Upon arrival at Suriname's international airport, JA Pengel Airport, the driver will be ready to take you to Paramaribo by private van. You will stay in a cozy, small-scale hotel with a covered patio and swimming pool. In the evening you can try one of the many 'cuisines' that Suriname has to offer. Will it be Javanese, Creole, Chinese or a tasty Hindustani roti? Of course we will provide you with good addresses.

Today you have the entire day to explore Paramaribo. You can do this on your own, but we can also organize a half-day city tour with a guide. If you'd like to get to know Surinamese cuisine better and cook something yourself, we can arrange it for you. Njan Switi cooking workshop Highly recommended. This combines a city tour/market visit with a cooking workshop.

Additional options are available at an additional cost. 

After breakfast, it's time to pick up the rental bikes (Fitness Bike with 27 gears) and get on your first bike ride in Suriname. We'll provide you with the route description, and because you'll be cycling independently, you determine the pace and stops along the way. You'll cycle to the Marienburg jetty where you'll take the boat to Frederiksdorp (at your own expense). From there, you'll cycle on to Mariënbosch, where you'll spend the first two nights. Marienbosch is a small, charming plantation house with very basic rooms. All rooms have a fan. The bathroom facilities are shared with the other guests.

During your stay at Mariënbosch Plantation, you'll take a boat trip through the swamp behind Johanna and Margaretha Plantation. You'll navigate the bird-rich wetlands in flat boats that seat 3 to 5 people. Dinner will be enjoyed with the Dipai family, who live and work on the plantation. During turtle nesting season (February - July), you'll sail with Ashwin to the nesting beaches. There will also be a boat trip to the mouth of the ocean for dolphin watching.

After breakfast you will leave for a bike ride of about three hours to Meerzorg. Here you will stay two nights in Sutopia. The spacious apartments are completely newly furnished and equipped with all conveniences, such as air conditioning, hot water, Wi-Fi, a kitchen and a comfortable bed. There are many different fruit trees on the grounds. So you can pick the papayas or bananas straight from the trees in the morning. For some cooling off there is a small swimming pool on the grounds. What more could you want? From Sutopia you can make nice trips to, for example, Plantage Peperpot and the nearby nature trail. The managers of Sutopia can also organize trips by boat.

Today you'll cycle at your own pace to Boxel (a little over 25 km by bike). Here you'll once again stay in a small, personal accommodation in a beautiful spot on the Parakreek. Hosts Bertus and Jenny are full of plans and encourage local residents to do something for their guests. For example, you can learn to bake cassava bread with the neighbor, and another kitchen princess organizes Roti cooking workshops. If you prefer to explore further afield, you can cycle to places like Domburg or Lelydorp, or to a nearby wellness center for a wonderful massage, lunch, and a dip in the pool. It's also possible to arrange a massage at the guesthouse. Please inquire about the possibilities if this interests you. You'll stay two nights in Boxel. We recommend taking advantage of the excellent meal service, which we can order in advance.

Today's itinerary includes a challenging ride. You'll cycle from Boxel to Groningen, a distance of approximately 55 kilometers. We recommend leaving early, while it's still cool. In Groningen, you'll be staying at Bloemendaal Apartments. After your strenuous bike ride, you'll be able to relax in this cozy accommodation with a swimming pool for the next few days. Nothing is mandatory, everything is possible. In the refrigerator, you'll find all the ingredients for a hearty "do-it-yourself" breakfast: fresh rolls, tea, coffee, eggs, toppings, and fruit. Before the rolls go into the oven and the coffee starts brewing, you can take a dip in the pool. Anoeska, the manager of Bloemendaal Apartments, is happy to inform you about excursion options. An early morning boat trip on the Saramacca River is highly recommended. The early rise is rewarding; the mysterious morning mist over the river and the sun, not yet too bright, create beautiful images. It's also the time when monkeys and birds are most visible. Waking up with a cup of coffee or tea on board is a pleasant experience. You can also cycle to a local warung in Groningen or to the nearby sloth sanctuary. Due to the lack of cycle paths, cycling in the dark is not recommended. Therefore, we recommend using the meal service at the apartment complex for this evening as well.

After breakfast you leave for the last tough stage of approximately 45 km to Paramaribo. Here you return the bicycles and return to the accommodation where you previously stayed. You will stay here for two nights, so you can take it easy and slowly prepare for the journey into the interior.

In the morning you will be picked up from your accommodation for the tour towards the Upper Suriname area. On the way you will pass the transmigration villages near Brokopondo. These villages were created because people were forced to leave the area during the construction of the dam.

After lunch at Atjoni, you'll board a dugout canoe for a boat trip on the Upper Suriname River. During the trip, you'll see various Maroon villages and their inhabitants bathing or doing laundry in the river. The boatman expertly navigates the numerous rapids. The massive green jungle curtain surrounds the river on both banks, creating picturesque scenery. From your accommodation, you'll get to know the local Saramaccan people. A forest walk is also on the agenda, and if you wish, you can help bake cassava bread with the village women. Swimming in the rapids is a regular part of the day. It's a pleasure to cool off in this natural hot tub.

On the second leg of this trip, you'll sail south and visit the Saamaka Maroon Museum in the village of Pikin Slee. The museum showcases the cultural heritage of the Maroons, who escaped slavery on the coastal plantations and established their own communities deep in the Surinamese rainforest. The ancient Saramaccan culture is still a prominent part of daily life. You'll spend two nights here.

On your last day, you'll depart in the morning by dugout canoe for Atjoni. After lunch, you'll continue your journey by minibus to Palulu Paradise, arriving in the late afternoon. Upon arrival, you can refresh yourself in the icy creek. Before you begin the Surinamese night in your hammock, satisfied with dinner, the campfire invites you to join us for a drink under the stars.

(Note: this program is subject to local conditions, including water levels)

There is a good chance that you have been woken up by the Palulu bird orchestra. Breakfast is already ready with home-made jam and bread and a free-range egg. In consultation with the managers, a nice walk can be made today. There are various possibilities with and without the guidance of a guide. The managers will be happy to tell you more about this. Palulu is also very suitable for relaxing in a hammock and swimming in the fresh creek.

The manager of Palulu Paradise will take you to the airport during the day. Until then, you can relax and look back on all the experiences you have gained.