50 Miles100 KMGUYANABRAZIL.GeorgetownVENEZUELASURINAMEFRENCH GUIANAIwokrama..Surama.Rock View LodgeKaranambu.Kaieteur FallsOrinduik Falls.Atta Rainforest Lodge.Caiman House73Essentials Climate Tropical, humid throughout the year; the main wet season is May?June (and also December?January on the coast).Festivals Mashramani (23 February), Rupununi Rodeo (Easter), Diwali (November).Travelling from UK Time difference (GMT) -4hrs Travel time 12hrs Highlights of Guyana 15 days, 13 nightsGeorgetown 2 nights, Iwokrama Field Station 2n, Atta Rainforest Lodge 1n, Surama 2n, Rock View Lodge 2n, Karanambu Ranch 2n, Caiman House 1n, Georgetown 1n.Day 1 Fly from the UK to Georgetown via the Caribbean. Day 2 Day trip to the stupendous drop of Kaieteur Falls (at 250m, five times the height of Niagara) and Orinduik Falls, where the Ireng River thunders over terraces of jasper, a semi-precious stone. Day 3 Light aircraft flight and and 4x4 trip to Iwokrama Field Station; guided exploration of nearby trails. Evening caiman-spotting expedition. Day 4 Climb Turtle Mountain (360m) for views over the canopy, visit the Kurupukari Falls and an Amerindian village. Day 5 Travel along the trails by 4WD vehicle to seek out jaguar, and cross the Iwokrama canopy walkway at dusk; overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. Day 6 Follow a forest trail and on to the Amerindian village of Surama and its Eco Lodge. Guided visit to the school and church. Day 7 Dawn hike across the savannah to Surama Mountain and later through the rainforest. Canoe along the Burro Burro river to observe monkeys, giant otter and tapir. Day 8 Drive to Rock View Lodge, near the village of Annai, where the savannah meets the forest-mantled Pakaraima Mountains. Day 9 Optional horse-ride with cattle and cowboys, or local walks. Days 10&11 By road and river to Karanambu Ranch, where the McTurk family are your hosts, regaling you with stories about their life in the savannah and Diane's world-famous otter rehabilitation project. Look out for giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies and a rich variety of birds as you explore the prairies, flooded forest and waterways here. Day 12 Visit the Caiman House Research Centre, where specimens of black caiman, the largest alligator, are being monitored and studied. Overnight in the field station, at Caiman House. Day 13 Return to Georgetown. Day 14 Fly to the UK, arriving day 15.Prices from £3,230pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Regular departures from the UK 5Maroons and AmeriNdians (SURINAME)The best place to visit for nature-lovers is Awarradam Jungle Lodge, on a small isolated island. Expert guides will help spot and identify wildlife. You can swim and take canoe trips, including one to the rapids at Gran Dam. Trips to local villages introduce visitors to the Maroons who offer a fun yet educational insight into their way of life with a meal and lively displays of dancing and singing.020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information 6FRENCH GuIANAFrom Cayenne there are trips to the former prison on the Îles du Salut, with their abandoned cell blocks, a chapel and a museum. It's an evocative and chilling place to visit. The real Papillon enthusiast can even spend the night at the Auberge des îles. Other highlights include a tour of the European Space Centre and guided sightseeing tour of the French-flavoured capital Cayenne.how about?» Visiting all 3 Guianas by extending your journey to include Suriname and French Guiana.METSISABELLE MAZILLE

Samba, carnival, football and beach culture?this is the popular image of Brazil. But behind its endless palm-fringed beaches lies a huge variety of scenery from steaming tropical rainforests to the sunlit slopes of the southern vineyards. There's plenty of exotic wildlife on display but it's the people that give the country its unique identity?Amazônian indians, Portuguese colonists, African, European and Japanese communities which both co-exist independently and fuse into a rich mélange of cultures, producing art, architecture, music and dance, imbued with a devil-may-care gaiety. Brazil is a country of extremes but today has a robust emergent economy. There's a comprehensive network of roads and air routes covering the huge distances. Many attractions have been developed sensitively for tourism; others left in their natural state. You'll find a huge range of accommodation and there's a relaxed, informal and friendly welcome everywhere.74