Mount Hagen Show 2022 Discoverer Tour
Tour Introduction
The Discoverer is an 11 days / 10 night’s unescorted program that offers a unique opportunity to discover the rich cultural and natural landscapes of one of the most fascinating countries in the world; Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is a veritable smorgasbord of colour, culture and excitement. The highlight of the Discoverer program is attendance at the famous Mount Hagen Cultural Show, a world-famous cultural gathering that features many of the opulently decorated cultural groups of this incredibly diverse land.
You will begin your journey at the Rondon Ridge Cultural preshow, for an up close and personal experience with a selection of tribal groups. Followed by two full days at the Mount Hagen Cultural Show. As the show comes to an end travel to Karawari Lodge in the Sepik Region. From this stunning lodge in the heartland of one of the most remote areas of the country, guests will travel each day by river boat down the Karawari river to visit the small villages scattered along its shores. The villages provide a unique opportunity to visit traditional homes, witness ceremonial dances and celebrations and glimpse traditional village life. Explore the famous art and sculpture of the Sepik tribes, who express their beliefs through their creative carving of artistic masks, drums, baskets and sculptures.
From Karawari fly across untouched rainforests and mountains to the Tari valley. The Huli tribe that inhabits this area is the largest as well as one of the most colourful and iconic tribes of PNG. From here you will explore the local villages that will display the daily life of these mountain people and their unique and ancient traditions. Depart Tari full of rich and unforgettable memories of Papua New Guinea.
Full Itinerary
Depart Singapore on Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Arrive in Port Moresby, where you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and transferred to the Airways Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Staying at Airways Hotel. Includes Dinner.
Transfer to the airport for Air Nuigini flight 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. Transfer t to the Highlander Hotel. Afternoon pre-show program at Rondon Ridge in preparation for the Mount Hagen Show.
Staying at Highlander Hotel. Includes All Meals.
Today is spent exploring the Mount Hagen Show – world famous for its colour, culture and vibrancy. It is a truly spectacular event. The diversity of the coastal, lowland and highlands sing sing groups at the Hagen show reflects the incredible diversity of Papua New Guinea’s landscape.
Staying at Highlander Hotel. Includes All Meals.
Another full day to experience the spectacular Mount Hagen Show.
Staying at Highlander Hotel. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to the airport and take charter flight to Karawari. Met on arrival and transfer by jet boat to Karawari lodge. Sat upon a ridge on the edge of the Karawari River, the lodge boasts spectacular views over dense tropical jungle as far as the eye can see. This is an area of vast alluvial floodplains, laced with narrow waterways. The Karawari people are the most remote of the floodplains communities. After lunch transfer to the Kundiman village to observe a sago making demonstration (sago is a staple food for the river communities).
Staying at Karawari Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy a full day of guided excursions that provide insight into the amazing ecology and culture of the Karawari area. Travel along the jungle-fringed waterways, where boatmen, standing upright, paddle their slender dugout canoes. See bountiful birdlife along the rivers and nearby lakes. The various excursions will enhance your understanding of traditional village culture.
Staying at Karawari Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Charter flight to Ambua. Afternoon guided walk of the forest trails.
Staying at Ambua Lodge. Includes All Meals.
A day of wildlife and Huli culture.
Staying at Ambua Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Fly to Port Moresby and transfer to your hotel.
Staying at Airways Hotel. Includes All Meals.
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for flight to Singapore.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Download the full details of this itinerary and start planning your trip today.
Download FileTour Accommodation
![]()
Airways Hotel
Airways Hotel
Overview
The luxurious Airways Hotel art deco-style hotel was built in 1987 very close to the international airport at Port Moresby. Facilities include restaurant, bar, lounge, outdoor tennis court, swimming pool with separate children’s pool, spa, gym, conference centre, 24-hour reception desk, currency exchange and ATM.
The comfortable and modern rooms have cable TV, phone, safe, ceiling fan, mini-bar, balcony and air conditioning. Wi-Fi is available at a surcharge.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private facilities, cable TV, restaurant, bar and lounge, outdoor tennis court, swimming pool with separate children’s pool, spa, conference centre, safety deposit box, 24-hour reception desk, currency exchange and ATM.
Optional Activities
Guided tours of Port Moresby.
![]()
Highlander Hotel
Highlander Hotel
Overview
Located in Mount Hagen, the hotel is set with beautiful tropical gardens within secure surroundings. The hotel offers comfortable accommodation in spacious rooms with en suite bathrooms, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
The Palmuri restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The hotel has an outdoor heated swimming pool and gymnasium as well as two bars and a small souvenir shop.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gymnasium and souvenir shop
Optional Activities
Bird and wildlife watching excursions in the local rainforest and cultural activities.
![]()
Karawari Lodge
Karawari Lodge
Overview
Perched upon an isolated ridge amid a huge expanse of lowland rainforest in one of the remotest parts of PNG, attractive Karawari Lodge can only be reached by boat, and light aircraft which land at its private airstrip. It is the highest grade accommodation in the area.
Accommodation is in rustic yet comfortable cottages built of local bush materials. The main building, in the shape of a haus tambaran (spirit house of the local Arambak people) contains a dining area, lounge and bar. There is 220-volt electricity, hot water showers, ceiling fans, mosquito netted beds and veranda with a beautiful vista.
Wake up to the chattering of lorikeets and eclectus parrots and enjoy a programme of tours which include guided walks, boat trips and cultural displays.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Dining room, lounge, bar, electricity, ceiling fans, mosquito nets and verandas.
Local Wildlife
The bird watching in the area is superb, much of it observable from the lodge. At least 229 species have been recorded in the area, including twelve-wire bird of paradise and various species of cockatoos, parrots, hornbills and water birds. The forest also contains a large diversity of orchids and amphibians.
Optional Activities
Excursions to local villages, cultural displays, river boat trips, bird watching and forest hikes. For the adventurous, overnight stays in the local village can be arranged.
![]()
Ambua Lodge
Ambua Lodge
Overview
Set in the Southern Highlands at 7000ft with stunning views of the Tari Valley below, long-established Ambua Lodge is an inspired example of environmentally sensitive building. The lodge offers two styles of accommodation: individual thatched bungalows built in traditional highlands style, and a main block with modern hotel rooms. A small hydroelectric unit supplies the electricity. Ambua is a perfect base from which to explore neighbouring Huli villages, and nature walks taken around the lodge and at the nearby Tari Gap offer excellent opportunities for bird of paradise sightings and encounters.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, lounge, bar, electric blankets, private bathrooms, 24-hour electricity.
Local Wildlife
The Tari Valley and forest around Ambua is a birder’s paradise. Although many species can be seen, it is particularly famous for birds of paradise, of which 13 species can be regularly spotted (some actually in the lodge grounds). Those include the spectacular blue bird of paradise and the bizarre black sicklebill with its energetic courtship display. Other montane species include lesser melampitta, Stephanie’s astrapia, yellow-browed melidectes and the notorious skulking Forbes’s forest rail.
Optional Activities
Birdwatching excursions in the Tari valley and visits to local Huli wigmen villages.
Route Map
loading map - please wait...
Departure Dates
Tour Dates
Adult Price
Single Supp
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
Yes
Flight Info:
Return flights with Air Niugini from Singapore to Port Moresby are included. Please enquire for flight fares from London Heathrow.
Best Visited:
May to October
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Extensions and other airline options are possible, please ask for more details.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
There should never be less than three nights in this sensational location [Ambua Lodge] with a superb climate (hot during the day and cool at night) with very good food, and seeing the amazing Huli Wigmen with their outstanding head-dresses.
