Tour Details
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Cairns, Australia
We will meet you at the airport and take you to your luxurious hotel with a commanding view of the harbor and surrounding hills. Explore at your leisure before tonight’s Welcome Dinner.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
A midday flight takes us to Port Moresby, capital city of remote Papua New Guinea. Here, ramshackle huts sit beside glistening glass towers. We’ll enjoy a private tour of the National Museum and Art Gallery, where we’ll explore exhibits that help us understand the country’s complex tribal structures.
Sepik River Cruise
Morning commercial and charter flights take us to the Sepik Spirit, our river ship and floating home for the next three nights. Our voyage of discovery introduces us to local villages, where, among other things, we’ll witness the beautiful craftsmanship of village carvers and have a chance to buy their unusual masks, elaborately carved hooks, ancestral figures, hand drums, baskets, bilums, and gourds.
Karawari
Today’s travel takes us by air over mountains and dense tropical rainforests, then by riverboat and 4-wheel-drive vehicles to our remote jungle lodge. We travel in small riverboats along jungle-fringed waterways to visit other local villages. Your lodge cottage is a welcome oasis with spacious gardens, a swimming pool, and awe- inspiring views.
Ambua (Tari Gap), Papua New Guinea
Another charter flight takes us to Ambua in the Tari Gap, home to the proud Huli Wigmen. We are at a 7,000-foot elevation, where lush valleys are wedged between steep limestone cliffs. A rainforest walk introduces us to the region's amazing array of Birds of Paradise – all of them beautiful.
Here, we’ll spend two days among the Wigmen, whose elaborate and colorful dress, as well as their intricate dances, honor they birds revere.
Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea
Another spectacularly scenic charter flight takes us to Mt. Hagen and the Wahgi Valley. The city of Mt. Hagen is the third largest in the country and home to the traditional Melpa people, who still live largely subsistent lifestyles. We’ll explore this fascinating mix of cultures and traditions, as well as the surrounding lush rainforest and alpine grasslands.
Hagen Festival & Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
One of the premier highlights of your Journey occurs today as we experience the mesmerizing Mt. Hagen Cultural Show before departing for Port Moresby.
Fifty different groups in distinct tribal attire compete for significant prizes by performing tribal songs and dances, and sharing their traditions and legends. Few experiences in the world offer such a cultural kaleidoscope in a single setting. We will have privileged access to the day-long show – returning to the airport for our charter flight to Port Moresby with full sensory overload.
Cairns, Australia & Home
We fly to Cairns for an overnight and our Farewell Dinner before departing the next day for your flight home or on to your next destination.
Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns
The five-star Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, is one of the city's most distinguished hotels and sets an innovative benchmark in accommodation excellence for the region. Ideally located in the heart of Cairns, Shangri-La Hotel gently frames the city's foreshore, overlooking the Marlin Marina, Trinity Bay and surrounding mountain ranges. The Hotel offers a range of services and facilities including a business center and laundry service. As it is located adjacent to the Pier Shopping Center, you have direct access to a wide range of shopping and dining options. The hotel itself has a restaurant and two bars. Your guestroom has a spectacular view of the Marlin Marina, the tranquil Trinity Bay, Rainforest Gardens, or the crystal blue hotel pool. Room amenities include a private pario or balcony, TV, complimentary wireless internet access, coffee/tea maker, minibar, in-room safe, and a separate shower and bathtub.
Airways Hotel, Port Moresby
The Airways Hotel is ideally located with immediate access to both the business area and shopping. The hotel offers spectacular views of the airport, Owen Stanley Range and the Coral Sea. This modern hotel has a light decorating touch with natural wood and pastel colors, glass and art objects. The hotel facilities include a swimming pool, licensed bars and restaurants, coffee shop, casino bar and night club. There is also an outdoor pool, sauna, tennis court, tour desk, gift shop, and secretarial and business center. Your accommodation features air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, ISD/STD phones, Cable TV, internet access, in-room safe, and 24 hour room service.
M/V Sepik Spirit, Sepik River
Once a riverboat specially constructed to allow passage into the heart of the mighty Sepik River, the Sepik Spirit is living its next incarnation as a "floating hotel". Refurbished in 2006, the Sepik Spirit is air conditioned and can accommodate no more than 18 passengers in nine deluxe, spacious twin bedrooms each with private bathroom. Facilities aboard also include a dining room, lounge, bar, video and covered upper observatory deck.
Karawari Lodge, Karawari
This unique lodge stands high atop a hilltop overlooking the expanse of the Karawari River area. The main building of the lodge is built in the form of a `haus tambaran' or spirit house, which contains the dining area, bar, lounge, and an incredible collection of Sepik artifacts. Amidst spacious, manicured gardens, there are 20 river or jungle view cottage/rooms with private bathroom, comfortable mosquito-netted beds, ceiling fans, and a breezy verandah.
Ambua Lodge, Tari
Ambua Lodge is an inspired mixture of local architecture, spectacular views and modest luxury off the beaten track. Located at 7,000 feet, in the Southern Highlands, homeland of the Huli clan, the lodge features Highlands architecture with a main building housing the lounge, bar, dining room, and a cozy center fireplace. Separate areas include the video room, heated spa and sauna. Guests are accommodated in 40 individual units set in a sea of flowers, each unit featuring 180° picture windows, modern bathroom, and electric blankets and continental quilts for the cool highland evenings. Ambua Lodge was the recipient of a Pacific Heritage Award that sighted it as a superb example of culturally sensitive and ecological responsible tourism.
Rondon Ridge Lodge, Mt. Hagen
At 7,100 feet above sea level, with panoramic views, the Rondon Ridge enjoys the year round temperate climate in the Highlands. This location promises the visitor eternal spring weather and magnificent views of the Hagen Range, Mount Giluwe, the Sepik Divide, the Baiyer Gap and the Wahgi Valley. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, the peaceful Rondo Ridge is just minutes from the famous Mount Hagen market. The lodge is intimate, with only twelve rooms. Each comfortable guestroom features modern facilities, satellite cable TV, and room service.