EXPERIENTIAL travel is a form of tourism designed and organised by local hosts, where travellers experience a destination by actively and meaningfully engaging with its history, people, culture, food and environment. These activities provide visitors with access to one-of-a-kind, insider experiences that engage all of the senses.
St. Cuthbert’s Mission, located deep within the Mahaica River, will certainly provide this experience. Through the guidance of the Authority, this village, which recently celebrated its 133rd Anniversary, has implemented a number of hygiene and sanitation protocols to ensure the absolute safety of guests. Additional areas of training in First Aid & CPR, Delivering Quality Service as well as tour guiding and culinary arts were provided so that the villagers will be able to host the best experiences possible.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted with that warm, hospitable nature found throughout the village; an energy that is unmistakably Guyanese. The village’s tourism committee, as well as the lead tour guide will present a succinct introduction to the village and what you should expect during your stay.
Thereafter, you will be transferred to Bimichi to check into the lodge, followed by a quick transfer to the village landing. At this point, you are still being treated to introductions and historical interpretations of the village. Each experience has been carefully planned to ensure that travellers have the most educational, participatory and inherently experiential experience.

YAMORAH LANDING
Have you ever wanted to experience the beauty of kingfishers during a boat ride? What about having the gleeful howls of the sakiwinki monkeys accompany you on your journey?
You can have these experiences on a 30- minute boat ride to Yamorah Landing where you will learn of the historical significance of the area, as well as be treated to a cassava processing activity. If you’ve ever wondered how cassava bread is made, then this will be the perfect learning opportunity for you. What’s even better is that you will be able to try making it on your own! Exciting, isn’t it!
For the more artistic travellers, a wood sculpting experience with the village artist, affectionately known as ‘Uncle Ozzy’, is bound to entertain you. If you wish, you will be able to carve your own masterpiece to take with you as a fond reminder. The villagers often rely on their bows and arrows for hunting, so, why not tap into their way of life, and learn to make one of your own? As a plus, you will also be treated to an expert archery demonstration. Of course, you are free to indulge in this activity.

WINDING DOWN
As the day winds down, there is the opportunity to explore the nature trails in Yamorah for wildlife spotting. Or, take a short canoe ride where you can learn traditional fishing techniques, or test your canoe steering skills. The choices are endless!
To bring the day to a close, you will travel back to Bimichi for dinner and an evening bonfire activity. As the fire illuminates the darkness of the night, take some time to enjoy the cultural presentations, as well as stories and folklore told by the villagers. This is the perfect time to sample some ‘Bimichi Wines’, a traditional Indigenous alcoholic beverage; it’s a Guyanese staple.
These experiences, of course, only make up the first day of your stay. On the next day, you will be invited to take an early morning nature walk, and head to Mahadeo’s farm for an interesting agricultural experience. While having breakfast on the farm, you are free to explore and even indulge in the fresh fruit that is readily available.
Back at Bimichi, the village craft makers will be waiting to take you through the steps of Tibisiri (a dried straw-like material) craft making, as well as a top-spinning activity, and, of course, a mini-lesson in Arawak, the village’s native language. You will then be invited to sample the locally-branded Bimichi wines after a hearty lunch.
What’s even better is that for the Easter Season, the Bimichi Eco-lodge has a special Easter package for travellers to the community. There aren’t any specific dates for the experience, so you can book on a weekday or a weekend. A minimum of four persons are required for the day trip, and it is $12,000 per person. For more information, you can contact them at 592-675-6074, 592-627-2949 or visit their Facebook page: @Bimichi Eco Lodge.
As tourism evolves, one thing is absolutely certain, we must ensure that our culture is preserved and allowed to pass down from generation to generation. This is possible through a multi-collaborative effort of both the Government of Guyana and the Private Sector. And it is evident through the experiences provided by St Cuthbert’s Mission.
St. Cuthbert’s Mission is a different experience; one that is certainly worth your time.
For more information on how you can schedule your experiential travel experience, do reach out to the Guyana Tourism Authority at: 592-219-0093-6 or send an email to info@guyanatourism.com. You can also engage with us via WhatsApp at 592-688-4155, or follow us on social media: @Discover Guyana on Facebook and Instagram as well as the @Guyana Tourism Authority on Facebook.