Overview

<div><strong>Description</strong>
You reach Awarradam by plane where you are welcomed by the local Saramaccan. These hearty people will give you a taste of the many pleasures in life in the coming days. Look forward to traditional food and folkloric music and dance.During a walk/trek you’ll pass various villages where you can perceive the lives of the local communities in all of its aspects. Souvenirs are on sale not only for the memories of this wonderful trip, but purchasing them help in the economic development of the local population. Moreover you will see their agricultural plots which they cultivate for their livelihood. Besides all these cultural aspects, you also come in contact with nature; you can peacefully bathe in one of the rapids or just lazily lie between the trees in a hammock. If you’re lucky then you’ll see a cayman doze on one of the sandbanks. You can find more action by trekking through the jungle, which also lets you gain knowledge of the plethora of flora which the rainforest is abundant with.

<strong>**Accommodations are not air conditioned.</strong>

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<strong>Contact Details</strong>
van Sommelsdijkstraat no. 1

Paramaribo

Suriname

Day 01 :

Day 1

You set out from the local airport Zorg & Hoop in Paramaribo to the airstrip in Kayana, about a 60 minute flight south of Paramaribo. There Maroons will bring you to their “korjaal” (boat made from a hollow tree trunk – a sort of large canoe) that will take you over the Gran Rio to your vacation destination. It is a 30 minute boat ride to the island – the Awarradam resort, at the foot of the Awarradam rapids. After checking in and familiarizing yourself with the staff, lunch is served.In the afternoon you can explore the region and pleasantly relax in the rapids. You’ll recognize our resorts eco foundations. Our co-workers on the scene are friendly Maroons from the Saramaccan tribe and your jungle lodge is built in the traditional style. The brisk evenings make an air-conditioner or a fan redundant, but you do have the comfort of a “klamboe” (mosquito net).You’ll spend the nights with ambient lighting and your meals are made “à la maroon’, with mostly local ingredients. The first night the guide will introduce you to the Saramaccan culture.

Day 02 :

Day 2

After breakfast you will have an informative and adventurous “jungle walk”. While enjoying yourself and as you take in the unspoiled tropical rainforest, the guide describes the trees and plants and how you can recognize animals by their sounds and tracks.After lunch you will visit the rapids “Peti”. You’ll be able to swim, explore the area peddling in a ‘korjaal’ or enjoy the splendid view of the rapids from your hammock.After dinner you will boat (in the dark!) to a maroon-village where the inhabitants treat you to a cultural song and dance performance. The guide will explain the lyrics while the dancers invite you to join in.Under a tropical starry sky (unless it’s cloudy) our boatmen carry you back to the jungle lodge.You will be perplexed by their nautical abilities!

Day 03 :

Day 3

Today you will have the opportunity to fully enjoy the river as well as the local culture. You will visit the largest rapids in the area, the Grandam. During the boat trip 75 minutes downstream, you’ll experience the events on the river, which to the local community is their life stream. There they stop, greet each other and groceries are delivered. You’ll see people fishing, washing up and doing the dishes. In between the villages you’ll be able to enjoy nature and, with a little luck, you’ll even see a cayman napping on or near a sandbank. At the Grandam you’ll go ashore. You’ll have the opportunity to explore, swim in the rapids and enjoy yourself from your hammock. After the sumptuous picnic lunch, you’ll head back. In the afternoon you’ll have an extensive walk along the various villages. Along the way you’ll get even better acquainted with the culture and lifestyle of the maroons. The local community will gladly sell you some locally made souvenirs. Maybe you’ll recognize the dancers, singers or spectators of the cultural night. They’ll surely recognize you!

Day 04 :

Day 4

In the morning you’ll be able to again paddle in a korjaal, swim, have a walk through the forest or just peacefully enjoy the sounds of the jungle. Afterwards our co-workers bid you a traditional farewell. A korjaal will bring you back to Kayana, for the flight back to Paramaribo.