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During this 5-day Cultural Maroon trek through the Upper Suriname area, you will visit 3 special villages. That makes this trek the only one of its kind. Each village has its own story with its own unique activities. At Jaw Jaw you will be immersed in the Maroon culture and sleep in a wooden hut among the villagers. On Kumalu you will take an impressive jungle hike to the top of the Pineapple Mountain and on Pikin Slee you will meet the art woodcarvers where the famous Samaaka museum is also located.
Highlights/Activities
Advice from Insiders
Janice
Inclusive/Exclusive
Inclusive
Exclusive
Tour Information
Program
Day 1
- +/- 09.00 – 09.15 departure by bus from Paramaribo to Atjoni (about 3 hours drive)
- 12:00 – 17:00 Continuation of the journey by motorized wooden canoe to Kumalu.
- Encounter the Maroon villages and their age-old customs along the way.
- Arrival at Kumalu in the afternoon.
- Exploring the island and swimming at Tapawatra waterfall.
- Discussion of the next day’s program after dinner.
Day 2
- After breakfast climb the Ananasberg with a local guide.
- Walk through the forest to the mountain top for breathtaking views.
- Return to Kumalu for lunch.
- Afternoon: After the meal there is room to book local activities*. This includes: Boat trip to the Gran Dan rapids, water tubing (sports air cushion pulled behind the boat), etc.
- Evening: dinner and relaxation under the stars.
*not included in the rate
Day 3:
- Early morning boat trip to the next destination, Botopasi.
- Visit Pikin Slee in front of the Saamaka Museum and meet local artists.
- Afternoon: enjoy the area around the vast rapids in a canoe, on a pedal boat or on an air mattress. span>
- Evening: discussion of the next day’s program after dinner.
Day 4:
- Early morning departure to Jaw Jaw.
- Interacting with Saramaccan villagers, participating in traditional activities such as baking cassava bread.
- Afternoon: tour of the village and introduction to the Saramaccan way of life.
- Evening: choice of interactive cultural activity*, such as a performance by the dance group Adaya, a guitar duo or the Kuyake choir.
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*For small groups, a small contribution is required for this interactive cultural activity
Day 5:
- Morning: optional forest walk or integration with the villagers.
- After lunch the return journey to Atjoni begins.
- Return to Paramaribo by car or bus.
Travel details
Travel details
- Transport: By bus/ boat*
- Travel time on the bus: 3 hours**
- Travel time in the boat: 3-5 hours**
- Departure time: 8:30 AM***
- Back in Paramaribo: 7 p.m.
* Up to 8 people will sail with the “lanti boto” during this trip ( the liner that the locals also travel on). There may be a number of stops along the way to drop people off at other villages along the river. A charter boat is hired for groups of 9 people or more.
** The following applies to the water transfer in the rainy season: The travel time in the boat is relatively long in the dry season due to the lower water level. This can result in the journey being experienced as tiring. Guests with back problems and/or physical limitations should take this into account.
*** Departure time depends on the pick-up location and may differ from the stated time. Please note that a delay of +/-15 minutes may occur. Your voucher or invoice states your pick-up location and departure time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take-away list
- Hat or cap (highly recommended during the boat trip due to the sun and long travel time)
- Good hiking shoes
- Weekend bag (no suitcases/trolleys)
- Long pants and long-sleeve shirt for the evening and during forest walks
- Power bank/Well-charged battery for your phone/camera (electricity is usually available only in the evening for a few hours)
- Raincoat/poncho
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Backpack
- Toiletries
- Towel
- Reading material
- Swimwear
- Water shoes
- Flashlight
- Small change in SRD (Surinamese Dollar)
- Waterproof bag
- Passport (mandatory for checkpoint en route)
- Max. 7kg baggage
- Tip: bring an extra towel to sit on during the 5-hour boat trip (sitting for an extended period without soft cushions can be uncomfortable)
Accommodation
Kumalu:
- Level of accommodation Kumalu Island: Very basic
- Total occupancy capacity (Maximum number of guests) of Kumalu Island: 50
- Number of lodges / rooms Kumalu Island: 10
- Inside area of the lodge (L x W in m) Kumalu Island: 3 x 3
- Occupancy capacity per lodge Kumalu Island: 2 persons, 4 persons. and 8-person lodges
Botopasi:
- Level of accommodation Boto pasi: Very basic
- Total occupancy capacity of Boto pasi: 24
- Number of lodges / rooms Boto pasi: 7
- Inside area of the lodge (L x W in m) Boto pasi: 3 x 4
- Occupancy capacity per lodge Boto pasi: 2 persons. & 4-person lodges
Jaw Jaw:
- Level of accommodation Jaw Jaw: Very basic
- Total occupancy capacity of Jaw Jaw: 12
- Number of lodges / rooms Jaw Jaw: 4
- Inside area of the lodge (L x W in m) Jaw Jaw: 3.5 x 5
- Occupancy capacity per lodge Jaw Jaw: 2 persons. & 4-person lodges
General:
- Air conditioning: Not present
- Fan: Not present
- Hot water: Not present
- Wardrobe: Not present
- Clothes hangers: Not present
- Bath towel: Not provided
- Mosquito net: Available (except at Botopasi)
- Balcony / Terrace: Available
- Power supply 110VAvailable (limited, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
- Socket type EU
- Type of Sanitary: Communal bath/toilet
Departure date
- Regular departure on Monday from 4 people
