From Guyana to Trinidad: An ecological excursion

January 2012 The new Guyana tour and Trinidad tour from International Expeditions (IE) combines pristine nature with a rustic adventure in January 2012. Be one of the few travelers to experience the rush of standing just steps from the unbound majesty of Kaieteur Falls, and discover the wonders still found in the pristine swaths of one of Earth's last untouched tropical rainforests The Guiana Shield. Plus, avid birders who travel Guyana will thrill at the possibility of spotting the Guianan cock-of-the-rock and as many as 800 avian species, while any wildlife enthusiast is sure to love searching for golden frogs, monkeys and jaguars. Spend three nights in Trinidad's lush highlands at the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Center one of the top birding destinations in the world! While here, birders can expect to see such gems as scarlet ibis, oilbird, red-legged honeycreeper, bay-headed tanagers and bearded bellbirds on our frequent excursions. Plus, depending on the time of year you travel to Trinidad, IE includes an excursion to the rich Aripo savannah or watching nesting leatherback sea turtles. Join International Expeditions for the ultimate nature experience on an adventure to the virgin rainforests, towering waterfalls and pristine nature to travel Guyana and Trinidad. Small ecolodges ensure that the lucky few IE guests to visit these secluded areas have intimate access to some of the most wildlife rich environments on Earth all yet to be discovered by the masses. From our charming and rustic accommodations, explore these emerging ecotourism hotspots on frequent excursions by canoe, boat and Bedford truck. Plus, our 10-day Guyana tour is packed with rainforest hikes, an Amerindian village visit, and excursions onto a vast canopy walkway for a new perspective on life in the treetops. IE has a long history of promoting sustainable tourism development, and our accommodations in Guyana are each part of local community tourism projects that promote sustainable development and intimate involvement by local tribal people. By creating viable and sustainable opportunities in ecotourism in the still seldom-visited forests of Guyana, these lodges reduce the attractiveness of income options such as logging and mining. Just by traveling with IE, you are helping to protect Guyana's pristine wilderness. Departure date for this trip through International Expeditions is Jan. 27, 2012. Rates for this trip range from $5,598 through $7,596. International airfare is not included in prices quoted, but available through International Expeditions. Please call 1-800-234-9620 for current pricing. About International Expeditions When you travel with International Expeditions, you travel with a company that not only shows you some of the most remarkable places in the world but does so in a way that's as enriching as we can make it. Our escorted tours, planned and continuously refined over almost three decades, include many elements that would be next to impossible to do otherwise. On our rainforest tours, for example, we'll take you further into the reserves than anyone else, so that you have the chance for some exceptional sightings. And as you learn, you'll also have a lot of fun and laughter - the joy that comes from making new discoveries in the company of friends who share in the excitement. Our escorted tours are companionable adventures. Our unique itineraries and trail-blazing spirit have led International Expeditions to be awarded as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine (2008 & 2009). We are proud to be included on Travel and Leisure magazine's list of "World's Best" tour operators and safari outfitters for the fifth consecutive year (2004-2010). Our Amazon River tour was recognized in National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of the "25 Greatest Adventures in the World," and by renowned writer Patricia Schultz as one of the 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. Our Web site was voted part of the "Best of the Web" by Forbes magazine. These and other honors are a testament to our mission of providing guests with the very best experiences we possibly can, and to the passion and dedication that our staff members bring to their work. In 1990, International Expeditions helped to form The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) by providing the major source of funding, and our founder and former president, Richard Ryel, also served as a member of the original board. TIES works to bring communities, conservation and sustainable travel together to promote ecotourism trips to natural areas, while conserving the environment and improving the well-being of local people. For more information, please visit: www.ecotourism.org. —Text and photos courtesy of International Expeditions