Itinerary

Day 1 Mount Hagen

Mount Hagen is third largest city in Papua New Guinea. It is the capital of the Western Highlands Province and is located in the large fertile Wahgi Valley in central mainland Papua New Guinea, at an elevation of 1,677 m (5,502 ft). The Highlands Highway is the main arterial route to connect Mount Hagen with the coastal cities of Lae and Madang. The city is named after the old eroded volcano Mount Hagen, located about 24 kilometres (15 mi) to the northwest.

Take your flight from Port Moresby to Mount Hagen today. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

The Highlander Hotel is located in Mount Hagen, where well-pruned gardens and an earthy setting guarantee a serene vacation. The rooms offer all the comforts of home, including windows that open to allow fresh air to enter. A range of TV and movie channels are also offered. Meals may be taken at the hotel restaurant for dinner, and at the poolside bar for lunch and breakfast. Lounge outside, near the heated pool, or take walks and get to know this town's culture and coffee products.

Overnight at Highlander Hotel.

Day 2 Sepik River

The Sepik is the longest river on the island of New Guinea. The majority of the river flows through the Papua New Guinea (PNG) provinces of Sandaun and East Sepik, with a small section flowing through the Indonesian province of Papua. The tribes living along the river are noted for their magnificent carvings and elaborate manhood initiation ceremonies involving scarification of designs of a crocodile on a riverbank.

Take your flight from Mount Hagen (Kagamuga) to Sepik River today.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

The MV Sepik Spirit traverses Papua New Guinea's Sepik River, weaving through the region's inland waterways. The open-air structure allows passengers to truly absorb the surroundings and passing villages. The refurbished ship welcomes 18 passengers with 9 twin bedrooms. Each offers the comforts of home and private bathrooms. Meals range from international to traditional-style cuisine originating in Papua New Guinea. One may grow familiar with lakes connected to the Sepik on this trip, as well as the Sepik River itself. Enjoy the wonder of various passing communities, each possessing their own individual cultures. Spend time on board with a book, or watching videos as offered by the ship.

Overnight at MV Sepik Spirit.

Day 3 Sepik River

Enjoy a day trip from the Sepik Spirit. It is conducted with an 18-seater riverboat, also custom designed for the operation. Explore the waterways of the Sepik and its tributaries including visits to traditional Sepik Villages. The Sepik River is one of the largest rivers in the world, in terms of flow. Steeped in mystery, the people of the Sepik area have fascinated anthropologists like Margaret Mead since the area was first visited. Part of the mystery and attraction of the Sepik peoples is their amazing carvings, now famous the world over. Areas that the Sepik Spirit guests may visit are the Karawari River, Blackwater Lakes, Chambri Lakes, the Middle Sepik and the Upper Sepik. The river banks where the vessel operates are dotted with many large traditional villages each with its own unique "Haus Tambaran" or spirit house decorated with ancestral figures, carvings, massive garamut drums and secretive ritual flutes. The Sepik is a gallery of tribal art, each village boasts a unique style, and every villager is an artisan. Mingle with the friendly people and experience a culture that encounters very few outsiders annually. See the people make use of the land - weaving baskets for catching fish in the river, or gathering, preparing and cooking their staple food from the Sago Palm. Long after you have left the lush jungle, raucous birds, spirit houses and carvings, and endless waterways, the mysticism of the Sepik will remain unforgettably etched in your memory.

Overnight at MV Sepik Spirit.

Day 4 Sepik River

Enjoy a day trip from the Sepik Spirit. It is conducted with an 18-seater riverboat, also custom designed for the operation. Explore the waterways of the Sepik and its tributaries including visits to traditional Sepik Villages. The Sepik River is one of the largest rivers in the world, in terms of flow. Steeped in mystery, the people of the Sepik area have fascinated anthropologists like Margaret Mead since the area was first visited. Part of the mystery and attraction of the Sepik peoples is their amazing carvings, now famous the world over. Areas that the Sepik Spirit guests may visit are the Karawari River, Blackwater Lakes, Chambri Lakes, the Middle Sepik and the Upper Sepik. The river banks where the vessel operates are dotted with many large traditional villages each with its own unique "Haus Tambaran" or spirit house decorated with ancestral figures, carvings, massive garamut drums and secretive ritual flutes. The Sepik is a gallery of tribal art, each village boasts a unique style, and every villager is an artisan. Mingle with the friendly people and experience a culture that encounters very few outsiders annually. See the people make use of the land - weaving baskets for catching fish in the river, or gathering, preparing and cooking their staple food from the Sago Palm. Long after you have left the lush jungle, raucous birds, spirit houses and carvings, and endless waterways, the mysticism of the Sepik will remain unforgettably etched in your memory.

Overnight at MV Sepik Spirit.
    
Day 5 Mount Hagen

Take your flight from Karawari to Mount Hagen (Kagamuga) today.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

The day is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua- high mountains, forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveller. Take advantage of the birding in the Tari Gap area where one can observe up to 13 species of the birds of paradise. The flamboyant Huli Wigmen of the Tari Valley have formed a strong bond between themselves and these beautiful birds, men revere the birds by imitating them in both daily and ceremonial life, decorating their human hair wigs with the plumage of only the most beautiful birds.

At 7100 feet above sea level, Rondon Ridge has a prime location on Mount Kuta. Boasting panoramic views of the Wahgi Valley below, Rondon Ridge is the pinnacle of luxury in a remote and rural setting. The lush lodge features the best of all worlds, with 12 well-appointed rooms placed in an earthy setting. Each room has its own bathroom, and is equipped with carefully chosen furniture. Cuisine is prepared by a skilled staff, with influences from across the world as well as the traditions of Papua New Guinea. Take advantage of the hotel’s key placement just 30 minutes from the bustling Mount Hagen City. Get to know the key industries of the highlands, while interacting with the local people. 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.

Overnight at Rondon Ridge.

Day 6 Port Moresby

Port Moresby, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea. The city is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea. It is a city struggling with unemployment and crime - and is best used only as a gateway to the interior.

Take your flight from Mount Hagen (Kagamuga) to Port Moresby today.

A comprehensive tour 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. With ten species of Bird of Paradise in the Rondon Ridge area, numerous orchid species and hours of walking trails based out of the lodge, there is ample opportunity for those wishing to get up close and personal with the unique ecology of this area.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Safely secluded from the busy city of Port Moresby, the Airways Hotel is a wonderful haven to travelers. The 162 rooms are beautifully decorated, each offering comfortable linen and 24-hour butler service. The hotel is home to two warm and intimate restaurants serving fare from Europe, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Australia. There are also a number of bars and a poolside restaurant at which one may take meals and sip on cocktails. With a multitude of facilities, guests pass time on the exercise trail, in the swimming pool, and simply strolling the landscaped hotel grounds.

Overnight at Airways Hotel.

Day 7 Port Moresby

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Depart from Port Moresby international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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