Arrive on your international flight into Georgetown and transfer to Cara Lodge to relax and unwind. The following morning a street food breakfast kick of this adventure, with a market and city tour to introduce the cultures, customs and sights of the Guyanese capital.
Lunch is served at the famous Backyard Café and in the afternoon, board a river cruise for views of historic waterfront buildings and the Demerara Harbour Bridge. The journey culminates with a sunset view of Scarlet Ibis, Snail Kites, Herons, and Egrets as they roost in the mangroves.

Just off the coast of Kourou lies Îles du Salut, a volcanic island trio known as the Salvation Islands. A catamaran tour reveals these islands, which have a sombre yet fascinating history, having served as a prison for slaves and political prisoners. Île Royale houses the oldest buildings, including a church, administration offices, and officers' quarters. Île Saint-Joseph, infamous for its silence, held inmates in strict isolation, and the inaccessible Devil's Island, where Alfred Dreyfus was exiled, completes the historic trio. Return to hotel in Kourou.

Explore Cayenne, the administrative heart of French Guiana, on a guided tour. Discover its vibrant history and culture through landmarks museums and cultural centres. Then, visit the Guiana Space Centre for a motor coach tour of its vast facilities, including assembly buildings, launch pads, and control centres.

Heading along the coast to the boarder, make a stop at St. Joseph Church in Iracoubou, hand-painted by a convict, then in St. Laurent du Maroni. Visit Camp de la Transportation, once a transit point for slaves, convicts, and political prisoners. After crossing the border to Albina, continue to Plantation Resort Frederiksdorp, a former coffee and cocoa plantation on the Commewijne River, for an overnight stay.

Begin day 7 with a historic tour of the estate, followed by a village walk and a bike ride to Plantation Kronenburg with a stop at Plantation Marienbosch. In the afternoon, a stroll to the village of Margarita leads to the coastal swamp, showcasing the typical wetland mangrove biodiversity, birdlife, and the Atlantic seashore. A swamp tour (or a turtle tour February – August) is included, concluding with a dolphin spotting tour later in the day.

Today, visit Santigron, a traditional Saramaccan Maroon village near the Saramacca River, where a walk through the village offers insights into local history, culture, daily life, and the Maroon community’s influence.

South of Paramaribo, on the right bank of the Suriname River, lies Jodensavanne, a former Jewish settlement established around 1680. On day 9, visit the ruins of the oldest synagogue in the Americas and a Jewish cemetery, now preserved with a small museum.

Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002. A tour begins at Fort Zeelandia, followed by a walk through Independence Square, surrounded by historical landmarks such as the Presidential Palace, Palm Gardens, and Lim a Po Street. A drive showcases the city's unique architecture, with stops at the Synagogue, Mosque and the Cathedral, the tallest wooden structure in the Western Hemisphere.

Fly to Georgetown this afternoon.

Take a scheduled flight over the tropical rainforest to Kaietuer Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall, with a drop of 741 feet. Kaieteur supports a unique microenvironment in which the tiny golden frog can be found and the rarely seen Guiana cock-of-the-rock nests nearby. After visiting the falls you’ll return to Georgetown for the night.

The day begins with visits to the 1763 monument honouring Cuffy, leader of the first slave uprising, and the 1823 Rebellion Monument. A journey along the Eastern Coast includes a stop at Victoria, the first village purchased by freed ex-slaves. At Buxton Train Station, hear the story of the freed women who protested against high taxes, meeting Auntie Gloria, a third-generation herbalist. At the Secret Garden partake in a cooking session of traditional dishes, followed by a drumming workshop. Transfer to Georgetown Airport for your onward flight, arriving back in the UK on day 13.

Suggestion: For further exploration of Guyana, you might like to add our ‘Living Colours’ Itinerary to explore the Rupununi and Iwokrama Rainforest, or ask your specialist about other adventures.