While the tourism sector has been brought to a standstill by the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s exploits here have inspired an offering by at least one operator, which has already bookings for 2021 and 2022.
The tour, dubbed “Uncharted Guyana – In the Footsteps of Gordon Ramsay,” is the initiative of Wilderness Explorers, Chef Delven Adams and the community of Rewa. It was slated to run from July 5, 2020, to October 31, 2020, but has been put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken to curb the transmission of the virus.
General Manager of Wilderness Explorers Andrea de Caires told Stabroek Weekend that all of their tours are currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, since the announcement of this Gordon Ramsay tour, she said, they have seen a number of persons expressing interest and making bookings for 2021 and 2022.
“This, like all of our tours are on hold until it is safe to travel. But surprisingly we are seeing bookings being made for when persons thinks it will be safe to travel. We have bookings for 2021 and even 2022,” she explained.
de Caires was, however, quick to note that her company is functioning as the destination marketing company by selling the tours, while Adams and the Rewa Community are facilitating the adventure and experience.
“It was a wonderful show and it generated a lot of positives, so we are trying to help the Rewa community and Delven to benefit from it and taking their tourism product to the next level,” she pointed out.
The company announced the tour via its Facebook page following the airing of Ramsay’s show, Uncharted: Guyana’s Wild Jungle.
“We have created this journey to follow in the footsteps of Gordon and retrace his adventures from Georgetown to the remote indigenous community of Rewa. Like Gordon, you will get to travel with local chef Delven Adams, who will bring to life the unique and unusual cuisine of Guyana plus adventures into the untouched wilderness and staying in an indigenous community lodge,” the tour company said in an overview.
According to the tour details, upon arriving guests will be accommodated at the historic Cara Lodge Hotel on Quamina Street. While on the second day they will be given a tour of the buzzing Bourda Market by Adams and later a tour of the city.
“We will first stop at the Guyana Store which has all the local products produced and packaged in Guyana before heading over to the market where we will meet some of the vendors who Chef buys from daily. We will visit the fish market, the meat section and the haberdashery section – where one can find anything you can think of from thread to bolts of all kinds of fabric. A stop at the bush medicine stalls is always educational. Heading outside you can see, touch and taste a variety of local fruits and vegetables unique in this part of the world. Chef will make his purchases with your suggestions of what you would like to try.”
After the tourist would have completed their tour, they will head over to the Backyard Café for a cooking demonstration and lunch.
“Chef will welcome you to join him as he prepares a wonderful meal using the fruits and vegetables we bought in the market. This gives you the opportunity to learn about tropical produce and how to prepare it. Or you can just sit under the arbour and sip unique blends of juice or enjoy a cold beer, while taking in the sounds and smells of a delicious meal in the making. Once he is ready, we will start eating our way through the courses, remember to pace yourself as you will want to try it all,” the company said.
On the third day, guests will depart for the Makushi Village of Rewa.
The planned itinerary includes a private chartered flight to Apoteri, from where guests will travel by boat along the Rupununi River to Rewa Village. Rewa Village is located where the Rewa River runs into the Rupununi River in the North Rupununi. The surrounding area is rainforest, mountains and oxbow lakes and teeming with wildlife birds and fish, the company said while highlight the adventures along the way.
On days four and five, tourists will be have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast at dawn from a pristine eco-friendly lodge overlooking the Rewa River, after which they will depart by boat for a day trip to Toucan Falls and engage in a thrilling fishing expedition for piranhas with expert guides.
The tourists will also be given the opportunity to experience life in the community by observing local craft-making by the residents and trying their hands at making an arrow and bow. After this they will choose if to participate in an archery contest to test their bow and arrow shooting skills.
At the end of three days, the tourists will depart the community via private charter to experience the Kaieteur Falls, with lucky visitors possibly being able to spot the Kaieteur Swifts or Makonaima Birds which nest under the vast shelf, the tiny Golden frog, and the rarely seen Guiana Cock-of-the-rock.
At the end of the tour to Kaieteur Falls, tourist will return to Georgetown for rum tasting, among other things.
The seven days/six nights tour carries a price tag of US$ 4,725 per person for groups of six.
