17 Day Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana Tour Package

After your arrival in Georgetown International Airport you will be met and transferred to the Pegasus Hotel for your overnight accommodations. The Roraima Duke Lodge is an old fashioned Boutique colonial architecture building. This antique type property is strategically positioned opposite the US Embassy in Duke Street Kingston and is within walking distance of many touristic buildings. The Duke Lodge nonsmoking rooms are warmly decorated. The Standard rooms are furnished with one king size bed and equipped with High Speed Internet Access and offers continental breakfast.

After breakfast, at 6:45am, you will be picked up and transferred to the Ogle Airport for your flight to Karanambu Lodge. This is the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned, giant river otters. Diane and her otters have appeared on National Geographic, Jeff Corwin Experience, Really Wild Show (BBC) and the Calgary’s “Zoo World”. Karanambu has a long history of visiting naturalists and Diane’s father, Tiny McTurk, has welcomed David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell (Three Singles to Adventure). Late in the afternoon we will travel by boat to look for wild Giant River Otters and as dusk falls, we will make our way to the ponds to see the giant Victoria Regis water lily bloom at dusk. On the return trip we will spotlight for Black Caiman and birds and creatures of the night. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast we travel slowly on the Rupununi River by boat and this should give us another excellent opportunity to look for wildlife and birdlife. 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. Both Black and Spectacled Caimans also inhabit the river and several species of monkey including Red Howler, White-faced Saki and Squirrel Monkey can be found in the riverside trees. Eventually we reach Ginep Landing, continue your transfer by vehicle to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway which allows you to view the forest from 35 M up in the canopy. The walkway has four platforms, the highest of which is over 30 meters above the ground, and these will allow us to get great looks at a range of canopy species, many of which we would struggle to see well from the forest floor. Late afternoon transfer to the Amerindian village of Surama. The village of Surama is situated in a small savannah, deep in the rainforest and surrounded by forest clad hills. It was here that Charles Waterton passed through in 1812 in search of the secrets of the useful Wourali poison known as Curare. Waterton was so stunned by this spot that he wrote in his memoirs “The finest park that England boasts falls short of this delightful scene”. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their forebears. On our arrival, we will receive a warm welcome from the local people and will be shown to our basic accommodation. Tonight enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark. Overnight at Surama Eco-Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

Rise before dawn for a 4×4 vehicle transfer across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Taramou bridge where you will get out of the vehicle and walk for approximately 25 to 30 minutes to the Burro Burro River. Your guides will then paddle you on the Burro Burro River for opportunities to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tira, Spider Monkeys and many more species. Return to village for lunch. As the afternoon cools your guide will take you on a tour of the village. Overnight at Surama Eco Lodge. Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast depart Surama by 4×4 vehicle for Annai to join the scheduled flight to Ogle Airport. Transfer and overnight at Cara Lodge. Meals: B

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 nests close by. The lucky visitor may also see the famous flights of the Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds which nest under the vast shelf of rock carved by the centuries of water, hidden behind the eternal curtain of falling water. The Orinduik Falls is where the Ireng River 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. Its name is derived from the Amerindian (Patamona) word, Orin, which is the name of an aquatic plant found in these falls. The Ireng River forms the border between Brazil and Guyana. 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.

Guyana’s most popular day trip takes in both of these spectacular falls. The trip departs from Ogle Airstrip and lasts 7 to 8 hours with two hours spent on the ground at each water fall. Late afternoon, return to Georgetown. Overnight at Cara Lodge. Meals: B, L

This morning we will visit Demerara Distillery Limited to see how rum is processed in their plant at Diamond. The tour also includes a visit to the Rum Heritage Museum. Lunch at Cara Lodge. Late this afternoon visit the home of Roy Geddes Musical Museum for a cultural evening and local dinner. Roy is Guyana’s most famous steel pan player and maker. He will demonstrate how steel pans are made and discuss their history and a rendition of pop, rock, soca, classical and jazz numbers on the pans. At the Diamond Distillery, visitors will see first-hand how the company has maintained the standards and methods of the age‐old industry; working in tandem with the most up to date facilities and equipment. The unique blends of these rums are produced from a combination of Continuous Stills, Wooden Coffey Stills and Wooden Pot Stills. If the idea of rum conjures nothing more than visions of bad Coca-Cola mixed cocktails or high octane/high headache Mojitos, then you’re bound to be wowed by the output of this 50+ year old facility on the east banks of the Demerara River. El Dorado rum, the signature output of this venerable facility regularly bests a long list of respectable Caribbean competitors and turns out to be a Guyanese souvenir well worth carting home. Those who appreciate good scotch or brandy are especially likely to appreciate El Dorado 12 and 15 year sipping rums and quite expensive single barrel bottles. The tour is a 90 minute hard hat affair, taking you directly into the hot, smelly, and noisy innards of the busy factory and barrel warehouse to observe each step of the production process. Modern savalle, coffey, and tri-Canada stills are the center of activity as are fully operational but semi‐ancient wooden stills in the older section of the facility (those wooden stills are the oldest in commercial production anywhere in the world). With Chief Distiller Karl Kanto or one of his deputies at the helm of your visit, you can expect an impassioned education on the art and science of rum manufacturing leading to a finer appreciation of a product that is emerging (along with tequila) as the new ‘in’ choice among those who appreciate spirits. Overnight at Cara Lodge. Meals: B, L

Georgetown the chief port, capital and largest city of Guyana is situated on the right Bank of the Demerara River Estuary. It was chosen as a site for a fort to guard the early Dutch settlements of the Demerara River. The city of Georgetown was designed largely by the Dutch and is laid out in a rectangular pattern with wide tree lined avenues and irrigation canals that crisscross the city. Most of the buildings in the city are wooden with unique architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. For the most part the buildings have Demerara shutters and designed fretwork which trim eaves and windows. Main Street Georgetown provides several excellent examples of old colonial homes, a prime example of which is the State House, built in 1852. The State House is set in large gardens and is painted green and white and has hosted many visiting dignitaries. During your visit to Georgetown there are a number of interesting sights that should not be missed: the most famous being St. George’s Cathedral. The Cathedral is one of the world’s tallest free standing wooden buildings and was consecrated on 1892. The foundation stone was laid on November 23, 1890 and the building was designed by Sir Arthur Bloomfield. The story of the cathedral is told on the interior on tablets and memorials of a historical and sentimental nature: it is the tale of the history of Guyana in general and of the Diocese in particular. At the beginning of the Avenue of the Republic stands the Public Library housed in the Carnegie Building. Other historic buildings along this promenade are the Town Hall, a splendid example of Gothic architecture, and further along are the Victoria Law Courts and St. Andrews Kirk. St. Andrew’s is the oldest surviving structure of any church in Guyana.

The Famous Stabroek Market, once described as a “bizarre bazaar”, contains every conceivable item from house hold goods and gold jewelery to fresh meat and vegetables brought to town on the river daily. The clock tower can be seen for miles around and is a famous landmark.

No trip to Georgetown would be complete without a visit to the Botanical Gardens and zoo. The Botanical Gardens houses one of the most extensive collections of tropical flora in the Caribbean and are laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and bandstand. Over 100 species of Guyanese wildlife can be observed at the Zoo including a wide variety of tropical fishes and birds. The National Museum which contains a broad selection of Guyana’s animal life and heritage should not be missed, nor the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, which explains Amerindian history and life style. The tour will include walking along the Avenues with an experienced guide who will give you the history, rumor and facts on Georgetown and its citizens. The group will be accompanied at all times by a vehicle, which will be used for travel between areas of interest. Along the way visitors will sample local exotic fruits, snacks and refreshments. During the tour there is always the opportunity to purchase that unusual gift or unique Guyanese handicrafts, or for the daring the chance to delve into the gold and diamond market.

Upon completion of the excursion, you will transfer to Ogle Airport for your flight to Suriname. Arrive in Zorg en Hoop Airport. After customs clearance transfer to the Krasnapolsky Hotel by shuttle bus. Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname is a junction of cultures. It is an old Holland colony where people from many countries arrived to work on the plantations. Located in the middle of the Amazon Jungle; Suriname has plenty to offer as one of the most exotic destinations of South America. As one of the oldest and most familiar companies in the Hospitality division, Hotel Krasnapolsky established in 1973, has become a famous landmark in Paramaribo’s downtown city scene. The hotel has always been a huge draw to international tourists and business travelers who seek it out especially for its prime downtown location. With its restaurants and gradual expansion into facilities such as famous fast food chains and shops in the ground floor shopping arcade, the Hotel’s facilities are also much sought after by the dynamic downtown crowd. Meals: B

After breakfast, you will checkout from the hotel at 6:45am and be picked up by for your transfer to the French Guiana border where you will proceed through customs and immigration, to enter French Guiana. Our representatives will then escort you to the Kourou at Hotel des Roches for check in and overnight. Meals: B, L (Lunch at a local restaurant)

After breakfast, Depart from the hotel for a full day excursion to Devil’s Islands by scheduled Catamaran visit to St. Joseph and Royale Islands. A guided visit of the island including the museum, main buildings, a children’s cemetery, convict building, guard’s house, jails, etc. Lunch at the guest house on Royal Island. Return to Kourou by Catamaran at 5:00 P.M. Overnight at Hotel des Roches. Meals: B, L

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Cayenne City Tour including Place des Palmites, Place de Grenole, Fort Ceperou. Lunch at a local restaurant. Upon completion of the excursion, you will transfer to Cayenne Airport for your flight arriving at Paramaribo International Airport. After customs clearance you will transfer to the Krasnapolsky Hotel by shuttle bus. Meals: B, L

After breakfast, at 9:00am, you will be picked up by This afternoon we take you on a Paramaribo City tour; on foot you will visit one of the most attractive cities of South America, Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its magnificent architecture. During this tour you will visit the Palm Gardens, the Waterfront and the Central Market. Naturally, you will also see the many historical buildings like the recently renovated Presidential Palace, the Mosque and Synagogue next to each other and the magnificent Hindi Temple. Overnight at Krasnapolsky Hotel. Meals: B

Breakfast at the hotel. Be ready at 9:00am After an interesting bus ride out of town you have a chance to see some of the landscapes of the rural community at the Wanica District. Our first visit is a small Botanical garden with a wide range of Heliconia’s, palm trees, bamboo, ferns and other exotic flowers, trees and plants. During the trail you will be treated to taste several exciting specialties from Suriname. We continue our journey to the butterfly park in Lelydorp, a beautiful and enchanting world of butterflies awaits you. In a serene nature rich environment, a multitude of colorful butterfly species surround you while you enjoy a variety of attractions and learn all there is to know about their fascinating process of metamorphosis. During your visit to Neotropical Butterfly Park you will also have a chance to explore our insect museum, and a hand painted 360⁰ panoramic view of typical Surinamese landscapes and of course a guided tour through the breeding facilities of Neotropical Insects. The butterfly farm also breeds local land turtles and snakes in small numbers aside from butterflies. After the guided tour at the butterfly park, we will return to your hotel. Overnight at Krasnapolsky Hotel. Meals: B

Enjoy a typical breakfast, at 10:00am we will set off to the Bergendal Eco & Cultural River Resort and last plantation alongside the Suriname River. You will be delighted by the unique blend of adventure, history, and nature that awaits a 2-day exploration and makes the resort one of a kind. Endless opportunities abound for revitalizing and relaxation, as well as many adventure activities to explore. Lunch will be served at in the Kiskadee Restaurant. Overnight at Bergendal Resort. Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast you will take a boat to visit to the Heritage Village, an old slave town at the side of the Suriname River. Arrive at Adventure Center where you will have the option to add select tours available to enhance your stay at Bergendal. Overnight at Bergendal Resort. Meals: B, L, D

Breakfast at the resort. After breakfast we will hike from the resort to the Adventure Center. At the Adventure Center you can do some optional activities for the last day in Bergendal. After lunch transfer to Paramaribo. Arrival and check in at the hotel. Overnight at Krasnapolsky Hotel. Meals: B, L

Breakfast provided. Transfer to the airport for your international flight home. Meals: B