Iwokrama Canopy Walkway and Surama Adventure
Day 1 Set out from Georgetown in the cool of the early
morning and travel to Linden. Cross over the Demerara River and head into the
heart of Guyana. Pass through miles of unbroken rainforest, stopping at mid
morning for a snack at a village shop. Continue of through Mabura Hill before
crossing the Essequibo River by pontoon at Kurupakari. You now enter the
million acre Iwokrama
Rainforest Reserve. The road cuts through the centre of the reserve and is
one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar. The Iwokrama forest is rapidly
gaining an international reputation for its healthy jaguar populations that seem
not to be troubled by the appearance of curious humans. No promises, but many
have been lucky! On the boundary of the Iwokrama reserve is the Amerindia
n
community of
Surama. The village is set in five square miles of savannah which is ringed
by the forest covered Pakaraima
Mountains. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Makushi tribe and
still observe many of the traditional practises of their forebears. On
arrival in Surama receive a welcome from a village counsellor, settle into your
accommodation and enjoy
a local lunch. This afternoon a local guide will escort
you for a short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life. As the
afternoon cools your guide will take you on a tour of the village. Visit
the local school, medical centre and church along with
some of the village houses. Tonight enjoy an educational walk to observe
wildlife and
experience the mystique of the forest after dark.
Overnight at Surama Guest House.
Day 2 Rise before dawn to
drive back into the Iwokrama Forest to the new Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. Here
you can welcome the jungle’s dawn chorus from the vantage of 30 metres up in the
tree-tops. At these heights the micro-environment of the canopy is revealed as
you walk amongst the tree-tops. The middle and upper canopy is home to many
species that are never seen at ground level. 
Many birds such as Fruit-eaters
and some humming birds can only be seen at this upper canopy level. You can see
and touch vines and epiphytes that flourish in the canopy and watch Spider
Monkeys and Red Howler Monkeys as they feed in the tree-tops.
The walkway also offers a new perspective of the lower canopy, with
opportunities to see Tapir, Jaguar and Peccaries as they pass through the
undergrowth. A picnic breakfast will be served in the forest as you enjoy the
sights and sounds of nature.
The forest quietens as the sun
rises and we will then travel back through the Iwokrama Reserve, with
opportunities to see deer, labba and maybe a Jaguar before again crossing the
Essequibo River. Lunch will be served on the journey back to Georgetown.
Rate Includes :
-
transport
-
accommodation
-
meals : snack, 2 lunches, dinner, breakfast
-
local drinks
-
local guides
-
Iwokrama Forest User fee
-
pontoon crossing
Not Included :
-
alcoholic drinks
-
items of a personal nature
Check out the Three Day Adventure by following the link in the navigation bar on the left.