Great Green Guyana

Upon arrival in Guyana, you will be met by your guide and transferred about one hour to Georgetown. Georgetown is the capital city and the chief port of Guyana. It is situated on the Demerara River close to the Atlantic Ocean. Originally chosen as a fort to guard the early Dutch settlements on the river, Georgetown hosts an interesting combination of Dutch and British Colonial architecture. Stay overnight at Georgetown’s finest hotel, the oceanfront Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel.

Lodging: Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel

Fly to the Rupununi Savannah, where you will take a short walk from the private airstrip to Karanambu Ranch. The settlement has the flavor of an Amerindian village, with its clay brick and palm-thatched cabanas set in a compound between the bush and the open range. Diane McTurk, well known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned giant river otters to the wild, will host your 3-day stay. Enjoy a trip to the Simoni Lakes, a robust fishing area, and the Crane Ponds, unique for bird-watching. Outstanding tropical freshwater fish and teeming bird life abound. Bird-watchers intrepid enough to brave the flood and insects of the wet season (June - August) are rewarded with water birds breeding in the nearby nursery. The river reveals Black Caiman, and for the lucky, the huge Arapaima, the world’s largest freshwater fish. Boating through the flooded forest offers unparalleled opportunities to observe the unique ecosystem. Guests at Karanambu are treated as friends rather than as clients, and the atmosphere is that of “living as family” in a remote settlement on the banks of the Rupununi River. Board a Land Rover and explore the savannah, or walk the forest trails with a guide. Resident guides are expert naturalists and are ready to lead explorations on the forest trails and through wetlands from dawn to dark. Spend three nights at Karanambu Ranch.

Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Lodging: Karanambu Ranch

Board a boat and enjoy an early morning wildlife safari along the Rupununi River to Genip Landing. Then transfer to Rock View Lodge, which is located in the village of Ruperti in the North Rupununi Savannahs at the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains, close to the border with the Iwokrama Forest. The Rupununi River, Pakaraima Mountains, and the rainforest, as well as the Amerindian villages of Annai, Kwatamang, and Woweta can be found within a radius of only a few miles of Rock View Lodge and are all easily accessible. Enjoy the landscape of savannahs, mountains, rainforest, and rivers. The lodge is surrounded by gardens and orchards, which attract hundreds of hummingbirds. You can join the local villagers in a game of volleyball, soccer, or cricket, or just relax by the only pool in the Rupununi. Stay overnight at the Rock View Lodge for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging: Rock View Lodge

Depart after breakfast to the Amerindian village of Surama. The village is set in five square miles of savannah, which is ringed by the forest-covered Pakaraima Mountains. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their ancestors. Tour the village and visit the local school, medical center, and church, along with some of the village houses. After lunch, take a walk through the rainforest and paddle down the Burro Burro River. The Burro Burro River offers the opportunity to observe giant river otters, tapirs, tiras, spider monkeys, and a plethora of other species.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging: Rock View Lodge

After breakfast at the Rock View Lodge, fly to Kaieteur Falls. At over 741 feet, Kaieteur Falls is five times the height of Niagara Falls and boasts one of the largest single raindrop waterfalls in the world. Along with the many plant species found in Kaieteur National Park, you may hear the low, hollow-sounding voices of howler monkeys in the distance, or watch the circling of the white-throated swifts directly over the falls. You may see a pair of magnificent scarlet macaws flying overhead. On the trail to Johnson's View, you can find the Cock-of-the-Rock covered in its signature bright orange feathers, and you will never forget the early morning call of the large pheasant-like bird, Chacalaka, referred to by locals as the “bush alarm clock.” After lunch, you will be transferred by air to the Shanklands Rainforest Resort. Shanklands is nestled between the mighty Essequibo River and an unspoiled rainforest, which scientific observation has shown to be among the richest and most diverse in all of Guyana. Stay overnight at the Shanklands Rainforest Resort.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging: Shanklands Rainforest Resort

Spend the day enjoying the activities offered at Shanklands Rainforest Resort. Guided walks in the forest, especially in the morning or late afternoon, have unlimited potential for natural discovery and inspiration. The primary rainforest has been preserved and protected as a natural wildlife reserve, so you will have spectacular views of animal and bird life. Over 210 bird species including white wing potoo, guans, tinamou, curassows, raptors, tanagers, and trogon are present here. Shanklands can take you on guided tours of the area and show you old Dutch forts, secret waterfalls, and a frontier mining town. You can play a game of croquet, volleyball, basketball, or badminton on the lawns or enjoy a game of life-size chess or shuffleboard under a towering tree. Practice your golf or hop into a kayak and head for one of the nearby creeks. The possibilities for fun-filled adventures at Shanklands are endless!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging: Shanklands Rainforest Resort

After an early nature walk and breakfast, depart Shanklands by jet-boat for a 45-minute ride to meet an air-conditioned coach for the final transfer to Georgetown. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and then embark on a tour of the city. This city tour includes visits to the famous St. George’s Cathedral, which rises to a majestic height of 43.5 meters and was once the tallest wooden building in the world. The Botanical Gardens and the zoo have a variety of open, forested and aquatic exhibits and is the best place in the city for watching myriad birds and butterflies. Stay overnight at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lodging: Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel

After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure. Depart in the afternoon for your onward flight from Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Meals: Breakfast