Natural Wonders of Guyana

Tailor made tours

SUMMARY

7 Days

Guyana

Discover the pristine natural wonders of Guyana on this suggested 7-day tour. On this tour, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Guyana’s cascading waterfalls, virgin rainforest, and abundant wildlife.

Guyana, an emerging gem in ecotourism, offers a unique experience rivalling the best nature destinations. Furthermore, its rainforest covers 80% of the land, boasting exceptional biodiversity. Prepare to explore the untouched Natural Wonders of Guyana and witness its incredible flora and fauna.

You will have no trouble communicating with English as the national language in this ex-British colony. Moreover, the local culture has a distinct Creole influence, infused with a vibrant Caribbean flair. Engage in lively conversations with the friendly locals, who are passionate about cricket and eager to discuss the international scene with fellow enthusiasts.

Furthermore, prepare to be captivated by the awe-inspiring Kaieteur Falls, a definite highlight of your journey. Moreover, witness these single-drop falls’ immense power and beauty in a tranquil setting that often feels like your own private paradise. Don’t miss the chance to venture into the country’s interior and encounter exotic wildlife in their natural habitat for incredible viewing experiences.

Our Latin American experts created the Natural Wonders of Guyana tour to inspire you. With Contours Travel, you can alter this itinerary to suit your timeframe and budget. Additionally, you can change any location, excursion, or accommodation to suit your interest.

HIGHLIGHTS

Discover this stunning country before everyone else catches on.
Visit the breathtaking Kaieteur Falls – unlike Iguazu, you’ll often have these all to yourself.
The birdwatching opportunities in Guyana are incredible. See Cock- of-the-rock, Makonaima Birds, Brown-throated and Golden-winged Parakeets, Caica Parrot, Guianan Puffbird and more.
Get a bird’s eye view of the rainforest at the excellent Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.
Wildlife opportunities abound. See Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tira, Spider Monkeys, and many more species.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Georgetown

Welcome to Georgetown! On arrival at the airport, you will be met by one of our local representatives and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 Georgetown

Today, you will embark on an exciting adventure as you board your flight to Kaieteur Falls, an iconic natural wonder and the highest free-falling waterfall in the world. This magnificent waterfall promises to be a true highlight of your holiday, captivating you with its sheer beauty and awe-inspiring power.

Day 3 Georgetown/Surama

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your ongoing flight to Surama. The airplane goes over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest before you land at Lethem. On arrival in Surama, you will receive a warm welcome from one of our local representatives and be transferred to your accommodation at the Surama Eco-lodge.
The Amerindian community of Surama is in the heart of Guyana. The village is set in five square 13 kilometers of savannah 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 forebears.
This isolated and idyllic location offers an escape from the concrete jungle to a serene and peaceful existence with nature. The guides have lived their entire lives in the rainforest and have an excellent understanding of nature and how to utilise its resources.
A local guide will escort you for a short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life. Your guide will take you on a village tour as the afternoon cools. Visit the local school, medical centre, and church, along with some of the village houses. Enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the forest’s mystique after dark tonight.

Day 4 Surama

Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then climb up Surama Mountain for 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 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 the village for sunset.

Day 5 Surama/Atta Rainforest

Enjoy dawn breaking across the rainforest. You can choose from a forest walk to look for wildlife and birds or relax around the lodge before breakfast and departure.
Depart from Surama by 4 x 4 vehicle through the Iwokrama Forest. Hopefully, you will see the amazingly brilliant Guianian Cock-of-the-rock. This trail is through the forest, and the guides can show the use of the plants. Then continue the journey to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.
The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is situated at Mauisparu, near the southern boundary of the Iwokrama Reserve in central Guyana. The walkway has four suspension bridges leading to three platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground, and these will allow great looks at a range of canopy species, many of which you would struggle to see well from the forest floor. The likely highlights are Painted, Brown-throated, Golden-winged Parakeets, Caica Parrot, Guianan Puffbird, Waved and Golden-collared Woodpeckers, Spot-tailed Todd, and Ash-winged Antwrens. The walkway is also an excellent place to look for various species of cotinga, including the poorly known and range-restricted Dusky Purpletuft. If there are any suitable fruiting trees nearby, you stand a good chance of seeing this bird and the more widespread Purple-breasted Cotinga.
Another area where we will want to spend some time is the clearing around the lodge, as this is one of the best places to see another of Guyana’s “must-see” birds, the Crimson Fruit crow. This species is seen here reasonably regularly, as it often comes to feed in some of the nearby trees. The clearing is also a reliable site for Black Curassow as a family party has become habituated to people and regularly passes through the clearing. With reasonable luck, you should be able to add this bird to the impressive list of species you will see around the lodge and walkway.
Atta Rainforest Lodge is 500 metres from the base of the Canopy Walkway, offering comfortable private-room accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, delicious home-cooked meals, and traditional Amerindian hospitality. The lodge is surrounded by tropical rainforests, which offers a complete immersion in the rainforest experience. The main building is open-sided with views across the gardens to the towering forest on all sides and houses the bar, dining area, and kitchen.

Day 6 Atta Rainforest

Before dawn, return to the canopy, where you will welcome the dawn chorus. You can sometimes see Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys from this tree-top vantage.
Apart from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, you can enjoy wildlife and birdwatching walks on the trails around the area. Many paths for those interested in botany have the key tree species marked. Many bird species, stunning insects, noisy amphibians, and playful primates make the surrounding forest their home, and you can be fairly certain to spot some extraordinary wildlife without even trying too hard. Deer and agouti are also regular visitors to the lodge. Serious birders will want to search the undergrowth for the rarely-seen Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo.
As dark falls on the canopy walkway, you may see the White-winged Potoo. Night walks are also possible, and something interesting or new always seems to pop onto the scene, including the occasional jaguar (Panthera onca) along the transnational road near the lodge.