Guyana in Living Colour

On arrival into Guyana you will be met and transferred from Cheddi Jagan International Airport to Georgetown and your hotel, the Kanuku Suites.

Kanuku Suites offers budget style accommodation in a quiet, residential community on the outskirts of central Georgetown. The ensuite rooms are air-conditioned and have high speed internet access. The hotel is a stones throw from the street that never sleeps: Sherriff Street, and within walking distance of restaurants, supermarkets, gift shops and the some of the most popular entertainment hot spots in the city. The city centre and commercial district are 5 minutes away by taxi.

After checking in you then enjoy the Mangrove Heritage Centre and Trail. The Mangrove Heritage Trail Tour starts at the Visitor Centre, located below the estate house of a former sugar plantation. With its hewn greenheart beams, pine floors and antique cast iron pillars it reflects the grandeur of an earlier era. The mangrove story is demonstrated in detail through permanent displays and in a hand-painted mural of the coastal birds. Delicious, natural products such as golden-coloured mangrove honey, and handmade beeswax candles, are all attractively packaged and available for sale at the centre.

Visitors move via traditional horse cart at a leisurely pace while friendly Nabaclis village cart men point out places of interest. The next stop is at Victoria Village, the first village purchased by former slaves who pooled their money to do so following Emancipation in 1839.

Turning towards the Atlantic Ocean, the scenery includes an old Dutch Koker [sluice] used to drain the agricultural lands along the low lying coastline and the serene temples of a Hindu Ashram that can be seen from across a lake. You are now in the heart of Guyana's first mangrove reserve, owned and managed by the community. Along this coastal strip, you will see four different mangrove species and a wide wetland area, teeming with birdlife and tropical fish. If you're in luck, you will see local fishermen beating the pond water to chase fish into their nets. In the middle of the wetland is a small island of lush, black mangroves where beekeepers produce the distinctive golden mangrove honey.

Along the trail, local tour guides point out the array of medicinal plants found in nature's pharmacy and you will learn of the traditional remedies effectively used by Guyanese for generations. As the tour comes to a close, local drummers from Victoria Village will regale you with traditional folk songs (additional fee). The way back to the Visitor Centre, includes a stop at Ingrid's roadside stand where you can purchase (own expense) a refreshing glass of Guyana's legendary Demerara Gold fresh Cane juice and some delicious creole snacks such as Cassava-coated Eggballs, Channa, Fishcakes or Dhal Puri.

After breakfast at the hotel you are transferred to Eugene F. Correia International Airport for a flight 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.

Kaieteur, which was first seen by a European on April 29, 1870 is situated in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo. The water of Kaieteur flows over a sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge - a drop of 741 feet or 5 times the height of Niagara Falls.

There are no other falls in the world with the magnitude of the sheer drop existing at Kaieteur. Amerindian legend of the Patamona tribe has it that Kai, one of the tribe's chiefs (after whom the falls is named), 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 microenvironment with Tank Bromeliads, the largest in the world, in which the tiny Golden frog spends its entire life and the rarely seen Guiana Cock- of-the-rock nesting close by. The lucky visitor may also see the famous flights of the Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds which nest under the vast shelf of rock carved over millions of years by the black water of the Potaro River. Re-board your plane for the return flight to Georgetown.

Every Sunday evening Georgetown's Seawall comes alive as families, courting couples and friends promenade along the seawall, enjoying the Atlantic sea-breeze. The narrow strip becomes a hive of pop-up cocktail bars, street food vendors, blaring Caribbean music and parties spilling out of the trunks of cars. The Evening Seawall, bars and street food experience excursion takes you into the heart of the scene visiting various bars and enjoying street food, with your guide, who knows all the best places. You will also visit other local bars around the city, looking for what is popular, traditional or unusual. Every Sunday is a new experience, tailored around the group and the level of immersion into the local culture they wish to enjoy.

''Aagman'' name is derived from India's ancient Sanskrit script, which means ''ARRIVAL'' or ''BEGINNING''. This restaurant was a startup by budding entrepreneurs Dr. Raj rishi Meena and Mrs. Neha Asthana Meena, who was inspired and fascinated by Guyanese people and culture. They intended to start the restaurant on 5th of May to commemorate the ''Arrival Day'', but finally Aagman Restaurant let its gates open on 26th May'2013 -Guyana Independence day.

Aagman Restaurant is fully air-conditioned with a well-stocked bar. The seating has been categorized into General, VIP and one of a kind ''Kohinoor Lounge''.

Aagman's food philosophy is driven by a desire to present eclectic and expansive Indian repertoire, bursting with flavours and originality, as a multi-sensory dining experience. Experience the epicurean Mughlai Cuisine from the imperial kitchens if India. Enjoy the authentic flavours of their creations achieved through the use of the finest ingredients and cooking techniques, in elegant yet subtle interiors inspired by the spices ... Relax, entertain or simply enjoy whilst their intuitively attentive staff enhance the dining experience.....Overnight at Kanuku Suites.

Head off to the airport to board a flight for a journey over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land in the Rupununi.

The Amerindian community of Surama is located in the heart of Guyana. 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 Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their ancestors. The Surama Eco Lodge is owned and operated by the community. The rotating schedule allow for most of the villagers to get a chance to earn a salary. The Village Council as the Board of Directors decides how the profits are to be spent to benefit the entire village.

On arrival in Surama you will receive a warm welcome and settle into your accommodation at the lodge. A 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. Make sure to bring your flashlights to look for the eyeshine of the creatures of the night.

Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge.

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.

Return to the lodge for lunch and then take a three-mile walk across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River. Your guides will then paddle you on the Burro Burro River for opportunities to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tayra, Spider Monkeys and more species. Paddling down a small river in the middle of the Rainforest with Macaws and Toucans flying overhead, and various tropical sounds around you is a wonderful and unique experience. Return to the lodge for sunset.

Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge.

Enjoy dawn breaking across the rainforest. You can choose from a forest walk to look for wildlife and birds or relax around the lodge before breakfast and departure.

You then transfer from Surama through the rainforest to Corkwood in the Iwokrama Forest. At Corkwood, there is a comparatively short trail to hopefully see the amazingly brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. This trail is through pristine rainforest and the guides can explain how the plants are used for medicines and other uses.

Then continue the journey to Atta Rainforest Lodge (Iwokrama Atta Rainforest Camp), home of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.

The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is situated near the southern boundary of the Iwokrama Reserve in central Guyana. The walkway has four suspension bridges leading to three platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground, and these will allow great looks at a range of canopy species, many of which you would struggle to see well from the forest floor.

Another area where you will want to spend some time is the clearing around the lodge, as this is one of the best places to see another of Guyana's "must see" birds, the Crimson Fruitcrow. This species is seen here on a reasonably regular basis, as it often comes to feed in some of the nearby trees. The clearing is also a reliable site for Black Curassow as there is a family party which has become habituated to people and regularly passes through the clearing.

Atta Rainforest Lodge (Iwokrama Atta Rainforest Camp) is 500 metres from the base of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, offering comfortable private-room accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, delicious home-cooked meals, and traditional Amerindian hospitality. The communal building houses the bar, dining area and kitchen and is open sided with views across the gardens to the towering forest, which completely surrounds the lodge. Hammocks and outdoor benches enhance the lovely gardens which include a variety of heliconias that attract hummingbirds, close enough for the perfect photo.

Overnight at Iwokrama Atta Rainforest Camp.

Before dawn you will return to the canopy where you can birdwatch easily and from this treetop vantage you can sometimes see Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys.

Apart from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway itself you can enjoy wildlife and birdwatching walks on the trails around the area. For those interested in botany many of the trails have the key tree species marked. 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 on to the scene including the occasional jaguar (Panthera Onca) along the transnational road near the lodge.

Overnight at Iwokrama Atta Rainforest Camp.

Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway and then return to the lodge for breakfast before departure. Depart from Fair View airstrip to Mahdia and then reboard flight for return journey over hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Eugene F. Correia International Airport.

Overnight at Kanuku Suites.

This morning, make an early start to have breakfast at one of the local stands with our host, guide and culinary master, Chef Delven Adams who will guide you around Bourda Market, the largest of the four markets in Georgetown. You will start the tour at the Guyana Shop which has all the local products produced and packaged in Guyana, before heading over to the market where you will meet some of the vendors who Chef buys from daily.

You will visit the fish market and learn about the different kinds of fish that are found in Guyana's unique coastal waters. You will then visit the meat section of the market. In season, you can find half drums of live crabs. Watch out for their pinchers or ''tengalas'' as we call them.

Strolling through the haberdashery section is fun, as one can find anything you can think of from thread to bolts of all kinds of fabric. You will find many kinds of rice, many other dry goods like peas and beans and of course demerara sugar, from the golden crystals to the dark brown molasses-rich sugar that Guyanese like in their tea. There are also bush medicine stalls. If you have an ailment, ask the person selling about it and she will be glad to prescribe a "concoction" of different herbs. There are bottles of bush medicine for every kind of ailment.

You'll then go outside to the large open-air market. All the tropical fruits and vegetables are here and you are encouraged to ask questions and learn the names and try the new and different tastes. There are many kinds of bananas from the tiny sweet fig to the very large red bananas. Try them all and the local pineapple which is long and white inside as opposed to the round yellow ones you may be used to. There are also many different seasonal small fruits that you should try such as seaside grapes, sapodillas, dunks, jamoon, and gineps. You will find things you have never seen before that are a part of the Guyanese culture. Do not try the small red ones. They may look like cherries but are actually very hot peppers.

Delven will make his purchases with your suggestions and input of what you would like to try. He will then head home to start preparing while you will head off on a tour of the city of Georgetown.

The city of Georgetown was designed largely by the Dutch and is laid out in a rectangular pattern with wide tree-lined avenues and irrigation canals that crisscross the city.

During your visit to Georgetown, there are a number of interesting sights that should not be missed: the most famous being St. George's Cathedral. The Cathedral is one of the world's tallest free-standing wooden buildings and was consecrated in 1892. The story of the cathedral is told on the interior on tablets and memorials of a historical and sentimental nature: it is the tale of the history of Guyana in general and of the Diocese in particular.

At the beginning of the Avenue of the Republic stands the Public Library housed in the Carnegie Building. Other historic buildings along this promenade are the Town Hall, a splendid example of Gothic architecture, and further along are the Victoria Law Courts and St. Andrews Kirk. St. Andrew's is the oldest surviving structure of any church in Guyana.

The National Museum which contains a broad selection of our animal life, portrayed by taxidermy in very old glass cases should not be missed. The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, which explains the Amerindian history and lifestyle, and has a great collection of artefacts, is also a highlight of the tour.

The famous Stabroek Market, once described as a ''bizarre bazaar'', contains every conceivable item from household goods and gold jewellery to fresh meat and vegetables brought to town on the river daily. The clock tower can be seen for miles around and is a famous landmark.

You will take a break from the tour and transfer to Backyard Cafe for lunch.

Backyard Cafe is located in the West Ruimveldt area where your host, guide and culinary master, Chef will greet you as you enter.

This as the name suggests, is a backyard that Chef Delven has turned into an exclusive little hidden gem of a restaurant. Try not to bang your head on the passion fruit hanging overhead from the arbour. If there are ripe ones you will be welcomed to try a freshly picked one. His menu is whatever is in season at the time. It is a Guyanese fusion from all over the world.

If you are interested, Chef has a smoker and small fireside right outside and sometimes will prepare the fresh fish right there and you can certainly help him and learn his secrets. His garlic fish is out of this world! You can sit under the harbour and sip unique blends of juice or enjoy a cold Banks Beer, while taking in the sounds and smells of a delicious meal in the making in a secluded back yard in Georgetown.

Once he is ready, you will start eating your way through the courses. You will start with an appetizer, to an entree and end up with a dessert, which we may be hard pressed to fit in, but you will give it your best shot and remember to pace yourself as you will want to try it all.

You will then continue your city tour. No trip to Georgetown would be complete without a visit to the Botanical Gardens and zoo. The Botanical Gardens are laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and bandstand. Their collection of palms, especially a unique branching one, is very special. The zoo has become a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre and over 100 species of Guyanese wildlife can be observed including a wide variety of birds.

The tour will include walking along the Avenues with an experienced guide who will give you the history, rumour and facts on Georgetown and its citizens. During the tour there is always the opportunity to purchase that unusual gift or unique Guyanese handicrafts.

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