Kasikasima 8 days

You depart from local airport Zorg en Hoop to the airstrip near the Amerindian village Palumeu, approximately 75 minutes south from Paramaribo. We are proud of the traditional and sustainable nature of this trip. Our employees are skilled Trio and Wajana Amerindians. Your jungle cabin is built in traditional style and the cool evenings make air-conditioning or a fan unnecessary but you do enjoy the comfort of a mosquito net. For atmospheric lighting at night, solar energy is used. The meals are prepared on a wood fire with primarily Surinamese ingredients. Our employees welcome you at our jungle lodge, a stone’s throw from the village Palumeu of the Trio and Wajana Amerindians. After check-in your room, you depart to Palawa Island for a picnic lunch. Here you can enjoy swimming in the refreshing river water. In the afternoon you visit the Amerindian village Palumeu. The most ancient inhabitants of the Amazon rainforest have maintained ancient-old traditions in their lifestyle and handicrafts.
At night, the guide prepares you for the expedition. You receive tips on safety, comfort and the respectful use of this untouched part of the jungle.

A group feeling is immediately created when you see everyone lending a hand at loading all provisions in the dug-out canoe. Nothing must be left behind. Everyone will have to make do with what is taken along! You will live a few days without the luxury you are probably accustomed to in the simplicity of the jungle; without telephone or radio contact with the rest of the world-life as a true explorer so to speak. A dug-out canoe brings you over the Tapanahony and Palumeu river to camp Kamakabari. This boat trip takes 3 to 7 hours depending on the water level. In the camp the accompanying cook prepares a delicious lunch. In the meantime everyone joins in to put up the hammock camp. The guide explains how the hammocks and mosquito nets must be tied and how you can sleep comfortably in the hammocks. He also explains the sanitary facilities in the jungle. Late afternoon when the cook is already busy preparing dinner, you have time to swim, enjoy a natural massage in the waters of the rapids (if the water level permits) or go fishing.

After the first jungle night and breakfast the next day, you break down the camp together. Everything is loaded into the boat for the next destination, base camp Kasikasima at the Sawaniboto waterfall. The boatmen must pull the dug-out canoe through various rapids. At low tide, they will ask for your help to pull the dug-out canoe over the shallow ends of the water.
One rapid cannot be crossed: the Trombakasula. Here, the boat is unloaded. All provisions have to be carried on foot over a hill. Of course many hands make light work! Walking to and from while you are at it will immediately be a good preparation for the hike to Kasikasima. Upstream, the dug-out canoe is ready and the boatmen will take you to the base camp. Your arrival at the camp is late in the afternoon. When the hammocks are tied again you have time to relax. After dinner, the guide tells you more about the highlight of this expedition: the climb to one of the peaks of Mount Kasikasima.

After a sturdy jungle hike over various small hills, you reach the foot of Mount Kasikasima. On the way, your guide will point out animal sounds and tracks and tell you about the mythical powers attributed to this mountain by the indigenous people. With a bit of luck you will see a cock-of-the-rock, a rare bright orange colored bird, at the foot of the mountain. The trip to and from takes approximately 7 hours. One hour is spent at the top where you enjoy a magnificent view over the Amazon rainforest from the plateau. In clear weather, you can see as far as the border with Brazil. On the plateau you will enjoy lunch amidst the tropical rock plants.
Going up means getting back down and the descent is equally adventurous. Upon arrival back at the base camp it is time for a well-deserved massage in the refreshing water of the rapid. In the meantime the cook takes care of a good meal. Later (if the weather permits) there is plenty to talk about around the campfire.

Early in the morning, you depart for a sturdy jungle walk to Kodebaku Falls. During the jungle walk, the guide gives you information about various interesting aspects about the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest. At the Kodebaku waterfalls you can enjoy a true water spectacle. We will also visit a small Indian camp if the two families living there are present. Back in the base camp lunch is ready. After lunch you have some leisure time. Maybe you wish to go fishing with the accompanying boatmen or just sit peacefully and relax in this pristine part of the Amazon rainforest. After dinner you make a boat trip on the river to enjoy the jungle sounds at night.

In the early morning, at dawn, we float downstream a bit on the river in the dug-out canoe to enjoy the awakening of the jungle in all peacefulness. The rest of the day is kept free for your own activities. If there are more enthusiasts, you can enjoy a forest walk. Or you can just linger, swim, practice bow and arrow shooting, paddle in a dug-out canoe or go fishing.

After breaking up the camp, you begin the trip back to Palumeu. Going upstream is now faster compared to the way there. You once again have a chance to see animals such as howler monkeys in the tree tops, caimans lying on the river banks and maybe even a giant otter. Lunch is served along the way. Upon arrival in the afternoon, after a satisfying trip, you will truly appreciate the welcoming refreshing drink. After dinner, you will say goodbye to the cook and boatmen.

In the morning, the guide gives you a tour through the village. Along the way, you can purchase traditional handicraft souvenirs from the villagers themselves. After lunch, you depart for the return flight to Paramaribo.