Itinerary

Days 1-3 USA/Port Moresby
Fly U.S. to Port Moresby. Upon arrival our group
will be assisted to our hotel. The rest of the day
will be free to rest. There will be an orientation
dinner tonight. Overnight Airways Motel &
Apartments. (D)

Day 4 Mt. Hagen Sing Sing
This morning we’ll transfer to the airport for
our flight to Mt. Hagen. Prepare to be amazed:
we’ll enjoy the Highlands as honored guests at
the exuberant Mt. Hagen Sing-Sing. A marvelous
melange of tribal peoples gather from all
over the country for a spirited competition and
review of costume, dance, and music. We’ll
have plenty of opportunities for extraordinary
photographs and cultural encounters. Our
tour leader’s connections will facilitate many
wonderful behind-the-scenes experiences not
available to most tourists.
The festival is essentially
a costume competition
that draws thousands of
highlanders representing
dozens of tribes. It’s a
psychedelic smorgasbord
of outlandish, ritualized
ancient theater paraded
to vocal accompaniment.
The chanting of
each tribe is alternately
haunting, happy or warlike,
and ranges from
dizzying whoops to subtle,
wind-like murmurs.
Participants take exceptional
pride in representing their tribe’s unique
garb and rituals. Far from being a staged event
for tourists, sing-sing competitions have a long
tradition, and jealous losers have in the past
been known to wage actual war on the winning
tribe. Overnight Highlander Hotel (B,L,D)

Days 5-7 Mt. Hagen/Sepik River
After enjoying a full day at the Sing Sing,
we will transfer to the airstrip for our
charter flight to Timbunke. Upon arrival,
transfer to the Sepik Spirit to begin our
4 day/3 night cruise. After boarding the
motor vessel Sepik Spirit, we will begin
our voyage of discovery into the mystical
world of the Sepik Province, where
the spirit world and the people’s everyday
life merge in a fascinating mixture
of ceremonies, carvings and haus
tamberans. During the next few days,
the Sepik Spirit will transport us in airconditioned
comfort along the mighty
Sepik River, one of the greatest adventures
in travel. Each village has its
own ceremonial house that is decorated
with monumental masks and many
carved objects. These objects embody
local history and myths, offering
fascinating anthropological insights.
You’ll see tribal art galore, now famous
the world over. Here you may obtain it
straight from the source; it’s possible to purchase
elaborately carved hooks, ancestral figures,
hand drums, baskets, bilums, gourds and
many other interesting items. Fantastic wildlife
abounds, so keep an eye out for crocodiles, and
myriad bird species such as egrets, brahminee
kites, pied herons, whistling kites, jacanas,
cormorants, kingfishers, and the incredible bird
of paradise. Overnight Sepik Spirit (B,L,D)

Days 8-10 Ambua
This morning we will transfer to an airstrip
for our charter flight to Tari. Upon arrival, we
will transfer to the stunningly situated, highly
acclaimed Ambua Lodge. Located at a cool
7,000 feet, this lodge, built in the style of the
local Huli compounds, will be our home for the
next three nights. Here the Huli tribe—famous
for their face paint and human hair wigs—live
much as they have for millennia, in high lush
valleys nestled between towering limestone
peaks. Thirteen species of birds-of-paradise
inhabit the area, orchids flourish in the cloud
forest and waterfalls thunder a short walk
from the lodge. We’ll enjoy guided nature hikes,
birding, village visits or simply relaxing at the
lodge. Overnight Ambua Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 11 Madang/Malolo
Fly to Madang. On arrival, drive to the village of
Siar to explore the central market, lighthouse,
Madang Cultural Museum and harbor area. We’ll
enjoy lunch at the Coastwatchers Hotel, which
affords beautiful views of the harbor area. Then
head to Bilbil village, famous for its earthenware
pots. See an interesting demonstration
of local pottery techniques. Arrive at our lovely
resort, originally a grand, colonial coconut plantation,
overlooking a splendid beach. Overnight
Malolo Plantation Lodge (B,L,D)

DAY 12 Bagildig/Sokaka/Tadwai Island
Drive along the scenic north coast to Bagildig
village. While here enjoy a cooking demonstration
utilizing traditional pots and local, native
ingredients such as taro, bananas, yams,
greens, fish, prawns, or chicken. These are
combined in a clay pot and boiled in coconut
milk over a fire. You may choose to
sample the fare, which can be quite
delicious. Proceed to Sokaka village
for a demonstration of traditional
costumes. A long tradition of incredibly
colorful adornment with paint,
feathers, shells, plants and furs is a
hallmark Papua New Guinea’s exotic
tribes. Learn about the significance
of the visually striking traditional
dress, as well as an explanation of
the local herbal medicines. Depart
Sokaka village for the short drive
back to Malolo for lunch. After lunch
climb into outrigger canoes and
cross the lagoon to Tadwai Island,
a coral cay. Marvel at the plant life
and tree species growing on ancient
volcanic rocks swept by ocean
waves. Snorkel in the calm, protected
waters of the lagoon, which abounds
with colorful tropical reef fish and
swaying soft corals. This excursion is
a delight for the senses, an experience
at once compelling and supremely relaxing.
Overnight Malolo Plantation Lodge (B,L,D)

DAY 13 Malolo/Madang/Port Moresby
Transfer to Madang Airport for your flight to Port
Moresby. Arrive at the hotel and enjoy lunch.
This afternoon explore the city, with visits to the
National Parliament House, National Museum,
PNG Arts, and the lovely Botanical Gardens. This
evening enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight Airways Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 14 Home/Extend
Transfer to the airport for flights home, or
extend to other great destinations. (B)

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