The Red Jasper Staircase: A Guide to Swimming Orinduik Falls

While Guyana’s flagship Kaieteur Falls commands awe from a distance, Orinduik Falls invites you to dive right in. Tucked away on the western border between Guyana and Brazil, this multi-tiered cascade offers a completely different, but equally mesmerizing, aquatic experience.

If you are charting your interior expedition with Travel Guyana (www.travelguyana.co), combining the raw power of Kaieteur with the refreshing embrace of Orinduik is the ultimate way to experience the “Land of Many Waters.” Here is what you need to know about this highland oasis.

1. A Waterfall Made of Semi-Precious Stone

What truly sets Orinduik apart is the very rock it flows over. The falls lie on the Ireng River, where the water does not simply tumble over ordinary granite or limestone. Instead, the river cascades down a wide, terraced staircase made of solid red jasper.

This semi-precious stone, worn smooth by centuries of flowing water, gives the bedrock a striking red and green hue. Standing at approximately 25 meters (82 feet) tall and stretching more than 150 meters wide, the falls create a massive, natural terraced waterpark right on the border.

2. The Ultimate Natural Spa

Because the Ireng River cascades over these gentle, stepped tiers rather than a single sheer drop, it forms countless natural rock pools. These pools are ideal for swimming, offering a refreshing escape from the equatorial heat.

• The Experience: You can sit directly beneath the smaller cascades for a natural back massage or wade into the deeper pools carved into the jasper terraces.

• The Best Time to Swim: While you can visit year-round, the dry seasons—particularly from September to November, and February to March—are the best times for swimming. During these months, the water levels are ideal and the currents are less swift, making the pools much safer to enjoy.

3. The Pakaraima Mountain Backdrop

Flying into Orinduik provides a striking contrast to the dense, unbroken Amazonian canopy surrounding Kaieteur. The falls sit at the edge of the rolling Pakaraima Mountains.

As your small charter plane descends, the landscape opens up into sweeping, golden savannahs against the backdrop of ancient, rolling hills. This area is the traditional homeland of the indigenous Macushi and Patamona people. In fact, the name “Orinduik” comes from the Patamona language; “Orin” refers to a local aquatic plant found in the river, and “duik” translates to falls.

4. The Perfect Twin-Falls Day Trip

Because of its remote location, visiting Orinduik is most commonly done by air. Fortunately, this makes for one of the most spectacular day trips in South America.

Most travelers book a combined flight departing from Georgetown (either Ogle Airport or Cheddi Jagan International) that hits both of Guyana’s iconic waterfalls in a single day.

1. Morning: Fly deep into the jungle to witness the sheer, thunderous 741-foot drop of Kaieteur Falls.

2. Afternoon: Take a short flight west over the changing landscape to the Pakaraima Mountains, landing at the Orinduik airstrip just steps from the water. Unpack your swimsuit, enjoy a packed lunch on the jasper rocks, and swim in the cascading Ireng River.

Plan Your Highland Escape

Navigating charter flights, local weather conditions, and interior logistics requires local expertise. At Travel Guyana, we provide the definitive resources to ensure your journey to the remote Pakaraima Mountains is seamless, safe, and breathtaking.

Ready to swim the red jasper terraces? Visit www.travelguyana.co to start building your ultimate twin-falls expedition today!

Allen Titan