| BIRDING GUIANAS TOUR 21 days / 20 nights The gateway into the Amazonian interior, Guyana is not only the single English speaking country in South America, but a trove of environmental wonders. Rain forests, Savannah's, rivers that end in some of the world's largest waterfalls, all within easy access from comfortable world-class resorts. This beautiful country also hosts many of the world's largest, smallest, and most amazing animals, thanks to an ecology that has been untouched by pollution or urban development. Once considered the location of the mythical land of El Dorado, Guyana was the object of desire by many European nations before becoming a British colony. Countless expeditions traveled its waterways in search of the City of Gold. Now, as pristine today as they have been
then and for millennia, Guyana's landscapes await your own exploration. Day 01: Arrive in Georgetown, the capital city and chief port of Guyana, which is situated on the right bank of the estuary of the Demerara River. This site was originally chosen as a fort to guard the early Dutch settlements of the river. You can freshen up at your premium hotel and feel free to explore the colonial building, bazaar and culinary delights. Garden City Tour (Optional depending on arrival time). Our tour guide will take you to many places of interest, which includes the famous Stabroek Market, called the BIZARRE BAZAAR, which sells everything including gold jewelry; the St. George’s Cathedral rising to a majestic height of 43.5m and is among the tallest wooden buildings in the world; the Zoological Gardens on the outskirts ofGeorgetown which depicts quite a diversity of indigenous wildlife and the Botanical Gardens which is the home to beautiful flora. Throughout this tour, you will be allowed
a first hand experience of being awe struck at thedelicately created Victorian
style architecture that is characteristic of many of our buildings in
the city. See the famous Parliament Buildings where our national assembly
sits, the city hall that houses the office of the City Mayor, the residences
of the Head of State and his Prime Minister and a myriad of other interesting
sites that characterizes Georgetown as the ‘Garden City’ of the Caribbean.
You will also be given the opportunity to shop for souvenirs, craft, and
jewellery, or any other knick-knacks that your indulgence allows you.
Overnight at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel Day 06: Today tour the foothills of the Pakaraimas Mountains. You can also join the vaqueros on horseback as they take cattle out to graze. Overnight at Rockview Lodge Day 07: After
an early breakfast of local dishes, depart Rockview to visit the Iwokrama
Canopy Walkway, the new state of the art facility that winds through the
treetops. Pass through 35 miles of unbroken rainforest to Guyana’s only
canopy walkway, which offers magnificent view over the forest canopy ideal
for bird watching and wildlife spotting. Overnight at Rockview Lodge After Kaieteur, you will embark on a fifty minutes flight to Baganara Island Resort. Your afternoon can be as relaxing or adventurous as you decide. Choose from a variety of activities such as canoeing, fishing, water-skiing, table tennis or volleyball to name a few. Garden Dinner under the stars Overnight at Baganara. Day 09: An early morning walk through our nature trail. Bird watch for some of the many species of bids that our national collection possess, see flora and fauna in a way that is refreshing and unique and only evoked on Baganara Island. After breakfast, enjoy a ride by open boat along the Mazaruni River; visit some of our historical sites along the way to Marshall Falls where you will hike through the forest to two smaller falls with a pool-like Jacuzzi, ideal for a dip. Overnight at Baganara. Day 10: After
a sumptuous eye opening breakfast, enjoy an open boat trip to a nearby
Amerindian village. Agatash village is located on the western bank of
the Essequibo River and approximately 10 minutes from Baganara. After leaving Agatash Village, you will be transferred to Parrot Island. Located just a few miles (15 minutes by boat) from Baganara on the Eastern bank of the Essequibo River, Parrot Island is an uninhabited island with approximately 200ft of natural vegetation and a beautiful sand beach that stretches about 2 miles when the tide is low. It is known as a home for many birds, but predominantly the parrots that goes there at sunset to roost. Overnight at Baganara. your indulgence allows you. Overnight at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel Day 11: Consider this the ’lazy day’. You will spend the entire day lazily while you absorb nature at its very best on the island, or if that requires too much effort, let time cease to matter while you gently sway in a hammock embraced by the soothing winds of the rainforest as you forget what day of the week it is. After dinner, embark on a night spotting excursion for a chance to spot nocturnal species and other wildlife creatures. Overnight at Baganara Island Resort Day 12: After Lunch you will be transferred by river and road to Georgetown, with a stop to see the Guyana Heritage Museum between Parika and Georgetown. Overnight in Le Meridian Pegasus Hotel Day 13: Today you will depart Georgetown very early in the morning for your transfer to Suriname by Road & River. During your all day travel, you will cross the Berbice River & the Corentyne River by ferry before entering Suriname. When in Suriname, your journey will take you along mostly agricultural areas, rice fields and by rice processing plants. We can also see examples of Old Dutch wooden architecture along the way cross the Kopanama and the Saramacca Rivers by bridges to the capital city of Suriname-Paramaribo. Overnight at Eco Resort Day 14: Paramaribo sightseeing tour. Driving and strolling we take you on an interesting tour through Paramaribo, also known as the wooden capital city of the Caribbean with its impressive architecture of which part is now placed on World Heritage List. During the tour you will visit museum at Fort Zeelandia, the Palmentuin (Palm Gardens), Waterkant (riverside boulevard), a Mosque and Synagogue peacefully next to each other, and of course, a Hindu temple. Truly worth seeing are the Independence Square and the Presidential Palace and a visit to the Central Market where you will find numerous colorful and sweet-scented tropical fruits. Overnight at Eco Resort Day 15: After
breakfast, you will be picked up for your journey which takes you to the
Commenwijne River, past Old Dutch colonial plantations of which some are
still active. We will visit the Nieuw Amsterdam Museum, Merienburg, (the
oldest sugar cane plantation in Suriname) Rust-en Werk, the Thilapia Fishery
and agricultural projects in Alkmaar and Katwijk. Fishermen can be seen
hauling in their catch of shrimp in the area. End the day with a visit
of the fish-smokery, before heading back to our hotel. Overnight at Eco
Resort Day 17: After Breakfast at Hotel we take a bus for an all day travel by road and river to Cayenne. After 2 ½ we arrive at St Laurent, where we are welcomed by customs before we continue our journey. We stop in Sinnamary for a creole lunch at restaurant Le Pakira, after a hearty lunch we continue to Cayenne. Arrival in the early afternoon, and check in our hotel (Amazonia*** ) which is located in center of the city. After rejuvenation in your hotel take a guided city tour with the possibility to do shopping in French boutiques. Overnight at hotel Amazonia Day 18: Have a delicious breakfast at Hotel, after which you will be transferred to Kourou. Cross over to Devil’s Islands by sailing boat. Located 15 km from Kourou, this 3 islands archipelago (Royal Island, St. Joseph Island and Devils Island) are now a real green paradise after having been the hell for the convicts. Free visit of St Joseph (bathing possible) and Royale Island (guided visit is possible in French only), lunch (drinks not included) at Royale island inn. In the afternoon we cross back to Kourou and check into our hotel. Overnight at hotel Atlantis Day 19: Early breakfast at hotel before your departure to the Guiana Space Center, guided visit (in French only, movie in English through headset), Jupiter control room, Ariane 5 launch center, approach of launch pads depending on operational constraints), free visit of Space Museum. Have a sumptuous lunch at restaurant Le Relais Spatial, after lunch we travel to St Laurent, cross of the Maroni to Albina then travel back to Paramaribo. Late afternoon arrival in Paramaribo. Overnight at Eco Resort Day 20: Have a delicious breakfast at hotel, then a transfer by chartered Aircraft to Georgetown. Overnight at Le Meridian Pegasus Hotel Day 21: After breakfast, you will be transferred to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for you flight. (meals on the flight)
Tours must be booked at least 45 days prior to arrival.
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