Arrive To: Arrivals to Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Georgetown, Guyana.

Proceed through Immigration/Customs before meeting your Road Scholar representative outside the restricted arrivals area of the airport.

The group transfer will depart from the airport at 11 p.m.

Transfer to the hotel. Arrive at the hotel and check-in.

Lodging: Cara Lodge

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, travel to the Abary River to enjoy our first birding session. Search for Blood-colored Woodpeckers, Rufous Crab-Hawks, and White-bellied Piculet.

From Abary, we will continue to travel along the coast until we reach the Mahaica River. A river boat will take us on a birding journey in search of the Hoatzin, Guyana's national bird. Other species spotted on this route include the White-bellied Piculet, Spotted Tody-Flycatcher, Blue-black Grassquit, Carib Grackle, Black Hawk-Eagle, Striped Cuckoo, and the Wing-barred Seedeater.

Lunch: Box lunch on the boat.

Afternoon: Journey back to Georgetown, making stops along the way for additional birding. Be on the look-out for Black-capped Donacobius, Moriche Orioles, Point-tailed Palmcreepers, and Rufous Crab Hawks.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Lodging: Cara Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Iwokrama Rainforest -
Birding at Kaieteur Falls/Iwokrama Rainforest and Canopy Walkway

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the domestic airport in order to catch a flight to Fair View Village via Kaieteur Falls (flight times are subject to change by the local carrier). Fly over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers, over hundreds of miles of uninterrupted tropical rainforest.

Disembark at Kaieteur's airstrip and take a short walk to the spectacular Kaieteur Falls--the world's longest single drop waterfall. This Guyanian natural wonder is many times higher than Niagara Falls and a couple of times higher than Victoria Falls. A hike on forest trails offers great opportunities to spot birds and view the scenic falls from unique angles. Here we hope to see flocks of White-chinned and White-tipped Swifts. Orange-breasted Falcons are oftentimes seen flying near the falls, in hot pursuit of the small and agile swifts. Walk to a nearby Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock lek before returning to the airstrip for the flight to Fair View.

Board plane for flight to Fair View.

Arrive in Fair View Village and transfer to Iwokrama Rainforest and the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.



Lunch: At Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon birding at the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. The site provides access to the rainforest canopy through a series of suspension bridges and decks that reach 30 meters high, above the forest floor. We will also explore the understory, walking on jungle trails in search of species such as the White-plumed Antbird, Ferruginous-backed Antbird, Spot-tailed Antwren, Black-throated Antshrike Todds’ Antwren, Ash-winged Antwen, Crimson Fruitcrow, Red-and-black Grosbeak, McConnell’s Flycatcher, Plain Xenops and Wedge-billed Woodcreeper. An interpretive trail introduces the names of local trees and their varied uses in the Macushi culture.

As the day draws to a close and darkness begins to spread over the surrounding forest, we hope to spot a White-winged Potoo or one of the resident Black Curassows.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Lodging: Atta Rainforest Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early morning breakfast at the lodge.

Morning: Watch and listen to the rainforest as it comes to life. Welcome the dawn of a new day from a suspended deck or bridge at the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. Short-tailed Nighthawks settle in for the day, Swifts take to the sky, White throated and Channel-billed Toucans yodel, and Barred Forest Falcons call.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: After lunch, learn about the unique business model of Community and Tourism Services who manage the walkway and the lodge.

Spend the rest of the afternoon birding at Iwokrama Rainforest. Search for mid and upper story species such as Paradise Jacamars, White-necked Puffbirds, Yellow-throated Woodpeckers, and Black-tailed and Black-crowned Tityras from one of the walkways. Or search for lower level birds such as White-plumed Antbirds, Ferruginous-backed Antbirds, Spot-tailed Antwrens, Black-throated Antshrikes, Todds’ Antwrens, Ash-winged Antwens, Crimson Fruitcrow, Red-and-black Grosbeaks, McConnell’s Flycatchers, Plain Xenops and Wedge-billed Woodcreepers during walks on the rainforest trails.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Lodging: Atta Rainforest Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Surama -
Birding at Iwokrama Rainforest/Surama Village/Nighttime Nature Walk

Breakfast: Early morning birding on lodge grounds.

Breakfast at the lodge.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer to the Iwokrama Rainforest. Walk on forest trails to a local lek, in search of brilliantly colored Guianan Cock-of-the-Rocks. Also, take the opportunity to learn about local flora and its many uses from your experienced leader.

Continue your transfer and arrive at the Amerindian village of Surama. The village is tucked away in the rainforest, within a small savannah surrounded by hills. It was here that Charles Waterton passed through in 1812 in search of the secrets of the useful Wourali poison known as Curare. Members of the local village are decendents of the Macushi tribe and proudly observe many of their forefathers' traditions.

Meet your local hosts and settle into your "benab" (rustic thatched roofed bungalow).

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Enjoy an afternoon of birding on lodge grounds.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Tonight, join your guide on an educational walk in search of nocturnal wildlife. Experience the sights and sounds of the forest after dark.

Lodging: Surama Eco-lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Surama -
Morning Bird Walk/Canoeing on the Burro River/Optional Activities

Breakfast: Early breakfast.

Morning: This morning we will rise before dawn to begin a three-mile walk through savannah and rainforest habitat to reach the Burro Burro River. During the trek, be on the lookout for Black Curassows and Grey-winged Trumpeters.

After reaching the Burro Burro, board canoes and enjoy a leisurely study of the surrounding forest and its abundant wildlife. Look for Giant River Otters, Brazilian Tapirs, Black Spider Monkeys, and a large number of riverine bird species.

NOTE: Harpy Eagle Nest A Harpy Eagle's nest has been spotted in a huge emergent tree only a couple of miles from Surama. In the event the nest is active at the time of this program, our group will skip the activities along the Burro Burro River and will take a 1 1/2 hour hike to the site of the Harpy Eagle nest. If we are extremely fortunate, we may see one of the adult birds bringing a sloth or monkey to feed their chick. Spend the day observing the nest for views of the adults and chick as well as other birds and wildlife.

Lunch: Boxed lunch.

Afternoon: Return to the lodge, followed by time at leisure.
Use your leisure time to rest and relax in your benab or bird in lodge environs. Other free time options include taking an escorted tour of the village, visiting the local school, medical center, church, and some of the village homes.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Lodging: Surama Eco-lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: After breakfast, board 4x4 vehicles and transfer to the Amerindian village of Wowetta. Disembark at the village and begin a three-mile walk on rainforest trails to a local Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock lek. Here we hope to watch the colorful birds nesting in caves, perched in trees, and carrying out mating rituals.

Transfer to Annai, where savannah meets the verdant foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. In the grasslands and nearby forested hills, search for Double-striped Thick-knees, Green-tailed Jacamars, Spotted Puffbirds, White-bellied Antbirds, Finsch’s Euphonias, Fork-tailed Flycatcherss, Savannah and Black Collared Hawks.

Arrive at the lodge and settle in.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: 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 certain ant birds and flycatchers, and of course the grasslands support an avifauna of their own. Amazonian Troupial, Amethyst Woodstar, White-chinned Sapphire, Long-billed Starthroat and several Hermits patrol around the grounds. Nearby forest patches are home to Amazonian Scrub Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike and a variety of antbirds.

Enjoy an orientation of the farm, orchards, carpenters center, and more. Then relax in the attractive gardens or by the outdoor swimming pool before dinner.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Lodging: Rock View Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rupununi Savannah -
Birding Hike on Panorama Trail/Pakaraima Mountains

Breakfast: Early breakfast at the lodge.

Morning: Enjoy a full day of birding during hikes along the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. While exploring the Panorama Trail, search for Cinereous Moumers, Finsch's Euphonias, Reddish Hermits, Rufous-bellied Antwrens, and Green-tailed and Yellow-billed Jacamars.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Continue with birding activities at the base of the Pakaraima Mountains and search for Spotted Sandpipers, Cayenne Jays and Green Aracaris.

Return to the lodge for the evening.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Lodging: Rock View Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rupununi Savannah/Georgetown -
Morning Birding/Fly to Georgetown/Georgetown Botanical Gardens

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Spend the morning birdwatching in the lodge gardens.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airstrip for a flight back to Georgetown (flight times are subject to change by the local carrier).

Arrive in Georgetown and transfer to the city's botanical gardens. The gardens are known to host Snail Kites, Gray Hawks, Pearl Kites, Carib Grackles, Red-bellied Macaws, Red-shouldered Macaws and a number of parrots including Orange-winged and Yellow-crowned Parrots and Festive Parrots. If we are lucky, we might catch a glimpse of a Blood-colored Woodpecker!

While exploring the back section of the gardens, we hope to see Yellow-chinned Spinetails, Boat-billed Flycatchers, Black-crested Antshrikes, Short-tailed Swifts, Ruddy Ground Doves, Grayish Saltators, Silver-beaked Tanagers, Buff-breasted Wrens, and Piratic and Ashy-headed Greenlets. Be on the lookout for Golden-spangled Piculets, White-bellied Piculets, Great Horned Owls, Spotted Tody-Flycatchers, Pinnated Bitterns, Wing-barred Seedeaters, and Brown-throated Parakeets.

Return to the hotel.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Cara Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart From: Transfer to the international airport for flights to the U.S.

The group departure transfer is scheduled to leave the hotel at approximately 3 a.m.


Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel (dependent on flight times).

Meals Included: Breakfast