Trip Description
A journey on the Rupununi River through the Kanaku Mountains of southern Guyana. Unlock the mysteries of this pristine rainforest region, witness exotic flora and fauna, majestic rivers and waterfalls and visit indigenous communities as well as the Rupununi's cattle ranches. Accommodation varies from private rooms with showers, to rustic hammock camps.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Georgetown
Scheduled international flights to Georgetown, Guyana. (avg. 4 hours from Miami, 6 hours from NYC Or Toronto, 10-12 hours from Europe via Barbados or Trinidad and Tobago). Private transfers and night at the 5-star Meridien Pegasus hotel in Georgetown. Dinner not included.
Day 2: Annai
Arrive at Annai after an early morning flight, and after breakfast at Rock View Eco Resort, transfer to boats for the first day's travel down the Rupununi river. From the beginning, black caiman, monkeys, otters and a variety of birds will present wonderful photo opportunities.
Day 3: Rewa Village
We continue our journey down the Rupununi River to Rewa Village, about 60 miles from Annai at the confluence of the Rewa and Rupununi rivers. Here, we will stop to explore the village, interact with its inhabitants and meet the Tauchau (chief). This isolated community of 200 Macuxi Amerindians is our last contact with other humans for the next week.
Day 4-6: Rewa River
For the next three days we will explore the Rewa River. Uninhabited and isolated, this river is a paradise for birders and fishermen, and the local wildlife will present numerous photo opportunities. Treks into the forest on specially maintained trails will allow you to experience the rainforest at its best. We will be changing camps daily.
Day 7-8: Corona Falls
Corona Falls is a magnificent waterfall on the Rewa River. Isolation and lack of commercialization has allowed it to retain its untouched beauty. Here, the river provides a unique fishing opportunity. Pakoo is a fish that travels upriver to spawn. Incredibly strong, it lives in the fast running water of the rapids and presents a serious challenge to fishermen. Even so, fresh fish are fried up nightly at the Corona Falls Campsite.
Day 9-10: Quitaro River
Our journey continues up the Quitaro River. Changes in the forest canopy can be observed, but the flora and fauna continue unrelenting
Day 11: Rainforest Trek
From Quitaro Landing we begin a trek through the rainforest. Accompanied by a new team, this trek through the Kanaku mountains is a journey to remember. (more info on this trek! Is it up a mountain or something?)
Day 12: Rainforest-Savannah-Dadanawa Ranch.
Our journey continues through changing terrain: from the shading, towering canopy of the rainforest to the vastness of the savannah. A scenic 4x4 drive transports us to the Dadanawa Ranch.
Day 13: Dadanawa
Accommodation is in typical stilted ranch housing facing the savannah and offering panoramic views of the Kanuku Mountains. Here, cattle are still worked by the barefooted vacqueros in their time-honoured ways. You can ride with them, visit ancient rock carvings, fish, go birding, or simply relax and soak in this veritable big sky country.
Day 14: Lethem and Manari Ranch
The journey to Lethem is an off-road 4x4 adventure on savannah trails hugging the sides of the Kanuku Mountains and passing through Shulinab Village, the only settlement of the Macuxi tribe in the south savannahs. In Lethem you'll have an opportunity to buy local handicraft including fabulous handmade Wapishana hammocks and Wai Wai ornaments.