Papua New Guinea

Travel Highlights in Papua New Guinea

• Vista Mount Hagen Show: This 13-day tour culminates in the Mount Hagen Cultural Show, showcasing over 800 distinct tribal groups through traditional dance, song, and dress. The itinerary includes a 3-night Sepik River cruise aboard the Sepik Spirit, providing insight into Sepik tribal art and daily life. Additionally, two days are dedicated to interacting with the Huli tribe at Ambua Lodge, known for their unique traditions and attire.
• Panorama Mount Hagen Festival: This exclusive journey begins with the Mount Hagen Cultural Show, a major cultural gathering for “sing-sing” groups across Papua New Guinea. Following the festival, the tour proceeds to the Sepik region, with three days exploring remote villages from the Sepik Spirit river boat to observe Karawari and Sepik tribal life and artistry. The itinerary concludes with an exploration of the Tari Valley and its iconic Huli tribe.
• Goroka Classic Tour: This unescorted 13-day program starts with a night at Rondon Ridge in Mount Hagen, offering views of the Waghi Valley. A charter aircraft transfers guests to the Sepik Region for a 3-night stay on the “Sepik Spirit” floating lodge, exploring the river’s waterways and tributaries. The tour then moves to Ambua Lodge in Hela Province to experience the Huli people, culminating in two full days at the Goroka Cultural Show.
• Goroka Highlands Journey: This tour is centered around the annual Goroka Cultural Show, featuring diverse sing-sing groups showcasing traditional dress and performance. The itinerary includes three days with the Huli tribe at Ambua Lodge in the Tari Valley, focusing on their unique customs and men’s hair-wigs. Subsequent travel to the Karawari jungle allows for exploration of tribal art and village life, with the journey concluding at the Goroka Show.
• Kalam Festival: The Kalam Festival is an annual, rustic event in Papua New Guinea’s remote Simbai valley, accessible by charter flight from Mount Hagen. This three-day festival allows for participation in traditional tribal ceremonies, including bridal exchange and coming-of-age rituals. Celebrations involve distinct Simbai headdresses, ceremonial pig killings, and nightly singing and dancing, offering a unique and authentic cultural immersion for a limited number of visitors.
• Tumbuna Festival: The Tumbuna Festival is an 11-day unescorted tour celebrating “pasin bilong Tumbuna” (the way of the ancestors). It incorporates a Sepik River cruise and a diverse Highlands experience, culminating in the Tumbuna sing-sing show. This event features multiple tribal groups showcasing their culture through traditional dress, dancing, and singing, offering an opportunity to witness Papua New Guinea’s cultural diversity.
• Mount Giluwe Trek: This trek to Mount Giluwe, Papua New Guinea’s second-highest mountain at 4,360 meters, is a challenging two-day climb from Mount Hagen suitable for semi to serious hikers. The climb, led by experienced local guides and porters, rewards with panoramic valley views. This experience offers access to a region maintaining traditional ways of life within an untouched mountain and jungle landscape.
• Birding Experience: This 11-day/10-night tour is designed for birders and nature enthusiasts, exploring three distinct regions of Papua New Guinea, from highlands rainforests to tropical lowland rainforests at Karawari. The program focuses on diverse bird species, notably the iconic Birds of Paradise, with knowledgeable guides. Optional visits to tribal villages can provide insight into the cultural significance of birds in traditional practices.
• Papua New Guinea Explorer: This program offers an in-depth exploration of Papua New Guinea, traversing the Central Ranges and engaging with ancient cultures. Key experiences include discovering the Melpa people of the Wahgi Valley, exploring the remote Sepik River, and observing the Ribbon-tailed Bird of Paradise. The tour provides direct interaction, such as shaking hands with a Huli warrior, for those seeking a comprehensive and immersive experience in this wild country.

SAMPLE ITINERARIES

• 4 Nights / 5 Days Mount Giluwe Trek
• 11 Days Panorama Mount Hagen Festival 
• 4 Nights / 5 Days Cruise on the Sepik Spirit
• 9 Nights / 10 Days Birding in Paradise