Discovering the Hidden Guianas

Formerly a townhouse, that has been transformed into the most charming lobby of one of Paramaribo’s most favoured hotels with numerous eco-friendly features. The Eco Torarica is located within a 5-minute walk of the historic centre of Paramaribo and the tantalizing city life. Rooms offer either a breath-taking view of the Suriname River or a beautiful view of the lovely garden. The hotel is simply ideal for guests who want to visit Suriname to relax and unwind. Overnight in a standard room at Eco Torarica.

This morning we start our nature and cultural experience as we depart from Paramaribo. After travelling a distance of approximately 190 km you arrive at the village of Atjoni. At the port of Atjoni, we join a motorized dugout open canoe, where our skilled personnel will navigate their way up the Upper Suriname River, which is famous for its breathtaking rapids, to the Danpaati River Lodge.
The Danpaati River Lodge is an exceptionally remote and tranquil oasis in the heart of the rain forest, and welcomes adventurous visitors in search of an escape from modern stresses and distractions. The lodge features a welcoming and breezy lounge facing the river, a large pool surrounded by a hardwood yoga deck, and easy access to one of the few portions of the Surinam River where it is actually safe to swim. Accommodations are in spacious A-frame style cabins with carefully appointed amenities including fresh coffee service in the mornings, and unbeatable views across the river and into the dens

Today, we visit Pikin Slee, a village 30 minutes by boat from Danpaati, for a guided tour showcasing the local way of life and African traditions. We’ll then explore the Maroon museum Saamaka, learning about the Saramak Maroon’s heritage, history, and crafts. After lunch at the lodge, we’ll walk through the rainforest, with optional activities like massages, fishing, or canoeing. Post-dinner, enjoy traditional dances such as Seketi, Awasa, and Bandamba, with cultural explanations. Overnight stay at Danpaati River Lodge in a standard room.

This morning we still have some time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and take pictures. After saying good bye to the staff, we depart by a motorized dugout open canoe from Danpaati to Atjoni. From Atjoni we will continue our journey back to Paramaribo by vehicle.

Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of historic downtown locations, including Fort Zeelandia, the Presidential Palace, Independence Square, and a stroll through the Waterkant and Palm Gardens. Visit the Waka Pasi boardwalk for tropical ice cream flavors, and see a mosque next to a synagogue.
Next, explore the Commewijne district, visiting abandoned colonial plantations. At Peperpot, see historic buildings, coffee, and cocoa plants, and spot many birds. Stop at Marienburg, a former sugar plantation, for a Javanese lunch, then visit Fort Nieuw Amsterdam before returning to Paramaribo.

We start early, heading east along Suriname’s coastal road to the Albina border station. After quick formalities, we board a pirogue to cross the Maroni River into French Guiana, or “Guyane.” Upon arrival at St. Laurent du Maroni, our French guide will assist with customs and immigration. French Guiana, a Department of France, feels distinctly European with modern cars, excellent roads, espresso coffee, and the Euro currency.
In St. Laurent, we’ll take a mini city tour, visiting the well-preserved Transportation Centre, where convicts were once processed for penal colonies. One famous inmate was Papillon, whose initials are carved in a cell.
Next, we’ll tour Cayenne, the capital city and administrative center of French Guiana. This typical creole town has about 50,000 residents. Highlights include Fort Cépérou, Place Léopold Heder, the Jesuit Hotel, Place de Grenoble, Place des Palmistes, the colonial hospital, Franconie Museum, the town hall, and the city center.

Commonly called “Devils Island,” Îles du Salut, or the Salvation Islands, consist of three islands seven miles off the coast of Kourou. After a breakfast buffet at the hotel, we set sail on a motorized catamaran to Île Royale. These islands have a history dating back to 1792, used for explorers and later political prisoners and convicts.
Île Saint-Joseph, the southernmost island, was known as the “silent island” because inmates were forbidden from speaking. Papillon claimed to have spent two years there. Île Royale has the oldest buildings, including a church, administration buildings, officers’ quarters, a restaurant, café, and lodging facilities. Île du Diable (Devil’s Island) is inaccessible due to dangerous shoreline conditions. Alfred Dreyfus and Papillon were famously imprisoned there.
Spend the day on Île Royale, visiting the children’s cemetery and enjoying the scenery. Return to the dock by 15:30 for the boat’s departure at 16:00. Watch for sea turtles by the dock.

Transfer to the Centre Spatial Guyanaise (Guiana Space Centre) for a tour. Launch schedules are a closely-held secret so our schedule today may be amended on short notice. The usual tour includes a motor coach tour which criss-crosses the centre’s mammoth facility, including stops at various assembly buildings, launch pads and control centres. The entire tour is offered in French, but your guide will supply translations as often as possible.
On our way we will make a brief stop in St Joseph’s church, in Iracoubo. The entire inside of the church was hand painted by one of the convicts from a nearby penal colony.
Continue to the immigration and then cross by Pirogue to Albina and onwards to Paramaribo.
Pick up from Albina to Hotel in Paramaribo.

Early flight from Zorg-en-Hoop to Georgetown (not included in package rate).
Enjoy a morning tour of Bourda Market in Georgetown with Chef Delven Adams, who will later prepare a meal from our market purchases, following our suggestions. We’ll start at the Guyana Store for locally packaged products, then explore the market’s fish, meat, and haberdashery sections. We’ll see dry goods, bush medicine stalls, and local fruits and vegetables.
After the market, we’ll tour Georgetown with an experienced guide, visiting the National Museum, Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, the Public Library, City Hall, Victoria Law Courts, St. Andrews Kirk, Stabroek Market, and St. George’s Cathedral. We’ll also visit the Botanical Gardens and feed the endangered West Indian Manatees.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Stabroek Market, board river taxis, and cruise along the Demerara River. We’ll see historic waterfront buildings, the Demerara Harbour Bridge, and roosting birds in the mangroves.

From Eugene F. C. International Airport we take a scheduled flight over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and miles of unbroken tropical rainforest to Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall.
First seen by a European on April 29, 1870, Kaieteur Falls is in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo. The water flows over a sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge, dropping 741 feet, five times the height of Niagara Falls.
Kaieteur supports a unique micro-environment with Tank Bromeliads, the world’s largest, where the tiny Golden frog spends its entire life. The rarely seen Guiana Cock-of-the-rock nests nearby. Visitors might also see the famous Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds, which nest under the vast rock shelf carved over millions of years by the black waters of the Potaro River. Re-board your plane for the return flight to Georgetown.

Flight from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Fair View airstrip.
Pick up and transfer to Iwokrama River Lodge.
Depart by boat for a birdwatching hike to Turtle Mountain. The trail leads through the forest, offering chances to see Green Aracari, White Bellbird, eagles, Black Spiders, and Red Howler monkeys. Optional is a boat trip to Stanley Lake to search for Giant River Otters and Black Caiman.

After lunch, transfer by 4×4 along a trail known for Jaguar sightings. Though not guaranteed, the road often reveals wildlife like Agouti, Tayra, Tapir, and Black Curassow. Conclude the journey at Iwokrama River Lodge.

The lodge’s clearing is a prime spot for seeing the Crimson Fruitcrow and habituated Black Curassow.

Atta Rainforest Lodge, 500m from the Canopy Walkway, offers private-room accommodations, home-cooked meals, and traditional Amerindian hospitality. The communal building has a bar, dining area, and garden views. Hammocks and benches attract hummingbirds for photos.

Before dawn, we return to the canopy where we can birdwatch and see Rufous-throated Sapphire, Green Aracari, Pygmy Antwren and Guianan Streaked-Antwren. With some luck, Guianan Toucanet, Pompadour Cotinga, Buff-cheeked Greenlet and a host of crown specialists may come within our view. From this treetop vantage point, you can sometimes see Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys.

Many bird species, stunning insects, noisy amphibians, and playful primates make the surrounding forest their home. Deer, tapir, and agouti are also regular visitors to the lodge. Serious birders will want to search the undergrowth for the rarely-seen Rufous-winged Ground Cuckoo.

As darkness falls on the canopy walkway, you may see the white-winged Potoo.  Night walks are also possible, and something interesting or new always seems to pop onto the scene, including one of the six different cats to be found along the transnational road near the lodge.

Transfer from Atta Rainforest Lodge to Corkwood in the Iwokrama Forest. Hike a short trail to see the brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock and learn about the medicinal and practical uses of rainforest plants. Continue to the Indigenous community of Surama, located in the heart of Guyana and surrounded by the Pakaraima Mountains.
Surama’s villagers are primarily from the Macushi tribe and maintain many traditional practices. The Surama Eco Lodge is managed by the Village Council, which decides how tourism profits are used for community benefit.
A guide will lead a short walk to observe the forest and birdlife. In the afternoon, take a three-mile walk across the savannah and rainforest to the Burro Burro River to observe birds and wildlife. Paddle on the river to see Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tira, and Spider Monkeys.
In the evening, enjoy an educational night walk to observe wildlife and experience the forest’s mystique after dark. Bring flashlights to spot nocturnal creatures.

Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then climb up Surama Mountain for incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. This is not a technical climb but can be arduous, especially after rain, and not for everyone. Your guides will happily offer alternative activities if you prefer not to do this climb.
Vehicle transfer from Surama Eco Lodge to Lethem.
Scheduled flight to Eugene F. Correia International Airport.
Pickup and transfer from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Georgetown.

Pickup and transfer to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for your departing flight.