls - please contact us for the costing.

b. 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 Kai, a great chief of the Patamona tribe, who canoed over the falls to save his tribe.  Although there are taller and wider falls, Kaieteur’s distinction comes from its combination of both volume of water and height. 

Day 11: Georgetown – Iwokrama (Domestic Flight) – Atta Rainforest Lodge

Fly over Guyana’s rainforest to land at Fair View Airstrip, from where we transfer to Iwokrama, an incredible region of rainforest with a breath-taking diversity of species. Take a boat journey, looking for birds along the way, for the hike to Turtle Mountain, where we walk to the summit (approximately 2 hours) for spectacular views over the forest canopy. The area is home to Red Howler Monkeys, Black Spider Monkeys, and five different eagles. For those who feel that the walk may be too strenuous an alternative boat ride can be taken to Stanley Lake to search for Giant River Otters and Black Caiman. Return to Iwokrama River Lodge for lunch after which we 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. Along the road we will look out for a myriad of bird species that frequent the edge of the forest. The road is the only north to south access in Guyana and links the country to Brazil, but there is very little traffic and wildlife such as Agouti, Tayra, Puma, Tapir and Black Curassow are sometimes spotted. We continue to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, 30 metres above the ground, for a different perspective of the forest. We will also spend time exploring the clearing around Atta Lodge, where you will have an excellent chance of spotting the Crimson Fruit Crow, and Black Curassow. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. (BLD) 

Note: Please see the Tour Dossier and read the notes on luggage under "Preparing for your Tour". 

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. The forest is in the homeland of the Makushi people, who have lived here and used the forest for thousands of years. Although the forest around Atta Rainforest Lodge is excellent for birds, the major attraction here is a 154-metre-long canopy walkway which is only 750m from the lodge.  The walkway has four platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground, and these will allow us the opportunity to spot a range of canopy species, many of which we would struggle to see well from the forest floor.  

Day 12: Atta Rainforest Lodge

Early this morning we return to Iwokrama Forest for a chance to spot birdlife and Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys. Today enjoy the canope of the forest, with several wildlife and birdwatching trails available.

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) 

Day 13: Atta Rainforest Lodge - Surama

Experience the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway and look out for Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys. Transfer by vehicle through the rainforest to Corkwood before setting off for the Amerindian village of Surama, stopping on the way at a spot known for sightings of one of Guyana’s most intriguing birds, the Guianan Cock of the Rock. We then continue to 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, the church, the medical centre and the local school. After lunch back at the village we set off 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. This evening we head 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. 

Day 14: Surama Mountain - Georgetown

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 not to undertake it the local guides will arrange alternative activities. After lunch which we transfer by road (approx. 3 hours) to the Rupunini airstrip for a scheduled flight across swathes of tropical rainforest to Georgetown. Overnight at Grand Coastal Hotel or similar (BL) 

Note: Please see the Tour Dossier and read the notes on luggage under "Preparing for your Tour". 

Day 15: Tour ends in Georgetown - Departure from Guyana

Time at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)