Hidden Guianas

Discover Latin America's Best Kept Secrets

Embark on an exploration of three of Latin America’s least travelled destinations on an enthralling 15-day adventure taking in historic capitals, endless Amazonian rainforest, phenomenal natural wonders and an abundance of exotic wildlife. Whilst undeniably influenced by colonial rule, each have a firm stamp of individuality and Caribbean flair waiting to be discovered.

Beginning in Suriname, venture from the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed capital Paramaribo down the Suriname River and deep into the Amazonian jungle. Discover French Guiana’s eerie, deserted penal colonies of the Îles du Salut before finishing in Guyana engaging with Amerindian communities and observing natural wonders. All three have an incredible rich biodiversity and wildlife spotting opportunities will be plentiful throughout this encompassing adventure.

Highlights

• Stay with Amerindian communities deep in the Amazonian Rainforest
• Observe wildlife in their natural habitat on boat trips, canopy walks and short hikes
• Explore colourful, colonial Caribbean capitals
• Witness the sheer power of the world's largest single drop waterfall

Quick Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Paramaribo

Days 2 & 3 - Danpatti

Days 4 & 5 - Paramaribo

Day 6 - Kourou

Day 7 - Cayenne

Day 8 - Paramaribo

Day 9 - Georgetown

Day 10 – Kaieteur Falls

Day 11 – Atta

Days 12 & 13 - Surama

Day 14 - Georgetown

Day 15 - Depart Georgetown

Truly Individual Holiday

Any element of this holiday can be tailor-made to your requirements, including the places you want to see and the things that are important to you. Just contact one of our Travel Specialists today.

Day 1 - Paramaribo

Arrive in Paramaribo, Suriname’s historic capital on the banks of the Suriname River. Transfer to your downtown hotel, which is ideally situated to spend the rest of the day familiarizing yourself within the heart of the city.

Days 2 & 3 - Danpatti

A vast proportion of Suriname is made up of vast dense jungle terrain with communities and villages connected by the sprawling Suriname River. This morning leave Paramaribo heading in the direction of Atjoni where you will board a motorized canoe and travel through remarkable scenery on the Upper Suriname to Danpatti. Spend two nights in a wonderful River Lodge, a tranquil oasis and a fantastic base to explore the Amazonian rainforest and observe colourful wildlife. Take a gentle cruise on the river, spotting caiman on the river banks and the fathomless array of exotic birdlife.

The next day provides the opportunity to learn about the rural communities that flourish far away from modern-day development. Meet welcoming villagers and see how African influence has impacted daily life in the untamed jungle before paying a visit to the cultural heritage museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Saramak Maroon population.

After a traditional lunch, be led deep into the jungle by expert naturalists on a wildlife experience before partaking in an evening cultural dance performance with dinner.

Meals: B, L & D

Days 4 & 5 - Paramaribo

Head back to the capital to spend a further two nights in Paramaribo and to embrace the rhythm of the city. On day five of the itinerary, immerse yourself in the beating heart of Suriname on a guided tour, observing colonial architecture, Dutch forts, Presidential Palaces and of course the vibrancy of its population and its rich culinary traditions.

Meals: B & L

Day 6 - Kouro

Rise early this morning for your journey to French Guiana, a tiny country with a big history. The road from Suriname involves a beautiful coastal stretch with ample opportunity to stop to take in the beauty of the Caribbean waters on South America’s northern shore. Take the ferry across the Maroni River into French Guiana territory and complete the relatively hassle-free immigration formalities. Continue to Kourou, a coastal picturesque commune internationally known for its active satellite launcher where you can tour the massive complex replete with various launch pads and control centres. Overnight close to the beach.

Meals: B & L

Day 7 - Cayenne

A short distance of just 15km from Kourou is the trio of volcanic islands of Îles du Salut, better known in English as the Salvation Islands. The islands have a sad but fascinating history and played a central role in French history as the imprisonment point for slaves and political prisoners. Hop between the islands on a catamaran to develop an understanding of the conditions that the inmates endured. After the tour, spend the night in Cayenne, French Guiana’s capital where the country’s French, Brazilian and Caribbean influence is no better demonstrated than in its architecture.

Meals: B & L

Day 8 - Paramaribo

Today we head back to Suriname. Whilst the day is largely spent travelling, short walking tours of Cayenne and the border town of St. Laurent du Maroni are included to further develop your understanding of French Guiana history. Spend one final night in Paramaribo before your morning flight to Guyana.

Meals: B

Day 9 - Georgetown

Land in Guyana’s Caribbean capital Georgetown in the morning and embark immediately on an exploration through its vibrant streets. Accompanied by culinary master Chef Delven Adams, your host for the guided tour, the best place to start is in the bustling markets where you will pick up fresh ingredients from the friendly vendors for your lunch later in the day.

Georgetown has a laid-back ambience, and the rest of the morning is spent strolling through the colourful alleyways taking in the bright if not somewhat dilapidated colonial buildings and key sites such as the Public Library, the National Museum and St. George’s Cathedral.

After an expertly prepared lunch by Chef Adams continue to the tropical Botanical Gardens before embarking on an immersive ferry experience on the Demerara River, joining the many commuters who cruise along its banks at an unrushed pace. Disembark at a mangrove forest to reflect on the day whilst the sun sets idyllically to the calls of the birds who roost in their roots.

Meals: B & L

Day 10 - Kaieteur Falls

Whilst beginning and ending in Georgetown, the day is spent at the utterly beautiful Kaieteur Falls, reached by a short scenic flight. At over five times the height of Niagara Falls, Kaieteur is the world’s highest free-falling waterfall and the surrounding tropical rainforest only adds to its tranquillity.

Meals: B

Day 11 - Atta

Travel to the heart of Guyana’s Amazonian interior where your next night is spent in Atta, reached by a short flight and then a scenic boat transfer to your comfortable river lodge. As well as a convenient transportation method to navigate between the Amerindian communities and villages which thrive amongst the rainforest terrain, this is one of the best ways to spot birdlife that are drawn to its waters. After settling into the lodge, take the short climb through the well-preserved paths to the peak of Turtle Mountain, offering breath-taking views of above the forest canopies.

After lunch, experience the rainforest in a different way, reaching the higher levels of the canopies by way of a maze of suspended platforms. The Ikokrama Canopy Walkways are set some 30 metres above ground and bring you truly closer to nature, multiplying your chances of spotting Curassows, Aracaris, Fruitcrows and hummingbirds to name just a few of the exotic bird species found in the rainforest.

Meals: B, L & D

Days 12 & 13 - Surama

Wake early to experience the same canopy walkways at dawn, providing a totally different experience and a greater opportunity to spot Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys swinging from the treetops. We then leave Atta heading through jungle roads in the direction of Surama, home to an indigenous Amerindian community in the heart of Guyana. The village is set in a savannah oasis fringed by mountains and the land is shared with an eclectic myriad of wildlife, some of which will hopefully be observed on evening educational walk taken after settling into your eco-lodge and enjoying a tour of the village.

The next day, another early morning is required to climb the Surama Mountain at dawn. The early start and the somewhat moderate climb will inevitably prove worthwhile as you observe the sunrise majestically over the canopies accompanied by a dawn chorus of the calling birds and monkeys.

Return to the lodge for an early lunch before partaking on a leisurely river excursion, where guides/naturalists will paddle you down the Burro Burro River helping you identify the many wildlife species that you are likely to encounter.

Meals: B, L & D

Day 14 - Georgetown

There is still time for one last wildlife experience this morning that the lodge will be able to tailor and organise depending on interests. We then head back to Georgetown for one final night in the capital. 

Meals: B

Day 15 - Depart Georgetown

Breakfast at your hotel before your onward flight. 

Meals: B

From £5,479 per person

(Valid for 2022 departures, based on 2 people sharing a room on a group tour. See the price tab for detailed information. If you would like to do this itinerary on a private basis, please contact our Travel Specialists today)

Add International Flights

International flights to Guyana from the UK start from £699 per person

Send an enquiry and your travel specialist can find you the best available options from your local airport

Includes:

• 14 nights’ accommodation

• 29 meals; 14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 5 dinners

• City tours of Paramaribo, Georgetown and Cayenne

• Full-day tour of Kaieteur Falls

• Catamaran tour of Îles du Salut

• All wildlife excursions as per itinerary

• All domestic flights & transfers including boat transfers

Excludes:

• International flights if not added

• Meals not indicated in your itinerary

• Local departure taxes payable locally

• Items of a personal nature such as laundry and drinks etc

• Tips for guides and drivers (discretionary)

• Camera or video fees at any sites