Spectacular Wildlife
Search for jaguars in the Iwokrama Rainforest and search for the cock-of-the-rock.
Travels into the Land of the Giants
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/02/22 | 25/02/22 | 14 days | £4,695 | £565 | Local Guides | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 02/04/22 | 15/04/22 | 14 days | £4,695 | £565 | Local Guides | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 27/08/22 | 09/09/22 | 14 days | £4,695 | £465 | Local Guides | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
In a corner of South America is a land of spectacular wildlife experiences; jaguars hunt for the world’s largest rodent, giant caimans hide beneath murky piranha-rich waters and colourful cocks-of-the-rock flirt beside thundering waterfalls. Offering a magisterial selection of splendidly diverse wildlife, the little-discovered country of Guyana is a nature lover’s paradise.
Located at the point where the Caribbean meets the Amazon, this small country is a vast wilderness of jungles, wetlands, and savannahs. Chances of seeing some of the continent’s more elusive animals are better here than almost any other country. Jaguars, harpy eagles, giant anteaters, cocks-of-the-rock and anacondas can all be sighted with a dash of luck. As well as searching for wildlife, get involved with conservation efforts, helping researchers gather data on the fearsome black caiman. Visit local villages where age old traditions remain and explore the colonial capital city of Georgetown.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
2
Kaieteur Falls
Take a day trip to the Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall.
Caiman Conservation
Get involved with conservation, helping researchers gather data on fearsome black caiman.
Age-old Traditions
Visit traditional, local villages and explore the colonial capital city of Georgetown.
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Day 1
Georgetown
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Day 2
Kaieteur Falls
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Day 3
Georgetown - Annai - Iwokrama Rainforest
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Days 4-6
Iwokrama Rainforest
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Day 7
Iwokrama Rainforest - Surama
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Day 8
Surama
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Day 9
Surama - Rupununi Savannah
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Days 10-12
Rupununi Savannah
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Day 13
Rupununi Savannah - Lethem - Georgetown
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Day 14
Georgetown
Day 1
Georgetown
Day 2
Kaieteur Falls
Day 3
Georgetown - Annai - Iwokrama Rainforest
Days 4-6
Iwokrama Rainforest
Day 7
Iwokrama Rainforest - Surama
Day 8
Surama
Day 9
Surama - Rupununi Savannah
Days 10-12
Rupununi Savannah
Day 13
Rupununi Savannah - Lethem - Georgetown
Day 14
Georgetown
Georgetown
The only large city in Guyana and the country’s capital, Georgetown lies at the mouth of the Demerara River. An attractive colonial city, British-inspired architecture and a profusion of flowering trees fill its charming streets. Dotting the city are a fine selection of jazz bars and cafes, serving delicious local cuisine. Packed with striking buildings, Georgetown’s highlight is the impressive St. George’s Cathedral, which is said to be the tallest wooden structure in the world. Other popular sites include the cast-iron Stabroek Market, the Parliament Building and the Victorian-era Botanical Gardens.
Kaieteur Falls
Fly over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rainforest, to land at Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall. The water of Kaieteur flows into a deep gorge below and Amerindian legend of the Patamona tribe has it that Kai, one of the tribe’s chiefs, 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 and is famed for its tank bromeliads, which act as lifelong sanctuaries for the tiny golden frog. The rarely seen Guiana cock- of-the-rock also nests close by. There is also a chance to see the flight of the Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds which nest under the vast shelf of rock carved by the centuries of cascading water. It is also possible to upgrade to a flight including Orinduik Falls.
Iwokrama Rainforest
A vast one million acre wilderness, the Iwokrama Rainforest was established as a protected area in 1996. The heart of the Guiana Shield, one of the last untouched tropical forests, Iwokrama is as a living laboratory for tropical forest management. Home to the indigenous Makushi, it is protected through a unique partnership between the local people and conservation organisations. Explore the trails around the river lodge, accompanied by an Iwokrama Ranger, looking out for Guianan toucanets, rufous-winged ground-cuckoos, black spider monkeys and brown capuchins. Rise early to embark on a boat trip down the Essequibo River, circumnavigating Indian House Island. Listen to the dawn chorus from birds such as quails, swifts, swallows and antwrens, before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Board a boat from the lodge and sail towards Turtle Mountain, watching out for wildlife along the way. The exhilarating trek to the 360-metre summit of Turtle Mountain will be a journey of approximately two hours, an effort which is rewarded with breath-taking views over the forest canopy.
Black Caiman Field Trip
Revel in the unique opportunity to support and participate in an ongoing field study of black caiman, the largest member of the alligator family and an endangered species. Observe captures from a separate boat with the opportunity to assist in data collection. Caimans are weighed, measured, sexed and tagged before being released back into the river. The research undertaken here has already uncovered interesting new information about caimans’ nests. During periods of high water, it is difficult to capture caimans, but there will still be the chance to enter the nocturnal world of the Rupununi River. Just after darkness settles on the river, many creatures emerge. These include black caimans, spectacled caimans, tree boas, iguanas, frogs, and numerous fish species. Observe sleeping birds, such as kingfishers, nightjars and herons. In the trees, look out for possums, capybara and sleeping monkeys.
Dine Under the Canopy
Spend time with skilled guides who paddle their boats through lowland forest creeks in search of the spectacular Victoria Amazonica giant water lily, perhaps visiting the Amerindian village of Yupukari to observe their way of life and make cassava bread. It is also possible to learn to spin and weave cotton, fashion bricks from river clay, or make rope from leaf fibres. Head out on to the Rupununi River in search of the perfect sandbank at which to stop and set up for an evening dinner under the stars. Try your hand at fishing, before relaxing with a drink as the sunsets and the crew prepare dinner over a campfire. Afterwards, head back to Caiman House, stopping to shine torchlight upon the surrounding nocturnal creatures.
Why a Steppes expert-led group tour
1.Experience Matters
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
2.Size Matters
Our average group size is typically eight to ten people, smaller than other group tours typically offered – a factor which many of our clients appreciate. Travelling as part of a smaller group provides a more intimate, personalised and relaxed atmosphere.
4.It’s about who you know
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
3.Like-Minded People
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people – interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
5.Value for money
Our tours are well-priced to ensure you get real value for money. We include gratuities on the majority of our tours and do not pass on currency surcharges. We strive to look after single travellers as well as we can, keeping single supplements to a minimum.
6.Peace of Mind
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
Includes / Excludes
Important Information
Activity Level
Moderate Activity
Single Supplement
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
Flexibility
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
What is included
- All accommodation
- Accompanied by local guides
- Activities as per the itinerary
- Entry fees
- Domestic flights
- Airport transfers
- All roads and river transfers
- Meals as per the itinerary
- 24 hour UK and overseas contacts
- £25 to help fund the communities, conservation agencies and NGOs that we work with
- £25 contribution to ‘Trees and Science’ in mitigation of your carbon emissions
What is excluded
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature, drinks, etc.
- Pre and/or post accommodation
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers and porters
Other available dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days |
Prices from
ex. flights |
Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/02/22 | 25/02/22 | 14 days | £4,695 | £565 | Local Guides | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 02/04/22 | 15/04/22 | 14 days | £4,695 | £565 | Local Guides | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 27/08/22 | 09/09/22 | 14 days | £4,695 | £465 | Local Guides | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 02/09/22 | 16/09/22 | 14 days | £4,695 | £465 | Local Guides | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
| 01/10/22 | 14/10/22 | 14 days | £4,695 | £465 | Local Guides | 10 Max | AVAILABLE | Reserve place |
Reserve your place on this group tour
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
01285 880 980Send us an enquiry
Send us a message and one of our travel experts
will get right back to you.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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