Papua New Guinea Arts & Handicrafts
Perhaps the most famous cultural show in Papua New Guinea, the Mount Hagen Show brings together singsing groups from all over the country in an amazing conglomeration of colour, beauty and culture.
The Hagen show is held in August every year - and we are offering three escorted programs and one unescorted program in 2012. Escorted programs have the same guide throughout whereas, with unescorted programs, you still have guides to assist you at each location, the only difference being that guides change at the different locations.
The Vista, a 13 day/12 night program, provides a wide perspective on Papua New Guinea, from shaking hands with a Huli Wigman to a journey through the Sepik Region. The tour culminates with the Mount Hagen Cultural Show. The Hagen Show brings together sing-sing groups from throughout Papua New Guinea, with the variety of cultures and groups represented in turn reflecting the diversity of Papua New Guinea's landscapes.
The Panorama is a fully escorted 12 day/11 night program that provides a stunning view of Papua New Guinea. The journey begins with the spectacular Mt Hagen Cultural show, providing an incredible vista of cultures from all over Papua New Guinea. In a land of nearly 800 languages, there is no better place to see so many gathered in one place.
The Discoverer is a 11 day/10-night escorted program, providing a unique opportunity to discover the culture and ecosystems of the world's second largest island New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is a veritable smorgasbord of colour, culture and excitement. The highlight of the Discoverer program is attendance at the famous Mount Hagen Cultural Show, a world famous cultural gathering of many of the opulently decorated cultural groups of this incredibly diverse land.
Highlights is an unescorted 13 day/12 night itinerary. You begin with exploring Papua New Guineas most culturally fascinating areas, staying at the country's premier remote lodges and then a visit to the Mount Hagen Cultural show.
Accommodation over the Mount Hagen Cultural Show weekend is at the Airport Resort, a simple, but clean, spacious and comfortable hotel close to the airport and the show grounds.
Notes
Departure Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 13 | Vista | £5364 | Enquire | ||
| 13 | Highlights | £4175 | Enquire | ||
| 12 | Panorama | £4952 | Enquire | ||
| 11 | Discoverer | £4622 | Enquire | ||
Discoverer
The Discoverer is a 11 day/10-night escorted program, providing a unique opportunity to discover the culture and ecosystems of the world's second largest island New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is a veritable smorgasbord of colour, culture and excitement. The highlight of the Discoverer program is attendance at the famous Mount Hagen Cultural Show, a world famous cultural gathering of many of the opulently decorated cultural groups of this incredibly diverse land.
Day 01 Arrive in Port Moresby. Overnight Gateway Hotel
Day 02 Fly with Air Niugini to Mt Hagen. Full Day Mt Hagen Show. Overnight Highlander Hotel
Day 03 Full Day Mt Hagen Show. Overnight Highlander Hotel
Day 04 Full Day Tour. Overnight Rondon Ridge
Day 05 Charter flight to Tari. Afternoon Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 06 Full Day Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 07 Charter flight to Karawari. Afternoon Tour. Overnight Karawari Lodge
Day 08 Full Day Tour. Overnight Karawari Lodge
Day 09 Full Day Tour. Karawari Lodge
Day 10 Charter flight to Mt Hagen. Lunch at Highlander Hotel. Fly with Air Niugini to Port Moresby. Overnight Gateway Hotel
Day 11 Transfer to international flight out
Land Cost: US$6,998.00 per person (twin share). US$8,278.00 single throughout except twin share at the Highlander Hotel.
Additional Charter Flights: US$1,595.00 per person.
- Tuesday 14 August Mount Hagen/Ambua
- Thursday 16 August Ambua/Karawari
- Sunday 19 August Karawari/Mount Hagen
Special Note Regarding Charters:
Maximum baggage allowance is 10kg per person and a maximum of 5kg carry on baggage per person.Large, hard sided suitcases are not permitted on charter aircraft.
Land Cost Includes:
Accommodation, airport transfers and tours on a seat in a bus basis, meals from dinner on 10 August to breakfast on 20 August, services of a professional tour guide throughout, local guides and show gate fees.
Land Cost Does Not Include:
Domestic and international flights, gratuities, visa fees and services of a personal nature such as beverage, laundry charges, phone and fax bills etc.
Important Note:
These prices do not include any domestic scheduled flights. The Air Niugini flights needed are:
- Sat 11 August PX180 Port Moresby/Mount Hagen
- Sun 19 August PX183 Mount Hagen/Port Moresby
Symbiosis can book these for you
Notes
Flights are not included in the prices shown belowDeparture Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 11 | Discoverer | £4622 | Enquire | ||
Highlights
This is an unescorted 13 day/12 night itinerary.
You begin with exploring Papua New Guineas most culturally fascinating areas, staying at the country's premier remote lodges and then a visit to the Mount Hagen Cultural show.
Accommodation over the Mount Hagen Cultural Show weekend is at the Airport Resort, a simple, but clean, spacious and comfortable hotel close to the airport and the show grounds.
Day 01 Arrive in Port Moresby. Overnight Gateway Hotel
Day 02 Fly with Air Niugini to Mt Hagen. Afternoon tour. Overnight Rondon Ridge
Day 03 Charter flight to Karawari. Afternoon Tour. Overnight Karawari Lodge
Day 04 Full Day Tour. Overnight Karawari Lodge
Day 05 Full Day Tour. Overnight Karawari Lodge
Day 06 Charter flight to Tari. Afternoon Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 07 Full Day Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 08 Full Day Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 09 Charter flight to Mt Hagen. Afternoon pre-show tour. Overnight Airport Resort
Day 10 Full Day Mt Hagen Show. Overnight Airport Resort
Day 11 Full Day Mt Hagen Show. Overnight Airport Resort
Day 12 Fly with Air Niugini to Port Moresby. Overnight Gateway Hotel
Day 13 Transfer to international flight out
Land Cost: US$6,321.00 per person (twin share). US$7,340.00 single throughout except on at Airport Resort.
Charter Flights: US$1,420.00 per person.
- Saturday 4 August Mount Hagen/Karawari
- Tuesday 7 August Karawari/Ambua
- Friday 10 August Ambua/Mount Hagen
Special Note Regarding Charters:
Maximum baggage allowance is 10kg per person and a maximum of 5kg carry on baggage per person.Large, hard sided suitcases are not permitted on charter aircraft.
This is an Unescorted Program and Land Cost Includes:
Accommodation,airport transfers and tours on a seat in a bus basis, meals from dinner on 2 August to breakfast on 14 August, services of a professional tour guide throughout, local guides and show gate fees.
Please note on unescorted programs you will still have guides with you throughout the program. The difference between an escorted and unescorted program is that on an escorted program you have the same guide with you throughout, whereas on an unescorted program different guides will meet you at your different locations.
Land Cost Does Not Include:
Domestic and international flights, gratuities, visa fees and services of a personal nature such as beverage, laundry charges, phone and fax bills etc.
Important Note:
These prices do not include any domestic scheduled flights. The Air Niugini flights needed are:
- Friday 3 August PX180 Port Moresby/Mount Hagen
- Monday 13 August PX181 Mount Hagen/Port Moresby
Symbiosis can book these for you
Notes
The prices below do not include any flightsDeparture Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 13 | Highlights | £4175 | Enquire | ||
Panorama
The Panorama Show is a fully escorted 12 day/11 night program that provides a stunning view of Papua New Guinea. The journey begins with the spectacular Mt Hagen Cultural show, providing an incredible vista of cultures from all over Papua New Guinea. In a land of nearly 800 languages, there is no better place to see so many gathered in one place.
Day 01 Arrive in Port Moresby. Overnight Gateway Hotel
Day 02 Fly with Air Niugini to Mt Hagen. Full Day Mt Hagen Show. Overnight Rondon Ridge
Day 03 Full Day Mt Hagen Show. Overnight Rondon Ridge
Day 04 Charter flight to Karawari. Afternoon Tour. Overnight Karawari Lodge
Day 05 Charter flight to the Sepik. Afternoon Tour. Overnight MV Sepik Spirit
Day 06 Full Day Tour. Overnight MV Sepik Spirit
Day 07 Full Day Tour. Overnight MV Sepik Spirit
Day 08 Charter flight to Tari. Afternoon Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 09 Full Day Tour. Ambua Lodge
Day 10 Full Day Tour. Ambua Lodge
Day 11 Fly with Air Niugini to Port Moresby. Overnight Gateway Hotel
Day 12 Transfer to international flight out
Land Cost: US$7,498.00 per person (twin share). US$8,443.00 single throughout except on the MV Sepik Spirit and Rondon Ridge.
Additional Charter Flights: US$1,150.00 per person.
- Monday 13 August Mount Hagen/Karawari
- Tuesday 14 August Karawari/Timbunke
- Friday 17 August Karawari/Tari
Special Note Regarding Charters:
Maximum baggage allowance is 10kg per person and a maximum of 5kg carry on baggage per person. Large, hard shell suitcases are not permitted on charter aircraft.
This is an Escorted Program and Land Cost Includes:
Accommodation, airport transfers and tours on a seat in a bus basis, meals from dinner on 10 August to breakfast on 21 August, services of a professional tour guide throughout, local guides and show gate fees.
Land Cost Does Not Include:
Domestic and international flights, gratuities, visa fees and services of a personal nature such as beverage, laundry charges, phone and fax bills etc.
Important Note:
No domestic scheduled flights are included in these prices. The Air Niugini flights required are:
- Sat 11 August PX180 Port Moresby/Mount Hagen
- Mon 20 August PX865 Tari/Port Moresby
Symbiosis can book these for you
Notes
Prices shown below exclude all flights.Departure Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 12 | Panorama | £4952 | Enquire | ||
Vista
The Vista Show, a 13 day/12 night program, provides a wide perspective on Papua New Guinea, from shaking hands with a Huli Wigman to a journey through the Sepik Region.
The tour culminates with the Mount Hagen Cultural Show. The Hagen Show brings together sing-sing groups from throughout Papua New Guinea, with the variety of cultures and groups represented in turn reflecting the diversity of Papua New Guinea's landscapes.
From lowland tropical rainforests to alpine forests and grasslands, Papua New Guinea possesses a huge variety of rugged landscapes, exotic ecosystems and pre-technological cultures.
Day 01 Arrive in Port Moresby. Overnight Gateway Hotel
Day 02 Fly with Air Niugini to Tari. Afternoon tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 03 Full Day Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 04 Full Day Tour. Overnight Ambua Lodge
Day 05 Charter flight to the Sepik. Afternoon Tour. Overnight MV Sepik Spirit
Day 06 Full Day Tour. Overnight MV Sepik Spirit
Day 07 Full Day Tour. Overnight MV Sepik Spirit
Day 08 Transfer to Karawari Lodge. Afternoon Tour. Overnight Karawari Lodge
Day 09 Charter flight to Mt Hagen. Afternoon pre-show tour. Overnight Highlander Hotel
Day 10 Full Day Mt Hagen Show. Overnight Highlander Hotel
Day 11 Full Day Mt Hagen Show. Overnight Highlander Hotel
Day 12 Fly with Air Niugini to Port Moresby. Overnight Gateway Hotel
Day 13 Transfer to international flight out
Land Cost: US$8,123.00 per person (twin share). US$9,068.00 single throughout except on the MV Sepik Spirit and Highlander Hotel.
Additional Charter Flights: US$945.00 per person.
- Monday 6 August Ambua/Timbunke
- Friday 10 August Karawari/Hagen
Special Note Regarding Charters:
Maximum baggage allowance is 10kg per person and a maximum of 5kg carry on baggage per person.Large, hard sided suitcases are not permitted on charter aircraft.
This is an Escorted Program and Land Cost Includes:
Accommodation, airport transfers and tours on a seat in a bus basis, meals from dinner on 2 August to breakfast on 14 August, services of a professional tour guide throughout, local guides and show gate fees.
Land Cost Does Not Include:
Domestic and international flights, gratuities, visa fees and services of a personal nature such as beverage, laundry charges, phone and fax bills etc.
Important Note:
These prices do not include any domestic scheduled flights. The Air Niugini flights needed are:
- Fri 3 August PX864 Port Moresby/Tari
- Mon 13 August PX181 Mount Hagen/Port Moresby
Symbiosis can book these for you
Notes
Prices shown below exclude all flights.Departure Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 13 | Vista | £5364 | Enquire | ||
Ambua Lodge
Ambua Lodge, located in the Tari Gap, Papua New Guinea's Southern Highlands Province, borders on pristine mid montane rainforest at the beginning of the valley grasslands. This location promises the visitor eternal spring weather and magnificent views of the Tari Valley. The forest canopy, a dense mass of interlocking tree tops of all shades of green and the occasional bright splash of color, provides a natural setting and an exhilarating climate for venturing along the nature trails - cross traditional vine bridges, discover a secluded waterfall, and spot high altitude orchids and rhododendrons.
For nature lovers, the Tari Gap offers a chance to observe up to 13 species of the birds of paradise and an amazing array of orchids. 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.
Comprehensive bird & orchid lists are available... please ask.
Tari is one of the few places left where men and women can be seen wearing traditional dress as part of daily living and men's wealth is still counted by the number of pigs and wives they possess.
The Lodge features Highlands architecture with a main building housing the lounge, bar, dining room, and a cosy central fireplace. Separate are the video room, heated spa, and sauna.
Guests are accommodated in thirty individual units set in a sea of flowers, each unit featuring 180 degree picture windows, modern bathroom, and electric blankets and continental quilts for the cool highland evenings. In 1991, Pacific Asia Travel Association's "Pacific Heritage Award" cited Ambua Lodge as a "superb example of culturally sensitive and ecological responsible tourism".
General Information
- Name : Ambua Lodge
- Destination : NewGuinea
- Location : At 7,000 ft (2,100m), Ambua Lodge occupies a dramtic vantage point over the Tari Valley, home to the flamboyant Huli "Wigmen", high in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Access is by private light aircraft to the lodge's own airstrip, or by a torturous though adventurous drive from Tari, about 2 hours away, depending on the road conditions.
- Seasons : Year round
- Capacity (max no. guests) : 60
Accommodation
- Room Types : Individual units set in mature gardens, each featuring 180-degree picture windows overlooking tehe Tari Valley. Electric blankets and continental quilts for the cool highland evenings.
- Showers & toilets : en suite
- A/C : not needed
- Hot Water : yes
Further Information
- Electricity : 220V, generated by Ambua's own mini hydro-electric power plant
- Fire warning system : N/A
- Fire extinguishers : yes
- Fire escapes : N/A
- Entertainment :
Karawari Lodge
Karawari Lodge stands majestically on a lone ridge amidst a vast expanse of dense tropical lowland Sepik Basin rainforest which extends beyond the horizon for, what seems like, a thousand miles in every direction.
You are in `Arambak' country here, one of the most remote and unspoilt areas of Papua New Guinea, with the Karawari River only 300 feet (100 meters) below as your only way in or out.
T
his tropical lowland rainforest is one of earth's most complex of habitats, housing an immense variety of flora and fauna along with a unique culture.
Exploring villages in small river boats along the jungle fringed waterways is as rewarding as it is exhilarating. 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 - taste it for yourself.
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.
Your cottage, nestled in the spacious gardens, is constructed from locally gathered bush materials and fashioned after the traditional houses, yet having all the luxuries including a modern bathroom, comfortable mosquito-netted beds, ceiling fans, and a breezy verandah. All a welcome sanctuary after a day's exploration.
From Karawari, the awe inspiring beauty of the view at dusk has to be experienced to be believed. While contemplating the vast expanse of jungle as the setting sun colors the clouds and snaking river below, one could almost believe that the world was born yesterday.
An Optional village stay in a traditional village for 2 days/1 night in a traditional village is also possible from Karawari.
General Information
- Name : Karawari Lodge
- Destination : Papua New Guinea
- Location : Sepik Basin
- Seasons : Year round
- Capacity (max no. guests) : 24 approx
Accommodation
- Room Types : twin
- Showers & toilets : en suite
- A/C : no
- Hot Water : yes
- Electricity : diesel generator provides power 220V
- Fire warning system : N/A
- Fire extinguishers : Yes
- Fire escapes : N/A
- Entertainment : Village tours to visit Sepik Villages
Rondon Ridge
Rondon Ridge is situated at 7100 feet above sea level and sports magnificent views of the incredible Wahgi Valley. Rondon Ridge is the pinnacle of luxury in a rural setting. Only 30 minutes drive from the major centre of Mount Hagen. Rondon Ridge has twelve tastefully furnished rooms with modern bathrooms, warmed beds and quilts for those chilly highlands nights. Power is supplied by its own hydro system, providing uninterrupted clean electricity.
Mount Hagen City is the business heart of the Papua New Guinea highlands, supplying a number of important industries, such as tea, coffee and mining. It is a city where stone meets steel, where tradition and history is juxtaposed against modern ways.
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 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.
With daily flights from Port Moresby to Mount Hagen, Rondon Ridge is also the perfect ''Jumping off'' point for access to AMBUA LODGE, KARAWARI LODGE and the MV SEPIK SPIRIT
The Sepik Spirit
Luxury in the deepest Sepik...
The MV Sepik Spirit is a luxurious "floating Lodge", commissioned in 1989, to facilitate exploration into some of the remotest reaches of the Sepik Region, too far to travel from Karawari Lodge in smaller boats, and inaccessible to aircraft and larger vessels.
The MV Sepik Spirit is a shallow draft vessel purpose-built for navigating shallow inland waterways. The entire vessel is air-conditioned and up to 18 guests are accommodated in 9 spacious berths, each with en-suite bathroom, large windows and river views. Onboard facilities include a comfortable lounge, well stocked bar, dining area and a covered, insect-proofed upper observatory deck.
Cruises usually operate over 4 days between Karawari Lodge and the village of Timbunke on the main Sepik River, traveling on the Karawari, Krosomeri and Sepik Rivers. Daily explorations into the smaller tributaries and their remote and isolated villages are 
done using 18-seat jet-boats with guests returning to the MV Sepik Spirit before sundown. Depending on the particular cruise, guests may visit the Blackwater Lakes, Chambri Lakes and villages in the Middle and Upper Sepik. Private touring and transfers are not available on the MV Sepik Spirit.
The MV Sepik Spirit allows one access to incredibly remote villages and provides the traveler with the opportunity to mingle 
with local people and experience traditions, cultures and lifestyles that are witnessed by very few outsiders each year. The river banks are dotted with villages, each with their own 'Haus Tambaran' or 'Spirit House' decorated with ancestral figures, carvings, massive garamut drums and secretive ritual flutes. The Sepik Region is a gallery of tribal art. Each village boasts 
its own unique style and every villager is an artisan.
A cruise on the MV Sepik Spirit is only accessible by private air service with charter flights departing from either Mount Hagen or Ambua Lodge. Charter flights from other departure points can also be arranged. The cruise departure and termination points are subject to change without notice due to operational considerations.
A cruise commencing on a Monday from Timbunke necessitates an overnight at Karawari Lodge on the Thursday night to connect to the air transfer on Friday to either Mount Hagen or Ambua Lodge. The cost of the night at Karawari Lodge is additional.
