If there’s one thing you need to visit while you’re in Guyana – it’s Kaieteur Falls in the heart of the Amazon. However, if you’re planning to visit, there’s one thing you’ll quickly realise is that: you can’t just show up and wing it. Mainly cause there’s not really any public transport, there’s no “I’ll figure it out when I get there”. For the most part, you’re gonna need a tour.
It’s generally straightforward but if you’re anything like me – you’re wondering a bunch of questions related to a tours:
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- Are they all the same?
- Why is it so expensive?
- What’s actually included?
- Is it actually worth it?
So, I thought… why not share some knowledge and write a post about what taking a tour to Kaieteur Falls is really like to take out the guesswork.
Disclaimer: Some links earn me a small commission – same price for you, slightly less tragic bank balance for me.
So, why do you need a tour to visit Kaieteur Falls?
Technically, you can visit without a tour. But the overland route goes through the dense jungle over multiple days, river crossings, permits and actually having the experience of doing this type of expedition… Kaieteur Falls sits deep inside the rainforest, completely cut off from road access. There really are just two realistic options of getting here.
1. Multi day jungle expedition
As I mentioned in my Kaieteur Falls, Guyana Guide – this option is completely doable but it’s not for most. It involves either booking a multi-day (5 days) tour with a tour company or attempting to DIY the trek. I wouldn’t advise on the latter option unless you really know what you’re doing.
2. Fly in with a tour – what 99% of people do
Kaieteur Falls is only an hour flight away from Georgetown. For most people, it’s a day trip visit. It involves booking through a tour, flying in a small aircraft (usually 9 – 12 seats) with Trans Guyana Airways, an hour flight into the dense Amazon Rainforest before finally landing on a remote airstrip.
But let’s be realistic here, if you’re reading this – you’re probably opting for the day trip. So let’s get into it.
What a Kaieteur Falls tour ACTUALLY includes
All tours very similar – regardless of the company. A typical package will include:
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- return flight from Georgetown to Kaieteur National Park
- 2 hours of ground time at the national park
- visiting 3 different viewpoints to see the waterfalls
- Kaieteur national park pass
- Refreshments – non alcoholic drinks + a snack (more like lunch for us)
- A local guide
That’s it. It’s a fixed schedule and a group based experience. There’s not much flexibility when you’re on the ground. The only difference for some companies is that they may include a visit to Orinduik Falls (at an extra cost). I would probably say compared to a traditional tour, you’ll be joining a tour to Kaieteur Falls purely for the logistics.
Quick overview of the flight
It’s quite an experience, especially if you’ve never been on a small propeller plane like the Cessna Grand Caravans. Apart from seeing the falls, this would be the next biggest part of your tour. Most (if not all) of the flights are operated by Trans Guyana Airways. It is an hour flight with incredible views over the Amazon Rainforest.
I’m currently writing my next post so stay tuned: Flying to Kaieteur Falls: What It’s Actually Like (And What No One Tells You)
What to expect on the day of the tour?
If you’re taking Evergreen Tours, you’ll meet them at their office just next to Ogle Airport (Eugene F. Correia International Airport). You’ll do check in with them, they’ll weigh you with all your things, hand you your boarding pass and give you a quick briefing of the tour. Afterwards, you’ll walk over to the terminal with your boarding pass (and passport!), go through security and wait in the waiting area. It’s really not any different to taking an actual flight.
Your seat is assigned according to your weight. It is a small aircraft, so weight distribution is important! Once they aircraft is ready, you’ll be ushered out and called onboard to take your assigned seats. Strap in and you’re off! An hour journey with views over the Amazon Rainforest.
You arrive on the small landing strip. Once you’re all settled and ready, you’ll start the tour to the falls. Along the way, your tour guide will explain the history, local plant and bird life in the region. Within about 10 mins, you’re at your first viewing area. There’s not really a gradual reveal, it just appears out of the jungle surroundings.
The walking is relatively easy, through uneven ground – the trail is covered by foliage, tree roots and a muddy path. There are also some rock/boulders sticking out. There are 3 viewpoints you get to visit, each one getting closer to the waterfalls. The tour to the waterfalls lasts approximately 1.5hrs and when you return to the main building, you have lunch and head back to Georgetown.
How long do you spend at Kaieteur Falls?
As the tours have a scheduled flight in and out of the National Park, you will only have 2 hours of ground time while you’re there. It’s a pretty well oiled scheduled. Within this time, all of the activities are built in and include:
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- Walking to all 3 viewpoints
- Taking your photos and videos
- Viewing time
- A guided tour on the trail
- Observing the plant life
- Visiting the Guianan cock-of-the-rock lek
- Lunch back at the main building
- Toilet breaks
So at the actual falls from all of the viewing areas combined, it’s approximately 30 – 40 mins. Which, for some may be enough, others maybe not. The entire tour from when you leave the Ogle Airport to returning is about 4 to 5 hrs, depending if your flight is delayed.
How much does it cost to visit Kaieteur Falls?
For all the tour companies I’ve seen, the price generally ranges from USD $345 to USD $360 per person. There’s nothing hugely varied with what the tours offer. You might see some packages that offer visiting Orinduik Falls as well which will set you back USD $450 for the tour.
Unfortunately, the tours are pretty expensive and there’s really not any other cheaper options of doing it. Even trekking multi days to see the falls is going to cost you a lot more.
The Reality Check
I’m all about setting expectations. So here are a couple of things worth knowing about before booking your tour.
You’re on a fixed schedule
That’s it. There’s not really “oh, just 5 more mins”. There is a guide at the beginning of the group and at the back so you can’t just wander.
It can feel short
I know for that price, some of us would expect a full day experience at the falls. Unfortunately, it’s not that. I could’ve easily skipped my refreshments to enjoy more time looking at the falls but that isn’t an option.
Weather affects everything
Delays and reschedules are normal. As you’re flying in a small aircraft, the weather at the Kaieteur National Park will dictate if you’re able to land or not.
Your trip may be rescheduled
If there isn’t enough passengers on the flight, I know that the tours have been known to be rescheduled. My best time here is to book a tour during the weekend as that’s your best shot to actually be able to get on the aircraft!
It’s not a luxury experience
There’s no real upgrade for a “VIP” experience. It’s a pretty basic set up that works. It’s just you and nature.
Honest Review: Evergreen Tours
We went to Evergreen Tours and this was our experience with them. I contacted them via Whatsapp and it did take a follow up message to confirm if they had availability for our selected tour and dates. But apart from that, they were very responsive and easy to book through.
Payment
They do accept cash payments (no extra fee) but you’re unable to go for this option if you’re arriving a few days before the flight. Alternatively, a wire transfer is possible but depending how close you’re booking the tour, it might not be accepted (it takes 3 – 7 working days for them to reflect the payment).
We ended up going with the authorization form with our credit card information and ID. This was an extra 5% service fee, though. It was all quick and easy, they sent us a confirmation and receipt of our purchase. Followed by our confirmation and a small booklet with information about what to expect on the day.
What they do well
The logistics were being handled without any follow ups from us, so we could just sit back and relax. The guides were from the Kaieteur National Park and they were knowledgable. One of the guides we had actually shared a lot of local experiences and indigenous way of life which was incredibly insightful. All in all, we had a positive experience.
What’s average
Like I mentioned above, the experience can feel pretty rushed and there’s no flexibility. Your timings are controlled by your flight schedule. There are no alternatives. But in some ways, you know that coming into the tour.
Downside
I think this is my main and only downside… The pricing does feel high for the time spent. But that’s just my personal opinion. Oh, and transportation to/from their Ogle office isn’t include (although it can be arranged). Just felt like an additional item we had to pay.
Final take
They are reliable and deliver what they promise. After all, the experience is about Kaieteur rather than the tour company because at the end of the day, you’re paying for the logistics.
Booking Tips
This actually is my recommendation for any tour company and not just Evergreen Tours.
Once you have your dates locked in, look into booking your spot on a tour if this is something you want to do. Tours can fill up or they might need to wait some time for the required minimum numbers. Be flexible in case your tour happens to need rescheduling.
Why is visiting Kaieteur Falls so expensive?!?!
We asked ourselves this so much leading up to booking…
Well, first thing you need to know is that Guyana is a pretty expensive country as is. If you google most expensive country in South America – most resources will say it’s Uruguay. However, from what I understand, since the discovery of oil, the cost of living has skyrocketed in the country.
But when you think about it, you are booking for the logistics to visiting a remote location, fuel and remote operations in general. Mainly – accessibility. It’s not overpriced, it’s just inherently an expensive operation to do.
But still, I am going to complain about the price. Sorry 😀
SO… is a Kaieteur Falls Tour worth the price tag?
HONESTLY. It depends entirely on you. I thought it was a unique experience (albeit very expensive) but some others I know felt underwhelmed by it.
I think if you’re looking at it as “visiting a waterfall for $350 for 2 hours” … probably not, honestly. The waterfalls are impressive and memorable but you are better off visiting some other waterfalls if you’re looking for something more “bang for your buck”. You might finish the tour feeling a bit… underwhelmed.
However, if you’re looking at it as visiting one of the most remote waterfalls in the world?! Taking a little propeller plane over some pristine views of the Amazon Rainforest and having the opportunity to see the elusive Guianan cock-of-the-rock? I think this visit would meet your expectations!
Planning your trip? Read this next: Kaieteur Falls Guyana: How to Visit & Is It Worth It?
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