Suriname impact trip - Hidden stories

Step into the hidden Amazon of Suriname, where untold stories come to life. Walk through Paramaribo’s historic streets, where colonial echoes meet Afro-Caribbean influences. Venture deep into the Amazon rainforest, following secret trails known only to locals. Learn traditional cooking methods from Marron and Indigenous communities, passed down for generations. Listen to ancient stories around the fire and witness the raw beauty of Suriname’s untouched nature. Glide through Bigi Pan’s wetlands, where rare birds and caimans hide beneath the water’s surface. This is not just a trip, it’s a journey into the heart of Suriname’s culture, nature, and hidden past.

Day 1: Arrival in Paramaribo – Layers of History

Your journey begins in Paramaribo, a city where colonial history and resistance are deeply intertwined. After settling into a comfortable guesthouse, we’ll take a guided walk through the city’s UNESCO-listed historic center. From Dutch forts to Javanese markets, this city tells stories of trade, migration, and oppression. As we walk, we’ll uncover hidden narratives of slavery, Indigenous resistance, and the communities that shaped modern Suriname.

Storytelling Evening: Over dinner, we reflect on the unspoken histories of Paramaribo from the brutal past of plantations to the Afro-Surinamese traditions of survival and resilience.

Day 2: Lelydorp – Cultural Layers & Wildlife Protection

We step outside Paramaribo into Lelydorp, a town rich in Javanese and Indigenous influences. We’ll visit local markets, tasting Surinamese-Javanese dishes and meeting artisans who continue traditional crafts passed down for generations. In the afternoon, we visit a local wildlife sanctuary, where community members care for rescued animals, including turtles and other native species. Here, we’ll learn about the efforts to protect Suriname’s wildlife and the important role local people play in conservation.

Storytelling Evening: How does colonialism still shape daily life in Suriname today? Through local perspectives, we discuss the intersections of identity, migration, and belonging.

Day 3: Frederiksdorp – Dolphins & Forgotten Stories

A boat takes us to Frederiksdorp, once a colonial plantation run on enslaved labor. We’ll explore its restored buildings and hear the lesser-known stories of the people who lived, resisted, and rebuilt their lives here. In the afternoon, we take a dolphin-watching tour, gliding past mangrove forests where both wildlife and untold histories remain hidden.

Storytelling Evening: The plantation economy shaped Suriname, but whose voices were left out of the history books? We sit together in Frederiksdorp, listening to stories of rebellion, escape, and survival.

Day 4: Boni Trail & Cooking with the locals

Following in the footsteps of enslaved people who escaped into the jungle, we hike the Boni Trail, a route used by those who formed the Marrons’ independent communities. We visit a storytelling museum, where elders share oral histories of escape, resistance, and survival in the rainforest. In the afternoon, we join Mrs. Dipai, a local cook, to learn traditional Afro-Surinamese dishes and understand the significance of food as a tool of survival and connection.

Storytelling Evening: Food as resistance—how cooking and storytelling preserved African heritage in Suriname.

Day 5: Journey to Menimi – Indigenous perspectives

We leave urban Suriname behind and travel via Atjoni into the Amazon rainforest, reaching the remote Indigenous community of Menimi. A local guide introduces us to daily life in the village, from traditional housing to sustainable farming. In the evening, we help gather and prepare food, understanding how Indigenous practices sustain both the land and the community.

Storytelling Evening: The Indigenous fight for land rights in Suriname—how modern policies still threaten traditional ways of life.

Day 6: Indigenous Traditions – Cassava & survival skills

Today, we dive deeper into Indigenous knowledge systems. We help cultivate a kostgrondje (traditional farmland), learn how to make cassava bread, and discover ancestral survival techniques still used in the Amazon today. The day ends with music and dance, a way for communities to celebrate, resist, and pass on their histories.

Storytelling Evening: What does it mean to be Indigenous in Suriname today? We reflect on cultural survival in a rapidly changing world.

Day 7: School visit & transfer to ston island

We spend the morning engaging with children at a local school, exchanging stories about our different worlds. After lunch, we begin our journey to Ston Island, an eco-retreat on the edge of a lake, where we take a moment to rest and reflect.

Storytelling Evening: Around the fire, we share our own hidden stories, reflecting on what we have learned and unlearned during the trip.

Day 8: Brownsberg waterfalls & travel to matta

A full-day hike through Brownsberg Nature Reserve, where hidden waterfalls and Amazon wildlife surround us. We pause at breathtaking viewpoints before heading to Matta, an Indigenous community where we’ll stay for the next two days.

Storytelling Evening: Indigenous perspectives on the destruction of the Amazon—what is at stake, and what needs to change?

Day 9: Matta – Indigenous wisdom & sustainability

We spend the day learning from Indigenous elders, exploring medicinal plants, sustainable forestry practices, and the community’s vision for preserving their lands. We participate in a traditional craft workshop, understanding how these skills hold both economic and cultural value.

Storytelling Evening: What can travelers do beyond this trip to support Indigenous rights and rainforest preservation?

Day 10: Return to Paramaribo – unpacking our journey

After a final morning in Matta, we return to Paramaribo for a free afternoon. This is a time to process everything we have seen, visit local markets, or simply enjoy the city at your own pace.

Storytelling Evening: Reflections on privilege, responsibility, and how we move forward from here.

Day 11: Bigi Pan – wetlands & wildlife

We travel to Bigi Pan, one of Suriname’s most biodiverse regions. A boat tour through the wetlands allows us to see rare birds, caimans, and a thriving ecosystem that exists far from human intervention.

Storytelling Evening: The hidden connections between climate change, conservation, and colonialism—what do we still need to address?

Day 12: Mud bath & return to Paramaribo

A natural mud bath experience before heading back to Paramaribo for a final group dinner. This is a moment to celebrate, share final reflections, and prepare to return home changed by the experience

Day 13: Departure – Taking the stories home

With new perspectives, friendships, and a deeper understanding of Suriname’s hidden histories, we say our goodbyes and head to the airport. This is not the end of the journey the stories we have heard will continue to shape the way we move through the world.

Expect a deep dive into Suriname’s Amazon region, where hidden stories unfold through cultural immersion, nature exploration, and meaningful impact. You’ll trek through untouched rainforests, connect with indigenous and Marron communities, and contribute to sustainability efforts.

This trip includes:

• Accommodation in eco-lodges, jungle resorts & guesthouses
• Local guides and immersive storytelling experiences
• Indigenous and Marron-led workshops & activities
• Transportation within Suriname
• Most meals featuring local cuisine

What to bring:

• Light, breathable clothing (for humid jungle weather)
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Swimwear (for rivers and natural pools)
• Mosquito repellent & eco-friendly sunscreen
• A small flashlight or headlamp
• A reusable water bottle
• A sense of adventure and an open mind

This is not just a trip, it’s a journey into Suriname’s hidden stories, living cultures, and breathtaking nature.

Your ticket to an unforgettable impact journey

This trip is designed to be an impactful experience, covering everything you need for a meaningful and immersive journey through Suriname’s Amazon and discover hidden stories.

What’s included in the price?

• Round-trip flight tickets (subject to availability and price fluctuations)
• All accommodations, from comfortable city stays to eco-lodges in the Amazon
• All activities, excursions & guided experiences as described in the itinerary
• Daily storytelling evenings, connecting with locals and fellow travelers
• Most meals, featuring local ingredients and traditional cooking methods
• Local transportation within Suriname (boats, overland travel, and transfers)
• Fair wages for local guides, hosts, and community partners
• Contribution to social impact funds, ensuring long-term support for communities

Making impact travel accessible for all

We believe impact travel should be for everyone. While this ticket price reflects our profit-for-purpose model, we offer sponsorship options for those who need support.

• Flight pricing adjustments: Flight costs may fluctuate. If your ticket is more expensive, we’ll invoice the difference. If it’s cheaper, the extra amount will go to the GINI Sponsor Fund, which helps future travelers access this experience.
• Need financial support? Check with us to see if sponsored seats are available for this trip.
• Want to sponsor a traveller? Organisations or individuals looking to support inclusive, responsible tourism can reach out to us directly.

This trip is partly funded by our partners, ensuring a diverse and welcoming experience that benefits both travellers and the communities we visit.

How to pay & payment plans

To make securing your spot easy, we offer a clear payment schedule:

• 1/3 prepayment required to confirm your booking.
• 1/3 invoiced 12 weeks before your departure.
• Final 1/3 invoiced 8 weeks before your departure.

Let’s make travel a force for change.