Cayenne to Boa Vista
Overview
Highlights
- Visit the exotically located Guiana Space Centre, the massive spaceport where France dreams of Europe being a world space power
- Take a boat trip to the infamous Iles du Salut (Devil’s Islands) to explore the local history, snap photos of native wildlife and even take a swim in the convict’s swimming pool
- Escape to a private island in Upper Suriname on an exclusive two-day rainforest retreat, surrounded by the buzz and twitter of the Amazon Jungle
- Guided walks get you closer to the heart of destinations, from the colourful backstreets of Cayenne to the suspended canopy bridges of the Iwikrama Forest
- With a village eco-camp your base, take your time exploring the diverse Rupunini Savannah, with some hiking, biking or canoeing among some 9,000 species of wildlife
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Welcome to French Guiana! Today there is an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. Please meet for it in the hotel reception. Other than that, the day is yours to explore Cayenne as you please. Consider a two-hour kayaking trip to the Iles Dupont, exploring sea islets pos...
Enjoy a half-day walking tour around Cayenne. This three-hour hike takes you to the important historical and cultural spots around town, and up Cepenou Hill to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy.
Travel to the town of Kourou. This is where the European space station is found, and it's the starting point for boat trips around the former penal colony on Devil’s Island (one of the infamous Iles du Salut off the coast of French Guiana). The ordeal of Frenchman Henri Charriere, who spent 12 years here, would later inspire the book Papillon. Today's approximate driving time is 2 hours.
Today you'll visit the European spaceport (Guiana Space Centre) near Kourou, en route to the town of Saint Laurent du Maroni. Enjoy a boat trip to the Iles du Salut, the Devils islands; explore the old church, school and hospital of Ilhe Royale, photograph the native wildlife and even take a dip in the convicts swimming pool. Today's approximate driving time is 3 hours.
Enjoy a free day to explore the border town of Saint Laurent du Maroni, located on the Maroni river. It's got an interesting and very dark history as an arrival point for prisoners during the 19th century. You might like to take an optional tour to the 'Ile Portal' river island, to the Amerindian village of Biguiston and its polishing stones, and finally to the Wacapou creek.
Travel by ferry across the Maroni River to Albina in Suriname. At certain times of the year, it may be possible to arrange a local boat to take us to the turtle nesting site of Galibi further north. (Note: if this is not available due to local circumstances or the timing, we may choose to head directly to Paramaribo).
Continue the journey west to the lively town of Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. This evening, enjoy a sunset boat trip in the hope of seeing some dolphins playing in the Suriname River (snacks and drinks are included on the tour). In Paramaribo you'll stay in a locally owned hostel in dorms and twin rooms with shared bathrooms.
Enjoy a free day to explore Paramaribo's historic inner city and the Commewijne area. You can easily explore the historic centre on foot, visiting Fort Zeelandia and the Suriname museum, and enjoying the fantastic architecture of Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, one of...
Leave the truck behind and embark on an unforgettable adventure into the interior of Suriname. First you will travel by minibus (for approximately 190 km) to the port at Atjoni; from there, hop on a boat for an one-hour trip along the Suriname River. This leads deep i...
Perhaps visit some local villages on a walk around the island, keeping an eye out for some of the furry inhabitants of the area. You could also learn about medicinal local plants, spot caiman on a night-time canoe trip, or take a dip in the river at the Ferulassi rapids (a natural jacuzzi). Otherwise, kick back, relax and soak up the ambience of the Amazon.
Spend this morning however you wish: explore, swim, or relax. After lunch, take a transfer back to Paramaribo. Consider an optional evening tour to see turtles in the their natural habitat.
Paramaribo and its surroundings definitely deserve at least one more day for exploration. Why not take a boat trip to Jordensavanne, take part in a Moengo Cultural experience, go walking in the Peperpot Nature reserve or Brownsberg Nature Park, learn the art of Surina...
Settle in for the long drive to Guyana's capital city, Georgetown. You'll cross the border by ferry. Georgetown is known as the 'Garden City' of the Caribbean, despite actually being on the Atlantic. It's wide, tree-lined avenues and canals follow the layout of the ol...
Take a morning tour of the city. This includes the old canals and great sea wall, the incredible wooden cathedrals and the huge market. Try to spot the manatees swimming in the National park's lake along the way. Georgetown is a busy place, and feels happily free from mass tourism. Be sure to take your camera!
Enjoy a second free day in the city. Perhaps one of the greatest highlights of Guyana is the spectacularly remote and impressive Kaieteur Falls, one of the tallest single drop waterfalls in the world, reachable only by light aircraft. Take a half-day flight to the fal...
Today the adventure really begins. Embrace an early start and travel south into the Guyanan Interior. Enjoy the comforts of a tarmac road for around 120 km, as far as the town of Linden; after that the dirt road begins. It's the only road that connects Georgetown to B...
Deep in the Guyanan rainforest, in one of the most pristine and untouched eco-systems in the world, there are some unique wildlife spotting opportunities. Head out walking, bird watching, canoeing, searching for nocturnal wildlife at night – even a spot of swimming (i...
Leave the dense rainforest behind and head towards a village eco-camp in the Rupununi Savannah area of Savannah. Here you'll camp or stay in a hammock, and all meals are included. Enjoy a village walk, go wildlife spotting and birdwatching, hike up the nearby mountain, or take a canoe trip – all great ways to soak up the natural beauty that surrounds.
Head further south and into the more open savannah area, where there are further opportunities for spotting wildlife, snapping photos of the landscape, walking and cultural activities. Today you'll camp with basic facilities. Optional activities include a half-day horse riding adventure, a full-day bicycle hire to explore on two wheels, or a guided hike.
On your final day in Guyana, head south past the town of Lethem and on to the city of Boa Vista in Brazil. Today's approximate driving time is 5 hours.
Today is the final day for passengers finishing their trip in Boa Vista. If you are finishing in Boa Vista, you will most likely exit Brazil at Boa Vista-Atlas Brasil Cantanhede International Airport.
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