A fully supported 99-mile canoe expedition down the Rupununi River, travelling from open savannah into rainforest over 10 days. Paddle by day, arrive to prepared riverside camps, and experience Guyana’s wildlife at water level.
The Rupununi 99’er is a supported canoe expedition covering 99 miles, roughly 160 kilometres, down one of Guyana’s most iconic waterways. The journey begins in Georgetown before flying south into the Rupununi Savannah and travelling overland to Yupukari Village and Caiman House Eco-Lodge. From there, the expedition launches onto the river.
The route follows the Rupununi River from open savannah into increasingly forested country. Early days are gentle and wide: lily ponds, open sky, quiet water, and broad riverbanks. As the expedition progresses, the landscape begins to shift. Savannah gives way to rainforest corridors, the banks close in, and wildlife becomes part of the daily rhythm.
This is not an unsupported wilderness paddle. A logistics crew moves ahead each day to prepare camp, manage heavy equipment, cook meals, and keep the canoes light. You still paddle the river, feel the distance, and earn the journey, but you arrive each evening to hammocks strung, fire lit, and food being prepared.
The expedition finishes near Awarmie Mountain, where the group celebrates completing the full 99-mile river journey with a sunset hike overlooking the Rupununi Savannah. After days at river level, the view from above gives the whole journey a sense of scale.
This is the trip for travellers who want an active but supported river expedition: enough effort to feel real, enough comfort to recover properly, and enough wildlife to remind you why slow travel is often the best way to see Guyana.
Pick a departure below. A 50% deposit reserves your place. The balance is due by bank transfer 60 days before departure. Prices are per person and can vary by season.
Six reasons this expedition earns its name.
A glimpse into the river, wildlife, and journey moments that define this expedition.
“The Rupununi 99’er is one of those journeys that works because it is simple. You put the canoe on the river, settle into the rhythm, and let the landscape change around you. At first it is open savannah, wide skies, and calm water. Then the river narrows, the forest comes closer, and suddenly you are seeing Guyana from the level where the wildlife lives. The support crew keeps the expedition comfortable, but the miles are still yours. By the time you reach Awarmie Mountain, you have not just visited the Rupununi, you have moved through it, one paddle stroke at a time.”
Expedition Leader and Owner
From first inquiry to first night in the jungle, we prepare you for everything so the wild can teach you the rest.
Georgetown
Arrival in Georgetown. Meet the expedition team and fellow participants at the hotel for introductions, safety briefing, equipment overview, and preparation for the journey into the interior.
Into the Rupununi and travel to Caiman House
Fly from Georgetown to Lethem, then travel overland across the Rupununi Savannah to Yupukari Village and Caiman House Eco-Lodge. The afternoon is used for equipment preparation, canoe familiarisation, and final expedition briefing.
First day in the canoes
Launch onto the Rupununi River and begin the first paddling stage. The day is designed to ease the group into the rhythm of canoe travel, finishing near lily pond habitats where evening wildlife exploration may be possible.
Gineb Landing
Continue downstream toward Gineb Landing. Paddling distance increases as confidence grows, with opportunities for wildlife sightings, fishing, and optional night river activity.
Caiman spotting and Pakaraima inn
A gentler river day with wildlife focus and recovery built into the rhythm. Depending on logistics, the group may connect with the Annai area and Pakaraima Inn before continuing toward the next camp.
Savannah to Rainforest
The expedition begins to feel more remote as the riverbanks gradually shift from savannah into denser forest. Expect a longer day on the water, more wildlife activity, and a stronger sense of moving into the interior.
The long haul
The longest paddling stretch of the journey. The group covers the final major distance toward Awarmie, completing the 99-mile river objective and reaching camp near the mountain.
Awarmie Mountain
Rest, recovery, and exploration around Awarmie. In the evening, hike to Awarmie Mountain summit for sunset views across the Rupununi Savannah. Overnight at Rewa Eco-Lodge.
Travel back out
Travel overland to Lethem and return by domestic flight to Georgetown. Final evening in the capital.
International Departure
Departure from Guyana or onwards travel.
Everything you need to know before booking your adventure
Everything you need to know before booking your adventure
Everything you need to know before booking your adventure
Everything you need to know before booking your adventure
Yes. Our guests are part of the expedition team rather than passengers.
Exactly what this involves depends on the expedition, but you should expect to participate in everyday camp life. This can include setting up and breaking down camp, collecting firewood and water, helping with group equipment and contributing to the practical jobs required to keep the expedition moving.
Our guides and local team manage the expedition and the specialist work, but everyone contributes according to their ability.
For us, this is an important part of expedition travel. You are not simply watching an expedition take place around you; you are part of it.
Not necessarily. Many of our expeditions require no specialist technical training or previous expedition experience.
However, some expeditions are physically demanding and may involve long trekking days, difficult terrain, paddling, carrying equipment or extended periods in remote environments. A smaller number may have specific experience or physical requirements.
Every expedition is different, which is why we provide a difficulty level and explain the physical requirements on the individual expedition page.
If you are uncertain about your experience or fitness, contact us. We can give you a realistic assessment of whether a particular expedition is suitable for you.
For much of an expedition, the rainforest becomes our home.
We primarily sleep in hammocks beneath tarps, either in individual camps or shared expedition camps depending on the journey. Some itineraries also include nights in indigenous communities, lodges or other simple accommodation along the route.
Meals are prepared in camp, water is collected locally and treated where necessary, and daily life revolves around travelling, establishing camp, cooking, maintaining equipment and preparing for the next stage of the journey.
It is a simple way of living, but one that quickly becomes part of the expedition experience.
Yes. Our expeditions are not luxury tours.
Depending on the itinerary, you should be comfortable sleeping in hammocks, bathing in rivers and creeks, using basic forest toilets, getting wet and muddy, and living without many of the conveniences you have at home.
That doesn’t mean we deliberately make things uncomfortable. We establish functional camps, eat properly and carry the equipment needed to operate effectively in the jungle. But when you travel into genuinely remote areas, simplicity is part of the experience.
A willingness to adapt is often more important than previous expedition experience.
Our expeditions take many different forms depending on the objective and the area we are trying to reach.
Some involve multi-day overland journeys through rainforest and mountains, while others travel deep into the interior by river, canoe, 4×4 or a combination of different forms of transport. Objectives can range from reaching remote waterfalls and mountains to exploring little-visited river systems, indigenous territories and areas of historical or archaeological interest.
What they share is that these are genuine journeys into remote Guyana. The route, logistics and challenges of reaching the destination are an important part of the expedition itself.
Yes. We provide a significant amount of the specialist equipment needed for our expeditions.
Depending on the journey, this can include hammocks, tarps, rucksacks, dry bags, machetes and other group and expedition equipment. This means you do not need to purchase an entire expedition setup before joining us.
You will receive a detailed equipment list for your particular expedition explaining exactly what we supply and what you need to bring personally.
If you already own equipment you particularly like using, you are welcome to discuss bringing it with us. We can advise whether it is suitable for the conditions in Guyana.
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Our team knows these jungles inside and out. We’re happy to help you find the perfect adventure based on your interests, fitness level, and timeframe. Every journey is unique—let’s craft yours together.
To request more information about this trip, fill in the form below and we will send you a PDF version. We look forward to hearing from you.
