Starting either in August or September 2010, the plan so far is that this will be a 22-day trip. It's too early to get firm flight prices, but the cheapest is likely to be on Iberia, via Madrid. The trip itself will start in Caracas and end in Rio, although at this intermediate planning stage, it looks as though it'll be possible to curtail at Cayenne in French Guyana at about day 17.This latter option would mean using Air France, which is £150-200 more expensive for the flight element
What follows is a bald, yet-to-be-embellished itinerary.
We'll fly straight from Caracas on day 2 to Canaima (for the Angel Falls) and stay two nights (2N[days 2-3]), before continuing (probably by light aircraft) to Santa Elena de Uairen (1N [[day 4]) near the Brazil border. We'll travel on by bus to Boa Vista (1N [day5]), before turning north to Lethem and Guyana. The new bridge across the river is built, but the lack of a usable approach road means it still isn't open yet.
[Update 17Sep09 - the Takutu river bridge was officially opened on 14Sep09 - although it has been possible to walk or cycle across for several months]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takutu_River_Bridge
The all-weather road north takes us to Rock View (2N [days 6,7]) and then onward to Iwokrama and its canopy walkway(2N [days 8,9]). Onward to Georgetown (2N[days 10,11]) will either be by air via Kaieteur Falls or by bus - if the latter, then Kaieteur will be done as an optional excursion from Georgetown.
Bus or minibus will take us to the ferry across the Corentyne river to Nieuw Nickerie in Suriname - from where we continue to Paramaribo (2N[days 12,13]). Then on to Albina on the the border, ferry across the river to the old penal colony at St Laurent in French Guyana. It's a paved road for the 200km to Kourou (1N[day 14]).
Next day, there's a boat ride to the Isles du Salut - the most notorious of which is Devil's Island. The old admin block has been turned into a pleasant hotel(1N[day 15])and restaurant. Next day, visit the Space Centre before continuing to Cayenne (2N[days 16,17]).
Another new paved road 190km straight(ish) through the rainforest gets us to Regina and St Georges. The projected bridge, due for completion end 2010, hasn't started yet, so a ferry takes us over the Oiapoque river into Brazil (1N[day 18]). Back to red-earth roads for the bus ride to Macapa (1N [day 19]).
The last two legs to Belem (1N[day 20]), and then to Rio (2N[days 21,22]) will be by air.
View Planned route in a larger map
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