Our final destination of our trip in the interior was Nappi. To get from Aranaputa to Nappi is relatively easy and cheaper than the rest of places we where in the interior. There is a bus leaving every morning from Aranaputa around 6 am (confirm) and costs 15 US per person. It takes around 3-4 hours to get to Lethem. But be careful, these buses don’t leave on Sundays (the day that we were supposed to leave). So we waited for the buses coming from Georgetown to Lethem. Around 9 they started to go by Aranaputa, and we asked all of them. Fortunately, one of them had 2 empty seats. And we paid 25 US for both of us, slightly cheaper than the regular bus. The trip was again tough. We got stuck, we had to push… the typical thing during the end of the rainy season.
We arrived 3 hours late to Lethem, so the people from Nappi that where supposed to wait for us were obviously gone. We planned our trip to Nappi contacting them directly. The best thing is to contact Guy Fredericks by email ([email protected]). He checks his email very often and is extremely useful and clear. We were supposed to meet them at Shirley’s, Lethem’s airport shop. We talked with Pat, and she was extremely useful trying to help us to get to Nappi from Lethem. Finally, we talked with some people in the street, and we agreed a price to get to Nappi by motorbike. Guy told me that the price was 25 US per motorbike (we needed two, as we were two people). As these were people that were not associated with Nappi, they initially asked 50 US per person. Fortunately I knew the real price, and could get it down to 30 US per person. Once more, the ride was tough. It takes around one hour and a half to get to Nappi by motorbike. Please close attention to the huge termite nests in the way. They are impressive!!!
We arrived 3 hours late to Lethem, so the people from Nappi that where supposed to wait for us were obviously gone. We planned our trip to Nappi contacting them directly. The best thing is to contact Guy Fredericks by email ([email protected]). He checks his email very often and is extremely useful and clear. We were supposed to meet them at Shirley’s, Lethem’s airport shop. We talked with Pat, and she was extremely useful trying to help us to get to Nappi from Lethem. Finally, we talked with some people in the street, and we agreed a price to get to Nappi by motorbike. Guy told me that the price was 25 US per motorbike (we needed two, as we were two people). As these were people that were not associated with Nappi, they initially asked 50 US per person. Fortunately I knew the real price, and could get it down to 30 US per person. Once more, the ride was tough. It takes around one hour and a half to get to Nappi by motorbike. Please close attention to the huge termite nests in the way. They are impressive!!!
Once in Nappi, we asked about Guy. It was very easy to find him. Originally, the plan was to spend the three nights in the jungle. However, we arrived one day late because the air crash in Georgetown that we talked about in the General section of the website. So I previously told Guy that we were only spending two nights. But because we arrived 4-5 hours late to Nappi (no buses on Sunday + time to find transportation), we had to sleep in Nappi itself. Their resort is far from the village, around 3 hours walk. But they provided with a very cute house for ourselves, and we loved it!
Guy had previously told me that the resort was still closed for the rainy season, but he provided alternatives. It included that we had to cook by ourselves. Normally you would buy your supplies in Lethem, but as we were super late we decided to buy them in Nappi. It has a small store where you can find basic stuff. That night, Guy and his wife had dinner with us and we had very interesting conversations.
Guy had previously told me that the resort was still closed for the rainy season, but he provided alternatives. It included that we had to cook by ourselves. Normally you would buy your supplies in Lethem, but as we were super late we decided to buy them in Nappi. It has a small store where you can find basic stuff. That night, Guy and his wife had dinner with us and we had very interesting conversations.
The following morning we departed to Maipaima, Nappi’s resort in the foot of the amazing Kanuku mountains. The trail was still in poor conditions because of the rain. We could choose between ox cart (bull car) or walking. Fortunately, we chose the ox cart. It costs 25 US each way, but after we saw the condition of the road, we thought that it was the best invested 25 dollars ever. Edwards (Guy’s brother) was our guide. He told us so many fascinating anecdotes about the area! As we were spending only one night in the resort, the ox cart owner also came with us and actually slept there as well. In Nappi they charge independently for each concept (at least while the resort is closed during the rainy season). We paid 100 US for both of us, including one night in the cute house, one night in hammocks in the resort, the guide for one and a half day, village fee and kitchen use in both places. Ox cart is separate (you can walk if you want). We cooked ourselves, but they had all you need to cook in both the cute house and in the resort. But for exact fares, contact Guy. I am sure once they are opened the fares are completely different. Check their website: http://www.wildrupununi.com/
Maipaima resort is a magical place. It is located right in the middle of the rainforest. It is next to a creek of clear waters, where it is completely safe to swim (no caimans or piranhas around). The initial plan was to go to Jordan Falls, but as we arrived so late to Nappi, we simply stayed in the surroundings of Maipaima. It doesn’t matter how many times I say it, but you must go to Maipaima. Its atmosphere is unique. Seating in their balcony and enjoy the stars, with the forest canopy cutting the sky is simply priceless. Because our limited time we just had a not very long trek around the resort, but it was very entertaining. We also spend almost an hour in the creek around sunset. After that, we relaxed and prepared dinner with our flash lights. Normally you would sleep in beds, but as it was still closed for the rainy season, we slept in hammocks (text continues after the pictures below)
Maipaima resort is a magical place. It is located right in the middle of the rainforest. It is next to a creek of clear waters, where it is completely safe to swim (no caimans or piranhas around). The initial plan was to go to Jordan Falls, but as we arrived so late to Nappi, we simply stayed in the surroundings of Maipaima. It doesn’t matter how many times I say it, but you must go to Maipaima. Its atmosphere is unique. Seating in their balcony and enjoy the stars, with the forest canopy cutting the sky is simply priceless. Because our limited time we just had a not very long trek around the resort, but it was very entertaining. We also spend almost an hour in the creek around sunset. After that, we relaxed and prepared dinner with our flash lights. Normally you would sleep in beds, but as it was still closed for the rainy season, we slept in hammocks (text continues after the pictures below)
The following morning we left extra early, because we had to get a flight back to Georgetown. Again, the ride in the ox cart was very entertaining. Once in Nappi, we took the motorbikes but this time we paid the official price (25 US per person). From Lethem, we flew to Georgetown with Air Services Limited. You can also take the mini bus, but be aware that it can take you long. We didn’t have so many days, so we decided to pay the plane. We paid 115 US per person. You can buy the ticket in Fly Brazil, in Light Street, in front of the place where you can buy the mini bus tickets. You need to buy it in advance. To book it, we contacted Marcia at [email protected]. Besides, you can enjoy beautiful views from the plane, realizing when the savannah starts and the rainforest ends. We landed in Ogle, ready to take some rest, make some laundry before departing the following day to the West Coast!