A journey along the entire coastline from east to west, including several days in the plantation district, an introduction to the diverse cultures, visits to nature reserves, and a search for giant tortoises.
Suriname from East to West
Travel information
This trip gives you a complete picture of Suriname in 15 days. You travel along the entire coastal plain from East to West through the different districts, enjoying a great variety of landscapes, and you also stay in the interior. You learn more about the history and the shared history of Suriname and the Netherlands. The stay is planned at very diverse locations such as a shelter near an indigenous village and you spend a number of nights in the habitat of the Saramaccan community. During this trip you experience the diverse cultures that Suriname has to offer.
The nature of Suriname is overwhelming and is a prominent part of this tour. You will visit the Brownsberg nature park and spend the night in a house on the water in the bird-rich Bigi Pan nature reserve. In the period March-July you can witness the laying process of the giant tortoises.
Suriname from East to West is a very varied, educational journey in which you cover quite a few kilometers and make many trips by boat.
| Departure days | Thursday |
| Amount of days | 15 days |
| Min. number of persons | 2 |
| Transportation | bus, boat |
| Accommodation | Double room / apartment |
| Travel schedule | In accordance with the day-to-day program |
Travel schedule
Day 1 - Arrival in Suriname
Upon arrival at Suriname airport, the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, the driver will be ready to take you by private van to Appartementen Bloemendaal in Groningen. During the first days you can acclimatize quietly in this small-scale and cozy accommodation with swimming pool. Nothing is necessary, but everything is possible. The complex offers meal service. If a dinner is required after arrival, we can order it in advance.
Day 2 – Groningen
In the refrigerator you will find all the ingredients for an extensive "do-it-yourself" breakfast: fresh rolls, tea, coffee, eggs, toppings and fruit. Before the rolls go into the oven and the coffee simmers, you can take a dip in the pool. Anoeska, the manager, is happy to inform you about the possibilities for excursions. An early morning boat trip on the Saramacca River is highly recommended. Getting up early is rewarded; the mysterious morning mist above the river and the not yet too bright sun provide beautiful pictures. It is also the time when the monkeys and birds show themselves best. It is pleasant to wake up with a cup of coffee or tea on board. You can also take a bike ride 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. That is why we also recommend the meal service at the apartment complex for this evening.
Day 3 to 5 - Akira Overwater Resort
After breakfast you will be picked up by van for a trip to the West of Suriname. You will receive a lot of information about the 3 districts you will visit today. The first district is Saramacca, with Groningen as its capital and located on the Saramacca River. The fishing village of Boskamp, with its traditional smokehouses, is also visited. Via the coconut district of Coronie with the waving palms along the road, the wooden houses and the small white churches, the journey continues towards the final destination of Nickerie.
Once you arrive in Nickerie, you board a boat for a boat trip to the Bigi Pan nature reserve. You will stay here at the Akira Overwater Resort. This resort consists of luxurious floating houses on the water that are connected by jetties. From the balcony in front of your house you have a view over the lake where you can enjoy the sunrise and sunset.
During your stay on Akira you will make various trips across the lake and through the mangrove. You will be able to spot a diversity of birds. Many waders, herons, but also birds of prey and woodpeckers feel completely at home here. With a bit of luck you will also encounter scarlet ibises, which turn a beautiful dark red color from eating crabs and shrimps. Small caimans are also regularly spotted. When the water level is high, a trip is also made to the mud banks near the coast. On the day of departure you will be taken by boat to the jetty again where the van will be waiting for you to take you to Guesthouse Famiri in Paramaribo.
Day 6 - Paramaribo
In the morning you will be picked up by a guide and you will visit the 'Wooden City of the Caribbean'. The walk leads past beautiful colonial buildings, impressive wooden churches, the cozy Waterkant with the Javanese food stalls, the Independence Square, the colorful market and the flower stands with beautiful tropical flowers. You can also visit one of the interesting museums in Paramaribo, including Fort Zeelandia. You can spend the afternoon as you wish. In the evening you can try out one of the many 'cuisines' that Suriname has to offer. Will it be Javanese, Creole, Chinese or a delicious Hindustani roti? Of course we will provide you with good addresses.
Day 7 to 8 - Sea turtles in Galibi (season from March to July)
From Paramaribo you will depart by minibus via the famous 'Bosjesbrug' over the Surinamerivier towards Albina. Here you will board a piaka (native boat) and sail towards Christiaankondre, where you will arrive in the afternoon. After a late lunch there is time to relax and at the end of the afternoon a village walk follows. There is an opportunity to buy handmade souvenirs at a shop.
In the evening (or the next day after breakfast; depending on the tide) you will sail to the laying beaches in about an hour. Led by local guides, we look for turtles that come to lay eggs. A magical ritual that you can witness.
Outside the nesting season, a cultural evening is organised with dance and music by people from the village. The next morning, after breakfast, a walk is made towards the women's house of the village and you visit the school. During the morning, the crossing is made to the French Guyanese village of Saint Laurent. Here you visit the famous prison Camp de la Transportation (Bagno) where Papillon was imprisoned. If there is enough time, a short walk is made through the French village. Here you can, for example, visit the local market and buy a baguette or a pain au chocolat at a real French boulangerie. After lunch, you cross the river again by boat to the Surinamese side and are taken to Hotel de Plantage near Tamanredjo in the district of Commewijne.
Day 9 to 10 - Hotel de Plantage and day tour Bakkie
Hotel de Plantage is located on the territory of the former Montpellier plantation, where mainly cocoa was grown. In the beautiful garden are the various houses, each with its own terrace and in the garden is a lovely swimming pool.
The restaurant of Hotel De Plantage offers a panoramic view of the entire site. You are welcome here every morning between 08.30:10.00 and XNUMX:XNUMX for a breakfast buffet.
On the day of departure you will take a day trip to the Bakkie plantation and you will be dropped off at a central location in the center of Paramaribo at the end of the afternoon.
Day 11 to 12 - Tour to Brownsberg & Ston Island
Today you will depart inland to Brownsberg nature park and the Brokopondo reservoir. With the 4WD you will drive from Boxel in a southerly direction. The last part you will drive a steep forest road up the mountain. This is where the nature reserve begins. Because hunting is not allowed in the nature park, there is a good chance of spotting animals today. Depending on the arrival time and the group, a somewhat longer walk (approximately 2,5 hours) will be made to one of the lower waterfalls. The guide will look at the local conditions and the condition of the participants. There are several walks possible and one is more difficult than the other. Along the way, the guide will often explain the flora and fauna that occur here. Anyone who feels like a cooling jet of water can stand under the waterfall. Please note that in the dry season it will be a small jet. The way back will require a bit more effort because you will be walking up towards the plateau. After this walk, a well-deserved hot lunch will be ready.
After lunch there is time for a short walk from the plateau. From here you have a beautiful view of the Van Blommenstein Reservoir in clear weather. You can also see the place where you will spend the night tonight. This is the peninsula 'Ston Island'. In the afternoon you can get there by bus in about 20 minutes. You will stay here in simple houses. Take a wonderfully refreshing dip in the lake from the swimming beach and watch the sun set beautifully. After dinner and a drink under the stars, go to bed early because we recommend getting up early. The sun rises between 06.00:06.30 AM and XNUMX:XNUMX AM, creating a beautiful mystical backdrop. This is the time to take beautiful pictures of the lake where the forest giants still tower above.
After this it is time for breakfast. Before you leave here you can swim or take a canoe onto the lake. The guide will take you to a central location around noon where you will be picked up.
Day 12 to 14 - Knini Paati 3-day tour
You will be picked up near Ston Island and travel to Atjoni. In the afternoon you will arrive at the island of Knini Paati and can immediately enjoy a delicious hot meal. There is time to relax in the sula (rapids) and a forest walk with a guide. After dinner a night boat trip is made with the aim of spotting caimans. You will spend the night in comfortable lodges. The next morning after breakfast there is a program with a walk through a nearby Saramaccan village where you will receive an explanation about the way of life in the rainforest and the customs that are still honored from the African ancestors. After a wonderful stay of 3 days you will return for a last night in Paramaribo.
The program is subject to local circumstances.
Day 15 - Day of departure
During the last few hours you can relax in the garden of your accommodation. Our driver will give you the exact time that you will be picked up to go to the airport.
Accommodations
Facilities per location
- Apartments Bloemendaal: Apartment with balcony, open kitchen, private shower/toilet, choice of fan or air conditioning. Choice of a double bed or 2 single beds. Do-it-yourself breakfast.
- Akira: Lodge on the water, private shower (cold water)/toilet, air conditioning. Full board
- Paramaribo: Small, centrally located hotel, room with private shower/toilet and air conditioning. Bed and breakfast included.
- Galibi: Basic room with beds and mosquito nets, shared shower/toilet (cold water only), fan. Full board.
- Hotel de Plantage: Cottage with private shower/toilet, fan, and air conditioning. Bed and breakfast included.
- Brownsberg and Ston Island: authentic, simple huts, beds and mosquito nets, shared sanitary facilities (cold water only). Full board
- Knini Paati: lodge with private shower/toilet, air conditioning. Full board.
Additional tour information
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Additional costs for tours
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KLM flight information
KLM flight
If desired, Suriname Holidays can arrange your intercontinental KLM flight book. With the combination tours with Curacao your KLM return flight from Curacao is booked. The connecting flight from Paramaribo to Curacao can also be booked for you. These flights are usually operated by Surinam Airways, which is the best available option at the moment.
Land arrangement
If you prefer to arrange your own flight or have already booked a flight, it is important that you provide us with your flight details so that we can ensure that your tour fits in well with your arrival and departure flights. Most tours are designed based on a specific departure day. If you arrive on a different day, it is possible to adjust the order of the program so that it fits in with your flight schedule.
Please take into account any additional costs if something changes in the order of the trip.
