Group Round Trip Suriname

Group Tour Suriname Program
Day 1: Flight Amsterdam – Paramaribo
Day 2: City walk through the historic center of Paramaribo
Day 3: Saramacca, Coronie, and to Bigi Pan
Day 4: Exploration of the magical Bigi Pan
Day 5: The Zeedijk and local market in Nieuw Nickerie, Groningen, and to Peperpot
Day 6: Visit to Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam, tour of Mariënburg, and walk in Frederiksdorp
Day 7: Free day; explore Peperpot or optional dolphin or turtle watching
Day 8: Jodensavanne and to Afobaka for an introduction to Surinamese cuisine
Day 9: Hike to Brownsberg in the Brokopondo district
Day 10-12: By motorized boat to Jaw Jaw Atela
Day 13: Return to Paramaribo
Day 14: Free day – optional excursion available
Day 15: Flight Paramaribo – Amsterdam
Day 16: Arrival at Schiphol

Day 1: Amsterdam – Paramaribo

We fly to Suriname. Upon arrival at the airport, we are transferred to the hotel in Paramaribo, where we will stay for two nights.

• Travel distance: Approx. 50 km
• Meals: None
• Accommodation: 2-person room (with air conditioning)/ private bath & toilet

Day 2: City walk through monumental Paramaribo

The historic center of Paramaribo is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Besides the remarkable buildings such as the wooden St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the ethnic groups living here are characteristic of the city. During a city walk, we discover the rich history behind the beautiful wooden facades of the various buildings. We also see the Independence Square, where several historical buildings are located, such as the striking white presidential palace: a true eye-catcher.

• Travel distance: Approx. 0 km
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: 2-person room (with air conditioning)/ private bath & toilet

Day 3: To Bigi Pan

We leave the capital of Suriname behind and head west. Through the districts of Saramacca and Coronie, we travel to Nickerie. On the way, we stop at the fishing village of Boskamp, where freshly caught fish is traded and smoked. In the coconut district of Coronie, where thousands of waving palm trees adorn the landscape, we see that the slave houses are still preserved in their original style. In the early 19th century, the first plantations were established here by the British and Scots. Names like Burnside and Mary’s Hope remind us of that distant past. After a visit to a rice plantation along the way, we board the boat and travel for an hour to an eco-friendly resort on the waters of Bigi Pan. We stay here for two nights. After dinner, we set off again by boat, this time to spot caimans and snakes.

• Travel distance: Approx. 250 km
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Accommodation: 2-person room (no air conditioning)/ shared bath & toilet

Day 4: Welcome to the bird paradise!

Set the alarm early and settle on your balcony before the sun rises. Large flocks of birds leave their roosts at this time: a fantastic spectacle! In the migratory bird season (October to March), we board the boat before breakfast for a bird tour. The area is home to no less than 122 bird species, of which 72 species can be seen year-round, such as the characteristic red ibis. The rest of the morning is free for kayaking, traditional crab fishing, or relaxing. In the afternoon, we enjoy a comprehensive boat trip through the swamp to enjoy the unique flora and fauna of this vast nature area. In the migratory bird season, this tour ends at the roosting place of the migratory birds. You will witness a magical event when thousands of birds fill the sky, searching for their resting place for the night.

• Travel distance: 0 km
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Accommodation: 2-person room (no air conditioning)/ shared bath & toilet

Day 5: Nieuw Nickerie, Groningen, and to Peperpot

The morning is free. Enjoy the serene surroundings, the flying birds, and the stunning view from your balcony. After lunch, we depart for Nieuw Nickerie, a city near the border with neighboring Guyana, surrounded by rice fields. We see the Zeedijk, which protects the city from the ocean, and walk through the local market at Brassaplein. Afterward, we continue our journey to the Commewijne district. On the way, we make a stop at the village of Groningen, the capital of the horticulture district of Saramacca. Here, in 1845, Dutch emigrants founded the first settlement in Suriname’s history in the hope of building a better life. In the early evening, we arrive at our boutique hotel, located on one of the oldest coffee and cocoa plantations along the Suriname River and bordering the Peperpot Nature Park. We will stay here for three nights.

• Travel distance: Approx. 260 km
• Meals: Breakfast & lunch
• Accommodation: 2-person room (with air conditioning)/ private bath & toilet

Day 6: The Commewijne area

Due to the fertile soil of the Commewijne area, large plantations were established here starting in the 17th century by (mainly) Dutch colonists. At the point where the Commewijne River meets the Suriname River, Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam was later built to protect the area from pirate attacks and runaway slaves. After the abolition of slavery in 1863, plantation culture ended, but many of the old plantations are still accessible. We begin our exploration of the area at Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam, now an open-air museum. Next, we visit the former factory site of Mariënburg. A knowledgeable guide will take us on a tour. His fascinating stories about the tumultuous history of the former sugar mill bring the ruins to life and take us back to the days of contract laborers who worked under terrible conditions. Finally, we take a boat trip on the Commewijne River to Frederiksdorp, where the most beautifully restored plantation houses of Suriname stand. We take a walk around the old coffee plantation. Enjoy a delicious lunch in colonial surroundings (costs not included). (Approx. 70 km)

• Travel distance: Approx. 70 km
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: 2-person room (with air conditioning)/ private bath & toilet

Day 7: Free day in the Commewijne area

The day is free for your own activities. Our accommodation offers plenty of opportunities for a wonderful day! Peperpot Plantation is one of the oldest plantations in Suriname. A place full of history, where nature can be admired up close. The site has old plantation buildings and when the plantation was abandoned, a secondary forest grew, which is now protected by the World Wildlife Fund. Take a walk, rent a canoe, or explore by bike! Keep an eye out for sloths, monkeys, and many bird species in the nature park! You can also opt for a dolphin-watching trip (costs not included)! In a traditional Surinamese boat, you’ll sail along the Suriname River in search of these special animals. At the former plantation Rust & Werk, we will briefly stop. Here, delicious local snacks are served, and you can take a walk. A relaxed day!

• Travel distance: 0 km
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: 2-person room (with air conditioning)/ private bath & toilet
• Special Note: During the turtle season, you can take an excursion (costs not included) to the beaches where large sea turtles lay their eggs. A unique opportunity to witness this special natural phenomenon! Turtle