Five Days in the Heart of the Jungle: Hiking Mount Kasikashima in Suriname
I had just returned from a hike on Mount Kasikashima in Suriname - and it was one of those adventures you will never forget.
The route combines a short bush-plain flight into the jungle, slow movement along the river in a motor canoe and climbing one of the middle peaks of the Kasikashima massif.
On the way there are Indian villages, overnight stays in hammocks, wild fauna and bright birds, swimming and fishing in tributaries, and from observation points – a view of the Amazon forests up to the border with Brazil.
Key facts worth knowing right now:
The expedition can last 5 or 8 days; I chose the 5-day option.
On the journey you are accompanied by a full staff - Amazonian (Amerindian) boaters, as well as a cook and an accompanying guide.
Where to Stay in Paramaribo
If you are planning a flight from Paramaribo, consider these options:
- Eco Torarica
- Ramada By Wyndham
Hotel Palacio
- Guesthouse AlbergoAlberga
What to expect from expeditions
Day 1 - Flight to Palumeu
Departure starts at Zorg & Hoop Airport in Paramaribo. Here you get acquainted with the group and receive instruction. Then an hour-long flight on a small plane to Palumeu, an Indian village with a simple runway and a tourist loggia.
Palumeu Jungle Lodge pleasantly surprises with cleanliness and comfort: a shower and toilet, a net against insects at the ceiling and a balcony overlooking the Tapanahoni River. There is no air conditioning, but at night the jungle usually cools itself. In the early morning, birds fly over the loggia - a great start to the journey. In the evening we strolled through the village, bought some handicrafts and got acquainted with the locals, who will be our boatmen and assistants in the raid.
Day 2 - the road along the river to Kasikashima
The second day is long but beautiful: most of the time is spent in a motor canoe as you walk up the river to the jungle camp within walking distance of the mountain. Along the way, you can often jump into the river and cool down - for me it turned out to be one of my favorite moments of the trip. From the boat we saw otters, wild pigs, arachnid monkeys, toucans and many macaws and other large parrots. Sometimes, with rare luck, there is a tapir or even a jaguar - but such observations are rare.
Photographing animals from a moving boat is difficult, and guides understand this: they stopped to give us a chance to take pictures of the animals and enjoy the view.
Why Local Guides Are More Interesting
The local guide and the Amazonian boaters are not just escorts: they have a deep knowledge of nature, animal habits and village life. They know where to stay, where there is a clear backwater for swimming and where the chance to see birds or rare animals is higher. With them, the hike turns from a “route” into a real immersion in culture and ecosystem.
Should I go?
If you like a self-directed but organized adventure, yes. A short flight, river navigation, nights in a hammock, meetings with locals and spectacular views make Kasikasima a rare opportunity to dive into the Amazon jungle in a few days.
Text and photo:https://www.personalguide.ru/
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