Ferulasi Resort Tan Luku is one of the oldest resorts in the Upper Suriname area. In 1989, Captain of the Saramaccans Telson Lugard laid the foundation for the current resort. It is located in the untouched nature of the Amazon jungle, on an island in the Suriname River far (200 km) from the city and can only be reached by boat or by air.
Friend and foe agree. The resort is located on one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful spot on the Upper Suriname River. In every season, whether it is the dry season or the rainy season, and at whatever water level, you can always enjoy the sulas (rapids) and waterfalls around the island. What is truly unique, however, is that for a large part of the year there is also a sandy beach available where you can relax.
The Ferulasi Resort is located on a spot with historical value. Ferulasi literally means lost irons. It was at this location that an expedition sent out during the slavery period to capture and retrieve runaway slaves literally ran aground. The expedition members lost their weapons in the wild water of the river and could not continue.
To this day, it is a challenge to conquer the wild water around the island. For the adventurers among us, rafting is possible – depending on the water level. However, there are also places with calm water where you can paddle on the river with traditional korjalen (hand-hollowed tree trunks).
The lodges for guests at the resort are built with natural materials and are built in such a way that it is never really warm inside. At the moment, there are six 4-person lodges and a so-called hammock hut for 12 people available for guests, all with a breathtaking view of the river.
The unique thing about this resort is that as a visitor/tourist you are not closed off from the world around you, but that you share the place with the original inhabitants of this area. Our staff stays on the island in traditional houses, which are used as staff housing. In addition, a centuries-old forest path crosses the island. This forest path is still used by the inhabitants of the Upper Suriname area to avoid the inaccessible sula’s around the island at low tide.
The program
Day 1 – By boat and bus
You will be picked up at 8:30 at the agreed location in Paramaribo and the adventure actually starts right away! You will drive in our air-conditioned bus in about three hours to Atjoni, the place where the road literally ends. A delicious breakfast will be served in the bus. On the way you will drive through three different districts and you will see the buildings, vegetation and landscape change. The experienced guide can explain everything about the area. There will be one sanitary stop.
When you arrive at Atjoni you will transfer to our korjaal, a boat made in an age-old traditional way from a hollowed-out tree trunk. During an adventurous boat trip towards our resort, you will pass impressive rock formations and rapids and you will leave the modern world further and further behind you. On both sides of the river you will see jungle, jungle and more jungle, occasionally underpants through a Maroon village where time seems to have stood still. After passing a final wild rapid, you will arrive at our resort 45-60 minutes later, depending on the water level.
At the resort, you will be welcomed with a refreshing local welcome drink and will be guided to your room(s). After unpacking, a delicious hot meal will be served in our dining room. After eating, you can relax for a while. You can retreat to your lodge located directly on the rapids and let all the stress of the modern world slide away from you from your hammock. However, if you have the energy, you can also choose to explore the wooded island.
Around 3:30 PM, the first activity starts; enjoying the famous Ferulasi waterfall under supervision. We will go into the water together and you can experience the wonderful natural jacuzzis that surround the island. The daredevils among us can also choose to “raft” down these waterfalls with our special “tubes”. Before dusk we return to our main accommodation, where dinner will be served to you in 3 courses around 19:30.
If you still have energy left, you can take an exciting night boat trip. In the pitch dark we can spot caimans or – depending on the season – try to catch tropical fish. These will be wonderful experiences to look back on later. After this night trip you can relax at the bar (open until 23:00) or retreat to your lodge to do what most people come to our resort for; to give and grant your body and mind complete rest in our serene environment. After a refreshing sleep the next day begins.
Day 2
Waking up in the middle of nature by the sound of tropical birds is a special experience. You are going to experience it. Will you be woken up by the sound of a “Grietjebie” (the so-called Great Kiskadie), the loudest bird in Suriname? Or is it the sound of an Amazon parrot that wakes you from your sleep? Experience shows that you wake up quite early in the middle of nature. Breakfast is therefore served between 08:00 and 09:00. The adventure continues! You have made the details of the trip in advance, when confirming the booking.
Will it be a longer boat trip along the various villages on the Upper Suriname River, until you arrive at the place where the Suriname River rises; the particularly beautiful Tapawatra Falls? Do you want to see Suriname from above and climb the Ananasberg in that context? It is possible today. We have the time and space for it*.
However, we do not have to go that far. There is also plenty to do close to home. Are you joining us on a cultural village walk? Would you like to combine this with a forest walk, or does kayaking appeal to you? It is all possible. There is room for two activities on this day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you are going on a further excursion (for example the Tapawatraval), lunch will be served on the way around 1 p.m.
In all other cases, your lunch will be served in the dining room from 12 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. after you have returned from the first activity. After lunch, there is some time for yourself. Your time! Would you like to take a “siesta”? Read a book in a hammock? Or lie on a beach bed by the water? After lunch, you have the opportunity to spend your time on and around the island as you see fit. Around 3.30 p.m. we will continue with the next activity; an activity that was either agreed upon in advance when booking or coordinated with our team on site. Whatever activity you choose, this will be a special experience. Dinner is served from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Depending on the size of the group and the arrangements made, you can then expect a cultural performance (a dance performance) by the residents of the neighboring village, a campfire can be lit, or we could take a night tour on or around the island. However, you can also enjoy yourself at the bar, watch the incredibly clear starry sky and then retreat with or without your loved one(s) and surrender to the overwhelming and all-sense stimulating experience of hearing the bubbling water, in combination with the view of the all-encompassing nature and the smell of the clear clean air. The bar also closes at 11:00 PM on this day.
Day 3 – Return journey
Return trip by canoe-bus. After breakfast we sail back to Atjoni. Lunch will be served in the boat or on Atjoni. When you arrive at Atjoni you will board the bus and we will drive back to Paramaribo. Return trip by plane When you leave by plane you will still have time on the last morning to: swim in the river, Laze in the hammock in the sun or shade with a book. Before you leave there is still time for an early lunch and then we will sail by canoe to Djumu airport. From Djumu you will fly back to Paramaribo
Timetable
Timetable is weather dependent and can be adjusted as well as the times. Program components are flexible. For vegetarians, there is a special menu. (if this is explicitly indicated in advance)
Day 1 Outward Journey
08.30 Departure from Paramaribo 09.30 Stop for a small breakfast 12.00 Arrival Atjoni + Lunch 13.00 Departure to Pingpe 16.30 Arrival Pingpe 19.00 Dinner 21.00 Night cruise
Day 2
08.00 Breakfast 10.00 Forest walk 13.00 Lunch 15.00 Sailing to Ferulasi Sula 20.00 Dinner 21.00 Performance by local band and ladies who will give a dance performance.
Day 3 Return trip
08.00 Breakfast 11.00 Check out 12.30 Sail back to Atjoni 15.00 Arrival at Atjoni and departure back to Paramaribo 18.00 Arrival back in Paramaribo
PACKAGE 1
Resident /Non-Resident rate
The 3 day tour
SRD 8500 / € 295 P.P
The 4 Day tours
SRD 9500/ € 360 P.P
Included in package:
– Local guide
– Local cook
– Bus transport from Paramaribo
– Boat transport
– Meals & non-alcoholic drinks except breakfast on day one
– Cooling off at the Tapawatra soela
– Village/ forest walk
– Evening boat trip
