Guyana, a country on South America’s North Atlantic coast, is defined by its dense rainforest. English-speaking, with cricket and calypso music, it’s culturally connected to the Caribbean region. Its capital, Georgetown, is known for British colonial architecture, including tall, painted-timber St. George’s Anglican Cathedral. A large clock marks the facade of Stabroek Market, a source of local produce.
Day 01: Arrive Guyana
Arrive Guyana meet and assist at the Airport and transfer to your hotel. 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 in the interior on tablets and memorials of an 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. Andrew’s 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 household goods and gold jewellery 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 a 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 our 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, rumour 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 handicraft, or for the daring the chance to delve into the gold and diamond market.
Upon conclusion of the tour transfer to the hotel located in the heart of the city. Guests will enjoy complimentary wireless Internet access, a courtyard for leisure and bar.
Overnight at Hotel
Meals: breakfast
Day 02 – 03: Iwokrama
You will leave early from Lethem for a 6 hour adventurous drive through an historic mining town and the rainforest to Iwokrama where you can get settled into your room.
Afterwards, you will depart for Turtle Mountain. A trip to Iwokrama is not complete without a hike to the summit of Turtle Mountain for a stunning view of the jungle vista. After breakfast, the journey starts with a peaceful and scenic half hour boat ride where you arrive at the base of the mountain. The trek to the 950 foot (290 meter) Turtle Mountain summit is mildly challenging and takes about 1 ½ – 2 hours, but the breathtaking views are more than worth the effort. Turtle Mountain provides a gorgeous view of the top of the rainforest canopy.
Along the way you may see a Harpy Eagle or the Greater Yellow-headed Vulture, King Vulture, Gray-headed, Double-toothed, and Plumbeous Kites and Black-faced Hawk. The trails may reveal Little Chachalaca, Marail Guan, Black Currassow, Squirrel and Black-bellied Cuckoos, Blue-crowned Mot Mot, Collared Puffbird, Pygmy, Antwrens and many more! You may also be rewarded with sightings of monkeys such as red howlers, wedge-capped capuchins and black spiders. After your return, enjoy another refreshing local lunch and an ice cold beverage.
As you return to the River Lodge, you may catch a glimpse of the elusive jaguar; South America’s largest cat. Spend a relaxing evening enjoying dinner overlooking the scenic vistas of the Essequibo River.
After a relaxing dinner, join us for a cruise on the Essequibo River through the black of night, lit only by a pale moon. Your guide shines the spotlight and there it is… the red-eye glare of the black caiman! Frequently and closely seen lying on the river banks, the worlds’ largest of the alligator family grows to 20 feet (6 meters) long. A boat ride at night may also introduce you to other nocturnal creatures such as tree boas, pacas, nightjars, and hula tree frogs.
Overnight at Iwokrama .
Day 04: Canopy Walkway tour and Surama
Depart at dawn to the Canopy walkway. The 505 foot (154 meter) state-of-the-art Iwokrama Canopy Walkway offers a totally unique experience in the region and envelopes you in the jungle’s mid-level canopy through a series of suspension bridges and decks from heights of up to 98 feet (30 meters).
You’ll have the chance to see birds like the Green Aracari, Scarlet Macaw, Guiana Toucanette or Channel-bill Toucan. Red Howler Monkeys may also be observed. Check out the epiphytes such orchids and bromeliads, and look for the amazing parasitic Ficus plant as it engulfs another tree.
There is also the Greenheart Tree, the Waramadan (endemic in Guyana only to the Iwokrama Forest) and the poisonous Aromata! Stop at teh harpy Eagle nesting site if it is still active, then by 4×4 to the Amerindian community of Surama. On arrival in Surama receive a welcome from a village counselor and settle into your accommodation. A local 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. Visit the local school, medical center and church along with some of the village houses. Tonight enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the mystique of the forest after dark.
Overnight at Surama .
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 05: Explore Burro Burro River
Rise before dawn 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 lookout point which affords incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains.
Return to the village for lunch and then take a three mile walk across the savannah and through the rain forest 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 sunset and dinner.
Overnight at Surama .
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 06: Travel to Georgetown/ transfer to Sloth Island Nature resort
Depart after breakfast to Lethem for your flight to Georgetown. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the town of Parika, driving over the Harbour Bridge, the longest floating bridge in the world, which spans across the second largest river in Guyana—the Demerara River. Continue your journey by boat along the Essequibo River—Guyana’s largest River, being 20 miles wide at its widest point. Continue to Sloth Island and spend 1 night/2 days. Sloth Island has recently recorded 188 species of birds, including the Puff bird, manikins, Toucan, Parakeets as well as animals such as sloths and monkeys.
Overnight at Sloth Island Nature Resort
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 07: Sloth Island Nature Resort
This morning you will depart Sloth Island for your tour of the Mazaruni river, including sightseeing at Kyk-overal, the Old Dutch Fort, Mazaruni Prisons, Baracara Falls and an exciting ride along the rapids at Marshall Falls. Also enjoy a hike at Marshall before continuing to Sloth Island Nature reserve.
On this island you may encounter many species of birds and other wildlife. Over 188 species of birds including Mankins, parraketts, Tinamous, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Spix’s Guan, Green Ibis, Swallow-tailed Kite, Sunbittern, Red and Green Macaw, Red Dan Parrot, White-necked Jacobin, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Black -eared Fairy, Criimson Topaz, White-necked Puffbird, Pied Puffbird, Curve-billed Scythebill, Cayenne Jay, Blue Dacnis, Green Honeycreeper, Shortbilled Honeycreeper, Purple Honeycreeper, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Green Oropendola and more.
Overnight at Sloth Island Nature Resort
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 08: Depart Guyana
After Breakfast departure transfer to Airport to catch the flight for onward Journey.
Meals: breakfast
| Place | Night (s) | Hotels |
| Guyana | 01 | El Dorado Inn |
| Iwokrama | 02 | Iwokrama River Lodge |
| Surama | 02 | Surama eco Lodge |
| Georgetown | 02 | Sloth Island Nature resort |
- Welcome on arrival with fresh flower garlands.
- Meet to attend airports / hotels by our office representative.
- 07 nights in accommodation as per the program.
- Meals as per Program
- Guide Services ( English language )
- Entrance fees to the monuments.
- All taxes.
• International flights
• Personal Expenses.
• Camera / Video Camera Fees.
• Medical Aid.
• Tipping.
• Travel Insurance.
• Visa If any.
• Accommodation in good hotels.
• Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
• Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost. – Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
• A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
• If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
• Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
• In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
• In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
• While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
• Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
• In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.
