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Papua New Guinea Tours
The Papua New Guinea Village Experience
(12 Days / 11 Nights)
Day 1 Tue
Arrive in Port Moresby. Fly with Air Niugini to Mt Hagen. Overnight Magic
Mountain
Day 2 Wed
Full Day Tour. Overnight Magic Mountain
Magic Mountain Nature Lodge is built from bush materials and is set in
a natural and lush environment that perfectly blends with the environment.
Its architectures are based on typical Highlands architectural design
that also exposes the traditional identities of the people of Magic Mountain.
All cabins are self-contained - 24 hours electricity, twin share double
and single beds, toilet, shower and hot water. The environment is quite
and friendly and you have the opportunity of walking few Km to touch and
feel the nature and its habitats or observe some of the exotic plants
and birds from the balcony. This is indeed a magical experience and a
perfect example of ecotourism, offering village-based tourist facilities
with high emphasis on quality and standards.
Day 3 Thu Full Day Tour.
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Overnight Rondon Ridge. 7100 feet above sea level, on the outer fringes
of the Kubor Range, lies Rondon Ridge, boasting panoramic views of the
Wahgi Valley below.
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 a ceremonial exchange called "Moka". The Lodge has a variety of new touring vehicles and all excursions are accompanied by experienced local guides from the area.
Over 180 species of birds have been recorded in the rainforests around Rondon Ridge including ten species of Bird of Paradise. The surrounding area is pristine rainforest and home to numerous orchid species. The lodge has hours of walking trails providing ample opportunity to explore the unique ecology of this area. All nature and birding walks are accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable nature guides. Comprehensive bird and orchid lists are available for Rondon Ridge.
Guests are accommodated in twelve tastefully appointed
rooms with warmed king beds for those fresh highlands nights, with modern
en-suite bathrooms. Rondon Ridge has 24-hour, eco-friendly electricity,
provided by its own hydroelectric power plant that generates clean, natural
energy from a nearby mountain stream.
Day 4 Fri
Charter flight to Karawari. Afternoon Tour. Overnight Karawari Lodge
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Standing majestically on a lone ridge, 300 meters above the banks of the Karawari River and overlooking an endless expanse of dense tropical lowland rain forest is Karawari Lodge. One of the most remote and un-spoilt destinations in Papua New Guinea - the lodges private airstrip and the Karawari River being the only way in or out. Stilted villages line the edges of flooded waterways and dug out canoes are the primary mode of transport. There are no roads, no shops and no phones. Sepik's live completely off the land, weaving baskets for catching fish; gathering, preparing and cooking their staple food from the Sago Palm.
Karawari Lodge arranges river excursions in 18-seat motorized jet boats to the surrounding villages where you visit traditional homes, witness ceremonial dances and celebrations and are honored with a glimpse of what life must have been like.
Sepik's express their culture and beliefs through their art, inspiring the carving of incredible masks, drums, baskets and sculptures that integrate with their daily life and animist beliefs. Village tours allow you to observe master carvers at work and purchase from a selection of finely hand-crafted artifacts.
This tropical lowland rainforest is one of earth's most complex of habitats, housing an immense variety of flora and fauna - a staggering 229 different bird species have been recorded at Karawari. Optional birding cruises are available with opportunities to spot elusive 12-Wire Birds of Paradise, cockatoos, parrots, hornbills, cormorants and other water birds.
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 & cold water, comfortable mosquito-netted beds, ceiling fans, and a breezy veranda - all make for a welcome sanctuary after a day's exploration. The dining and lounge areas, "Puk Puk" Bar and a vast collection of Sepik artifacts are housed in Karawari's main lodge building, designed and built in the form of a traditional "haus tambaran" or spirit house. The awe inspiring view at dusk has to be experienced to be believed and while contemplating the vast expanse of jungle as the setting sun colors the clouds, one could almost believe that the world was born yesterday.
Day 5 Sat
Full Day Tour. Overnight in a Village House
Day 6 Sun
Full Day Tour. Overnight Karawari Lodge
Day 7 Mon
Charter flight to Tari. Afternoon Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
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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. Tari is home to one of the most immediately recognizable cultures in Papua New Guinea - the "Huli Wigmen". A proud, flamboyant tribe known for their ornate ceremonial "wigs" with dances and songs fashioned on that of the mating rituals of the Birds of Paradise - an encounter with the Huli's is bound to be memorable.
Life for the majority of villagers around Tari remained mostly unchanged until the turn of this century. Discoveries of natural gas and mineral reserves over the last few years have brought about a sudden and unexpected increase in wealth and led to a hive of economic and commercial activity, thrusting Tari into the 21st century in a matter of a few short years. Social, tribal and ancestral beliefs and dynamics, once embedded so deeply, are being rapidly forgotten and replaced by more "rewarding" and modern pursuits. Tari today, however, is one of the few remaining areas where men and women still adhere to many of their traditional beliefs and where a man's wealth and importance is still measured by his amassing of pigs, wives and land.
Ambua arranges culturally based excursions to nearby Huli villages where one learns about and observes everyday life of the Huli's, as well as the peculiarities of their traditions and beliefs. Guests tour in comfortable Toyota Hiace and Coaster buses and are accompanied at all times by experienced and knowledgeable Huli guides from the local area, so as to make the experience all the more educational and rewarding. Private touring is not possible at Ambua.
A favored destination amongst birders, Ambua's rain forests have been the star of many a wildlife documentary. An incredible 217 species have been recorded here and Ambua is home to 13 different species of Bird of Paradise. Ambua employs knowledgeable local birding guides and caters for all interest levels, from early morning birding excursions for guests on more culturally orientated tours, keen to catch a glimpse of these spectacular birds; to fully specialized birding tours tailored to the seasoned enthusiast.
Ambua is surrounded by pristine, mid-montane jungle, a mass of interlocking tree tops, shades of green spattered with occasional splashes of color from high altitude orchids and rhododendrons. Well kept nature trails venture out into this wilderness, crossing traditional vine bridges, tracing clear mountain streams to secluded waterfalls.
Guests are accommodated in forty round houses, set amongst landscaped gardens and built almost exclusively from natural materials. Each unit features 180 degree picture windows to soak in the view, en-suite bathrooms. Electric blankets and continental quilts for the cool highland evenings. Ambua has 24 hour, eco-friendly electricity, provided by its own hydroelectric power plant that generates clean, natural energy from a nearby mountain stream. The main lodge building houses the bar, dining and lounge areas and a cozy central fireplace.
Day 8 Tue
Full Day Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 9 Wed
Full Day Tour. Overnight in a Huli Village House
Day 10 Thu
Full Day Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 11 Fri
Fly with Air Niugini to Port Moresby. Overnight Gateway Hotel
Day 12 Sat
Transfer to international flight out
Charter Flights: US$900.00 per person.
Land Cost Includes: Accommodation, meals at facilities, transfers, tours and local guides.
Rates are valid from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2011.
Important Note:
You are only to book and ticket the domestic Air Niugini flights together
with your international flights. We will book the Air Charter flights.
Air Niugini (PX) Domestic Flights:
Tues Day 1 PX182 Port Moresby/Mount Hagen
Fri Day 11 PX865 Tari/Port Moresby