Savannah and Rainforest Adventure
Sat Arrive in Guyana and transfer to Georgetown. Overnight at Cara Lodge.
http://www.wilderness-explorers.com/cara_lodge.htm
Sun Transfer to airport for a flight over endless rainforest before reaching the spectacular Kaieteur Falls with its sheer drop of 741 feet and unique ecosystem. Then continue on to the Brazilian border and bathe in the natural jacuzzi formed when the Ireng River thunders over solid Jasper at Orinduik Falls (see full description below). At the end of the flight transfer to Georgetown. Overnight at Cara Lodge. BL
Mon 0915hrs Transfer to Ogle airport for a flight across the rainforest and savannah 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). Dinner with Diane, will include stories on the history of the family and the Rupununi Savannahs. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. BLD
Tues 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 (add US$15.00) 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. Explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima. An evening visit to Crane Pond to see hundreds of Ibis, Anhinga, Heron and Egret roosting is a highlight. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. BLD
Wed After breakfast transfer by boat along the Rupununi River to Ginep Landing and then by 4x4 across the savannah to Rock View Lodge at Annai. Overnight at Rock View Lodge. BLD
Thu With its tropical gardens and flowering trees, our 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 antbirds and flycatchers, and of course the grasslands support an avifauna of their own. We’ll explore the area on foot, and as the afternoon cools we’ll travel a short distance for birdwatching in the Pakaraima foothills. Overnight at Rock View Lodge. BLD
Fri Transfer before dawn to the new canopy walkway in the Iwokrama Forest; this allows you to experience the rainforest from 35M up in the tree tops. After dinner we return to the walkway to experience the canopy at night. Overnight in Iwokrama Atta Rainforest Lodge. BLD
Sat This morning welcome the dawn chorus from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. After breakfast transfer by 4x4 along the trail to seek 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 curious humans. No promises, but many have been lucky! Journey ends at the Iwokrama Field Station. Afternoon free to explore the trails around the field station with an Iwokrama Guide. After dinner, we will take you out on to the river to spot caiman and other nocturnal wildlife. Overnight at Iwokrama Field Station. BLD
Sun Today you will be up before dawn to hit the trail to seek 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 curious humans. No promises, but many have been lucky! After breakfast, you will leave the field station for the journey to Turtle Mountain, and an exhilarating climb up the mountain to its summit at 935ft (approx. 360m). It takes 1 ¾ hours to walk up the mountain, but the effort is more than worth it for the breathtaking views over the forest canopy when you get there. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest. On the return trip, visit Kurupukari Falls to see the Amerindian petroglyphs (dependent on the water level). Then visit the small Amerindian village of Fair View before returning to the Field Station. Overnight at Iwokrama Field Station. BLD
Mon This morning before breakfast, we will take you on an early morning boat ride near the Field Station. After breakfast we will transfer you by 4 x 4 to Annai. After lunch scheduled flight to Baganara Island. Baganara is pre-eminent among the three hundred and sixty-five islands in the mighty Essequibo. This wonderful little island paradise has one hundred and eighty-seven acres of lush green foliage and colourful tropical flowers. Located five miles south of Bartica, it is the gateway to the unspoilt rainforest of Guyana and the junction where the great Essequibo and Mazaruni Rivers meet. You’ll have lots of space to relax, romance or just be alone, at one with nature. You can sit on the balcony and simply enjoy the view, or take a long walk along the pristine white sand beach as the cool river waters gently lap at its shores. Overnight at Baganara Island Resort. BLD
Tue Today you can answer the call of the wild along our jungle walk, where you'll find many different species of flora and fauna or you can try your hand at a variety of other outdoor activities including canoeing, fishing, water skiing, volleyball, table tennis, riding wave runners, or simply sunbathing and swimming. Overnight at Baganara Island Resort. BLD
Wed This morning enjoy a boat trip to Bartica, Kyk-over-al and Marshall Falls. A boat trip on the Essequibo and Mazaruni Rivers leads to Marshall Falls, here you can bathe in a natural Jacuzzi. Hike through the forest to two smaller waterfalls, both perfect for a jungle swim. On your return visit Kyk-Over-Al, the ruins of a Dutch fort and Bartica, a mining township (see full description below). Afternoon you can answer the call of the wild along our jungle walk, where you'll find many different species of flora and fauna or you can try your hand at a variety of other outdoor activities including canoeing, fishing, water skiing, volleyball, table tennis, riding wave runners, or simply sunbathing and swimming. Overnight at Baganara Island Resort. BLD
Thu Transfer to airport for departing flight. B
Rates 2010 :
US$ 4,495.00 per person, minimum of 2 persons.
US$ 3,656.00 per person, minimum of 4 persons.
US$ 3,506.00 per person, minimum of 6 persons to 8 persons.
Rates are per person, double occupancy. Single Supplement: US$ 570.00
Rate Includes : Airport transfers - double or twin accommodation – shared accommodation at Iwokrama - meals as listed – Karanambu and Rock View – all road and river transport – internal flights – Kaieteur National Park fee – activities as described – guides – Iwokrama Forest User Fees - VAT.
Note: Passenger/s are allowed on Internal Flights a baggage allowance of 20Lbs (9.1KG) per passenger. Exceeding this weight limit passenger/s will incur an additional cost of GY$145.00/ US$0.75 cents per pound. We recommend that excess weight is reserved in advance.
Disclaimer: Please be advised all tour operators and customers must provide us with body weights of passengers booked to travel on tour to Guyana for all internal flights. Failure to provide us with this information or the incorrect information can cause delays to flights and inconvenience to other passengers and in some cases either passengers and/or luggage being taken off the flight. To ensure a holiday that is enjoyable and hassle free, it is imperative that passengers provide us with this information. We appreciate some people are sensitive about providing their body weights, but all customers and their baggage are weighed at check-in. This is procedure by the airline so as to ensure that the weight of the load is within the payload limit for the aircraft, and neither they or Wilderness Explorers will compromise on safety. All passengers are subject to removal of themselves or luggage from the flight if over the weight they provided and/or over the baggage allowance. Passengers are advised to provide a body weight with clothing similar to that which they would expect to travel in on the flight. Wilderness Explorers cannot be held responsible for any passenger denied boarding or luggage not transported if they are over the weight provided. Weights supplied are provided to the airline in advance to ensure the flight is within the allowable payload. Please be advised of internal flights free baggage allowance of 20 lbs per person.
ALL RATES CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINTING BUT SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
