Great Falls of South America: Angel & Kaieteur

Visit the tallest waterfall in the world (Angel Falls) and the longest single drop waterfall in the world (Kaieteur Falls).  This exciting eco-adventure program takes you to some of the best natural and cultural wonders of Guyana and its neighbor, Venezuela.

Day 1: Arrive in Guyana and transfer to Georgetown. Overnight at Cara Lodge.

Day 2: Today enjoy a Georgetown city tour highlighting its extraordinary wooden architecture and exciting markets and craft shops. The tour will include the Cathedral, the tallest wooden building in the world, and the Amerindian craft centre, museum. We’ll conclude at the extensive and beautiful Botanic Garden. Overnight at Cara Lodge. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Morning pick up Cara Lodge, transfer to Ogle Airstrip for a flight over vast rainforest before reaching the spectacular Kaieteur Falls with its sheer drop (741 feet) and unique ecosystem. Then continue on to the Brazilian border and bathe in the natural Jacuzzi formed when the Ireng River thunders over solid Jasper at Orinduik Falls. On return flight land at Ogle Airstrip and then transfer to Georgetown. (See full description below). Overnight at Cara Lodge. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 4: Morning transfer to Ogle Airstrip for a flight across the rainforest and savannah to Karanambu Ranch. This is the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned, giant river otters to the wild. Diane and her otters have appeared on National Geographic, Jeff Corwin Experience, Really Wild Show (BBC) and Calgary’s “Zoo World”. Karanambu has a long history of visiting naturalists and Diane’s father, Tiny McTurk, has welcomed David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell.

Today’s generation of Edward and Melanie McTurk are your hosts, leaving Diane more time to develop the Karanambu Trust and work with her otters and her writings. Dinner with Diane, Edward and Melanie will include stories on the history of the family and the Rupununi Savannahs. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 5: Diane sometimes has resident orphaned otters and you can help her as she tends to them. You can visit Simoni Pond for some of the best inland fishing in Guyana (including Peacock Bass) or explore the flooded forest or savannah. Visits can be made to nearby ponds for birdwatching and to view the Victoria Amazonica, the world’s largest water lily and Guyana’s national flower. Explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima. In the evening, you can visit Crane Pond to see hundreds of Ibis, Anhinga, Heron and Egret roosting. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6: After breakfast, transfer by boat along the Rupununi River to Ginep Landing and then by 4x4 across the savannah to Rock View Lodge. The lodge is located where the savannah meets the forest-covered foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. The lodge has its own collection of animals including an agouti, monkeys and birds. With its tropical gardens and flowering trees, the lodge resembles an oasis in the savannah, and attracts many species of birds, particularly nectar feeders and frugivores.

Nearby patches of light forest are home to antbirds and flycatchers, and of course the grasslands support an avifauna of their own. This afternoon you will be transfer by 4x4 to the new Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, which winds 35 meters up through the treetops. Observe the wildlife and birdlife from this amazing perspective. Overnight at Rock View Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 7: After breakfast, travel by 4x4 to the Amerindian community of Surama. The village is set in five square miles of savannah and surrounded by the densely forested Pakaraima Mountains. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their forebears. Take a walk across the savannah and then the gentle climb up Surama Mountain for incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. A local guide will escort you on a tour of the village as you visit the local school, medical centre and church along with some of the village houses.

After lunch we’ll make our way on foot through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River, where we’ll set out on the river for a quiet and skillfully paddle looking for mammals such as Giant River Otter, Tapir, Tayra and Black Spider Monkey. After returning to the village we’ll leave the community by 4x4 for Annai. Overnight at Rock View Lodge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 8: After an early breakfast, you’ll catch the Intra Serve bus to Lethem, where you will meet your guide and continue traveling to border of Bon Fin in Brazil. Change bus and then continue to Santa Elena. Overnight at Camp Ya-koo in Santa Elena de Uiarén. Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 9: After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight with Rutaca Airlines to the Canaima National Park, the high plateau region, situated in the mineral rich highland of Guyana known for its dramatic scenery. The landscape is dominated by tabletop mountains known as tepuys, some of which rise up to three thousand feet.

After landing, you’ll make a short transfer to the lagoon in order to embark in a “curiara” (typical Indian canoe) to start one of the Venezuelan highlights, the Excursion to Angel Falls. The excursion begins in the Lagoon area and continues on the Carrao River, passing the island of orchids into the beautiful valley of Ahonda, which lies at the foot of the majestic Auyan-Tepui, and passing through several rapids. Overnight in camp. Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 10: The day begins with a boat ride on the Churún River to the Ratoncito Island, crossing several rapids which are navigated by the native captain with great experience. Then enjoy a guided walk through the rainforest to a point from where you have a spectacular, unforgettable view of Angel Falls. After a refreshing swim and a picnic style lunch, boat ride back to the camp. Overnight in camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Alternative itinerary if the water-level is too low to reach Ratoncito Island: 

After breakfast take an interesting eco-walk through the gallery-forest to the Zai Meru waterfall (approx. 2 ½ hours). The rocks in this area form a grotto. From every clearing of the forest you have fantastic views on the majestic Auyan Tepuy. Lunch is picnic style. On the way back to the Ahonda Camp there is the opportunity to use a 300-foot long natural waterslide. Dinner and overnight at Ahonda Camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 11: After breakfast, you will take a boat ride back to Canaima Camp. Flight with Rutaca Airlines to Ciudad Bolívar. Enjoy a short city tour of the colonial areas of this ancient city (ex Angostura city). Then transfer to the little port of Boca de Uracoa in the Orinoco Delta area, home of the Warao Indians. The majestic Orinoco Delta, with its thousands of rivulets, is one of the most beautiful regions of this country, with an amazing flora and fauna, mainly birds and parrots, but also river dolphins, otters, crocodiles, turtles, and piranhas. The inhabitants of this area are mainly the Warao (experts in fishing and basketry). The camp is built on one of few firm areas of this wetland region. Activities you can enjoy include the boat journey, piranha fishing and trek in the jungle. Overnight in camp. Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 12: Morning boat excursion to view this beautiful wetland, navigating between labyrinth channels and past mangroves. Noon return to the camp for lunch. In the evening, you can take an excursion to admire the sunset over the Orinoco waters. Overnight in camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 13: After breakfast, you will transfer by boat back to Boca de Uracoa, then overland to the airport of Maturín in order to connect with the flight to Caracas. Transfer to Hotel Avila for overnight. Breakfast is included.

Day 14: After breakfast you will be guided on a city tour of Caracas, a city of 6 million inhabitants, with stops at the most important monuments. The tour continues to the Caracas cable car, which whisks you up to over 6,000 feet above sea level. The breathtaking views of Caracas are just one of the highlights of this tour. After descending, transfer to the Caracas Airport for your departing flight. Breakfast is included.

This trip can be customized to fit a shorter schedule. It can also be modified to include a five-day overland trek to Kaieteur Falls instead of a day trip by aircraft. For more information, contact PanAmerican Travel Services at 800.364.4359.

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