South America
Photo credit: Miriam
Photo Credit: Miriam
Photo Credit: Miriam
Photo Credit: Miriam
PHoto Credit: Miriam
Cost: From USD $580 per person
Departure:
Tour and prices are subject to availability. Departure is every Saturday and advance bookings are necessary.
Price Includes: Accommodation, internal flights, transfers between airports and hotels, listed hotels and hotel taxes, activites as described and admission charges where applicable, river and land transfers, listed, lodges with full board and other meals as indicated. local guides, local beverages.
Price Excludes: International airfare, airport/departure taxes, gratuities, optional excursions, travel insurance.
BOOK NOW »
PLEASE NOTE:
Hotel upgrade at extra cost.
Tour information and prices are subject to change without notice.
Hotels and lodges subject to availability.
Departure:
Tour and prices are subject to availability. Departure is every Saturday and advance bookings are necessary.
Price Includes: Accommodation, internal flights, transfers between airports and hotels, listed hotels and hotel taxes, activites as described and admission charges where applicable, river and land transfers, listed, lodges with full board and other meals as indicated. local guides, local beverages.
Price Excludes: International airfare, airport/departure taxes, gratuities, optional excursions, travel insurance.
BOOK NOW »
PLEASE NOTE:
Hotel upgrade at extra cost.
Tour information and prices are subject to change without notice.
Hotels and lodges subject to availability.
Kaieteur Falls Overnight
Kaieteur National Park occupies a prominent position in the center of the Guyana Shield. The Guiana Highlands or Guiana Shield being roughly 2 billion years old is the earth's oldest surface. Located in north-eastern South America, it includes a large mountain plateau and rainforest system that is part of a vast watershed between the Amazon and the Orinoco rivers. Specifically, it covers 30, 000 square miles (75,000 square kilometers) and is bounded roughly by the Amazon River to the South and the Japur-Caqueta River to the southwest, the Sierra de Chiribiquete Mountains to the West, the Orinoco and Guaviare Rivers to the northwest and the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the East.
One feature of the shield is its distinctive plateaus or table-top mountains, called tepuis by the Indians. These are the remnants of the sandstone sediments that covered the metamorphic rocks of the area and were created by erosion over 200 million years ago. The majority of these mountains range from 6,500 to 8,800 feet (2000 to 2700 meters). Roraima is the tallest of all, at 9,219 feet (2810 meters). This area contains an estimated 20,000 different vascular plant species of which 35 percent are endemic, making it one of three richest tropical wilderness areas on Earth. It also has the lowest human population density of any tropical rainforest region, consisting mainly of Amerindian cultures, making it one of the few places on Earth where all options for conservation are available.
Kaieteur National Park is in the heart of the Guiana Shield, in the Pakaraima Mountain region. This area is composed mainly of plateaus and steep sloped escarpments, and is noted for its many of rivers and waterfalls which drop off the edges of the escarpment. This majestic wonder, the centerpiece of the Park, proudly boasts being one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. It is located where the Roraima formation gives way to the lowlands and drops 741 feet (225 meters) to splash to a basin below; thereafter to travel some 20 miles (32 kilometers) through a deep gorge before leaving the escarpment behind.
History
Kaieteur has not changed significantly from when it was seen by the European explorer, Barrington Browne, in 1870. The outstanding natural value of the area was recognized by the British colonial administration who in 1929 designated an area of the Potaro River, including Kaieteur Falls as a national park covering 45 square miles (72 kilometers) with the principal purpose of preserving the natural scenery and the fauna and flora of the area. At that time, it represented one of the first conservation efforts within Latin America and Caribbean.
The Legend of Kaieteur
The name of the fall commemorates Chief Kai, one of the distinguished chieftains (known also as Toshaos) of the once powerful Patamona tribe. He committed self-sacrifice by canoeing over the falls in order that Makonaima, the Great Spirit, would be appeased and save his tribe from being destroyed by a raiding party of savage Caribs. "Teur" translates as "falls"—hence the name Kaieteur. Folklore has it that the old man and his "wood skin" canoe were turned into stone and now form part of the rocks of Kaieteur. Perhaps he won appeasement, for his name still marks the magical curtain of water known as Kaieteur.
The legend of the falls has been celebrated by generations of poets, writers, painters and musicians, most memorably in the "The Legend of Kaieteur", a choral fantasy by the Guyanese composer, Philip Pilgrim (1917-1944), set to the words of a children's epic poem by Arthur Seymour.
One feature of the shield is its distinctive plateaus or table-top mountains, called tepuis by the Indians. These are the remnants of the sandstone sediments that covered the metamorphic rocks of the area and were created by erosion over 200 million years ago. The majority of these mountains range from 6,500 to 8,800 feet (2000 to 2700 meters). Roraima is the tallest of all, at 9,219 feet (2810 meters). This area contains an estimated 20,000 different vascular plant species of which 35 percent are endemic, making it one of three richest tropical wilderness areas on Earth. It also has the lowest human population density of any tropical rainforest region, consisting mainly of Amerindian cultures, making it one of the few places on Earth where all options for conservation are available.
Kaieteur National Park is in the heart of the Guiana Shield, in the Pakaraima Mountain region. This area is composed mainly of plateaus and steep sloped escarpments, and is noted for its many of rivers and waterfalls which drop off the edges of the escarpment. This majestic wonder, the centerpiece of the Park, proudly boasts being one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. It is located where the Roraima formation gives way to the lowlands and drops 741 feet (225 meters) to splash to a basin below; thereafter to travel some 20 miles (32 kilometers) through a deep gorge before leaving the escarpment behind.
History
Kaieteur has not changed significantly from when it was seen by the European explorer, Barrington Browne, in 1870. The outstanding natural value of the area was recognized by the British colonial administration who in 1929 designated an area of the Potaro River, including Kaieteur Falls as a national park covering 45 square miles (72 kilometers) with the principal purpose of preserving the natural scenery and the fauna and flora of the area. At that time, it represented one of the first conservation efforts within Latin America and Caribbean.
The Legend of Kaieteur
The name of the fall commemorates Chief Kai, one of the distinguished chieftains (known also as Toshaos) of the once powerful Patamona tribe. He committed self-sacrifice by canoeing over the falls in order that Makonaima, the Great Spirit, would be appeased and save his tribe from being destroyed by a raiding party of savage Caribs. "Teur" translates as "falls"—hence the name Kaieteur. Folklore has it that the old man and his "wood skin" canoe were turned into stone and now form part of the rocks of Kaieteur. Perhaps he won appeasement, for his name still marks the magical curtain of water known as Kaieteur.
The legend of the falls has been celebrated by generations of poets, writers, painters and musicians, most memorably in the "The Legend of Kaieteur", a choral fantasy by the Guyanese composer, Philip Pilgrim (1917-1944), set to the words of a children's epic poem by Arthur Seymour.
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Kaieteur Falls
Depart at 11:45 a.m. from your hotel/home for check in. We depart the airport at 1:00 PM .We will fly over vast rainforests and small patches of mining camps. Before landing, we will enjoy an aerial view of the falls which affords the opportunity of taking photos, so have your cameras out for that perfect shot!
At the falls, we will be met with our professionally trained national park guide who will show us the great wonders at the falls. The tour includes hikes around the falls to various locations and areas where we will get fantastic views of the waterfall. You will learn about the legend of the fall, see the poison frog living in large tank bromeliads and many birds which can be found there. Lunch and dinner provided.
Day 2: Discovery the Falls/Return to Georgetown
Dawn birding. Return to the Guest house for breakfast. Enjoy a tour of the surrounding areas looking for the rarely seen Guianan Cock-of-the-rock and other species found in the park. Check in for flight and depart at 4:00 p.m. Arrive in Georgetown at 5:00 -5:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch provided.
Depart at 11:45 a.m. from your hotel/home for check in. We depart the airport at 1:00 PM .We will fly over vast rainforests and small patches of mining camps. Before landing, we will enjoy an aerial view of the falls which affords the opportunity of taking photos, so have your cameras out for that perfect shot!
At the falls, we will be met with our professionally trained national park guide who will show us the great wonders at the falls. The tour includes hikes around the falls to various locations and areas where we will get fantastic views of the waterfall. You will learn about the legend of the fall, see the poison frog living in large tank bromeliads and many birds which can be found there. Lunch and dinner provided.
Day 2: Discovery the Falls/Return to Georgetown
Dawn birding. Return to the Guest house for breakfast. Enjoy a tour of the surrounding areas looking for the rarely seen Guianan Cock-of-the-rock and other species found in the park. Check in for flight and depart at 4:00 p.m. Arrive in Georgetown at 5:00 -5:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch provided.
