0:00:03 > 0:00:06Seven young explorers are taking on the toughest challenge of their lives...
0:00:06 > 0:00:09An extreme expedition in South America.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10That is mad!
0:00:10 > 0:00:13They're attempting a series of astonishing world firsts...
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Oh my God!
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Going where no children have been before.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19Aah!
0:00:19 > 0:00:22To get to some of the most awesome places on earth.
0:00:22 > 0:00:23We've reached the top.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28The team are following in the footsteps of the great Elizabethan Sir Walter Raleigh,
0:00:28 > 0:00:32the first Englishman to explore Guyana as he searched for El Dorado,
0:00:32 > 0:00:34the lost city of gold.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Led by survival expert Ben Major
0:00:38 > 0:00:40and record-breaking adventurer Polly Murray,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43the epic journey will push the seven explorers
0:00:43 > 0:00:44to the limit and beyond.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53- I can't!- It hurts so bad. - I hate you so much!
0:00:53 > 0:00:57- Is he having a laugh? - Agh!- It's just too scary.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- Coming up...- Whoa!
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Close encounters of the creature kind.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- He is beautiful.- No, he's not.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14- I'm getting out!- And a major bust-up in jungle camp.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16No, Nikita does not have your head torch!
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Previously, three of the team claimed a world record
0:01:21 > 0:01:26as the youngest to reach the furthest point on Mount Roraima.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29I'm really proud of myself, it's really exciting.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34But as they made their way back up the mountain, Nikita bickered constantly with Jake.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- Pull.- I can't!
0:01:36 > 0:01:38She's been lagging behind, moaning.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40He's doing my head in.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44Meanwhile, the other four explorers were experiencing life as cowboys on a ranch.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Go, Megan!
0:01:46 > 0:01:51Slaughtering a cow for supper left Megan upset.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Shall we take you away for a bit?
0:01:54 > 0:01:57But Regan was in his element.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59I'm enjoying this a bit too much, I think.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03And after six days apart, the two teams were once again reunited.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Hello! Hello!
0:02:13 > 0:02:17The explorers are moving onto a tough environment.
0:02:17 > 0:02:23For the next two weeks they'll head deeper and deeper into the rainforest of Guyana.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Sitting to the north of the mighty Amazon in South America,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Guyana's rainforest is even more spectacular, with stunning valleys
0:02:30 > 0:02:33and waterfalls, and an enormous variety of creatures.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39They've just an hour's trek into the jungle,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43It doesn't take long to notice the heat.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47It's really humid. I'm sweating.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50As soon as you walk in it's like a little clicker that says,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52"Turn on your sweat".
0:02:52 > 0:02:56It's not the heat that's troubling Michael.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Every animal that can kill you lives in the jungle.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02It's a prison for bad animals.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06But it's a dream come true for Regan,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09who's been obsessed with rainforests for years.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14In his jungle-themed bedroom back home he keeps a variety of tropical creatures as pets.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20I've been waiting for this more than half my life.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21There's nothing that can beat it for me,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25this is my number one experience.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28The Serious Expedition is exploring in the spirit of adventurer
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Sir Walter Raleigh, who came to South America 400 years ago
0:03:31 > 0:03:36to try to find El Dorado, a fabled city full of gold.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40His search led him deep into unspoilt rainforest.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42'I never saw a more beautiful country,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44'hills over the valleys,
0:03:44 > 0:03:48'the river winding and every stone promising gold.'
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Today, Guyana is still largely undiscovered.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Though bigger than England, only 75,000 people are scattered
0:03:57 > 0:03:59across the entire rainforest,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03leaving most of it uninhabited and untouched.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06- Check it out.- Woo!
0:04:06 > 0:04:11The adventurers have a short journey up the remote Burro-Burro River
0:04:11 > 0:04:14to reach their camp.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15This will be our new home up here.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20Carahara Camp will be the Explorers' base for a week as they undergo intense jungle training.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22What a camp.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- What do you reckon, guys? - It's really nice.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Leaders Ben and Polly first show the team their bedroom.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30- This is luxury.- I like this.
0:04:30 > 0:04:36I think the camp's quite cool, I thought we'd be sleeping in the trees but this is a lot better.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- A lot more beasties.- They'll bed down on the floor on roll mats,
0:04:40 > 0:04:44using mosquito nets for protection.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48This thatch... Spiders, tarantulas love it up there.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50You've got scorpions, snakes up there as well.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52All living in the thatch.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Make sure when you get into bed,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57your roll mat is down tight and your mosquito net
0:04:57 > 0:05:01is right under your roll mat as well so nothing can get in, OK?
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Otherwise you'll have sleepless nights. OK?
0:05:04 > 0:05:09- I'll have sleepless nights anyway. - Same, I'll be too scared to sleep.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13My worst nightmare, sleeping in there, but as long as I get
0:05:13 > 0:05:16my mosquito net tucked under it should be OK.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Next it's off to see the camp toilet,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23which is actually little more than a smelly hole in the ground.
0:05:23 > 0:05:30Very simple - open the hatch. Do your biz. A long drop.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Put your top back on properly, that's it.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Like their bedroom, it's also a haven for wildlife.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39At night time, when we come for a pee,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42you'll have your head torches on.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47Just do a quick scan first in case there's someone sitting there.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49THEY LAUGH
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Not someone, but something.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56There might be someone sitting there as well.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Also, look up here cos these are perfect spots
0:05:59 > 0:06:02for snakes to hang out.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06I'm worried about insects, bugs, snakes and spiders.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10I'm not scared of them but I'll be cautious when I come to the toilet.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11He's scared.
0:06:11 > 0:06:17They'll be washing in the river, yet another place full of hazards.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Rule number one, OK? No peeing in the water.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26And the reason being is there is a fish, called a candiru,
0:06:26 > 0:06:30and if you pee that fish will swim up your...pee
0:06:30 > 0:06:32and actually go inside.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35And it has little barbs and it locks in on the inside,
0:06:35 > 0:06:37so please do not wee in the water.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- Before it gets dark, shall we get in?- Yeah, Megan, dive in.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- Do you want to come in?- That's good!
0:06:42 > 0:06:46But Michael and Josh decide to pay a visit first.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Erm, we just got told about these animals
0:06:49 > 0:06:54that if you go for a...a wee in the water they fly up your...
0:06:54 > 0:06:59- Erm...- What is that called? - Er, I forget now.- It's the...
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- The genital weeing bit.- That thing.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04So there's no way we're peeing in that water.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07So I'm...emptying my bladder.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12Splashing around in the river by day is relatively safe
0:07:12 > 0:07:14but after dark it becomes a no-go area,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17as creatures like crocs and snakes become very active.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Go on. Watch him.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21Oh, it's quite nice.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24After a hot, sweaty day, it's important to get clean.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- Absolutely gorgeous.- Nikita!
0:07:27 > 0:07:30But Nikita doesn't want to get in at all.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- I've got to wait for you. - You get in before me and I'll go in.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- No, we'll go in at the same time. Compromise.- Oi, Josh...
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- If he splashes, I'm not going in! - Polly, can you help me?
0:07:40 > 0:07:45Polly gives her a playful splash to encourage her.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47I'm getting out. I'm getting out!
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- Oh, Nikita!- Nikita!
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Nikita!
0:07:53 > 0:07:56She storms off and refuses to come back down.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59Apologies.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- Will you take my apologies?- No.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- I was just helping you a bit, but obviously you didn't take it... - It doesn't help.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15But I'm not going to make you go in tonight, cos it's getting dark.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Anyway, shake and make?
0:08:17 > 0:08:18Cool.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21"I'm not doing it, I'm getting out!"
0:08:21 > 0:08:23At the opposite side of the hut,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25the boys joke about Nikita's various outbursts on the trip.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28"Just back up!" Hi, Nikita!
0:08:28 > 0:08:31We were climbing down the mountain, the waterfall,
0:08:31 > 0:08:36I said, "Come on, Nikita," encouraged her. She just went, "I caaaan't!"
0:08:36 > 0:08:37If he says one more thing about me,
0:08:37 > 0:08:41I'm going to go over and smash his face in. He's talking about me now.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44We were walking back and she went, "Oh, I'm tired."
0:08:44 > 0:08:45"Come on, keep going."
0:08:45 > 0:08:48"I'm going as fast as I caaaan!"
0:08:49 > 0:08:53Nikita and Jake, the two youngest explorers at just 12,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56have clashed repeatedly on the expedition
0:08:56 > 0:08:59and leader Polly tries to defuse the situation.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02He'll start saying really stupid stuff, and I'll just flip.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- So you're getting very cross. - I'm going to knock him out.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Well, don't do that.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Before we get to fisticuffs, we need to get it sorted. Yeah?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14So we need to chat to him about it. OK?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17But before Polly can talk to Jake,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20he fuels the fire by accusing Nikita of taking his torch.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- She's got my head torch.- Who's got your head torch?- You.- No, I don't!
0:09:25 > 0:09:29All your mates are saying you have. SHE SIGHS HEAVILY
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- That's what I'm talking about. - She's got my head torch.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37No, Nikita does not have your head torch!
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Nikita, come here.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45Nikita, don't.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Knowing how dangerous the riverbank is at night,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Sammy goes to get Nikita.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- He's being a muppet. - It's a head torch, Nikita!
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Do you know what it's been like with him for the last few days,
0:09:58 > 0:09:59by myself with him?!
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- Yeah, I understand. - I hate him so much.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06I don't like some people here too, but you just have to, like,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09get on with it and not even bother with him. So come back up, please.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11I'll come back up in ten minutes.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- No, now.- No, I'll come back up in ten minutes!
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Nikita, you can sit on your own up there, where you're safe.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Cos down here is not safe, so come on.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24LAUGHTER
0:10:26 > 0:10:27Leave her alone.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32- She wants to sulk, let her sulk. - That was so funny!
0:10:32 > 0:10:38Let's not make it worse, OK? Cos she can hear you all...kind of laughing.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42That's just going to make it worse. So let's be kind, OK?
0:10:42 > 0:10:44He's being so annoying on purpose.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46He knows he's doing it and then he apologises
0:10:46 > 0:10:49and thinks everything's all right, but it's not.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52I'm getting sick of him.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56We need to just be a little bit more...
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- sensitive, OK?- But it's annoying.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- But you're winding her up.- About a head torch.- They wind each other up.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06I know you do, I know, but we need to...nip this in the bud. OK?
0:11:06 > 0:11:09So just, whatever comes out of your mouth,
0:11:09 > 0:11:14- think about what you're going to say first. OK?- OK.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Over dinner, the atmosphere is still tense,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19but there's a surprise in store.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22They've been away from their families for two weeks,
0:11:22 > 0:11:24and Polly has a special delivery from home.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Ta-da! Seven parcels for you guys.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31LAUGHTER
0:11:31 > 0:11:33One for each of you.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Nikita. That's for you.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- One for you.- Thank you.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Michael.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52We've got some hot chocolate!
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Guys, I've got a picture of my cow!
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Check that!
0:12:01 > 0:12:03LAUGHTER
0:12:03 > 0:12:04Look. Look at Jo.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07That is a great picture.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11The cards and treats are a real boost for Nikita.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Well, Mum sent me lots of treats and photos with messages on the back.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I really like it. And there's a photo of my bed.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24I didn't think I was missing home a lot until all this has come.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30For Sammie, the letters from home trigger deep emotions.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32You all right, Sammie?
0:12:32 > 0:12:35It's nice to hear from Mum and stuff,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and to hear what they've been doing
0:12:37 > 0:12:41and know that they'll have spent the time to put it all together.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43I'm really missing them now.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46It's made me want to enjoy it more
0:12:46 > 0:12:49because I know that they're all supporting me back home.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54I can't wait...for the rest of this trip. I can't wait to see them again.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Goodnight. Love everybody at home.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Guys, just come over here for two seconds.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Before bed, there's a stark reminder
0:13:04 > 0:13:07of Ben's warning about wildlife in camp.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10It's a tarantula. Come and have a look at it.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Just to show you guys...
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- Beautiful.- How far do they come down?
0:13:15 > 0:13:18That's why, in the mornings, we've got to check our boots.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Before you go to sleep, you need to check your sleep area.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- These guys go everywhere. - Well, that's brilliant.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Regan couldn't be happier.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31I love it here. Different animals jumping out at you every second.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33You never know what to expect.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Already seen a lizard, tarantula...
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Brilliant! And I haven't even been here a day yet.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42As they bed down under their mosquito nets
0:13:42 > 0:13:44for their first night in the jungle,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47there's only one thing on Michael's mind.
0:13:47 > 0:13:53If I was here now as a massive spider...going... Aaagh!
0:13:53 > 0:13:56I wouldn't know whether to kill it or run away.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01- Night!- Night!- Good night.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07When Raleigh came to Guyana, he was guided by local tribespeople,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10relying on their experience
0:14:10 > 0:14:13of living in the hostile environment of the rainforest.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Everything the local people needed they got from the jungle,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21often killing animals with nothing more than a bow and arrow.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25Next morning sees the start
0:14:25 > 0:14:30of the explorers' crash course in jungle training.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35Like Raleigh, they'll learn many jungle skills from local guides.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- Come and say hi to Lionel and Milner. - Nice having you in Guyana.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43Lionel and Milner are from the Makushi tribe.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46What they don't know about the forest is not worth knowing.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50They know what all the plants are, where all the wildlife is,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53they know all the medicinal uses. They live off the land.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57Hunting with a bow and arrow is central to the Makushi's survival.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59It's a quick move.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Oh, my goodness! Oh!
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- And that's how it is. - You've done that before!
0:15:08 > 0:15:12That's your kind of rail that you guide the arrow with.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18The explorers find it's far harder than Lionel makes it look.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20That was terrible!
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Release! OK, but you lost the guide finger.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28I really want to hit the target. It hasn't been hit yet.
0:15:28 > 0:15:35- I'm so competitive.- This is the most competitive man I know!
0:15:37 > 0:15:39That was a ricochet off the deck.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- Unfortunately, I haven't got one yet. Yet!- He's just rubbish!
0:15:45 > 0:15:48It's bad, but I hope none of them do it...
0:15:48 > 0:15:49Yeah! >
0:15:50 > 0:15:52First clean hit!
0:15:55 > 0:15:56Excellent!
0:15:56 > 0:16:01But have the explorers got what it takes to catch their own supper?
0:16:01 > 0:16:05The next challenge tests if they can spot an animal on the move.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09There are four animal targets hidden in the undergrowth.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10Oh, my God!
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- That's quite scary. - I'm never going to do it!
0:16:17 > 0:16:18WHISTLE TWEETS
0:16:18 > 0:16:20BEN: Jungle turkey.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Oh!
0:16:22 > 0:16:24So close!
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Getting the speed and accuracy needed proves tricky...
0:16:27 > 0:16:28- Ooh!- Fail!
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- ..especially for Sammie. - WHISTLE TWEETS
0:16:34 > 0:16:35SHE LAUGHS
0:16:35 > 0:16:39I got a bit ahead of myself and...
0:16:39 > 0:16:42BEN: The deer lives for another day!
0:16:42 > 0:16:43Ooh!
0:16:43 > 0:16:45No supper!
0:16:47 > 0:16:48Go!
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Oh, what are you doing?! THEY LAUGH
0:16:51 > 0:16:53WHISTLE TWEETS Moving fast.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54Ooh!
0:16:54 > 0:16:56No!
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Your tendency is to run towards the animals.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01Oof!
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Are you beating it to death?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06WHISTLE TWEETS
0:17:07 > 0:17:08BEN LAUGHS
0:17:08 > 0:17:10WHISTLE TWEETS
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Yeah! We're eating good tonight!
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Make it a goodie, make it a goodie!
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Sammie, I think we'll leave it there.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Nil point!
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- Ready to go?- Born ready.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29'With most explorers struggling, it's now a two-horse race
0:17:29 > 0:17:32'between the highly competitive Michael...'
0:17:32 > 0:17:33Just tickled it.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34'..and Megan.'
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Oh! That was fantastic!
0:17:36 > 0:17:38I couldn't see what I was aiming at!
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- Good shot.- Does that count?- Between the legs? I'm not sure.- It does.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Ooh!
0:17:48 > 0:17:50One arrow, make it count.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52WHISTLE TWEETS
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Hit his backside.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- Ooh! Brilliant. Right in the head. - Not happy.- What?
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- I missed that first one. - But you just killed the labba?
0:18:05 > 0:18:07That's a winner, you've taken his eye out.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Has he done enough to win?
0:18:09 > 0:18:11THEY CHATTER
0:18:11 > 0:18:13OK, four out of the seven -
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Zero out of four.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Sammie, Josh, Jake and Nikita...
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- I got four!- You didn't hit a thing.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- Regan, you were in third with one out of four.- I played!
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Both Megan and Michael scored two.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30So, who's the winner?
0:18:30 > 0:18:32In second...
0:18:32 > 0:18:33was Megan.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Michael, you are the winner, well done.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- Oh.- 'He edges it by hitting more difficult targets.'
0:18:40 > 0:18:44How does that feel to the most competitive man in the jungle today?
0:18:44 > 0:18:45Great!
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Spider-phobic Michael
0:18:48 > 0:18:50may have more trouble with lesson two
0:18:50 > 0:18:52of the jungle crash course -
0:18:52 > 0:18:55learning about the dangerous creatures
0:18:55 > 0:18:57they might meet in Guyana's rainforest.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59ALL: Whoa!
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- A scorpion.- Stamp on him.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04The sting in the scorpion's tail is very nasty
0:19:04 > 0:19:06and they love small, dark places.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09BEN: Check your boots thoroughly in the morning.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12What'd happen if you got bitten by that?
0:19:12 > 0:19:13It would hurt.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Next up is a huge tarantula.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Look at the size of that baby!
0:19:19 > 0:19:22And you know they jump four feet, don't you?
0:19:22 > 0:19:24I don't want it crawling up my back!
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Regan can't get enough of it.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28Amazing.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Just to think these are all around us.
0:19:31 > 0:19:32Nikita's also a fan.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35I don't know why, but I think it's quite pretty.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36They're special.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- LIONEL:- Wolf spider.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42The next spider is much smaller and very fast.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43ALL: Whoa!
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- No, get that away from me! - He is beautiful.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48No, he's not!
0:19:48 > 0:19:52While wolf spiders and tarantulas can't kill humans,
0:19:52 > 0:19:53their bite is very painful.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Really nasty bite.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00Yeah, I don't think you'd want this running around near you.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- You wouldn't want to be bitten by it.- ALL: Oh!
0:20:03 > 0:20:07And there's an even smaller creature well worth avoiding too.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10This is a bullet ant. If bitten, your hand would swell
0:20:10 > 0:20:11to the size of a baseball glove.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- Have you been bitten?- Many times.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Four of them on my leg...
0:20:16 > 0:20:18get into my palms and...
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Oh, my goodness!- Yeah.- Oh!
0:20:21 > 0:20:24The next tiny creature can be fatal to humans.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29- Oh, what on Earth?- Oh, it's a bumblebee poison dart frog.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Absolutely stunning.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33The poison dart frog is so-named
0:20:33 > 0:20:37as tribespeople smear its deadly poison on their arrows.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39That's pretty much fully-grown.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43It's a chance for Regan to show off his great knowledge.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- Regan, go for it. - In captivity, they're not poisonous.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Out here, their diets of insects gives them the poison.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53The largest they grow is about 2cm.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55It's not deadly to humans
0:20:55 > 0:20:58unless you've got an open, bleeding cut on your hand.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Then you've an issue. Let's bring him across.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04The final animal isn't venomous, but is still lively.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Oh!
0:21:07 > 0:21:09I think it's a rainbow boa.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Rainbow boa, a feisty, feisty snake.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17This one's struck four or five times and nicked Lionel in the process.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Sammie has a real problem with snakes.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Oh...!
0:21:23 > 0:21:25It's not right. It should have legs.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28I don't get how it moves,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30it's just wrong.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34What are you doing? It's dirty!
0:21:34 > 0:21:36It's like holding a dog's tail.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38SAMMIE PANTS
0:21:38 > 0:21:41OK, take him back! Argh!
0:21:43 > 0:21:46I was always really careful where I sat down with him,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49but I'm glad I know what is in the jungle
0:21:49 > 0:21:51and what I need to be aware of.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Back in Elizabethan times, Raleigh would often be taken round by canoe
0:21:55 > 0:21:58as local tribespeople helped him search
0:21:58 > 0:22:00for the lost city of gold.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03In a jungle, the river is like the main road.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08And the serious explorers are building up to their own
0:22:08 > 0:22:11marathon canoe journey in less than a week's time.
0:22:11 > 0:22:17Jungle training lesson three is learning to paddle dugout canoes.
0:22:17 > 0:22:18You're steering, Regan.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21The two-ton boats are each carved from a single tree.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24They're really tricky to control
0:22:24 > 0:22:26and it literally becomes a crash course.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- POLLY:- Oh, no! Disaster strikes!
0:22:38 > 0:22:41It's great fun, but at the moment we've gone two miles
0:22:41 > 0:22:44across the river, rather than two miles down it.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45We've only gone 200 metres!
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Working together is the key and the team of three -
0:22:49 > 0:22:54Josh, Megan and Michael finally start to get the hang of it.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57On the right a bit, Megan. Just one stroke on the right.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03But in the other boat, Jake and Nikita
0:23:03 > 0:23:05are again squabbling furiously.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09If everyone else is telling you left...
0:23:09 > 0:23:13- Why are you there, then? - I'm the director.- You're not!- I am.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Come on, Nikita. You're going straight into the bushes.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Pop Regan at the front.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21We need to get that boat going in a straight line.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Jake, you're just steering.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- Right, paddle!- Move that way! - No, paddle!
0:23:26 > 0:23:28You paddle right, I'll steer left.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Regan, you need to work harder.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35'No-one's really working well together at the moment,'
0:23:35 > 0:23:37including myself.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39We need to get this properly working
0:23:39 > 0:23:43otherwise we're going to be terrible on our journey.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Right, OK, guys. Start rocking the boat, rocking the boat!
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Ben has an important exercise to end the day's canoe training.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51It's a capsize drill.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Really rock it, go on. And again.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57When the explorers undertake their canoe journey,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00it's vital they know what to do if their boat capsizes.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03And you're sinking!
0:24:03 > 0:24:06They must stay with the boat and work as a team to roll it over.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Maintain control of the boat.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Get control of the boat, Nikita.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Go on to the far side, roll it back up.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Regan, don't get in front of the boat as it hits that log.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Nikita and Sammie have made a dangerous mistake,
0:24:20 > 0:24:24allowing themselves to get downstream of the heavy canoe.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Right, guys.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30It's drifting and trapping them against Ben and Polly's boat.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Sammie: Ow!
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- Her leg's trapped underneath!- Ow!
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Sammie has to be pulled out of the water.
0:24:40 > 0:24:41You OK?
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Regan, don't worry about the paddle.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Meanwhile, Regan also makes a mistake -
0:24:46 > 0:24:51leaving the boat to try to save one of the paddles that's floated off.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Can you help me? I'm struggling a little bit.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Regan, swim towards us, not the other bank.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01I can't, I'm... running out of breath!
0:25:01 > 0:25:05He's struggling and also has to be rescued.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07OK, don't worry.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11You all right, Pol?
0:25:12 > 0:25:17With everyone safe, Ben calls the teams together.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22The key thing is people got trapped on the downstream side
0:25:22 > 0:25:25of a two-ton floating weight going down river.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Regan realised the water's strong
0:25:27 > 0:25:30and got swept into all the underwater debris over there.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34It was a very valuable lesson to show you how powerful water is,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37without looking at it, and you think, "This is flat calm.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39"There're no dangers in here." Well, there are.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41The record-breaking canoe journey
0:25:41 > 0:25:46will take them 75 miles down river, camping rough as they go.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50And the next training exercise comes as a bit of a bombshell.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51The last few days
0:25:51 > 0:25:55you've gained a better understanding for what the rainforest is like?
0:25:55 > 0:25:57ALL: Yes.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00So tomorrow, you're going for a night out.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01You're joking!
0:26:01 > 0:26:04All right, so you will be experiencing it
0:26:04 > 0:26:07at its best and at its rawest, OK?
0:26:07 > 0:26:08I just hope I'm wrapped in tight.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Make as much noise as you can, scare everything away from you.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Back in camp, the Makushi tribe
0:26:16 > 0:26:19have laid on a traditional ceremony to protect the explorers
0:26:19 > 0:26:22while in the rainforest.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25When we come into the forest we believe
0:26:25 > 0:26:27there is a connection, a spiritual being.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32Therefore, before you leave for the forest, you have a blessing.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36It's carried out by the tribe's medicine man, known as a shaman.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41The spirit from the forest and your spirit will now be one.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Enjoy your stay with all living beings in the forest here.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48The celebration carries on into the evening,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51with traditional food and dance.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55It's so different to what I'm used to. It's hard to take it all in.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58It's just brilliant, that's all I can describe it as.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01TRIBESPEOPLE SING
0:27:06 > 0:27:09It's really funny dancing with tribespeople around the fire.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Aw, I've got to go!
0:27:13 > 0:27:17The Makushi ceremony works its magic, leaving the explorers
0:27:17 > 0:27:20much more confident about heading into the forest.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22I loved it, I thought it was amazing.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26It's given me peace of mind knowing that there's a bigger spirit
0:27:26 > 0:27:30or a bigger thing that's looking out for you.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34I'm ready to face the jungle, cos we know there'll be
0:27:34 > 0:27:36really bad creepy crawlies and snakes and everything,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40and we've been blessed so hopefully, we've luck on our side now.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44ALL CHEER
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Next time on Serious Explorers...
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Oh, you're joking!
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Bugs and beasties on the lunch menu...
0:27:55 > 0:27:57Lovely (!)
0:27:57 > 0:28:00..and Megan gets that sinking feeling.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03It's coming over the sides!
0:28:03 > 0:28:06E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk