Itinerary

10 February 2012: Arrival Guyana:-

Arrive in Guyana, South America's only English speaking country. Guyana is a gem waiting to be discovered. It is known as the land of many waters and the giants of the world, among them; the mighty Essequibo river, Giant Arapaima fish, mighty Harpy eagle, the Anaconda, Giant Otters and Jaguars. You are privately transferred to the Pegasus hotel for overnight.

11 February 2012: Kaieteur Falls Excursion & City tour (B,L)

Morning departure from your hotel to airport for our chartered flight to Kaieteur Falls. Kaieteur National Park is situated on the Guiana Shield, a plateau that is one of the world's oldest and remotest geological formations. The entire National Park is located within one of the largest and most biodiverse rainforests in the world. The park is home to the tiny golden frog which spends it entire life in the large tank bromeliads; white-chinned and white-collared swifts; red and green macaws, Morpho hecuba, bush dogs, and many more. This natural wonder has a sheer drop of 741 feet and is 5 times the height of Niagara Falls .

After an extremely fascinating tour of Kaieteur falls, we return to Georgetown and enjoy a city tour of Georgetown

Georgetown was called Longchamps by the French , and Stabroek by the Dutch. It is a city full of historical monuments, many of them gracious colonial buildings which are still used today. It is known as the 'Garden City of the Caribbean '. Wide tree lined avenues and beautiful architecture, ranging from Gothic to Elizabethan, are evident as you drive along Main Street , High Street and Brickdam. St Georges Cathedral is the tallest freestanding wooden building in the world and was consecrated on 1892. Picturesque City hall was completed in 1889. St Andrew's Kirk is the first church built in Guyana over 139 years ago (completed in 1818). The Victorian Law courts built in 1887, Stabroek Market, Parliament building (built in 1834) are also many of the fine examples of colonial architecture. Our visit also includes the Umana Yana, Prime Minister's Residence, and State House built in 1845 as the governor's residence, the Walter Roth Museum with its display of Amerindian artifacts, the national museum, the Botanical and zoological gardens. The bustling and colourful markets of Bourda, Stabroek and Kitty are some of the city's prized landmarks. Return for overnight at the Pegasus hotel.

12-14 February 2012: Karanambu Ranch & Giant Otters (2 nights) (B,L,D)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Karanambu spending 2 nights. Karanambu is one of Guyana 's leading eco tourism destinations, popular because of the well-publicized interest of its owner, Diane McTurk, in conserving the endangered giant river otter. Located in the Rupununi, Karanambu offers rustic but comfortable accommodations. You will sample activities such as: bird watching, canoeing, caiman spotting and wildlife viewing. The possibilities are endless and the best part is that most options are included in this tour. Even a swim with the 'Diane's otters' can give a sense of pure satisfaction. Birdlife is rich and varied; both on the savannah and more along the rivers and ponds. On our guided tours we will most likely see the big birds- Jabiru stork, the Great Egret, the Agami Heron and the Great Blue Heron- as well as different species of Kingfishers.. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge BLD

As we move into the ponds we see the Green Ibis, Snowy Egrets, Boatbill heron, the Purple Gallinule and the Wattled Jacana both stepping on the large Victoria Amazonian lilies Overnight at Karanambu Lodge.

15 February 2012 – Fly to Georgetown and transfer to Sloth Island Reserve (B,L,D)

Return to Georgetown and transfer to the town of Parika, driving over the Demerara River, Guyana’s second largest River. The harbor Bridge is the longest floating bridge in the world. You may be lucky to se scarlet ibis along the sand banks of the Demerara River. You'll continue your journey by boat along the Essequibo River- Guyana’s largest River- being 21 miles wide at its widest point. Continue to Sloth Island and spend 2 nights/3 days. Sloth Island has recently recorded 188 (15 new species recorded in Feb) species including the puff bird, manikins, toucan, parakeets, Overnight at Sloth Island Reserve.

16 February 2012 -Sloth Island/Mazaruni River (B, L, D)

Today, after breakfast, you will explore the trails of Sloth Island, search for howler monkeys, sloths, and some of the 188 birds which adorn the rainforest at Sloth Island. Afterwards, you can canoe to nearby Amerindian villages or enjoy fishing at night. A short visit to the Mazaruni River, will reveal the first Dutch Settlement in Guyana- Kyk-overal. Some time is also spent at the mining town of Bartica walking through the busy street of mining shops, and local restaurants. In the afternoon, you will visit Parrot Island where thousands of parrots which come in to roost. Parrot island can be reached from Sloth island in five minutes!. Overnight at Sloth Island Nature reserve. BLD

17 February 2012 - Return to Georgetown (B,L)

Today, you will enjoy a canoe trip along numerous water trails leading to backwaters and inlets. The area has never been explored and you may be amazed at the wildlife that inhabits the island. Depart for Georgetown in the afternoon. Overnight at the Pegasus Hotel.

18 February 2012 - Guyana/Surinam

Morning departure for your flight to Paramaribo. Suriname is a former Dutch Colony with fascinating mix of cultures. Its European influences are evident in its architecture and the spoken language. On arrival you'll be transferred to your hotel . Overnight at Torarica Royale.

19 February 2012 - Paramaribo/ French Guiana (B)

Early Kourou overland and to your hotel for overnight at Mercure Relais. B

20 February 2012 -Devils Islands Tour (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Ile Royale for your Devil's Island tour. Spot presentation by English speaking Guide. See Devil's Island from the Auberge and learn about the Dreyfus affair and about the French Guiana Island. Late afternoon return to hotel.

21 February 2012 - Ariane Space Centre (B)

Transfer to Ariane space centre. The tour starts at 8:00 AM -11:00 am complete tour with bus shuttle to the for Paramaribo, Suriname. Transfer to hotel for overnight. B

22 February 2012 - Paramaribo City tour and river tour (B)
After you will find diverse races and cultures. See the shaded, tree-lined avenues , seventeenth-century Dutch wooden synagogues and Christian churches which coexist peacefully side by side.

Afterwards you will enjoy the Commewijne River cruise. You will pass fishing villages and former colonial plantations of which most are no longer active. Visit the open-air museum at Niew Amsterdam and Marienburg, the oldest former sugar plantation in Suriname returning at about 5:00 pm. The visit would take approximately 3-4 hours. Return to your hotel for overnight. BL

23 February 2012 - Joden savanna an Maroon village tour (B)
Depart hotel at 8:00 am. You are transferred to Joden Savanna- a former Jewish settlement inhabited by Jews who fled the inquisition in Europe around 1650. Remnants of the oldest synagogue in the Americas as well as the ruins of a graveyard is still evident. Now cleaned and maintained by the Jewish community, this area now houses a simple cottage which is used as a museum. Here, visitors find information about this unique, historic graveyard in the forest in Suriname.

Your trip continues with a visit to the Maroon village of Kalsscreek for a visit with the descendants of West African Slaves. Return to your hotel, Eco Resort Inn for overnight.

24 February 2012 – Depart Suriname
Transfer to airport for your return flight.

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