Iwokrama Turtle Mountain, canopy
walkway – Guyana’s treasures to discover
By Tangerine Clarke
Iwokroma River Lodge designed with
Eco-friendly cabins nestled within the
landscape - a sanctuary in the Essequibo
Region of Guyana, was awarded the TripAdvisor
2015 Certificate of excellence
— a well-deserved honor that has added
prominence to the already acclaimed
unspoiled tourist destination.
Iwokrama, 1,000,000 acres of protected
pristine rainforest, showcases exotic
scenery, rare wildlife, and offers thrilling
adventure that a swashbuckler like myself
never knew existed, until I took off on an
eight-hour journey along the East Bank
highway, connecting the mining town of
Linden, and rugged terrain, to meet the
mighty Essequibo River.
After a five-minute pontoon sail, I
marveled at Guyana’s hidden treasure.
The rainforest, and awe-inspiring panorama,
that makes this region, tranquil
and beautiful.
As an avid traveler, I always go off-thebeaten
path, to immerse myself in the
culture, the food, and the people, like I
had, in Marrakech, Morocco some years
ago. While there, I enjoyed my first foray
into mountain climbing — 5000ft. to the
summit of the Atlas.
Like Morocco, Guyana has that wondrous
draw that welcomes tourists and
leave them awestruck. The natives are
charming, the hospitality, stunning.
My most memorable, was conquering
Turtle Mountain, a trek that lasted over
two hours to reach the peak at 980ft. For
me being as “fit as a fiddle,” the climb was
the ultimate adventure of a lifetime.
The expedition started from Iwokrama
River Lodge, via a speedboat that navigated
jagged rocks, and wild rapids, on
the Essequibo riverbed.
After pulling into muddy topography,
with New Yorker, Kay Ramdat, and locals
Dr. Raquel Thomas-Caesar and Sonia
Noel, our trusted, Rangers, Glenny King
Rangers Glenny King and Julian Brasche guided New York tourists along the wild rapids in Iwokrama reserve
rainforest, Essequibo Region, Guyana
Tangerine Clarke shows off a creation by local Guyanese designer, Sonia Noel, on the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, Essequibo Region of Guyana. (Right)
New Yorkers and local tourists with Ranger Julian Brasche, left, at the summit of Turtle Mountain (980ft) in the Iwokrama reserve rainforest, Essequibo
Region, Guyana.
Caribbean L 34 ife, Jan. 31-Feb. 6, 2020
and Julian Brasche, guided us along lush
trails, stopping at intervals to point out
the richness of the forest, and its usefulness
to humankind.
With a bit of rainfall, sunrays that
peeked through vegetation, and three
rest stops along the way, the hike became
more compelling, more treacherous. For
some, like me, it might be a great feat,
but for others this is not an easy hike,
and is definitely not for anyone who can’t
manage steep stairs. This is a trek for the
strong-minded, not the faint of heart.
Getting to Turtle Mountain summit
was absolutely worth the willpower. The
breathtaking Pakarima Mountain range,
the Essequibo River, and the billions of
trees that protect Guyana’s environment,
were the final prize. A must experience in
one’s lifetime.
Iwokama also boasts a spectacular
view of the rainforest via the protected
canopy cover, a 505ft. 180-step mountain
climb that showcases thick wilderness.
The Canopy Walkway is a sturdy suspended
iron bridge that surrounds a section of
the unspoiled environment.
Local designer Sonia Noel turned
the unique canopy, located beyond the
immaculate grounds of Atta Rainforest
Lodge, into a fashion runway. The floral
print pieces blended into the landscape
and highlighted Guyana’s most exotic foliage
that surrounds the suspended metal
bridge.
These must visit attractions, are a part
of the Iwokrama International Centre,
managed in a partnership with Community
and Tourism Services, the indigenous
Makushi community of Surama
and private sector companies: Rock View
Lodge and Wilderness Explorers.
To learn more, and how to visit, go
www.iwokrama.org, www.iwokramalodge.
com.
/www.iwokramal-odge.com
/www.iwokramal-odge.com
/www.iwokrama.org
/www.iwokramal-odge.com
/www.iwokrama.org