Guyana Nature Experience

Pickup and transfer from Cheddi Jagan International Airport to Georgetown. 

Cara Lodge was built in the 1840s. It has a long and romantic history and was the home of the first Lord Mayor of Georgetown. Over the years, the property has been visited by many dignitaries, including King Edward VIll, who stayed at the house in 1923. Other dignitaries have included President Jimmy Carter, HRH King Charles III and Mick Jagger.

This magnificent wooden colonial home-turned-hotel offers the tradition and nostalgia of a bygone era.  

From the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, take a scheduled flight over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rainforest to land at Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall.  

Kaieteur, first seen by a European on April 29, 1870, is situated in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo.  The water of Kaieteur flows over a sandstone conglomerate tableland into a deep gorge – a drop of 741 feet or five times the height of Niagara Falls. 

There are no other falls in the world with the magnitude of the sheer drop existing at Kaieteur.  

Amerindian legend of the Patamona tribe states that Kai, one of the tribe’s chiefs (after whom the Falls are named), committed self-sacrifice by canoeing himself over the falls.  It was believed this would encourage the Great Spirit Makonaima to save the tribe from being destroyed by the savage Caribishi. 

Kaieteur supports a unique micro environment with Tank Bromeliads, the largest in the world, in which the tiny Golden frog spends its entire life and the rarely seen Guiana Cock- of-the-rock nesting close by.  The lucky visitor may also see the famous flights of the Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds, which nest under the vast shelf of rock carved over millions of years by the black water of the Potaro River. 

Further tour options (extra cost depends on numbers):   

Birding in Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens: From USD 37-104pp 

Evening Seawall, bars and street food experience: From USD 93-154pp 

Dinner at Aagman Indian Restaurant: From USD 65-70pp 

Please ask for more details. 

Kaieteur Falls Conditions of Sale  

Flights to Kaieteur Falls are operated on chartered aircraft and all flights have a minimum passenger restriction.   

Therefore, any booking to Kaieteur Falls is subject to a minimum of 12 passengers being available to travel.  In most cases we are able to fill flights, especially if scheduled for a weekend.  However, in the rare case that we cannot meet the required numbers we will reschedule the trip to another day during your stay, if this is possible.  We retain the right to reschedule a flight as a first option.  If we cannot reschedule the flight, we will guarantee a flight, with a minimum of 2 passengers, to Kaieteur Falls only. If a flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, such as weather, we will endeavour to reschedule the flight during your itinerary.  If this is not possible then a full refund on the flight will be made. 

Pickup and transfer to Eugene F. Correia International Airport. 

Board the scheduled flight for a journey over hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest to land at Fair View Airstrip. 

(Check in time 0730 hrs, departure 0900 hrs) 

Pick up from Fair View airstrip and transfer to Iwokrama River Lodge. 

About Iwokrama

The Iwokrama Rainforest is a vast wilderness of one million acres. This protected area was established in 1996 as the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development. The Iwokrama Forest is in the heart of one of the world’s four last untouched tropical forests: The Guiana Shield of North-Eastern South America. Iwokrama was established as a living laboratory for tropical forest management.  

From research to business, Iwokrama ensures local economic and social benefits from forest use and conservation. The forest is in the homeland of the Makushi people, who have lived here and used the forest for thousands of years.   

The Iwokrama River Lodge is set overlooking the Essequibo River. Accommodation is offered in eight spacious timber cabins with en suite and verandas overlooking the river. Electricity is provided by a combination of solar and diesel generator systems, and wireless internet access is free in the main building. Meals are served buffet-style in the Fred Allicock dining hall.  

Explore Iwokrama

Explore the trails around the lodge with an Iwokrama Ranger. Iwokrama is home to many bird species, including the Capuchin bird, Black Nunbird, Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper, Amazonian Antshrike, Brown-bellied Antwren, Spot-tailed Antwren, Todd’s Antwren, Spotted Puffbird, Green Aracari, Guianan Toucanet, Guianan Red Cotinga, Pompadour Cotinga, Rufous-crowned Elaenia, Bronzy Jacamar, Chestnut & Waved Woodpecker, Gray Antbird, and Strong-billed Woodcreeper. Three other Neotropical species in the Iwokrama forest of high interest are the White-winged Potoo, Rufous Potoo, and Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo.   

The forest is also home to many mammals, and you may see Red-rumped Agouti and various monkey species, including Red Howler, Black Spider and Wedge-capped. 

After dark, we’ll set out on the river in the hope of finding one or another of its four species of caiman and listen for night birds such as Spectacled Owl, White-winged Potoo, Rufous Potoo, Long-tailed Potoo, Zigzag Heron or Blackish Nightjar. Using our flashlights, we will look for the eyeshine of snakes, including Cox boas, tree frogs and, if lucky, maybe some mammals.  

Making an early start, we’ll embark on the Essequibo River and circumnavigate nearby Indian House Island before returning to the River Lodge for breakfast.   

Leave the lodge by boat, birdwatching along the way, for the hike to Turtle Mountain. A well-maintained trail winds through the forest before an exhilarating climb up the mountain to its summit at 935ft (approx. 360m). It takes one and 3/4 hours to walk up the hill. Still, the effort is more than worth it for the breathtaking views over the forest canopy when you get there and chances of Green Aracari, White Bellbird or a fly-by of one of five types of eagles.  

This trail is also excellent for seeing Black Spider and Red Howler monkeys. If you think this hike may be too strenuous, you can take an alternative boat trip to Stanley Lake to search for Giant River Otters and Black Caiman. 

As the afternoon cools, you set out on a boat trip to visit Kurupukari Falls to see the Amerindian petroglyphs (dependent on the water level). 

Explore the trails around the lodge with an Iwokrama Ranger. 

Transfer by 4 x 4 along a trail that is one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar. No promises, but many have been lucky!  

Along the road, we will watch for many bird species that frequent the forest edge. This road is the only north–south access in Guyana and links the country to Brazil. Even so, traffic is occasional, and wildlife is often seen along the road, such as Agouti, Tayra, Tapir and Black Curassow.  

The journey concludes at the Atta Rainforest Lodge, home of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. 

The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is near the Iwokrama Reserve’s southern boundary in central Guyana. The walkway has four suspension bridges leading to three platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground.    

Another area where we will want to spend some time is the clearing around the lodge, as this is one of the best places to see another of Guyana’s “must see” birds, the Crimson Fruitcrow. The clearing is also a reliable site for Black Curassow as a large and growing family party has become habituated to people and regularly passes through the clearing.     

Atta Rainforest Lodge

Atta Rainforest Lodge is 500 metres from the base of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, offering comfortable private-room accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, delicious home-cooked meals, and traditional Amerindian hospitality.  

The communal building houses the bar, dining area and kitchen. It is open-sided, with views across the gardens to the towering forest surrounding the lodge. Hammocks and outdoor benches enhance the lovely gardens, which include varieties of heliconias that attract over ten different hummingbirds, close enough for the perfect photo. 

Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge.

Before dawn, we will return to the canopy where we can birdwatch easily and may see Rufous-throated Sapphire, Green Aracari, Pygmy Antwren and Guianan Streaked-Antwren. With some luck, Guianan Toucanet, Pompadour Cotinga, Buff-cheeked Greenlet and a host of crown specialists may come within our view.  

You can sometimes see Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys from this tree-top vantage. 

Apart from the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, you can enjoy wildlife and birdwatching walks on the trails around the area. Many bird species, stunning insects, noisy amphibians, and playful primates make the surrounding forest their home. Deer, Tapir and Agouti are also regular visitors to the lodge. Serious birders will want to search the undergrowth for the rarely-seen Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo.   

As darkness falls on the canopy walkway, you may see the White-winged Potoo. Night walks are also possible, and something exciting or new always seems to pop onto the scene, including one of the six cat species to be found along the transnational road near the lodge. 

Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway and return to the lodge for breakfast before departure.  

Transfer from Atta Rainforest Lodge through the rainforest to Corkwood in the Iwokrama Forest. There is a comparatively short trail to hopefully see the amazingly brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. This trail is through exciting and pristine rainforest, and the guides can explain how the plants are used for medicine and other purposes. Continue to the community of Surama. 

The Indigenous community of Surama is located in the heart of Guyana. The village is set in five square miles of savannah, ringed by the forest-covered Pakaraima Mountains. The villagers of Surama are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their ancestors.  

About Surama Eco Lodge 

The Surama Eco Lodge is owned and operated by the entire community. The Village Council serves as the Board of Directors. Through consultation, they decide how the profits from the tourism business are to be spent to benefit the entire community. 

On arrival in Surama, you will receive a warm welcome and settle into your accommodation at the lodge. A guide will escort you for a short walk on trails to observe the forest and bird life.   

As the afternoon cools, take a three-mile walk across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River. This is the best time to observe birds and wildlife along the trail. Your guides will then paddle you on the Burro Burro River for opportunities to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tira, Spider Monkeys and many more species.  

Enjoy an educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the forest’s mystique after dark tonight. Make sure to bring your flashlights to look for the eyeshine of the creatures of the night. 

Overnight at Surama Guest House.

Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then climb up Surama Mountain for incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. This is not a technical climb but can be arduous, especially after rain, and not for everyone. Your guides will happily offer alternative activities if you prefer to avoid doing this climb.  

Transfer from Surama to Rock View Lodge at Annai. 

Rock View Lodge is located where the savannah meets the forest-covered foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains. The lodge resembles an oasis in the savannah with its tropical gardens and flowering trees. It attracts many species of birds, particularly nectar feeders and frugivores. Nearby patches of light forest are home to certain ant birds and flycatchers. Of course, the grasslands support an avifauna of their own. 

If they are in season, you can see how cashews are roasted and local handicrafts are made and maybe even try your hand at them yourself. The labour-intensive method of cracking open the roasted nuts and the self-ignition of the nuts as the acid content burns off are spectacular sights. You can then taste the freshly roasted nuts. 

Eight comfortable rooms have ensuites and feature a patio and hammock for relaxing.  

Meals are served in the dining room under the mango trees, and most of the produce is grown on the property. The pool has a lovely garden setting and is a welcome respite on a hot day. 

Overnight at Rock View Lodge.

At dawn, take a hike in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains on the Panorama Trail, where you might see Cinereous Mourner, Finsch’s Euphonia, Reddish Hermit, Rufous-bellied Antwren, Green-tailed and Yellow-billed Jacamar. The views across the savannah and villages as the sun rises are spectacular.   

Return to the lodge for breakfast before departure.  Transfer by vehicle from Rock View Lodge to Ginep Landing. 

We take a boat trip from Ginep Landing on the Rupununi River to Karanambu Lodge. Depending on the river level, this trip offers an excellent opportunity to look for Giant Otters, as several family groups live along this stretch of the Rupununi River. 

Karanambu Lodge

Karanambu, a 110-square mile former cattle ranch in North Rupununi, was the home of the late Diane McTurk, conservationist and a world-renowned expert on giant otters.  

Known for its expansive wetlands and savannah and its biological and cultural diversity, Karanambu encompasses savannah, marshy ponds, riparian forest, and a 30-mile stretch of the Rupununi River. The number of species found here is much higher than expected, given its size, with at least 600 species of bird and over 200 species of mammals. The seasonally flooded savannahs and forests also draw substantial fish migrations with as many as 700 fish species — more than anywhere on Earth. 

This region is rich in history and is the homeland of the Makushi and earlier peoples, dating back more than 7,000 years. Several prominent explorers and naturalists have written about their experiences here, including Robert and Richard Schomburgk, Charles Waterton, Evelyn Waugh, and Gerald Durrell. A very young David Attenborough spent time here and wrote about it in his early book, “Zoo Quest to Guiana”.  

With the river and savannahs close at hand, there is a wide variety of activities to enjoy at Karanambu. Two guided excursions are provided each day — one early in the morning and another late in the afternoon and evening. As well as being the coolest times to be out, these are usually the best times to see the different birds and animals. Trips may be on the river by boat, on the savannahs by 4 x 4 or along forest trails on foot to the various ponds in the area. 

Late in the afternoon, we travel by boat to look for wild Giant River Otters. As dusk falls to the ponds, we see the giant Victoria Amazonica Waterlily bloom at dusk. On the return trip, we will look for Black Caiman, birds and creatures of the night.  

Accommodations are in traditionally made clay brick cabins, each with en suite and veranda with hammocks. 

This morning we make an early start to an area of rolling grasslands, home to a population of giant anteaters.  

With luck, we shall locate one of these six-foot-long animals excavating its breakfast from one of the termite mounds that stud the savannah.  

Though giant anteaters live in overlapping home ranges, they are mostly solitary except during mother-offspring relationships, aggressive interactions between males, and when mating. Mother anteaters carry their offspring on their backs until weaning them. 

Evening river excursion, or if you are interested in bird watching, you can explore woodland patches or gallery forest along the river, where we’ll hope to find a variety of species.  

A feature bird for the area is the Agami Heron. An evening walk along the airstrip offers seven species of nightjar and, among the grasslands, the Double-striped Thick-knees.   

Overnight at Karanambu Lodge.

In the event you did not see a giant anteater the previous morning, there is time to travel out to search the savannah again. Or explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otters, Black Caiman and Arapaima, making a boat journey along quiet stretches of the river. 

Return to the lodge for breakfast before departure.  

After breakfast, we say our goodbyes and transfer upriver by motorized boat to the nearby Amerindian village of Yupukari and Caiman House.  

At the edge of Yupukari Village in the Central Rupununi is Caiman House Field Station, a combination guest lodge and education centre focused on research and conservation projects along the nearby Rupununi River.  

The Field Station is the hub of several participatory development projects, including introducing classroom libraries in all three village schools and an Internet-enabled public library. Visitors may have the opportunity to meet local craftspeople, including the furniture builders at Yupukari Crafters, The Wabbini craft house, and the ladies that grow and process cotton and make lampshades. 

 About Caiman House

Caiman House is also very involved in a turtle conservation program. Recently in the rainy season, the sand banks get covered in water as the rains have been coming earlier. Rangers go out and dig up the eggs the turtles have laid on the sandbanks before they are covered in water and spoiled. They are taken back to the field station and reburied. When they hatch, they are kept in two ponds.  

After a few months, there is a turtle celebration, and the children in the wildlife club all join in to release the turtles back into the river. By holding them for up to a year, the shells harden, and the survival rate is much higher, resulting in a larger population of turtles. The yellow-spotted river turtles are the primary beneficiaries of this program. Still, the rare giant river turtle stands to gain the most. Special attention is paid to rescuing these endangered giants. You can visit the holding ponds where the babies are kept. 

Four modest but comfortable guest rooms are situated around a central lounge area in the lodge behind the research centre. Guest rooms feature comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets and running water.  

Other rooms are available in the annexe building, two with ensuite and one with a shared bathroom. Caiman House Field Station and the Guest House are powered 24 hours a day by a large solar array. The entire station has wireless internet access.  

As a guest, you have the unique opportunity to support and participate in an ongoing field study of the Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger), the largest member of the alligator family and an endangered species. You are invited to accompany the indigenous crew to search for and capture Black Caiman on the river. 

Guests will observe the capture from a separate boat but will be offered the opportunity to assist in data collection. Caimans are weighed, measured, sexed, and tagged before being released into the river. The research has already discovered interesting information on caimans’ nests that was previously unknown. 

Overnight at Caiman House.

Vehicle transfer from Caiman House to Lethem to catch the scheduled flight to Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Pick up and transfer from Eugene F. Correia International Airport to Georgetown. 

Enjoy a tour of Georgetown this afternoon with an experienced guide who will give you the history, facts, and rumours about Georgetown and its citizens. We will begin our tour at the Georgetown Seawalls before continuing into the city’s heart.  

During your visit, there are many interesting sights that should not be missed, such as Stabroek Market, once described as a “bizarre bazaar.” Then there is St. George’s Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest free-standing wooden buildings. Other historic buildings along this promenade are the Public Library, City Hall, the Victoria Law Courts and St. Andrews Kirk.  

Visit the National Museum, which contains a broad selection of our animal life portrayed in taxidermy in beautiful old glass cases, and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, which houses a beautiful collection of artefacts and explains Amerindian history and lifestyle.   

We will visit the Botanical Gardens, home to an extensive collection of tropical flora. We will also pay a visit to a pond, either in the gardens or the National Park, to feed the endangered West Indian Manatees. 

For those who enjoyed a city tour as part of their Pre-Tour, you can exchange this tour for a birdwatching excursion in Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens.   

Backyard Café Tour 

Pick up at your hotel and transfer to a local restaurant. Backyard Café is located in the West Ruimveldt area, where our host, guide and culinary master, Chef Delven Adams, will greet you as you enter.  

As the name suggests, this is a backyard that Chef Delven has turned into an exclusive little hidden gem of a restaurant. Try not to bang your head on the passion fruit hanging overhead from the arbour. You will be welcome to try a freshly picked one if there are ripe ones. His menu is whatever is in season at the time. It is a Guyanese fusion from all over the world. 

Delven makes his purchase based on clients’ suggestions and dietary requirements from the local market. 

If you are interested, Chef Delven will welcome you to join him as he prepares a wonderful meal from the fruits, vegetables and meats he bought. He has a smoker and a small fireside right outside and sometimes will prepare the fresh fish right there, and you can certainly help him and learn his secrets. His garlic fish is out of this world! You can sit under the arbour and sip unique blends of juice or enjoy a cold Banks Beer while taking in the sounds and smells of a delicious meal in the making in a secluded backyard in Georgetown.  

Once he is ready, we will start eating our way through the courses. We will begin with an appetizer, to an entrée and end up with a dessert, which we may be hard-pressed to fit in. Still, we will give it our best shot and remember to pace yourself as you want to try it all. 

For those who enjoyed lunch at the Backyard Cafe as part of their Pre-Tour, you can exchange this meal for dinner with The Singing Chef. Please confirm the option at the time of booking. 

Overnight at Cara Lodge.

Check out at Cara Lodge is at midday (late check-out available at extra cost). Free time and transfer to Cheddi Jagan International Airport. 

Further tour options (extra cost depends on numbers):   

• Hoatzin & Coastal Shield Endemics: From USD 133-517pp 
• Birding in Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens: From USD 37-104pp 
• Seven Curry Tour: From USD 130-202pp 

Please ask for more details. 

Guyana is the only English-speaking country on the South American continent and has a Caribbean feel. 

It is a destination for the nature lover looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination with many attractions. Guyana offers pristine rainforest, abundant wildlife, jaguars and the mighty Kaieteur Falls.

Start your adventure in the melting pot that is the country’s capital – Georgetown. Here Hindu, Muslim and Christian cultures blend in harmony.

Head off to visit the breathtaking Kaieteur Falls – the  world’s highest single-drop waterfall.

Then the interior beckons. Jungle and Savannah await. With luck you might spot the Cock o’ the rock or a harpy eagle.

Bigger mammals such as the ant eater might surprise you or if incredibly lucky the mighty jaguar. Travel by road or river and stay in rustic but comfortable lodges – all with an authentic Guyanese welcome.

Guyana will be an unforgettable adventure.  

Guyana has five natural habitats to discover, the most famous of which is is its dense rain forest.

This ‘jungle’ is also known as the Forested Highland Region and is in the south of the country, and is very sparsely populated.

The majority (around 90%) of Guyana’s population lives in a marshy plain on the Atlantic coast, known as the low coastal plain.

Most of the country’s mineral deposits (bauxite, gold, diamonds) are found a little further inshore in that is called the white sand belt.

The south west of the country gives way to a desert savannah which then becomes an interior savannah.

From here, the grasslands and mountains of the interior highlands start to rise towards the borders with Brazil and Venezuela.

This is the largest of Guyana’s geographical areas and consists a series of plateaus, flat-topped mountains, and savannahs.

The Pakaraima Mountains dominate the western part of the interior highlands and include Mount Roraima, Guyana’s highest peak at 2,772m (9,094 ft) on the Venezuelan border.

The largest expanse of grassland, the Rupununi Savannah, covers about 15,000 square kilometres in southern Guyana.

Guyana has three large rivers, the Essequibo at 1,010km(628 miles), the Courantyne River (which forms a natural border with Suriname) at 724kms (450 miles), and the Berbice – 595kms (370 miles).

Guyana is a hot and humid country. February and March are prime times to visit, along with Aug-Jan. Read our guide to Guyana’s weather for more.

The mean shade temperature is 27°C, while maximum is 31°C and the minimum is 24°C. The heat is greatly tempered by cooling breezes from the sea.

There are two wet seasons in the north of the country, from May to June, and from December to January.

The south and the Rupununi region receive one wet season from May to July.

All wet seasons may extend into months either side.

Rainfall averages 2,300 mm a year in Georgetown.

Good kit is vital for every trip.

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Overview

Guyana is a hot and humid country.

Take sunscreen, sun glasses and a hat to Guyana.

It can rain at any time, so always have a poncho/waterproof jacket handy.

Give plenty of thought to kit selection, and try to keep weight down.

Passenger/s traveling on internal flights in Guyana are allowed a free baggage allowance of 20lbs/9.1KG exceeding this weight passenger/s will incur a cost of GY$150.00 (price subject to change) equivalent to US$ 0.77cents per pound. Please note that additional baggage allowance is subject to availability and cannot be confirmed until day/time of check-in by the airline.  We can book excess weight on your behalf but it is subject to being within the payload of the aircraft and at the discretion of the airline. We understand you may want more than 20lbs/9.1KG of baggage and wish to have guaranteed excess baggage/weight and so an alternative is to pre-book an extra seat on the flight which will afford you 175lbs/79.4KG for you to use individually or for your group. 

Below is a more detailed guide.

Detailed kit list

• Good binoculars.
• Camera and film / memory cards (take at least twice the amount you think you will need!).
• Tight-weave, light weight long trousers.
• Quick dry socks.
• Rain suit or long poncho (100% waterproof – test before you leave home).
• Long-sleeved tight-weave shirts.
• T-shirts.
• A warm jumper – it can feel cold on some boat journeys.
• Water bottle (2 litres approx.) & purification tablets.
• Sun cream (high factor, min. 30+) and lip salve.
• A broad-brimmed hat that will not come off on windy boat-rides.
• Shorts.
• Sunglasses with UV filter.
• A pair of trainers.
• Ankle high hiking boots.
• Insect repellent.
• The original and a photocopy of your passport.
• Yellow fever inoculation certificate.
• A large, bright head torch, spare batteries and bulb.
• Cash (small denomination bills, USD or GBP sterling) for souvenirs at the lodge, alcoholic beverages, etc.
• Daypack (at least 30 litres). Comfortable and with waterproof lining or cover.
• Personal first-aid kit to include: painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, antibiotic cream, general antibiotics (ask your GP), after-bite (tiger balm), anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication.
• Towel & wash-kit.
• Wet Wipes/antiseptic hand-wash cream.
• Head-lamp (plus spare bulb and batteries).
• Penknife.
• Travel alarm clock.
• Plastic bags – ‘Zip-loc’ & tough bin liners.
• Book, e-book, mp3 player/ipod or other to help pass the time.
• Extra snacks i.e. cereal bars or favourite chocolate bars.

Miscellaneous others

• Money belt.
• Passport.
• U.S. dollars / GBP sterling cash, mixed-denomination notes, undamaged and unmarked.
• ATM cash/credit card.
• Any inoculation certificates.
• Personal & medical insurance certificates.
• Presents e.g. Postcards from home.
• Comfortable clothes for travel, smart clothes for Georgetown

Andean Trails has 25 years of experience of putting together the best South America holidays.

We pay a fee to the CAA for every licensable passenger we book since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking.

We also offer ATOL (Civil Aviation Authority) protected holidays to give our customers peace of mind when booking and travelling.

When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package from Andean Trails Ltd you will receive a Confirmation Invoice from us confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 6275.

You can read more about ATOL, who is covered and what protections you have if not ATOL-covered, on our ATOL page.

What is ATOL?

The CAA’s ATOL scheme offers protection to your money and your holiday if you book with us. Not everybody is covered (see ‘Who is covered?’ for more), as you must purchase an ‘air package holiday’ with Andean Trails to be protected.

And  ‘air package holiday’ is defined as including a flight and some ground services (hotel, transfer, trek etc). This is also known as an ‘ATOL-protected holiday’.

Who is covered?

To be covered by ATOL, you must book a flight and some ground services with us and be from the UK. If you are from the UK and only book ground services and no flights, you are not covered by ATOL (see below for more on how non-ATOL clients are covered).

If you are outside the UK and buy flights with us, you will be ATOL protected IF any of the flights booked with Andean Trails touches/stops in the UK at any point during your holiday package booked with us.

If you buy your flights elsewhere, please check with that agent if you are ATOL protected. Be careful with online flight purchases and make sure you know what protection you have, if any, before paying for flights.

Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking.

For land only holidays not involving any air travel, in accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992”, all UK passengers booking with Andean Trails Ltd. are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all money paid to us, arising from cancellation or curtailment of travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Andean Trails.

I’m not ATOL covered, what protection do I have?

If you are not ATOL covered, any payments you make to us go to a Trust account.

We can only access this money once your tour has been completed, meaning that if anything happens to Andean Trails Limited while you are on holiday, then your money is secure and you can either complete the trip or be able to make it home.

If you pay for your holiday with a credit card, some offer payment protection – please check with your cardholder.

You also should have cancellation protection written into your insurance (which we recommend you have at the time of booking) in case you need to cancel.