Guyana Explorer - 6 days ex Georgetown

Explore the exciting caiman research project in Yupukari then spend a few nights at one of Guyana’s best-kept secrets, the lush and remote Maipaima Eco-Lodge, nestled in the Kanuku Mountais near the Brazilian border.

• Selected small group departures (private tour for minimum of 2 available upon request)
• Duration: 6 days
  
• Tour focus: Exploration of one of South Americas untouched wilderness, rich in birdlife and other wildlife
• Group Size: maximum 16

• Accommodation: 1 night in Caiman House Research centre, 3 nights in Eco-Lodges and 1 night in hammock
• Airport transfers
• All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners
• Trekking, bird and other animal spotting expeditions, canopy walks, boat trips, 4WD expeditions, unique interactions with local indigenous tribes and villages

MAKE THIS JOURNEY YOUR OWN; ADD-ON THE FOLLOWING TOURING OPTIONS:

• Music Experience -  Dinner with Roy Geddes and  Museum visit (3 hours)
• Art, Architecture, Culture and History Experience -  French Guiana Extension (4 days)
• Outdoor Adventure Experience -  Kaietuer Falls (full day)
• Guyana Beach Break - Trinidad and Tobago (6 days twin share)
  

ITINERARY:    

Day 1: Boat to Yupukari Village. This morning travel out onto the savannah to search for a Giant Anteater. After breakfast, guests who are not extending their tour will return to Georgetown while we look for wildlife along the Rupununi River as we travel by boat 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 nonprofit venture to create village jobs and generate income to sustain educational development. Tonight 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 (melanosuchus niger), 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. Caiman 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 Caiman to 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. Skilled guides will expertly escort visitors to meet elusive denizens of darkness by outboard powered boats, while interpreting the sights, and sounds of Guyana after dark. 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 & Research Center

Day 2: 4x4 journey to Nappi Village. This morning we will have some time to visit the village, to learn about their way of life. Or 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. Pickup and transfer by 4x4 for journey across the savannah to the Amerindian village of Nappi. Upon arrival meet a member of the village council and a brief orientation of the village before continuing to the Maipaima Eco Lodge. Travel from the savannah into the rainforest to Maipaima Eco Lodge which is nestled in the rainforest covered Kanuku Mountains in the south central Rupununi district of Guyana. Once at Maipaima Eco Lodge enjoy a cold drink and relax in a hammock. Owned, operated and hand built by the Macushi Amerindians of the Nappi Village Eco Tourism group, the lodge itself was constructed through the dedicated efforts of former Guyana Parliamentarian Shirley Melville and funding by Foster Parrots. The lodge is named after the Maipaima Creek which runs past the property. Simple wooden cabins with ensuite bathrooms are linked by a raised wooden walkway to the main dining and communal area. Nappi is famous for its Balata figurines and this afternoon you can learn about how Balata is harvested, see how the figurines are made and even try and make your own. At dusk the bush comes alive and in the clearing of the lodge you have the ability to see 360 degrees to view wildlife and birdlife. Overnight at Maipaima Eco-Lodge

Day 3: Hike to Jordon Falls. At dawn you can bird from the clearing or venture along well maintained trails. Breakfast is served on the open veranda as Macaws fly by and the Red Howler Monkeys control the heights. From the lodge we set out on a trail observing wildlife as our guide takes us through the rainforest on our way to the Jordon Fall. After 1500 metres we divert off the main trail for a chance to look for the Guianian Cock-of-Rock. Close by is Bat Cave, where you can observe hundreds of bats as they roost, clinging to the cave ceiling. At about 2000M we encounter the steepest climb on the trek as we ascend the Kanuku Mountains. Near the top there is a break in the trees for a lovely view across the rainforest to the savannah. The trail then winds its way up and down small peaks. The forest here is pristine with plenty of wildlife. Hard to see species include Jaguar, Ocelot and Tapir. There is a chance to see Harpy Eagle as they nest in this area. More easily seen are Spider, Red Howler, Squirrel and Capuchin Monkeys. We stop at a small creek where you‘ll have a chance to rest and take lunch before continuing the arduous walk to the fall. The hike is likely to take 4 to 6 hours depending on conditions, fitness and what is seen along the way. Upon arrival to the falls the view is just reward for the tough trek. The Wamacarro Creek tumbles about 120 metres down the stepped, rocky mountain side. The creek opens up fantastic views across the rainforest covered mountain tops and the rocks create lovely and inviting natural pools to swim in and recover from the hike. The creek water gently massages as you bathe in the natural Jacuzzi. Dinner is served al fresco on a rocky outcrop overlooking the falls and mountains. Overnight in hammocks at Jordon Falls

Day 4: Hike to lodge, 4x4 transfer to Lethem, fly to Georgetown. Wake to the sound of rushing water and Bell Birds, which can sometimes been seen in the very tops of the trees on adjacent mountains. For the more adventurous you can take a difficult path down beside the falls to view them from the bottom. After a morning dip in the creek you leave by foot, trekking back through the rainforest to the lodge. The trek back is easier at much of it is downhill. Back at Maipaima Eco Lodge enjoy a cold drink before transferring to Lethem for an afternoon flight back to Georgetown. Enjoy an afternoon Georgetown City To highlighting the architecture, markets and botanical Gardens. This evening you can take an optional tour to the 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 of the pans 

Day 5: Kaieteur and Orinmduik Falls. This morning depart for a flight to Kaieteur Falls which is situated in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo. The water of Kaieteur, one of the worlds natural wonders, flows over a sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge – a drop of 822 feet or 5 times the height of Niagara Falls. 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. 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 trip then continues onto Orinduik Falls 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. 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. 

Day 6: Depart Guyana. Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.