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10-Nights Papua New Guinea: Wildlife and Wilderness - Active & Adventure, Arts & Culture from $7,392
Goway Travel
OFFER ID 1723009
Epic Scenery, Off the Beaten Path, Unique Accommodation, Wildlife Encounters Discover the untamed beauty of Papua New Guinea, rich in culture and wildlife. Connect with the Melpa, explore Lake Murray, and meet the Huli on this unforgettable adventure.
Trip Overview:
This 11-day Papua New Guinea vacation takes you to the remote villages and lush highlands of this frontier nation. It features moderate accommodations, shared tours, and is ideal for travellers who want to venture far off the beaten track.
Your journey begins in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, where you’ll connect to Mount Hagen and the reaches of the Upper Wahgi Valley. Spend a night perched over the valley on Mount Kuta and then delve into the culture and traditions of the Melpa people that call the region home. Learn about the coffee and tea industries in the highlands around Mount Hagen City and engage with a community that wasn’t contacted by the outside world until 1933.
From Mount Hagen, fly to Lake Murray, where you’ll spend two days exploring the country’s largest lake. Venture along remote waterways to spot a whole host of migratory birds, including several birds of paradise. You’ll also visit local villages and enjoy the magnificent nature of the region. After exploring Lake Murray, fly over some of the most rugged landscapes in the world on route to Tari and Arambak Country. The stretch between Ambua and Sepik has a stunning array of jagged limestone rocks. Stay at a lodge overlooking this impressive landscape as you spend a day and a half touring the highlands. Hike through the alpine forest in search of a bird of paradise and meet the Huli people, who are renowned for their ceremonial carvings and decorations, including human hair wigs adorned with colourful flowers.
Continue onward to the Karawari River region, where you’ll spend two days floating down waterways alongside boatmen and visiting remote villages where you can admire the woodcarving and crocodile masks of the locals. Finally, return to Port Moresby to spend one night in the capital and get a taste of urban life in Papua New Guinea.
At the end of your stay, return to the airport to head home.
Highlights:
- Begin in Port Moresby before flying into the Highlands and settling at Rondon Ridge overlooking the Wahgi Valley.
- Discover Mount Hagen’s rich traditions, meeting the Melpa people whose vibrant culture thrives amid modern industry.
- Fly to the tranquil waters of Lake Murray, exploring remote waterways and timeless village life.
- Journey to Tari and meet the Huli wigmen, adorned in feathers and paint beneath misty mountain skies.
- Cruise the Karawari River through dense jungle, visiting villages where ancient artistry and river life endure.
Included Services:
- Shared arrival & departure airport transfers
- 2 nights premium accommodation near Mount Hagen
- 3 nights moderate accommodation at Lake Murray
- 2 nights moderate accommodation near Tari
- 2 nights moderate accommodation in Arambak
- 1 night premium accommodation in Port Moresby
- Domestic airfare from Mt. Hagen to Lake Murray to Tari to Karawari to Mt Hagen
- Sightseeing as indicated
- Breakfast daily (excluding Day 1), 9 lunches, 9 dinners
Excluded Services:
- Travel insurance
- International airfare & airfare taxes
- Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions
- Items of a personal nature
- Passport & Visa fees, if applicable
10 nights from $7,392 per person
Day 1: Arrive Port Moresby
Upon your arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and transferred to your flight Air Niugini Port Moresby to Mount Hagen. 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.
Hotel: Rondon Ridge Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Rondon Ridge is a 40-minute drive from the town of Mount Hagen and just under an hour from the airport. There are several daily flights between Mount Hagen and the capital, Port Moresby.
Rondon Ridge is a perfect hub for access to Ambua Lodge, Karawari Lodge, MV Sepik Spirit and Bensbach Wildlife Lodge.
Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2: Mount Hagen
Enjoy a full day of touring 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.
Hotel: Rondon Ridge Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Rondon Ridge is a 40-minute drive from the town of Mount Hagen and just under an hour from the airport. There are several daily flights between Mount Hagen and the capital, Port Moresby.
Rondon Ridge is a perfect hub for access to Ambua Lodge, Karawari Lodge, MV Sepik Spirit and Bensbach Wildlife Lodge.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 3: Mount Hagen to Lake Murray
Fly by charter from Mount Hagen to Lake Murray. Upon arrival at Lake Murray transfer to the lodge for lunch and then proceed on with a half day tour.
Hotel: Lake Murray Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Nestled among the trees on an island spit, Lake Murray Lodge overlooks beautiful Lake Murray. The lodge has found its' home in this very remote area and on the largest lake in Papua New Guinea. Guests are accommodated in individual cabin rooms overlooking the lake. They are furnished with king twin or double beds, ceiling fans, modern en-suite bathrooms, an elevated veranda and wonderful view of the lake. The Main Lodge building with a wraparound veranda houses a dining room, lounge, bar and reception. This veranda will be the place to enjoy exceptional sunsets over the water. All of the buildings have made use of local sago woven matting and timber providing a natural setting to fit with the location. In keeping with lodges eco-friendly philosophy, the entire lodge operation is powered with the latest technology in solar power. This provides 24 hour a day electricity with 240 volt power, a luxury in this remote location.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 4: Touring
Enjoy tours exploring the waterways of Lake Murray and visiting local villages in one of the remotest parts of Papua New Guinea.
Hotel: Lake Murray Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Nestled among the trees on an island spit, Lake Murray Lodge overlooks beautiful Lake Murray. The lodge has found its' home in this very remote area and on the largest lake in Papua New Guinea. Guests are accommodated in individual cabin rooms overlooking the lake. They are furnished with king twin or double beds, ceiling fans, modern en-suite bathrooms, an elevated veranda and wonderful view of the lake. The Main Lodge building with a wraparound veranda houses a dining room, lounge, bar and reception. This veranda will be the place to enjoy exceptional sunsets over the water. All of the buildings have made use of local sago woven matting and timber providing a natural setting to fit with the location. In keeping with lodges eco-friendly philosophy, the entire lodge operation is powered with the latest technology in solar power. This provides 24 hour a day electricity with 240 volt power, a luxury in this remote location.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 5: Touring
Enjoy your second day of tours exploring the waterways of Lake Murray and visiting local villages in one of the remotest parts of Papua New Guinea.
Hotel: Lake Murray Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Nestled among the trees on an island spit, Lake Murray Lodge overlooks beautiful Lake Murray. The lodge has found its' home in this very remote area and on the largest lake in Papua New Guinea. Guests are accommodated in individual cabin rooms overlooking the lake. They are furnished with king twin or double beds, ceiling fans, modern en-suite bathrooms, an elevated veranda and wonderful view of the lake. The Main Lodge building with a wraparound veranda houses a dining room, lounge, bar and reception. This veranda will be the place to enjoy exceptional sunsets over the water. All of the buildings have made use of local sago woven matting and timber providing a natural setting to fit with the location. In keeping with lodges eco-friendly philosophy, the entire lodge operation is powered with the latest technology in solar power. This provides 24 hour a day electricity with 240 volt power, a luxury in this remote location.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 6: Arambak Country
Transfer to the Airstrip for your flight to Tari over some of the most rugged and impressive landscapes in the world. 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 colourful flowers.
Afternoon guided nature walk through the alpine forest looking for the exotic bird of Paradise.
Hotel: Ambua Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Nestled amongst the Doma Peaks near Tari, almost 7000 feet above sea level, is Ambua Lodge. An award-winning, eco-friendly lodge boasting magnificent views of the Tari Valley below. Guests are accommodated in forty round houses, set amongst landscaped gardens and built almost exclusively from natural materials.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 7: Touring
Enjoy a full day 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 colourful to be experienced anywhere.
Hotel: Ambua Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Nestled amongst the Doma Peaks near Tari, almost 7000 feet above sea level, is Ambua Lodge. An award-winning, eco-friendly lodge boasting magnificent views of the Tari Valley below. Guests are accommodated in forty round houses, set amongst landscaped gardens and built almost exclusively from natural materials.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 8: Karawari River
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 - locals' 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 followed by an afternoon visit to Kundiman village for sago making demonstration. Sago is the Staple food for the river people.
Hotel: Karawari Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Guests are accommodated in ten separate cottages, each built out of local bush materials and inspired by traditional architecture. Each cottage has two private twin rooms, each with modern en-suite bathrooms, and a communal veranda. Despite its remoteness, the lodge has 220V electricity, hot and cold water, comfortable mosquito-netted beds, ceiling fans, and a breezy veranda - all make for a welcome sanctuary after a day's exploration.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 9: Karawari River
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.
Hotel: Karawari Lodge (3 Star Rating)
Guests are accommodated in ten separate cottages, each built out of local bush materials and inspired by traditional architecture. Each cottage has two private twin rooms, each with modern en-suite bathrooms, and a communal veranda. Despite its remoteness, the lodge has 220V electricity, hot and cold water, comfortable mosquito-netted beds, ceiling fans, and a breezy veranda - all make for a welcome sanctuary after a day's exploration.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Day 10: Karawari to Port Moresby
Fly by charter from Karawari to Mount Hagen. Arrive at the Airport you will be met by our Trans Niugini Staff and who will transfer you to Banz Kopi for lunch before your onward flight to Port Moresby. Arrive in Port Moresby where you will again meet your representative who will transfer you to Airways Hotel.
Hotel: Airways Hotel (4 Star Rating)
Airways Hotel is Papua New Guinea's leading hotel, Australasia's leading airport hotel and one of the most unique airport hotels in the world. Nestled into the mountainside in its own botanical gardens, with stunning views from crystal clear waters of Bootless Bay to the majestic mountains of the Owen Stanley Ranges, the hotel it is located just 2 minutes from Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Depart Port Moresby
This morning you depart for your outgoing international flight back home.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Skedaddle Travel
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Rochester, MI 48307
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(248) 765-6777