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Guyana
Natural Experience Tour

Day 1
Arrival in Guyana and transfer to the Cara Lodge (Tourist Class) for a stay of two nights.

Day 2
Full day excursion to the spectacular Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls. The Kaieteur Falls, the world's largest single drop waterfall (5 times the height of Niagara) is Guyana's best known attraction. 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.  With luck it might be possible to 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 Riverthunders 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 word, Orin, which is the name of an aquatic plant found in theses 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 Jacuzzi’s as the falls tumble down the steps of Jasper.  (Breakfast, Lunch)

Please note that flights to Kaieteur and Orinduik 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 5 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.  We retain the right to reschedule a flight as a first option.  If it cannot be rescheduled we will guarantee a flight with a minimum of 2 passengers to Kaieteur Falls only or a combination of Kaieteur Falls and Baganara Island Resort. This means that you will see the major falls of Kaieteur, but miss Orinduik Falls.  Please also note that 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 3
Morning transfer to Ogle Airstrip for a flight across the rainforest to the Iwokrama Airstrip. Upon arrival short transfer by boat on the Essequibo River to the Iwokrama Field Station. Afternoon free to explore the trails around the field station with an Iwokrama Ranger. After dinner there will be an outing on to the river to spot caimans and other nocturnal wildlife. Two nights at Iwokrama River Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4
Early morning boat ride near the Field Station. After breakfast, you will leave the field station for the journey to Turtle Mountain, and a gentle climb up the mountain to its summit (approx. 360 metres above sea level) where you can enjoy (weather permitting) breathtaking views over the forest canopy. Picnic lunch in the forest before making your way back to the Station visiting en route Kurupukari Falls to see the Amerindian petroglyphs (dependent on the water level) and the small Amerindian village of Fair View. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5
Dawn wildlife walk with an Iwokrama Ranger close to the Field Station. Then transfer by 4x4 along the trail which is one of the best places for a chance to spot the elusive Jaguar. The Iwokrama forest is rapidly gaining an international reputation for its healthy jaguar populations that seem not to be troubled by the appearance of humans. The journey ends at the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway which allows for views of the forest from 35 metres up in the canopy. Overnight at the Atta Rainforest Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6
Dawn at the canopy walkway. Then after breakfast travel to a trail in the Iwokrama Forest for chances to see the amazingly brilliant Guianian Cock-of-the-rock. Continue your trip onto the Amerindian village of Surama where on arrival you will receive a welcome from a village counsellor. Short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life lead by a local guide. Then visit the village and local school. In the evening educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark. Two nights at the Surama Guest House.

Day 7
Pre-dawn rise for a walk across the savannah and then the gentle climb up Surama Mountain in the cool morning air. This is the best time to observe bird life along the trail.  Breakfast will be served at a look out point which affords incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. Return to village for lunch and then take a 3-mile walk across the savannah and through the rainforest 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 overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8
After breakfast depart Surama by 4x4 for Rock View Lodge at Annai. Rock View Lodge is located where the savannah meets the forest-covered foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. With its tropical gardens and flowering trees, the lodge resembles an oasis in the savannah, and attracts many species of birds, particularly nectar feeders and frugivores. Nearby patches of light forest are home to certain ant birds and flycatchers, and of course the grasslands support an avifauna of their own. Two nights at Rock View Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9
Today there is a possibility to join the vaqueros on horse back as they take cattle out to graze on the savannah (optional), hike in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains or visit nearby Amerindian villages. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10
After breakfast transfer by 4x4 to Ginep Landing for a boat trip on the Rupununi River to Karanambu Ranch. This is the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned, giant river otters to the wild. 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). Today’s generation of Edward and Melanie McTurk are your hosts, leaving Diane more time developing the Karanambu Trust, work with her otters and her writings. Dinner with Diane, Edward and Melanie will include stories on the history of the family and the Rupununi Savannahs. Three nights at Karanambu Ranch. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11
Diane sometimes has resident orphaned otters and you can help her as she tends to them. You can visit Simoni Pond for some of the best inland fishing (optional) in Guyana including Peacock Bass or explore the flooded forest or savannah. Visits can be made to nearby ponds for birdwatching and to view the Victoria Amazonica, the world’s largest water lily and Guyana’s national flower. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12
This morning travel out onto the savannah to search for a Giant Anteater. Explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima. After breakfast transfer by boat, birdwatching along the way, to the Amerindian village of Yupukari and Caiman House. Caiman House is the hub of several participatory development projects, including the introduction of classroom libraries in all three village schools and an internet-enabled public library. Visitors may have the opportunity to meet local craftspeople, including the furniture builders at Yupukari Crafters, a non-profit venture to create village jobs and generate income to sustain educational development.

In the evening enjoy a foray on the Rupununi River from Caiman House Field Station. As a guest you have the unique opportunity to support and participate in an ongoing field study of the Black Caiman, the largest member of the alligator family and an endangered species. Guests will observe the capture from a separate boat, but will be offered the opportunity to assist in data collection. Caimans are weighed, measured, sexed and tagged before being released back into the river. The research has already discovered interesting information on caimans’ nests that was previously unknown. During periods of high water it is difficult to capture Caimans. On these occasions you will have another chance to enter the nocturnal world of the Rupununi River and associated gallery forests which offer an experience, and world of wildlife entirely different than those viewed on a day trip. Just after darkness settles on the River many creatures emerge such as black caiman (to over 12 feet), spectacled caiman, tree boas, iguanas, frogs, and many fish species( i.e arrawana, piranha). Sleeping birds (kingfishers, small perching birds) nightjars, potoos, Boat-billed Herons and other aquatic birds, bats, (harmless) spiders, insects, moths, and more can be closely approached in way not possible during the hours of light. Less likely, but not rare inclusions for night viewing include possums, tree dwelling rodents, capybara and sleeping monkeys (esp. squirrel monkeys) amongst other mammals. Few nights pass without some unusual offering. Overnight at Caiman House. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13
In the morning there will be time to visit the village, to learn about their way of life. Alternatively it will be possible to go birdwatching in search of the many good savannah, gallery forest and river-edge birds found in the Caiman House area including Pinnated Bittern, Green-tailed Jacamar, Black-chinned Antbird and Capuchinbird. After an early lunch take a flight back to Georgetown.  Enjoy an afternoon Georgetown city tour before transferring to the Cara Lodge for overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 14
At the agreed time you will be taken to the airport on time for your outbound flight. (Breakfast)

2011
Price per person (excluding international flights to/from Guyana): British Pounds (£) 2,840 (Fixed departures)
Price per person (excluding international flights to/from Guyana): British Pounds (£) 3,135 (Any Saturday departure)

Flights to/from Guyana:
from British Pounds (£) 786 (Low Season) (*)
from British Pounds (£) 911 (High Season)
(*) except Easter (April)
Based on Virgin Atlantic/Caribbean Airlines flights

Fixed departure dates for 2011
29 January–11 February
26 February–11 March
26 March-8 April 2011
7 May-20 May 2011
16 July–29 July 2011
13 August–26 August 2011
10 September–23 September 2011
1 October–14 October 2011
5 November–18 November 2011
3 December-16 December 2011

Austral Tours Ltd: 20 Upper Tachbrook Street
London SW1V 1SH - United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)20-7233 5384 / Fax +44(0)20-7233 5385
Email: info@latinamerica.co.uk

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