OUR PAPUA NEW GUINEA HOLIDAY DEALS

Our PNG Specialist has visited PNG and has first hand knowledge of  Rabaul, Kokopo and Kimbe Bay in New Britain, Kavieng and surrounds in New Ireland, Mt Hagen and the Western Highlands as well as attending the Travel Forum in Port Moresby. We have a range of touring to offer you - World War II History & War Relics, Cultural Experiences, Festivals,  Bird Watching, Surfing, Diving, Trekking, Fishing, Volcanoes... 

Ask Our Specialist to tailor make you an itinerary to suit your requirements.  

2017 Cultural Festivals
09/10 June 2017 - Madang Festival - Madang
12/15 July 2017 - Mask Festival - East New Britain Province - Rabaul
05/07 August 2017 - Crocodile Festival - East Sepik Province, Wewak
19/20 August 2017- Hagen Show - Western Highlands Province - Mt Hagen
16/17 September 2017 - Goroka Show - Eastern Highlands Province - Goroka
07/08 October 2017 - Morobe Show - Morobe Province - Lae
04/05 November 2017 - Kenu & Kundu Festival (Canoe Festival) - Milne Bay Province, Alotau

2017 Set Tour Departures - please ask for full itinerary and cost
02/15 July 2017 -13 night Rabaul Mask Festival including Sepik River, Madang, Simbai, Mt Hagen, Goroka, Duke of York Islands
03/10 August 2017 - 7 night  Sepik Crocodile Festival Tour 
13/21 August 2017 - 8 night Simbai and Mt Hagen Show Tour icluding Madang, and the Paiya Sing Sing
17/28 August 2017 - 10 night Mt Hagen Show & Sepik River Tour, including Paiya Sing Sing, Simbai and the Sepik River
17/21 August 2017 - 4 night Mt Hagan Show Weekender
14/18 September 2017 - 4 night Goroka Show Weekender
15/25 September 2017 - 10 nights Goroka Show & Kalam Culture Festival Tour including Mt Hagen, Simbai and the Sepik River
27 October/08 November 2017 - 12 night Milne Bay Canoe Festival Tour - including Sepik River, Mt Hagain, Trobriand Islands

 2017 GOROKA SHOW & KALAM CULTURE FESTIVAL TOUR

FRI 15 - MON 25 SEPTEMBER 2017 -  10 nights Goroka, Mt Hagen, Simbai, Sepik River (escorted small group tour maximum 12 people + guide)

This small group tour  begins in Goroka for the Show, travels overland to Mt Hagen then hops by charter flight to Simbai for the Kalam Festival then onwards to Wewak and the Sepik River including one night in a village on the mystic middle Sepik, home of the crocodile cult.

The Goroka Show is partly an agricultural show and partly a highlands sing-sing. Since colonial days the people of the eastern highlands have come together once a year to display samples of their best crops and livestock to compete for prizes, and to show off their most colourful and energetic dance traditions. The pride of each tribe is vested in its dancing groups which vie for attention and prominence on the dance ground – often there are several groups performing at once in different parts of the arena. Sparks fly occasionally on the field as jealousy and competition fuel conflict between tribal groups. At the end of the Show, judges award prizes to the best dancing groups. Cash awards have now taken the place of pigs and brides.

The Kalam Culture Festival on the other hand is a small local festival attended by only a few privileged outsiders. Once a year the people of the Kalam tribe around Simbai in the highlands come together to resolve disputes, pay bride price and other compensation payments (usually in the form of pigs), pierce the nose septums of pubescent boys to initiate them into manhood, and feast and celebrate together the traditions of their tribe.

This itinerary includes the Sepik as a final stop to explore the culture of the riverine tribes. Sepik tribes rarely perform at the Goroka Show because there are no road connections from Wewak to Goroka.

SPECIAL NOTES:

This is a “wet foot” tour that involves up to 1 hour walking in some places to get to villages, clambering in and out of canoes, and several nights sleeping “rough” in very basic accommodation at Simbai and the Sepik River - village guest houses with clean bedding and hygienic food but rather primitive outhouse bathrooms and no electricity.

Some physical agility and mental resilience is required for this tour... on the other hand if getting “hands on” is your idea of a tour then this experience will be perfect for you.

This is a unique small group tour program not offered by any other tour company. The tour price includes a tour development levy to recoup outlays on designing, reconnoitring and organising this remote area program, plus a share of the group leader’s travel costs, various hidden costs like local permits and insurances, retainers for local guides, air-freighting of gear and supplies from Port Moresby etc. 

TOUR INCLUSIONS (10 nights)

•  Port Moresby – airport meet and greet
• Port Moresby - scheduled domestic flight to Goroka
• Goroka – airport meet and greet, transfer to accommodation
• Goroka - 3 nights minimum 2.5-star accommodation, includes set-menu breakfast and dine-out dinner
• Goroka – arrival day sightseeing tour of Goroka town
• Goroka - 2 x morning excursions to the Goroka Show with entry pass, bottled water, boxed lunch
• Goroka – 2 x afternoon excursions to Goroka villages
• Goroka - road transfer to Mt Hagen with enroute stops (includes lunch)
• Mt Hagen - 1 night minimum 2.5-star accommodation, includes buffet or set-menu dinner and hot breakfast
• Mt Hagen – return charter flights from Mt Hagen to Simbai
• Simbai - 3 days village culture tours and Kalam Culture Festival, Simbai including all entry fees and gratuities
• Simbai - 3 nights 1-star twin-share accommodation at Kalam Guest House, Simbai including local style meals and bottled or boiled drinking water
• Mt Hagen – scheduled domestic flight to Wewak
• Wewak – 2 nights minimum 2.5-star accommodation including set-menu dinner and breakfast
• Wewak – overnight excursion to Middle Sepik village including road and motor canoe transfers, village tours, basic village hut accommodation, local style food and bottled water, private sing-sing performance
• Wewak - scheduled domestic flight to Port Moresby
• Port Moresby – departure day breakfast
• Port Moresby – departure day ad hoc shopping or sightseeing (complimentary)
• Port Moresby - departure check-in assistance and farewell at airport
• Throughout the tour we provide:

- services of a full time tour leader -  all fees and gratuities for local villages, guides, demonstrators and helpers  - all airport/hotel transfers -- all road travel by late model mini bus or four wheel drive vehicle with bottled water on board - all water travel by open speed boat, skiff or motor canoe with life vests and bottled water on board - various additional gear that may be required for your safety and comfort in remote areas such as mobile satellite phone, tropical first aid kit, mosquito net, clean bedding, supplementary supplies  - daily reconfirmation of flights and arrangements coordinated by our Port Moresby office - 24 hour emergency backup from our Port Moresby office

Please ask for full itinerary and cost.  

  2017 MILNE BAY CANOE FESTIVAL TOUR

FRI 27 OCT – WED 08 NOV 2017 - 12 nights Wewak, Sepik River, Mt Hagen, Port Moresby, Alotau (festival), Trobriand Is  (Fully escorte soft adventure tour.  Group size minimum 6, maximum 12 passengers)

 TOUR INCLUSIONS (12 nights):

• Port Moresby – meet, greet and assist
• Port Moresby – domestic flight to Wewak
• Wewak – 1 night 3.5 star accommodation at In-Wewak Boutique Hotel (or alternative if unavailable) – room only, pay as you go for a la carte meals and extras
• Wewak – group transfer by private bus or four wheel drive vehicle to the Sepik River (2 bus seats per person)
• Sepik River – 3 nights 4 days motor canoe tour with village guest house accommodation including clean bedding, mixture of camp-style and local-style meals, bottled or boiled water, village tours and demonstrations, plus associated costs.
• Sepik River - group transfer by private bus or four wheel drive vehicle to Wewak (2 bus seats per person)
• Wewak – domestic flight to Mt Hagen
• Mt Hagen – 2 nights 2.5 star accommodation at Magic Mountain Nature Lodge – twin share bungalow including set-menu meals and transfers, bottled or boiled water
• Mt Hagen – full day local walking excursion
• Mt Hagen – half day village cultural tour with sing-sing
• Mt Hagen – domestic flight to Port Moresby
• Port Moresby – 2 nights 4 star accommodation at Quality Inn Gateway Hotel
• Port Moresby – domestic flight to Alotau
• Alotau – 3 nights 3 star accommodation at Napatana Lodge or Masurina Lodge  (or alternative if unavailable)
• Alotau – local guides for the Milne Bay Canoe and Drum Festival (most activities are free entry and walking distance from all hotels)
• Alotau – sightseeing tour by bus
• Alotau – domestic flight to Losuia, Trobriand Islands
• Trobriand Islands – 2 nights 2.5 star accommodation at Kiriwina Lodge – airconditioned twin-share room with set-menu meals
• Trobriand Islands – half day road tour of Kiriwina Island
• Trobriand Islands – full day boat excursion to Munuwata Island
• Trobriand Islands – short excursion to Wawela Beach, Kiriwina Island, or alternative
• Trobriand Islands – domestic flight to Port Moresby
• Port Moresby – departure check-in assistance
• Throughout the tour we provide:- services of a full time tour leader -  all fees and gratuities for local villages, guides, demonstrators and helpers  - all airport/hotel transfers -- all road travel by late model mini bus or four wheel drive vehicle with bottled water on board - all water travel by open speed boat, skiff or motor canoe with life vests and bottled water on board - various additional gear that may be required for your safety and comfort in remote areas such as mobile satellite phone, tropical first aid kit, mosquito net, clean bedding, supplementary supplies  - daily reconfirmation of flights and arrangements coordinated by our Port Moresby office - 24 hour emergency backup from our Port Moresby office

• Please ask for full itinerary and cost.  

 SPLENDOURS OF NEW GUINEA - 8 Nights (Suggested itinerary only)

New Guinea, the last great land mass to remain unexplored, still remains a place of great wonder and mystery. Exotic animals, extraordinary art and flamboyant warriors await the curious traveler. The tour begins in the Tari valley, home of the colorful Huli, a race whose right of passage for young men is to grow their own human hair wigs. In the forest surrounding the valley awaits a plethora of thirteen species of birds of paradise and a whole host of unique orchid species. From there, the wondrous journey continues to the Sepik Region and Karawari Lodge - an area that was still a restricted area in the 1960's. Discover river life on the Karawari River and spectacular primitive art as well as an incredible array of parrots and orchids. From the Sepik Region and back to the highlands to explore the world of the Melpa people. Exploration continues in this area where no white foot had ever trodden until the mid-1930s. This programme is suitable for international connections to Cairns or Brisbane.

3 nights Ambua Lodge, Hela Province - 2 nights Karawari Lodge, Sepik Region - 1 night Rondon Ridge, Mount Hagen - 2 nights Airways, Port Moresby

 Day 1 Sat - Upon arrival in Port Moresby you will be met and transferred to the Airways Hotel. Overnight: AIRWAYS HOTEL (No Meals)

 Day 2 Sun - In the morning, you will be and transferred to your Air Niugini flight Port Moresby to Tari. The Tari Valley - home of the Huli, a colorful and proud people still largely living the same way that their ancestors did. Ambua Lodge is an inspired mixture of local architecture, spectacular views and modest luxury off the beaten track. Located at 7000 feet (2100 meters) in the PNG Southern Highlands, homeland of the Huli clan with their human hair wigs adorned with colorful flowers.  Afternoon guided nature walk through the alpine forest looking for the exotic bird of Paradise. Overnight: AMBUA LODGE (-LD)

 Day 3 Mon and Day 4 Tue - Enjoy two full days of cultural touring. In contrast to the Sepik people whose art is manifested in ceremonial and decorative carvings, these Highland people employ as their art, body decoration, face painting and human hair wigs decorated with feathers, flowers and moss.  The Huli culture is the most vibrant intact and colorful to be experienced anywhere. Overnight: AMBUA LODGE (BLD)

 Day 5 Wed - Fly by charter aircraft to Karawari airstrip over some of the most rugged and impressive landscapes in the world. The country between Ambua and the Sepik region is an amazing array of jagged limestone that seem to rise and drop at impossible angles. From the airstrip, you will be transferred by river boat to Karawari Lodge. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, Karawari Lodge boasts a spectacular view over hundreds of kilometers of dense tropical jungle. Inspired by local architecture and built with traditional materials, while still providing modern comforts.  Located on a ridge overlooking the Karawari River, in the Sepik region is a time-warped mixture of pre-technological and technological architecture - is the perfect base for some old-fashioned jungle, river and village exploration. You are in the middle of Arambak country-- local’s pole dug-out canoes, the drums throb, the wild birds call, and, traditional village lifestyles continue largely unchanged. "Something likes a National Geographic expedition. No roads. Thick jungle. Locals poling dugouts. Crocodiles. You wind up at the surprising Karawari Lodge. Proceed with lunch then follow by an afternoon visit to Kundiman village for sago making demonstration. Sago is the Staple food for the river people.  Overnight: KARAWARI LODGE (BLD)

 Day 6 Thu - A day excursion along the jungle-fringed waterways of the Karawari River where boatmen, standing upright, paddle their slender dugout canoes with sculpted silhouettes of crocodile masks.  Village life including carved totems, drums, woodcarvings and different expressions of art are also experienced.  See bountiful bird life along the rivers and nearby lakes.  Excursions will enhance your understanding of traditional village culture in the Sepik region. Overnight: KARAWARI LODGE (BLD)

 Day 7 Fri - Fly by charter from Karawari to Mount Hagen, during the flight mountains rise up to startling heights out of the flat lands of the Sepik Basin. Mount Hagen Town is in the upper Wahgi Valley - a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture in the world. Perched high on Mount Kuta is Rondon Ridge, with unbelievable views of the Wahgi Valley. Guests are accommodated in 12 units, each unit featuring 180 degree views, modern bathroom, electric blankets and continental quilts for the cool highland evenings. Proceed with lunch then follow by an afternoon guided nature walk around the trails at Rondon Ridge. Overnight: RONDON RIDGE (BLD)

 Day 8 Sat - Enjoy a full day tour featuring the unique culture and tradition of the melpa people who live near the Mount Hagen City which is the business heart of the Papua New Guinea highlands, supplying a number of important industries, such as tea, coffee and mining. It is a city where stone meets steel, where tradition and history is juxtaposed against modern ways. A comprehensive touring program takes you on a journey through the traditions and customs of the Melpa People. First contact with the Melpa was made in the mid-1930s when the Leahy brothers were prospecting for gold. The Melpa are said by anthropologists, to be “predisposed to capitalism,” because of their complex traditional society in which “big men” earn status by accruing wealth and then giving it all away in ceremonial exchanges.   Transfer to your flight to Port Moresby in the afternoon ex PX185 HGU/POM.  Meet/Greet and transfer to your hotel. Overnight: AIR

 Day 9 Sun - Transfer from Airways Hotel to Jacksons Airport for your departure flight.

 ALOTAU, MILNE BAY PROVINCE - EXPEDITION OF CULTURE, HISTORY, TREKKING, KAYAKING/STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING - 5 nights

 Papua New Guinea’s climate is tropical, as one would expect in a country located just south of the Equator. The North Coast March to September is the wet season, although it if often commented that it is either wet or wetter, occasionally rain falls year-round. While Port Moresby, the capital, and other towns on the coast are quite hot in the summer months, October through to February are the best months for trekking vacations in Milne Bay.

 MILNE BAY EXPEDITION: We invite you to come and visit and share with us this most beautiful area of Papua New Guinea. This expedition is raw and out there. There has been very few tourists walk or paddle here.  The exploratory of this area was only carried out in October 2014.

SAMARAI ISLAND-We visit Samarai Island, the former administrative capital in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. The island is historically significant as the site of a trading port and stop-over between Australia and East Asia. Samarai town was established on the island and at its height was the second largest after Port Moresby in the Territory of Papua. At present little is left of the town which covered Samarai as it was destroyed during World War II. The island was declared a National Historical Heritage Island by the government of Papua New Guinea in 2006.

Kwato Island is 2-3 kilometers west of Samarai Island. The Reverend Charles Abel and his wife, Beatrice, founded a nonhierarchical church in 1891 on Kwato. The Mission Kwato functioned as a successful education and boat building centre. The mission’s boats were used to supply the Australian Coast watchers during WW11.

Trek & Paddle:  Our young men are enthusiastic and willing to learn and help our guests. They are out the front slashing a path through the bush track, holding our hands over the multiple log and river crossings. Kayak/Stand Up paddle down the Dawadawa River, it’s a surreal experience.

Day 1:                                                POM-Alotau-Gumoisu   

The flight time is 1 hour from Port Moresby to Alotau; You  will be greeted by Hiwe Hiwe Lodge staff and transferred to Alotau Wharf. Approximately 25 minutes’ drive from airport into town.  From here we will board a banana boat for the 2 hour ride to Gumosie Guest Haus. This afternoon is spent site seeing on Samarai and Kwato Islands. Rudy and Koi are our hosts for the evening. Dinner is traditional kai served on the balcony of their guest haus situated on the point overlooking the China Passage.

Samaria Island was discovered by Captain John Moresby whilst commanding HMS Basilisk in 1873. Moresby originally called it the Dinner Island, after having a meal on it. Five years later in 1878 the Rev. S. MacFarlane of the London Missionary Society established a mission station on the island. In 1884 a trader and sixty Papuans established a beach front store for passing ships. In the early years a large malarias’ swamp caused health problems for Samarai, but this was improved after 1898 when it was filled in. In 1902 the value of goods exported from Samarai was three times the value of those exported from Port Moresby. By 1907 there were three pubs, the seat of a bishop, a rectory, church, three stores, government buildings, hospitals and private residences. Electric power was provided by 1927 and street lighting was installed.

By the 1920s the town had declined in importance and by the 1940s 70 percent of goods were now exported from Port Moresby. After the outbreak of World War II and with the Japanese advance into the Pacific the Australian Government ordered the evacuation of Samarai in January 1942 and later in the year it was destroyed to stop the wharves and buildings falling under Japanese control. Although Samarai was reestablished after the war, it never returned to its former size or influence and in 1968 the provincial capital for Milne Bay was moved to Alotau. Today the island is mostly isolated and little belies its former past.

Reverend Able was not the first white man to step foot on Kwato but he was the first to see the unique possibilities of the small island set in the China Straits of Milne Bay. Due to its location its one of the oldest trading routes in the South Pacific. Many foreigners had visited Kwato before Reverend Able looking for gold, trading sea cucumbers, mother of pearl and sandalwood.

Rev Able resolved to create at Kwato and institution where Papuans would not only receive a Christian education but also the necessary training to put them on an equal footing with foreigners. To help finance the work he established coconut plantations which became management training centres, who in turn taught village, people how to mark out and plant coconuts. Not only did the people of Kwato learn life skills but they also experienced music and singing and sport, especially cricket. Accommodation: Gumusie Guest Haus (LD)

 Day 2:                                                Trek to Dalidali 

This morning wake up is 5am and trekking by 6:30am. We walk at a leisurely pace learning from our young men escorting us through what they refer to as the “Jungle Grocery Store” teaching us and pointing out the different edible fruits and berries and the plants which are used for Medicinal purposes. Trekking in Milne Bay is always hot and humid, very wet and muddy under foot. It is reasonably flat but multiple little streams and log crossings to negotiate. Dalidali is a family hamlet; our hosts are Harry, his wife and 6 pikininis. There is a very small stream to wash in. Our afternoon is spent with the family and playing with the children. Approximately 5 hours walking. Accommodation: Guest Haus/Tents (BLD)

 Day 3:                                                Trek to Gufali, boat transfer to Badilauna Guest Haus

We must be trekking by 6:30am. Although the terrain is flat it is a long and challenging day. The first half of the day is very muddy, with many high log crossings. We should arrive at the main river crossing in time for lunch. If the weather has been unkind and there has been lots of rain this river could be flooded. There is a remote possibility that we may have to walk back to Dalidali and Gumoisu. Or take an alternate route which will add on another 2-3 hours walking.

After lunch the terrain is easier, not so wet and a passable track to follow. The last 2 hours of the trek is walking down a tributary of the Dawadawa River. This is an extremely beautiful and interesting sector of the trek, arriving at the river mouth around 4pm. We meet our boat transfer here and motor down to Badilauna Guest Haus, taking around 20 minutes. Our accommodation is on the banks of the Dawadawa River, our hosts are the Andrew family. They are very proud of their guest haus warmly welcoming guests into their family. Children taking the day off school to meet guests and help Mum and Dad and extended family prepare for guests. Today is approximately 10 hours walking. Very scenic, with lots of bird life and the odd snake. Accommodation: Badilauna Guest Haus (BLD)

 Day 4:                                                Badilauna to Tree Tops

This morning we will transfer by boat as far up the Dawadawa River as we can go. We will inflate our kayaks and stand ups and start paddling back down stream.  Dawadawa is a wide soft flowing river; it is a smorgasbord of bird life, with the odd challenging little rapid to negotiate. One should not laugh when the not so experienced paddle boarders hit these. Dawadawa is also a working river providing sustainable life for the people that live along its shores. We stop off at Badilana Guest Haus for lunch and have a play with the kids on the paddle boards. After lunch we continue paddling down the river to the river mouth. From here there are 3 options. Paddle the rest of the way to Tree Tops (a long way to paddle)/Walk to Tree Tops (approx 3-4 hours)/Take boat to Tree Tops. Tree Tops is a traditional Lodge located high up on the hill overlooking the ocean and Alotau Town on the other side of the bay. Cold drinks, hot shower and a balcony with a view to die for await you. Accommodation: Tree Tops Lodge (BLD)

 Day 5:                                                Sight Seeing  

Explore Alotau and surrounds. (BLD).

Day 6:                                                Transfer to Airport          Alotau-POM           

 Inclusions:  PNG Guide & Trek Leader-Pam Christie - Cultural and environmental aspects of the Track - PNG Carriers food and equipment - PNG Carriers accommodation, food and repatriation home - Risk Management and responsible ecological practices on the track - 5 nights’ accommodation and all meals where specified on itinerary - Tents if required - IMPP Permit to operate within in this trekking/kayaking corridor - Public Liability Insurance - Licensed PNG Tour Operator - Satellite Phone - Medivac Procedures - Life jackets - Kayaks - Stand up paddle boards - Support/Safety boat - Airport Transfers - $60 per trekker is being donated to all communities along this trekking/kayaking corridor