- Tour code
GUYSHO01
- Start
Georgetown
- End
Georgetown
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Explorer
- Trip pace
Active
- Language
English
The Essequibo is where Guyana's colonial story began, and this 12-hour outing traces it by water. It's the country's largest river, wide enough to hold hundreds of islands, and the Dutch, then the British, used it as their road into the interior.
Your guide fills in the history as you go: why the Dutch built on these islands, how the river carried trade inland, and what lives in the forest along the banks. The stops are spaced so the day never feels like a checklist.
There's the museum and brick ruins on Fort Island, a leg-stretch in Bartica, a Guyanese lunch at an island resort with time to swim or lie in a hammock, and a dip at Baracara Falls. The last stop is Fort Kyk-Over-Al, a small outpost perched where three rivers join.
Round-trip transport from Georgetown and lunch are part of the day, and you travel as a small group.
Why This Journey
Most visitors to Georgetown never see the river that shaped the country. This day puts the Essequibo at the center: two Dutch forts, a frontier town and an island lunch, with a waterfall swim to break up the history.
It suits travelers who like their sightseeing with some context and some downtime, and anyone looking for a full day out of the city that feels like a real journey rather than a quick stop.
Good to Know
The tour runs for about 12 hours, starting and finishing in Georgetown. Pack swimwear and water shoes for the falls.
What you will see and do
Walk the ruins of Fort Zeelandia and Fort Kyk-Over-Al, two Dutch colonial strongholds
Cool off in the natural pool at Baracara Falls
A guided day on the Essequibo, with lunch and transport from Georgetown covered
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
One farewell group activity when possible
Max 16 travellers per group
Group transportation
Transfers to and from the excursion
What's excluded
- Flights, accommodation and airport transfers
- Travel insurance (required)
Group itinerary
Fort Zeelandia
The day opens on Fort Island with the brick remains of a Dutch fort built in the 1700s and a small museum next door. It's a good place to get your bearings on the colony's early years, with your guide explaining why the Dutch chose these islands, and the river views make for easy photos.
Bartica
Next comes a short stop in Bartica, the riverside town known locally as the starting point for journeys into Guyana's interior. Walk the waterfront, grab a snack and stretch your legs before getting back on the water.
Island lunch
Lunch is a freshly cooked Guyanese meal at a resort on one of the river's islands. Afterward the time is yours: swim, stretch out in a hammock or wander the grounds while the river slides past.
Baracara Falls
The afternoon brings Baracara Falls, where water spills into a natural pool that's ideal for a swim. Water shoes help on the rocks, so keep them handy.
Fort Kyk-Over-Al
The final stop is the ruin of Fort Kyk-Over-Al, on a small island where the Essequibo, Mazaruni and Cuyuni rivers come together. Its commanding position mattered to both the Dutch and the British, and standing on the old walls it's easy to see why. From here, it's the ride back to Georgetown.
Rooms
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- Extra cost
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into and out of Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO).
Everything that's part of the tour price is listed under What's Included on this page. Anything not listed there, including flights and accommodation, isn't included.
Round-trip transport from Georgetown is included. Contact our Customer Experience team for the exact meeting time and place. Airport transfers are not included.
Swimwear and water shoes for the swim at Baracara Falls.
Contact our Customer Experience team to ask about booking this tour for a private group.
Yes. If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure or book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer is included. If you choose alternative pre-tour accommodation or arrive by another mode of transport, you’ll need to arrange your own arrival transfer.
Our arrival transfers are private to Soca Islands and are organised in groups based on flight times. Sometimes this means a short wait at the airport until other flights arrive.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our All-Inclusive Essequibo River Tour trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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