Rupununi Trails: Eco Adventure Tours in the Guyana Shield
The Rodeo Trail Drive - 11 Days
Trip Description
At Easter, the ranches of the Rupununi hold their annual Rodeo, which attracts participants and enthusiasts from around the world. Ongoing in various forms throughout the 20th century, the sport quickly caught the attention of the local community and grew into a yearly gathering of vaqueros and fans from ranches across the Rupununi and into Brazil. Today, it has evolved into the carnival of the savannahs. As the main provider of horses and cattle, Dadanawa Ranch organizes a cattle drive to the Rodeo in which we invite you to participate.
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: Lethem and Dadanawa
Fly to Lethem. Breakfast, then an off-road 4x4 adventure on savannah trails hugging the side of the Kanuku Mountains and passing through Shulinab Village, the only settlement of the Macuxi tribe in the south savannahs. Arrive at Dadanawa Ranch for lunch. Accommodation is in typical stilted ranch housing facing the savannah and offering panoramic views of the Kanuku Mountains.
Day 3: Dadanawa
An opportunity to choose a horse as you join the vaqueros on a ride to round up the cattle and horses from which will be chosen the stock to be driven to the Rodeo. All saddles are Western and you are welcome to bring your own.
Day 4: Rupunau
A 14 mile ride to visit the Wapishana village of Rupunau for lunch and an inspection of nearby ancient petroglyphs. Return to Dadanawa for dinner.
Day 5: Cattle Drive
A day in the saddle on the open savannah. Accompany the cattle drive to Red Hill Ranch, a ride of approximately 30 miles. After a BBQ on the open savannah, sleep in the comfort of a hammock. Luggage will be transported by 4x4 vehicle.
Day 6: Cattle Drive
The drive continues to Manari Ranch, about 30 miles away, where the animals will be corralled, and the Dadanawa vaqueros will be based for the duration of the Rodeo. Accommodations and dinner at Manari Ranch.
Days 7-8: Rodeo
Enjoy the Rodeo with its carnival atmosphere. See the spectacular and sometimes hilarious cowboys and cowgirls do their thing, from bull riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, saddle and bareback bronco riding, to barrel racing and watching the kids catch the greasy pig. You are welcome to participate in any of the events.
Day 9-10: Karanambu
A 4x4 drive across the North savannahs to Karanambu Ranch, home to Diane McTurk's famous orphanage for giant river otters. Visit Simoni Lake to see capuchin and squirrel monkeys, giant black caiman and river otters. Fish for peacock bass, arawana, saber-toothed payara, and catfish. Visit Crane Pond to see Victoria water lilies, and many varieties of water birds. This comfortable lodge offers private cabanas with showers, a dinner to remember and a treasury of the Rupununi's history and folklore.
Day 11: Fly to Georgetown
Fly from Karanambu to Georgetown, and transfer to Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
Customise this ride
If you cannot make the Rodeo, but would still like to ride the savannahs, we can arrange an itinerary to suit your time and preferences.