Papua New Guinea Off the Beaten Track
Tour Introduction
Many seek to go where others seldom travel: this lengthy tour fulfils that wish, encompassing a good range of Papua New Guinea’s different cultures and unique landscapes into the bargain. It is a truly remarkable journey through little-visited regions of this mysterious land, providing unforgettable encounters with native tribes and resplendent birds of paradise, and introducing pristine rainforests, unspoilt tribes, tropical islands and inland waterways. Some of the accommodation will be basic and rustic but you are, after all, going well off the beaten track. The highlight could be the five nights’ canoe expedition into the heart of the Sepik River; it could equally be the extraordinary village stay while in New Britain, which has amazingly biodiverse reefs, possibly the healthiest in the world. We recommend this tour to the right people: those who seek the authentic PNG others rarely encounter and don’t mind roughing it for a few days.
Full Itinerary
Depart Singapore on Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Arrival in Port Moresby. Assistance to connect with flight to Goroka. Met on arrival in Goroka and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to rest.
Staying at Pacific Gardens Hotel. Includes No Meals.
Full day tour of the Asaro communities. The Asaro tribes have historically frightened rival tribes by covering their bodies in mud and the mud men have subsequently become guardian symbols of Asaro villages. The tour will include visits to the village, a performance from the mud men and a chance to taste the traditional food cooked in an earth oven (mumu).
Staying at Pacific Gardens Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Full day adventure walk to Kemase: a moderate level walking tour in an area characterised by peculiarly shaped rocks and dramatic scenery. There are many caves in the area with plenty of ancestral stories associated with them, and a viewpoint for vistas over the beautiful landscape. A traditional lunch will be cooked and served by the villagers of Kemase.
Staying at Pacific Gardens Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
After breakfast transfer to Mount Hagen. The drive will pass through some changing landscapes from the rugged Chimbu Province to the tea plantations of Whagi Province. Arrival at the lodge. The rest of the day is free for relaxing.
Staying at Kumul Lodge. Includes Breakfast.
Enjoy a full day of guided birding in the highland forests surrounding the lodge. There are over 200 species of bird present here and the highlights are surely the stunning birds of paradise. Species that could be seen include the King of Saxony and blue birds of paradise, brown sicklebill and ribbon-tailed astrapia.
Staying at Kumul Lodge. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport at Mount Hagen and fly Port Moresby. Connect with flight to Wewak, East Sepik Province. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities at the hotel.
Staying at In Wewak Boutique Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to Pagwi. On the journey you will pass through fascinating forest and swamp habitats and local villages. On arrival at Pagwi there will be an exciting boat safari along the channels to see wildlife and the Haus Tambarans, which are traditional worship houses. Stay overnight in a simple, traditional building owned and run by the villagers.
Staying at Palimbe Village Guest House. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to the Tongijamb Meno, a tributary of the mighty Sepik River renowned for birdwatching. Discover the traditional way of life of the river people whose traditions, beliefs, work and homes have remained the same for centuries. Cruise the rainforest-fringed waterways lined with tribal villages and beautiful rainforest. In the afternoon travel to Wagu Lake to explore the beautiful natural landscape and watch birds at the gateway of the Hunstein Wildlife Management Area.
Staying at Wagu Village Guest House. Includes All Meals.
Start the day with an early morning excursion to look for the charismatic lesser bird of paradise. Travel along the river to visit Sepik villages, starting with Swagup where they worship insects and live a naturalistic lifestyle. At the village of Yessan there may be a chance to enjoy the Sepik style of sing sing dance. The last visit will be to the small government station of Ambunti where you will be transferred to the rustic lodge.
Staying at Ambunti Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to Pagwi to conclude the journey along the rivers. There will be a visit to see Maprik village’s haus tambaran (worship house) and a fascinating cultural performance from the villagers. Return to Wewak and your hotel for the night.
Staying at In Wewak Boutique Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Port Moresby. On arrival in Port Moresby enjoy a tour of the highlights of the city including the National Orchid Garden, a wildlife sanctuary and Parliament House. Return to the airport to take a flight to Rabaul. Arrive in Rabaul and transfer to the lodge.
Staying at Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort. Includes Breakfast.
After breakfast depart by boat to Duke of York Island, an unspoilt island and tropical oasis surrounded by waters which are home to a remarkably diverse marine fauna. Activities include snorkelling, canoeing, or simply exploring on foot and interacting with the friendly villagers.
Staying at Duke of York Village Guest House. Includes All Meals.
Return to Kokopo. In the afternoon there will be a tour of the Gazelle Peninsula to see the volcanoes of Mount Vulcan and Tavurvur, the U-Boat tunnel and the Malmalan Lookout.
Staying at Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Port Moresby. Connect with Air Niugini flight to Singapore.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Pacific Gardens Hotel
Overview
The Pacific Gardens Hotel is a simple but comfortable hotel located in the lush Pacific Gardens Estate close to the airport in Goroka. The property, one of the best options in Goroka, is within a safe gated park with walking trails and BBQ area.
The hotel has a well-stocked bar and lounge, and a good a la carte restaurant serving international and traditional Papuan dishes.
The standard rooms are small and simple with en suite facilities, while the spacious premier rooms are set further away and much more comfortable and spacious, having en suite bathroom and direct dial phones. Wi-Fi is available in the main building (charged locally) and there are self-catering apartments for rent.
Other facilities include conference room, laundry service, room service, currency exchange, gift shop and pleasant gardens to enjoy.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private facilities, restaurant, bar, lounge, direct dial telephones, Wi-Fi (charges apply), laundry service and currency exchange.
Optional Activities
Cultural tours in Goroka villages where the Asaro mud men tribes are found. The famous Goroka show is held every year close to Independence day (16 September), when over 100 different tribes from around the country gather to showcase their traditional dance, dress and music.
Kumul Lodge
Overview
Owned and run by local people, Kumul Lodge stands at 2,800m (8,500 ft) above sea level in a montane forest area near Mt Hagen. The word kumul means bird of paradise in Pidgin English: there are not many other properties in PNG where you can see wild birds of paradise inside the lodge grounds, sometimes even from your room. Nearly 100 avian species have been recorded in the lodge grounds alone, including three species of birds of paradise, and more can be found at nearby sites at various altitudes on guided tours.
Kumul Lodge was locally designed and built with regional natural materials and all the staff are from the local community. Accommodation is in simple rooms with private bathroom. There is also a stove to keep the lodge warm in the cool evenings and electric blankets are provided on the beds.
The lodge has a strong ethos concerning the environment and uses some of its funds to increase awareness of the vulnerability of the forest and the birds among the local population. The local owners hope that eventually the area will be declared a national park and are working towards that end.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant / bar, en suite rooms, feeding platform for birds
Local Wildlife
The lodge’s feeders encourage a plethora of birds into the lodge grounds and create outstanding photographic opportunities. Some which regularly visit the feeders include smoky honeyeater, Brehm’s tiger parrot, Belford’s melidectes, brown sicklebill, ribbon-tailed astrapia, island thrush, Belford’s melidectes, Brehm’s tiger parrot and chestnut forest rail. There are trails through excellent moss forest where crested satinbird, lesser melampitta and New Guinea woodcock might be encountered. Excursions from the lodge can produce sightings of blue, King of Saxony, and lesser birds-of-paradise. For instance, on a guided visit to Pigites Site at 2,500m (7600 ft) one can find King of Saxony bird of paradise, Princess Stephanie’s astrapia, Loria’s satinbird, wattled ploughbill, regent whistler, tit berrypecker, black-breasted boatbill and garnet robin.
Optional Activities
Guided birdwatching in the local forest and excursions to visit tribal villages.
In Wewak Boutique Hotel
Overview
In Wewak Boutique Hotel is a beautiful colonial-style property situated on a hillside on the outskirts of Wewak town overlooking the beautiful Bismarck Sea.
The rooms have private facilities, fridges, direct dial telephones, flat-screen satellite TV and air conditioning: the deluxe rooms also have private balconies. All rooms are cleaned daily and a laundry service is available.
There are two restaurants on site, both with good service and air conditioning. The Cocoa Café offers breakfast and lunch daily and the Vanilla Room serves dinner. The hotel has a small outdoor swimming pool and showcases excellent examples of local East Sepik Province artefacts and art throughout the building.
The hotel is ideally placed for trips in the Pagwi district, famous for its diverse culture, village worship houses and wildlife.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
En suite bathrooms, two restaurants, bar, lounge, direct dial telephones, TV, fridge, laundry service, swimming pool, sundeck area and Wi-Fi.
Optional Activities
Cultural activities in the nearby Pagwi region.
Palimbe Guesthouse
Overview
Palimbe Guest House offers very basic accommodation in a remote Sepik village. Rooms are small and the mattresses provided have mosquito nets. There is a pit toilet located a short distance from the accommodation building and washing is usually undertaken in the river.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
1 main accommodation unit with 6 chambers. Pit toilet located a few metres from the accommodation building. Mattress with mosquito net provided. No shower or electricity but lamps are provided.
Optional Activities
Cultural tours along the Sepik River and its tributaries. Bird watching.
Wagu Guesthouse
Overview
Wagu Guest House offers very basic accommodation in a remote Sepik village. The beds provided have mosquito nets. There is a flush toilet and cold water shower adjacent to the accommodation building.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Flush toilet and cold water shower, adjacent to the main accommodation building. Mosquito nets provided.
Optional Activities
Cultural tours along the Sepik River and its tributaries. Bird watching.
Ambunti Lodge
Overview
The only hotel on this part of the mighty Sepik River, Ambunti Lodge offers basic accommodation but is the best option for those undertaking the three-day canoe trip, which takes you into the heart of authentic Papuan life and culture.
Electricity comes from a generator which goes off at 22:00hrs and comes back in the morning. Rooms are small and beds have mosquito nets. En suite bathrooms have flush toilet, cold water shower (very refreshing in the heat) and air-conditioning in each room (limited hours).
Ambunti Lodge is the only accommodation in the area apart from bush-material guesthouses in the villages which are even more basic.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private facilities, dining room, lounge, bar, air-conditioning (restricted hours)
Optional Activities
Cultural tours along the Sepik River and its tributaries. Bird watching.
Kokopo Beach Lodge
Overview
Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort is situated at Blanche Bay in the town of Kokopo in the province of East New Britain overlooking the beautiful Duke of York Islands with views to the Rabaul volcanoes.
Kokopo town has grown rapidly since 1994 when the eruptions of Tavurvur and Vulcan destroyed a large area of Rabaul.
Accommodation is in comfortable air-conditioned bungalows. The bungalows have private bathrooms and balcony (some with sea views) and mini bar and TV Other facilities include a lagoon swimming pool, a treetop bar, conference centre, gift shop with locally made crafts.
The lodge has a bar and a restaurant built in traditional PNG hauswin style and overlooks the view of the ocean and surrounding islands. A range of optional excursions can be arranged at the lodge including: cultural and historical tours of the New Britain peninsula. Excursions can be arranged to the active Mt Tavurvur, which continues to release, steam clouds and hiking, mountain climbing, snorkeling and caving.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
En suite facilities, TV, balcony, bar, restaurant, lagoon swimming pool, private beach, conference centre, gift shop, laundry service, room service and Wi-Fi,
Local Wildlife
An abundance of bird life can be seen on the island, notably the Melanesian megapode. It lays and incubates its eggs in volcanic ash mounds, which are often dug up as a traditional source of food for the locals. The young are unusual in that they are born fully able to fend for themselves.
Optional Activities
Cruises around the harbour, trips to Duke of York Island, climbing of Mount Kombui volcano, bird watching, diving and snorkelling.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
Yes
Flight Info:
Return flights from Singapore are included. Please enquire for flights from London
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.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
If the village stays in the Sepik are a little too adventurous and uncomfortable for you, choose to spend all three nights in Ambunti Lodge instead.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
It is difficult to comprehend that the holiday is over. PNG is a special, amazing place where you still feel like a traveller/explorer, not a tourist. The images of the extremely varied birds, culture, people and scenery will remain with me always. Thank you for arranging it!
About 90 percent of the tour was wonderful. Reggiana’s Bird of Paradise displaying on the first afternoon, awesome!  Food was superb throughout (a first for Shirley and I!). Logistics were essentially smooth and punctual. Regarding the lodges Raintree Lodge served it’s purpose, a comfortable base. Rondon was contemporary and well appointed (lovely rooms). Kumul was, as expected, rudimentary but an experience enhanced by THAT BIRD FEEDING STATION!). I was literary just two metres away from a Bird of Paradise! Wailindi was relaxing and very efficient. Everywhere the people were so affable and welcoming!! Incomprehensible levels of diversity regarding the culture, remarkable.
