Transport

2 flights; 3 road and 2 river journeys. Transfers on shared-departures are all taken with other members of the group. On small domestic flights, luggage is restricted to 9kg. You can leave surplus luggage in storage in Georgetown until the end of your holiday in Guyana.

Accommodation

Rural wildlife lodges, often with an eco-tourism slant or scientific role. They offer a reasonable level of comfort with sometimes basic facilities: there’s often no air-con but rooms have private bathrooms. A few have additional features (Rock View has a pool). There is air-conditioning at Rock View and Cara Lodge

Meals

Breakfast daily, lunch days 2,12; full board 3-11

Guides

We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.

Summary Of Nights

13 days, 12 nights: Georgetown 2; Iwokrama 2; Atta Rainforest Lodge 1; Surama Ecolodge 2; Rock View Lodge 1; Karanambu Lodge 2; Caiman House Field Station 1; Georgetown 1.

Currency

The unit of currency in Guyana is the Guyanese dollar.

How To Take It

Take your currency needs in the form of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency, Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. 

There are one or two ATMs (Scotia Bank) in Georgetown which accept international cards. At most of the lodges you can pay your Extras bill in US or Guyanese dollars but not by credit or debit card (this situation may change of course). Some shops and restaurants in Georgetown accept credit cards.

Daily Spend

Most of your expenses are covered on this holiday, but you will need some Guyanese dollars for any alcoholic drinks at the lodges, souvenirs and craft work, snacks and tips. Your meals in Georgetown restaurants are also best paid for in cash.

Tipping

Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.

Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for guides, hotel and lodge staff, taxi drivers and waiters in Georgetown. It is common practice to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.

Tipping guidelines can be found in our Briefing Dossier.

Insurance

Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page. 

Visas

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.

If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.

Airport Taxes

An international departure tax is payable at Georgetown airport on departure (around $US12).

Journey Grade

This holiday is suitable for all able, reasonably fit visitors. 

There are some jungle walks lasting 2-3 hours which can be challenging if it is raining. Some mountain climbs involve steep stretches and some scrambling.

Climate

Equatorial Guyana’s temperatures range from 25-30°C throughout the year. Along the coastal strip, there are two distinct rainy seasons: May to mid-July, and mid-November to mid-January. In the south (Rupununi), there’s a single rainy season: May to July. Humidity can be as much as 90% at these times.  August – October are the hottest months.

Clothing And Special Equipment

The hot and humid climate dictates that you should bring lightweight, loose-fitting clothing including tee-shirts, and  long sleeved shirts combined with quick-drying trousers to avoid being bitten by insects. You should have a rain jacket, fleece or light jacket for cooler evenings, hat, good walking boots (preferably waterproof), and trainers or sandals. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera, and a light daypack to carry on excursions. Mosquito repellant and sun protection lotion are essential. Bear in mind that internal flights have strict weight restrictions, which can be as low as 9kg.

Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America.

Vaccinations

Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: yellow fever; typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements such as malaria prophylactics.

You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.