The Guianas Experience

Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.

Day 1: Georgetown

International airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Cara Lodge, breakfast included.

Cara Lodge was built in the 1840s. It has a long and romantic history and was the home of the first Lord Mayor of Georgetown. Over the years, the property has been visited by many dignitaries including King Edward VIll who stayed at the house in 1923. Other dignitaries have included President Jimmy Carter, HRH Prince Charles and Mick Jagger. This magnificent wooden colonial home turned hotel offers the tradition and nostalgia of a bygone era.

Day 2: Karanambu, North Rupununi

Pickup and transfer to Eugene F. Correia International Airport.

Board scheduled flight for journey over hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Lethem.

Transfer by vehicle from Lethem across the savannah to Karanambu Lodge.

Karanambu, a 110-square mile former cattle ranch located in the North Rupununi, was the home of the late Diane McTurk, conservationist and a world-renowned expert on giant otters. Known for its expansive wetlands and savannah, as well as its biological and cultural diversity, Karanambu encompasses savannah, marshy ponds, riparian forest, and a 30-mile stretch of the Rupununi River. The number of species found here is much higher than expected given its size with at least 600 species of bird, and over 200 species of mammals. The seasonally flooded savannahs and forests also draw substantial fish migrations with as many as 700 species of fish — more than anywhere on Earth.

This region is rich in history and is the homeland of the Makushi and earlier peoples dating back more than 7,000 years. Several prominent explorers and naturalists have written about their experiences here, including Robert and Richard Schomburgk, Charles Waterton, Evelyn Waugh, and Gerald Durrell. A very young David Attenborough spent time here and wrote about it in his early book, ’Zoo Quest to Guiana’.

With both the river and the savannahs close at hand there is a wide variety of activities to be enjoyed at Karanambu. Two guided excursions are provided each day — one early in the morning and another late in the afternoon and into the evening. As well as being the coolest times to be out, these are usually the best times to see the different birds and animals. Trips may be on the river by boat, on the savannahs by 4×4 or along forest trails on foot to the different ponds in the area.

Late in the afternoon we will travel by boat to look for wild Giant River Otters and as dusk falls to the ponds to see the giant Victoria amazonica waterlily, bloom at dusk. On the return trip we will spotlight for Black Caiman and birds and creatures of the night.

Accommodations are in traditionally made clay brick cabins, each with en suite and veranda with hammocks. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge, all meals included.

Day 3:  Karanambu Lodge

This morning we make an early start to an area of rolling grasslands, home to a population of giant anteaters. With luck we shall locate one of these six-foot long animals excavating its breakfast from one of the termite mounds that stud the savannah. Though giant anteaters live in overlapping home ranges they are mostly solitary except during mother-offspring relationships, aggressive interactions between males, and when mating. Mother anteaters carry their offspring on their backs until weaning them.

Evening river excursion or if you are interested in bird watching you can explore woodland patches or gallery forest along the river where we’ll hope to find a variety of species. A feature bird for the area is the Agami Heron. An evening walk along the airstrip offers seven species of nightjar and among the grasslands the Double-striped Thick-knees. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge, all meals included.

Day 4: Surama

In the event you did not see a giant anteater the previous morning, there is time to travel out to search the savannah again. Or explore the Rupununi River making a boat journey along quiet stretches of river. There is also the honey pond trail that goes around three ponds or lakes covered in giant water lilies. There is also a capuchin bird lek along the trail.

Return to the lodge for breakfast before departure.

From Karanambu we take a boat trip on the Rupununi River to Ginep Landing. Depending on the river level, this trip offers an excellent opportunity to look for Giant Otters as there are several family groups which live along this stretch of the Rupununi River.

Travel north by road from Ginep Landing 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. A guide will escort you for a short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life. As the afternoon cools your guide will take you on a tour of the village. 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, all meals included.

Day 5: Surama

Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then climb up Surama Mountain for incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. This is not a technical climb but can be arduous, especially after rain, and not for everyone. Your guides will happily offer alternative activities if you prefer not to do this climb.

Return to the lodge for lunch and then take a three mile walk across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River. Your guides will then paddle you on the river for opportunities to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tayra, Spider Monkeys and many more species.Return to the lodge for sunset.  Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge, all meals included.

Day 6: Iwokrama Forest – Atta Rainforest Lodge

Enjoy dawn breaking across the rainforest. You can choose from a forest walk to look for wildlife and birds or relax around the lodge before breakfast and departure.

Transfer from Surama through the rainforest to Corkwood in the Iwokrama Forest. Here there is a comparatively short trail to hopefully see the amazingly brilliant Guianian Cock-of-the-rock. This trail is through interesting forest and the guides can show the use of the plants. Then continue the journey to the Atta Rainforest Lodge, home of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.

At Corkwood there is a comparatively short trail to hopefully see the amazingly brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. This trail is through pristine rainforest and the guides can explain how the plants are used for medicines and other uses.

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 meters 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 meters 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, all meals included.

Day 7:  Iwokrama Rainforest

Before dawn return to the canopy where you will welcome the dawn chorus. 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.

Return to the lodge for breakfast before departure.

Transfer by vehicle along the trail that is one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar to the Fair View airstrip.

Depart by scheduled flight from Fair View airstrip to Mahdia (approximately 3hrs ground time) and then reboard flight for return journey over hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Eugene F. Correia International Airport.

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

Late lunch (included) at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Cara Lodge, breakfast included.

Optional Service (not included in package price): Dinner at Back Yard Cafe
Backyard Café is located in the West Ruimveldt area where our host, guide and culinary master, Chef Delven Adams will greet you as you enter. This as the name suggests, is a backyard that Chef has turned into an exclusive little hidden gem of a restaurant. It is a Guyanese fusion from all over the world. Delven makes his purchases based on clients’ suggestions and dietary requirements from the local market. If you are interested, Chef Delven has a smoker and small fireside right outside and sometimes will prepare the fresh fish right there and you can certainly help him and learn his secrets. His garlic fish is out of this world! You can sit under the arbor and sip unique blends of juice or enjoy a cold Banks Beer, while taking in the sounds and smells of a delicious meal in the making in a secluded back yard in Georgetown. Once he is ready, we will start eating our way through the courses. We will start with an appetizer, to an entrée and end up with a dessert, which we may be hard pressed to fit in, but we will give it our best shot and remember to pace yourself as you will want to try it all.

Optional Service (not included in package price): Rum Tasting – El Dorado
Guyana’s El Dorado rums are the best in the world!  And that is not just us making this claim.  No other rum has been voted best in the world more than once. However, the El Dorado 15-year-old has won nine awards and the 12-year-old is not far behind with five. The county of Demerara in Guyana has been steeped in the history of sugar and rum production since the 17th century. Today Demerara Distillers operates the last remaining distillery in Guyana, after having consolidated all the old original stills and marques which make Demerara Rum so distinctive.

The smooth and uniquely complex El Dorado aged rums represent over 300 years of Caribbean rum crafting.  Faithfully continuing to use the original wooden heritage stills from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries the master blenders coax out rich and diverse characters from within the spirit.  El Dorado Rums are blended selections of different “vintages” or batches of rums from different stills – aged in bourbon oak barrels from tennessee.  Your rum tasting experience at The Patio Bar at the colonial Cara Lodge includes a background on Guyana’s story of sugar, slavery and rum and then your chance to decide on your personal favourite as your rum-tasting guide leads you through samples of El Dorado’s 5-year, 12-year, 15-year and 21-year-old award-winning rums.

Your rum experience includes:

• -Rum-tasting guide
• -Single shots of El Dorado 5-year, 12-year, 15-year, 21-year-old award-winning rums
• -Rum-tasting snack
• -Your own miniature bottle of El Dorado rum and a glass as a souvenir of your experience
• -Taxes

Optional Service (not included in package rate): Rum Inspired Dinner
The perfect complement to your rum-tasting experience is to continue with the rum theme and enjoy a wonderful three course rum-infused dinner in the atmospheric Bottle Restaurant at Cara Lodge.

Includes three course rum-inspired dinner with a glass of house wine or 2 Banks beers or 2 soft drinks.

Day 8:  Georgetown – Kaieteur Falls

This morning enjoy a tour of the city of Georgetown with an experienced guide who will give you the history, rumor and facts on Georgetown and its citizens. We will begin our tour at the Georgetown Seawalls before continuing into the heart of the city.

During your visit 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 artifacts and explains Amerindian history and life style, in a beautiful old colonial wooden building that is worth a visit on its own.

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.

Return to your hotel.

Later this morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred 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.

Return flight to Georgetown, transfer to hotel.  Overnight Cara Lodge, breakfast included.

Optional Service (not included in package price): Birding in Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens
Early morning hotel 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.
Duration: 3 hours.

Optional Service (not included in package price): Dinner at Aagman Indian Restaurant
“Aagman” is derived from India’s ancient Sanskrit script, which means ‘arrival’ or ‘beginning’. The Aagman food philosophy is driven by a desire to present an eclectic and expansive Indian repertoire, bursting with flavours and originality, as a multi-sensory dining experience. Experience the epicurean Mughlai Cuisine from the imperial kitchens of India. Enjoy the authentic flavours of creations achieved through the use of the finest ingredients and cooking techniques, in elegant fully air-conditioned surroundings.

*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. Wilderness Explorers retains the right to reschedule a flight as a first option. If we cannot reschedule the flight Wilderness Explorers 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 endeavor to reschedule the flight during your itinerary. If this is not possible then a full refund on the flight will be made.

Day 9: Paramaribo, Suriname

Transfer to the Eugene F. Correia International Airport for flight to Zorg-en-Hoop Airport in Paramaribo.

The Torarica Hotel and Casino is located along the Suriname River, near the very heart of the bustling city life and historic center. Torarica is the ideal location for business, relaxing getaways and family holidays and offers everything the modern traveler looks for in a perfect holiday experience.

This afternoon, we will head off to the pier where we will be picked up for the Sunset Dolphin tour. While having a drink 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. 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 former plantation Johan and Margaretha where we will enjoy freshly made local snacks like barra, baka bana or eggroll while experiencing the beautiful sunset. All this takes place 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 Paramaribo to your hotel.

Overnight at Torarica Hotel, breakfast included.

Day 10: Paramaribo to Danpaati River Lodge

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. Accommodations are in spacious A-frame style cabins with carefully appointed amenities including fresh coffee service in the mornings, and unbeatable views across the river and into the thick, surrounding rainforest.

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, all meals included.

Day 11: Danpaati River Lodge

Today we will visit one of the 12 villages that are affiliated with Danpaati. Pikin slee is located 30 minutes by boat from Danpaati. 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 Maroons, 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, all meals included.

Day 12: Atjoni – Paramaribo

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 Torarica Hotel, breakfast included.

Optional Service (not included in package price): Dinner at Mirosso
This evening the guide will take you by bus for dinner in a stylish Indonesian restaurant “Mirosso”. Suriname has a wonderful fusion of Indonesian cuisine.

Day 13: Suriname

We start our tour in the inner city of Paramaribo with a visit to the ancient building complex, Fort Zeelandia. You will take a guided tour. 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 or the Waka Pasi next to the palm gardens, the favourite 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 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 as a defense for the plantations that were situated along the upper parts of both rivers. The fortress is an earthwork construction and has the shape of a polygon (5 equal sides) with 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.

Lunch is included and will be served at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Torarica Hotel, breakfast included.

Day 14: Departure

Transfer by hotel shuttle bus to the airport for departing flight.