Days 1-2: Georgetown & Kaieteur Falls
Day 1: Arrive Georgetown. Stabroek Market, St. George’s Cathedral, Botanical Gardens, Bourda Market with Chef Delven. Overnight Cara Lodge.
Day 2: Charter flight to Kaieteur Falls — 2 hours at the 226m single-drop wonder. Multiple viewpoints, endemic golden frogs, the legend of Chief Kai. Return flight to Georgetown. Overnight Georgetown.
Days 3-4: Iwokrama Rainforest
Day 3: Fly/transfer to Iwokrama. Canopy Walkway (30m above forest floor) — toucans, macaws, howler monkeys at eye level. Night boat safari for black caimans. Overnight Iwokrama River Lodge.
Day 4: Dawn at Turtle Mountain (290m) — the iconic view over unbroken canopy. Afternoon: wildlife drive on the Linden-Lethem road through the Iwokrama forest — this road is one of the best places in South America to see jaguars, especially at dawn and dusk. Overnight Iwokrama River Lodge.
Days 5-6: Rewa River — Jaguar Territory
Day 5: Full-day boat transfer up the Rewa River, one of Guyana’s wildest waterways. The Rewa headwaters are prime jaguar territory — sightings along the riverbanks are not uncommon. Fish for piranha and the massive arapaima (one of the world’s largest freshwater fish, reaching 3 meters). Overnight Rewa Eco-Lodge, a community-owned lodge.
Day 6: Full day exploring the Rewa ecosystem: forest walks, river wildlife from the boat, and the constant possibility of spotting jaguar, tapir, or the critically endangered giant river otter. The Rewa’s isolation means wildlife here is less wary of humans. Overnight Rewa Eco-Lodge.
Days 7-8: Karanambu & Surama — Giant Otters & Makushi Culture
Day 7: Boat transfer to Karanambu Lodge, home of the late Diane McTurk, who pioneered giant river otter rehabilitation. The oxbow lakes near Karanambu are one of the world’s best places to see giant river otters (up to 1.8 meters) in the wild. Arapaima fishing, bird watching (the Rupununi has over 700 species). Overnight Karanambu.
Day 8: Pre-dawn giant anteater search on the savannah. Drive to Surama village: Makushi cultural immersion, traditional cassava processing, and a farewell community dinner. Overnight Surama Eco-Lodge.
Day 9: Return to Georgetown
Morning walk in Surama. Transfer to airstrip and flight to Georgetown. Day room before evening international departure.
