Savannah and Rainforest Adventure

8 days/7nights
Scheduled Departures for 2007:
April 21 – May 3, July 28 – August 9, November 24 – 6 December, 2007.

2007 Prices : US$ 3,978.00 per person, minimum of 2 persons. US$ 3,298.00 per person, minimum of 4 persons. US$ 3,198.00 per person, minimum of 6 persons to 8 persons. Single Supplement: US$ 338.00.

Sat                  Arrive in Guyana and transfer to Georgetown.  Overnight at Cara Lodge.
                       

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).  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.  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 a gentle 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 Georgetown.  Transfer by vehicle to the Essequibo River and then by boat to Shanklands Rainforest Resort. Overnight at Shanklands Rainforest Resort.  BLD 

Tue                 Free day to enjoy the facilities at Shanklands including nature trails and your own private beach.  Overnight at Shanklands Rainforest Resort.  BLD

Wed                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).  Overnight at Shanklands Rainforest Resort.  BLD

Thu                 Transfer to airport for departing flight.  B

2007 Prices : US$ 3,978.00 per person, minimum of 2 persons.
US$ 3,298.00 per person, minimum of 4 persons.
US$ 3,198.00 per person, minimum of 6 persons to 8 persons.
Single Supplement: US$ 338.00

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$125.00/ US$0.66cents per pound.  We recommend that excess weight is reserved in advance.

Scheduled Departures for 2007
April 21 – May 3, 2007
July 28 – August 9, 2007
November 24 – 6 December, 2007

ALL RATES CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINTING BUT SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls

The Kaieteur Falls which was first seen by a European on April 29, 1870 is situated in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo.  The water of Kaieteur, one of the world’s 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.

There are no other falls in the world with the magnitude of the sheer drop existing at Kaieteur.  Amerindian legend of the Patamona tribe has it that Kai, one of the tribe’s chiefs (after who the falls is named), committed self sacrifice by canoeing himself over the falls.  It was believed this would encourage the Great Spirit Makonaima to save the tribe from being destroyed by the savage Caribishi.

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 Orinduik Falls is 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.

It’s name is derived from the Amerindian (Patamona) 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. 

Guyana’s most popular day trip takes in both of these spectacular falls.  The trip departs from Ogle Airstrip and lasts 7 to 8 hours with two hours spent on the ground at each water fall.

Note :   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 you will be offered the option of rescheduling the trip to another day during your stay, a full refund for that portion of the trip, or an alternative trip.  In many cases we can offer a trip to Kaieteur Falls and Baganara Island Resort as an alternative, which means you see the major falls of Kaieteur, but miss Orinduik.