Vacations in Suriname - About The Tour

About The Tour

About the Tour - Tour program - Guestmanual - Information

About the Tour

The flight to Palumeu - print
The flight to Palumeu takes you from ‘Zorg en Hoop’ airport in Paramaribo over the Suriname River basin. On a clear day, you can see the following within 5 minutes
- On the left, the aluminum company at Paranam
- After that, you fly over the Johan Adolf Pengel international airport, popularly called ‘Zanderij’.
- Next, you will soon see the enormous Brokopondo hydro-lake beneath (1,600 km2), as well as Brownsberg Nature Park. The ‘gaps’ in the rainforest are the result of gold panning activities.
- South of the hydro-lake, along the Upper Suriname River, lie several Saramaccan villages. The airstrips at Laduani, Botopasi and Dyumu respectively, are easily spotted from the air.
- The last 10 minutes of the flight, the Suriname River gets out of view but you can still see a few mountain tops of which the pointed Roosevelt peak (on your left side) is most remarkable. Just before landing, you can see the final goal of your trip southwards in front of you: the immense Mount Kasikasima.

The location of Palumeu & Kasikasima
The impressive and mysterious Mount Kasikasima lies in a straight line, at a distance of 65 km from Palumeu. This Amerindian village lies at the beginning of the Tapanahony River at the confluence of the Palumeu and Upper Tapanahony River. In the rainy season, the water can reach a height of as much as 6 meters compared to the dry season. Palumeu lies 170 meters above sea level. The Tapanahony river flows north-eastwards and 175 kilometers further on, it flows together with the Lawa river into the Marowijne river. This river forms the natural border with French Guiana. Another 135 kilometers northwards, the Marowijne River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, past the border village Albina. By dug-out canoe (with outboard engine) the trips takes 8 to 12 days from Albina to Palumeu. Especially at low water, the numerous large rapids are difficult to cross. The flight from Paramaribo to Palumeu with METS, in 65 minutes, can therefore indeed be called a luxury! From Palumeu, the trip by dug-out canoe to Mount Kasikasima takes two days.

Accommodation
Participants on the Kasikasima tour, stay overnight at Palumeu in the group accommodation. There are five bedrooms under one roof with single and double beds with shared toilet and shower. At night, use is made of solar lighting at Palumeu while in the jungle kerosene lamps are used. The jungle lodges further on are used for the overnight stay of the participants of the Palumeu tour. All meals are prepared by local cooks and served in the atmospheric ‘restaurant’. You can also relax in the cosy jungle bar-lounge. During the trip by dug-out canoe to Mount Kasikasima and at the foot of the mountain, you will sleep in covered jungle hammock camps.

Palumeu village
Palumeu village has approx. 200 inhabitants, the Amerindians. Despite their difference in language, the two tribes, the Trio and Wajana, still live peacefully together in this village. The village is governed by a Captain and a few assistants (basja’s). Just like their ancestors, the villagers’ means of sustaining life is based on what the jungle has to offer. Their food is obtained from hunting, fishing and agriculture (agricultural plots) and consists of root vegetables, fruit, fish and animals. Greens are not on the Amerindian menu and manioc is their main food. Many building materials and utensils are still obtained from the forest. In addition, the local people nowadays also buy many items in Paramaribo such as kitchenware, clothing, tools, music, outboard engines, fuel etc. Tourism provides them with an extra source of income. The villagers are happy to welcome our guests and are closely involved in the tour program. The village has its own school and medical centre.

Activities and excursions
The program of the expedition
Day 1: Flight to Palumeu and overnight stay in group accommodation.
Once you arrive at Palumeu, you can relax in a hammock, go hiking, bird watching or fishing.
Day 2: Early in the morning, you depart by dug-out canoe for the boat trip of 75 km. Quite a distance in interior terms! Along the way, there is sufficient time to enjoy the rainforest and the river in their full glory. After approx. 4 hours, you arrive at the hammock camp Kamakabari on the river bank. There are a few open huts and a primitive toilet. While you relax in the river, the guides prepare lunch and tie the hammocks. After dinner, you turn in early for your night’s rest while howler monkeys may keep you awake for a moment.
Day 3: The second part of the trip on the river. At the impressive Trombaka rapids all provisions have to be carried along a forest path to another boat ready further on from the rapid. While the trip is continued, you can see the magnificent view from the river on Mount Kasikasima. The base camp, beautifully situated at the tremendous Sawaniboto rapids, is more spacious than camp Kamakabari but offers the same facilities.
Day 4: A sturdy jungle hike of 6 to 7 hours in total takes you to the peaks of Mount Kasikasima. The (literal) high point of the hike is the climb to the top, greatly respected by the local people and surrounded by a haze of mystery and legends. Once on the plateau, you will feel why. The view at the top over the rainforest beneath will stay with you forever! In good weather, you can see as far as the Brazilian border.
Day 5: Early in the morning, you depart for a sturdy jungle walk to Kodebaku Falls. Underway, the guide gives you information about various interesting aspects about the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest. At the Kodebaku waterfalls you can enjoy a true water spectacle.We will also visit a small Indian camp if the two families living there are present.After dinner you make a boat trip on the river to enjoy the jungle sounds at night.
Day 6: In the early morning dawn, we float downstream a bit on the river in the dug-out canoe to enjoy the awakening of the jungle in all peacefulness. The rest of the day is kept free for your own activities. If there are more enthusiasts, you can enjoy a forest walk. Or you can just lazy about, swim, practice bow and arrow shooting, paddle in a dug-out canoe or go fishing.
Day 7: It is time for the return trip on the river to Palumeu. The trip now only takes one day since going downstream is a lot faster than upstream.
Day 8: In the morning, the guide gives you a tour through the village of Palumeu. On the way, you can purchase traditional handmade souvenirs from the villagers themselves. After lunch, you fly back to Paramaribo.

A shorter version of the Kasikasima tour is possible in 5 days (4 nights), always from Monday to Friday.

What to bring along
2 shirts (with long sleeves), 2 long trousers, T-shirts, short trousers, socks, a raincoat, cap or sun hat, swimwear, toiletries, sunblock, insect repellent, sturdy hiking shoes (with grip sole), flip-flops, extra batteries, headlamp, binoculars, flashlight, sunglasses, small backpack, malaria prophylaxis, Surinamese cash (small bank notes) for purchase of local handmade souvenirs and/or
bar consumptions.

Your luggage
For Kasikasima, the maximum luggage is 8 kg. For transportation it is most handy to take along a waterproof bag. You can leave your luggage and other valuables such as jewelry, travel documents and cash not needed during the tour, in Paramaribo.

Taking photos/ filming
The conditions for the taking of photographs depends largely on the principles of the local people themselves. Taking photos of or filming persons and their belongings is not always appreciated by everyone. Always ask permission first via your guide.

The social functions of METS
You can, if you wish to do so, support the development of the village community via various projects. In the village, for example, there is a need for material and financial support for the school. Contact METS to get information about these options. The Tukui Palumeu Foundation sees to the interest of the villagers and functions as intermediary between METS and the local community. When booking a tour at the METS, you already support the further development of the local community.
METS’s contribution to the local community:
• Part of the proceeds of each tour is donated to the village funds;
• We maintain a favorable tariff for air transportation of local people;
• Free transportation by airplane of sick persons and school teachers;
• The foundation of a public school at Palumeu by METS in 1995, further developed with financial support from tourists and now acknowledged by the government;
• Co-financing of the Medical Post at Palumeu.
• Financing of a freezer running on solar energy for the village Palumeu via Micro Projects (EU);
• Revealing the unique lifestyle of the inhabitants of Palumeu and the Gran Rio area and stimulation of the preservation and revaluation of traditional customs and arts & crafts by presenting these to tourists; this provides an extra source of income for the villagers.

Contact us
Did you book your trip from abroad? Contact METS immediately upon arrival in Paramaribo for the flight departure time of the tour and other necessary information. Call during office hours (Mon - Fri: 08:00 - 16:00 hrs, tel. 477088). After office hours and in the weekend: mobile tel. 08828647.

Nature of the tour
This tour is suitable for all those who love adventure and who wish to learn more about the pristine tropical Amazon rainforest, the current lifestyle of the original inhabitants, the Amerindians, and enjoy the beautiful, untouched nature. The jungle hike and climb to the top on day 4 require a good physical condition but you do not, on the other hand, have to be an athlete.
Due to the adventurous nature of the tour we do not recommend participation of children under 8 years.

Included in the tour
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner, juice or lemonade during the meals, coffee/tea room service in the morning. Coffee and tea are available at the lodge throughout the day.
• The trips as included in the standard program.
• A professional Dutch/English speaking guide, often of indigenous descent.
• Overnight stay in the group accommodation at Palumeu is based on double occupancy.
Do you want a single room? This is possible subject to the availability of rooms and at payment of a single supplement at the time of booking.

Excluded
• Alcohol and soft drinks. These are available at the bar
• Souvenirs
• Tour activities not included in the standard tour program
• Malaria prophylaxis. Consult your physician.
• Transportation to and from airport ‘Zorg en Hoop’ unless paid for extra at your booking.
• Accident and cancellation insurance.

Other information
• Do you have a special diet? Please indicate this immediately at the time of booking in order for us to cater for your requirements. It may not be possible to provide a special diet (or single room) at Palumeu without prior notice.
• A sound system is not allowed unless use is made of earphones.
• You are not allowed to take plants or animals from the area.
• Put your photo/film camera and other valuables safely away in a waterproof bag/sack. They can get wet from the journey on the river even if it is not raining.
• Travel documents are needed.Rates (including sales tax)