Papua New Guinea & the Goroka Festival

Upon arrival in Brisbane, you are met by an Abercrombie & Kent representative and transferred to your hotel. Refresh from your travels and prepare for the exciting journey to come. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner served at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Papua New Guinea, an island chain of undisturbed indigenous tribes and sweeping natural beauty. Arrive in Port Moresby and connect to Mount Hagen. Upon arrival, travel overland through the upper Wahgi Valley, a rich, fertile farmland that witnessed some of the world’s earliest agriculture. Continue to Rondon Ridge for spectacular panoramas of the verdant valley.

This morning, board your flight to Tari, soaring over dramatic highland peaks. Upon arrival, transfer to your secluded lodge perched at 7,000 feet in Papua New Guinea’s spectacular Southern Highlands. In the afternoon, venture into the forest, keeping an eye out for exotic birds of paradise. A favorite destination of birders, the rainforests surrounding the lodge have starred in many wildlife documentaries. A staggering 217 species of exotic birds have been recorded here, including 13 different species of birds of paradise. Stroll among a serene oasis of orchids, rhododendrons, vine bridges, mountain streams and secluded waterfalls, logging your exotic sightings as your expert guide shares insights perfect for novices and seasoned birders alike.

This morning, embark on the first of two days of cultural immersion among the tribes of the Tari. Learn how the highland people of Tari maintain the cultural traditions of body decoration and face painting, as well as the wearing of decorative wigs, flowers and moss.

Set out once again to explore the revealing the culture of the highland people. Widely regarded as one of the most recognizable of Papua New Guinea’s indigenous peoples, the Huli Wigmen captivate with traditional dances fashioned after the mating rituals of birds of paradise. Take in the magic of the scene, absorbing an indelible impression of the vibrant tribal traditions the Huli Wigmen have so carefully preserved for generations.

Fly by private charter to Karawari, where you board ‘Sepik Spirit,’ your floating home for the next three nights. Settle in to life aboard this three-level, 98-foot river cruiser featuring a lounge, dining room, bar, screened-in observation deck, air conditioning and nine comfortable cabins with en suite bathrooms. Your riverboat home is an oasis in this remote jungle, affording an exceptional vantage of the riverine wilderness that surrounds you. After lunch on board, embark on your voyage of discovery along the Karawari River, a remote tributary of the mighty Sepik.

After breakfast on board, disembark for a full-day excursion to the remote villages of Black Water Lake. Bask in a warm island welcome as you observe a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Learn about the local rituals, warfare, ceremonies and ancestral beliefs, visiting the various houses of the village. Browse tribal handicrafts such as masks, flutes and spirit figures in the villages’ low-pressure markets. Relax with a picnic by the densely forested banks of the Karawari River, watching as local men gather on their clan’s bench, children paddle canoes to school and women fish with hand lines.

Disembark to visit Mumeri, a remote village whose people have preserved their ancestral traditions for centuries. Take in the same warm village welcome enjoyed here by pioneering anthropologist Margaret Meade over 80 years ago. Next, cruise to the confluence of the Krosmeri and Karawari rivers, where you rendezvous with ‘Sepik Spirit’ for lunch. Continue to visit the villages of Mindimbit, taking in the spectacular carvings and elaborate coming-of-age rituals of the locals. Rejoin ‘Sepik Spirit’ for your final night on board, cruising back toward Karawari.

This morning, fly by private charter to Mount Hagen. Upon arrival, travel overland through the upper Wahgi Valley, a rich, fertile farmland that witnessed some of the world’s earliest agriculture. Continue to Rondon Ridge for spectacular panoramas of the verdant valley. After lunch at your lodge, set out on a guided nature walk and birding tour of the grounds. Over 180 species of birds have been recorded in the rainforests surrounding Rondon Ridge, including 10 species of birds of paradise. The pristine rainforest also boasts numerous vibrantly colored orchid species. Roam the vast trails, racking up exotic sightings with help from your expert guide.

After breakfast at the lodge each of the next two days, transfer to the airport for your convenient, privately chartered flight to the Goroka Show, a two-day celebration of Papua New Guinea’s independence. This vibrant kaleidoscope of song and dance draws over 100 local tribes every year, affording an authentic glimpse into a rarely witnessed tradition dating back to 1957. Following today’s festivities, return by privately chartered air to Mount Hagen and your lodge in time for dinner.

Enjoy another opportunity to immerse yourself in the dazzling spectacle of the Goroka Show. This afternoon, fly to Port Moresby, a capital of sprawling suburbs scattered throughout the hills, and transfer to your accommodations nestled in a lush botanical garden.

Fly to Brisbane, where tonight you enjoy a farewell dinner and recap your amazing experience with your fellow travellers.

After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your departure.