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Papua New Guinea offers a wealth of wildlife, beautiful landscapes and ancient tribal traditions. We experience the unique indigenous culture as we visit remote villages along the Sepik River in dugout canoes. We discover smouldering volcanoes in Rabaul and explore the city of Mount Hagan in the unspoilt highlands. We also witness ritual music and dancing during the colourful festivals.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Port Moresby; fly to Wewak
Our journey begins in Port Moresby, the capital and largest city in Papua New Guinea. Annexed by the British Empire in the late 19th century, the city today is an unusual mix of styles and traditions, with the distinctive architecture of its modern parliament building sharing the landscape with stilt villages that jut out into the surrounding harbour. We’ll take a short orientation walk around the city this morning, before taking an onward flight to the coastal town of Wewak, our gateway into the rich and fascinating landscapes of the Sepik River.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Day 2:
Drive to Sepik River. Canoe to Palimbe Village
The Sepik River flows for some 1,126 kilometres, passing from the central highlands of Papua New Guinea and through one of the largest freshwater wetland systems on earth. This morning we drive from Wewak and over the Prince Alexander Range, to the river station at Pagwi. From here we take motorized canoes up river, towards a cluster of villages where Haus Tambarans (spirit houses) still dominate and manhood initiations still prevail. We spend this evening camping close to the village of Palimbe, home to an ancient and still active crocodile cult.
Overnight Standard Camping (C+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3:
Exploring the Sepik River
Today we journey into the narrow black tributaries that feed the main waters of the Sepik, to discover some of the prolific birdlife around lakes Aibom and Chambri. We pay a visit to Aibom village, renowned for its earth baked ceramic art and see the beautiful polished carvings and ceremonial spears of the Chambri people, before continuing on into the Wasui Lagoon. As we pass further along the tributaries we come finally to Wagu Village, site of our second river camp, set before the backdrop of the majestic Hunsetin Range.
Overnight Standard Camping (C+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
Exploring the Sepik River
Established by the local villages under the guidance of the WWF, The Hunsetin Range Wildlife Management Area was set up in 1998 to protect one of the most important areas of forest and wetland biodiversity in the Pacific. This morning we take a trip up into the rainforest in search of birds of paradise, before continuing our river journey down to Ambunti. An incredible mix of cultures, this remarkable river basin is home to possibly the most linguistically diverse region in the world, with nearly 300 different languages being spoken.
Overnight Standard Camping (C+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
Drive back to Wewak
Departing Ambunti this morning we canoe back up to Pagwi, where we rejoin our vehicle for the drive back to Wewak. The return journey takes us through the tribal communities of Malu and Avatip, home to the Manambu speaking people of the eastern Sepik.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6:
Fly to Rabaul via Port Moresby
Catching an early flight back to Port Moresby we spend the rest of this morning exploring the capital, visiting the National Museum, the downtown area and the Paha Hill lookout, before catching an afternoon flight on to Rabaul. Dramatically perched between the rich waters of Simpson Harbour and a backdrop of volcanic peaks, the old town of Rabaul was all but destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1994. The traditional heartland of a number of ethnic tribes, the town’s fascinating heritage and historical past presents us with one of the most interesting towns on the entire island.
Overnight Resort (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7:
Sightseeing in Rabaul. Optional afternoon volcano hike
During the Second World War, Rabual served as Japan’s main base in the South Pacific and today it is riddled with an intricate network of tunnels and caves, dug by the Japanese to protect their troops from the Allied bombing. We pay a visit to some of these tunnels this morning, as well as the local market, old Rabaul township and the volcano observatory. After lunch the rest of the day is free to enjoy at your own pace, with the option for those that are interested to take a volcano hike.
Overnight Resort (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8:
In Rabaul; visit Matupi Island
This morning we tour the pockmarked landscapes of Matupi Island, lying at the base of the now dormant ‘Mother‘ volcano. Once a separate land mass, the seismic activity in the area has created a narrow causeway between Matupi and the mainland, allowing us access to its surreal moonscape. The island was originally home to the indigenous Tolai, a people whose traditions and beliefs still persist to this day amongst the secret ceremonies of their Duk-Duk society. After our visit, this afternoon has again been left free.
Overnight Resort (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9:
In Rabaul; cruise Simpson Harbour
We spend today exploring the waters and landscapes of Simpson Harbour, on a full day’s cruise through the bay. We pass close to the Tavurvur and Vulcan volcanoes whose eruptions in 1937 and again in 1994 destroyed the old town.These days the Matupit villagers search amongst the volcanic ash for the Megapod birds’ eggs that are buried deep in the incubating sands. We also sail on to Pidgeon Island, to enjoy some superb snorkelling, before heading back to shore with the setting sun.
Overnight Resort (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10:
Fly to Mount Hagan via Port Moresby. Drive to Goroka
An early morning flight back to Port Moresby then sees us transferring on to another plane for the onward journey to Mount Hagan, set amongst the fertile landscapes of the Wahgi Valley. From here we then drive to Goroka, the provincial capital of the Eastern Highlands and PNG’s self-proclaimed coffee capital. The town is home to the Asora Mud-men and the excellent J.K. McCarthy Museum, which houses a number of tribal artefacts, as well as a collection of photographs that portray the early meetings between the highland tribes and Europeans.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11 to 12:
The Goroka Show
Probably the most famous tribal gathering in Papua New Guinea, the Goroka Show is held every year and brings together some 100 different tribes from the outlying Eastern Highlands. An incredible cultural spectacle, the show presents us with a rare opportunity to witness what is a truly unique gathering of some of Papua New Guinea’s most colourful and traditional tribal cultures. With dancing, music and some extraordinary displays of tribal rituals, the show is without doubt one of the cultural highlights of this incredible journey and we have two whole days to enjoy the spectacle.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 13:
Morning visit to the Asaro Mud-men
After the excitement and ceremony of the past days, this morning we head out to visit the village of the remarkable Asaro Mud-men. Legend tells of a time when these villagers fled an invading tribe and threw themselves into the Asaro River to escape. As they rose from the banks of the river, covered in mud, their enemies fled in terror, believing them to be spirits. We spend some time in the village this morning, before returning to Goroka for a free afternoon. There is an option to pay a visit to the highland township of Kainantu later.
Overnight Basic Hotel (H)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 14:
Tour ends Port Moresby
Driving back to Port Moresby today our journey will end where it began, back at the city’s international airport.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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