Papua New Guinea Scheduled Expeditions
Held in September every year, the Goroka Show is famous for its dazzling array of singsing groups, showcasing some of the many cultures of Papua New Guinea - the Goroka Cultural Show is an event not to be missed.
The Highlands Journey is an unescourted 11 day/10 night program including a cruise on the MV Sepik Spirit, three nights at the award winning Ambua Lodge with the highlight being attendance at the famous Goroka Cultural Show. The maximum number on this tour is eight people - allowing for intimate experiences.
The Goroka Show Classic is an unescourted 13 day/12 night program with a maximum of eight guests. In addition to attendance at the Goroka Show, a touring program taking in the Sepik River, Mount Hagen and the Tari Valley, while staying at Trans
Itinerary 1
Fri. 5, Sep:
Upon arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met by our staff and escorted to your ongoing Air Niugini flight PX962 to Goroka. Goroka, home of the famous and intriguing Asaro Mudmen, will be your base for the duration of the 2006 Goroka Cultural Show.
Overnight Bird of Paradise Hotel.
Sat. 6, Sep:
Spend the day enjoying the cultural extravaganza that is the Goroka Show.
Overnight Bird of Paradise Hotel.
Sun. 7, Sep:
In the afternoon, after spending a second day at the Goroka Show, you will be transferred by charter aircraft to Mount Hagen. Mount Hagen Town is in the upper Wahgi Valley - a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture views of the Wahgi Valley
Overnight Rondon Ridge
Mon. 8, Sep.
Fly by charter from Mount Hagen to Timbunke, the mountains start to give away until eventually vast tracts of dense tropical lowland rainfortest cover the landscape for as far as the eye can see. From Karawari airstrip, you will be transferred to the air conditioned comfort of the MV Sepik Spirit. Inspired by the architecture of the "haus tambaran" or spirit house, the MV Sepik Spirit has a truely unique design. With its shallow draught, it allows travel to rarely visited areas of the Sepik River and its tributaries in comfort.
Overnight MV Sepik Spirit
Tue. 9 and Wed. 10, Sep.
Two full days are spent exploring the many 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 was first visited. Part of the mystery and attraction of hte Sepik people is their amazing carvings, now famous the world over.
Overnights MV Sepik Spirit
Thu. 11, Sep.
From the Sepik Spirit, you will be transferred to Karawari Lodge. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, Karawari Lodge boasts a spectacular view over hundreds of kilometres of dense tropical jungle. Inspired by local architecture and built with traditional materials, the lodge provides modern comforts.
Overnight Karawari Lodge
Fri. 12, Sep.
Fly by charter aircraft to Mount Hagen
Overnight Rondon Ridge
Sat. 13 and Sun. 14, Sep.
Spend two days exploring the Mount Hagen area. You will be taken on a cultural journey through the world of the Melpa people. Many of the Melpa, despite living in and around Papua New Guinea's third largest city, still live a largely traditional life.
Overnight Rondon Ridge
Mon. 15, Sep.
Fly by charter aircraft from Mount Hagen to Ambua, a thrilling flight past the twin peaks of Mt. Giluwe and over the alpine grasslands of the Tari Gap. Ambua Lodge is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley, with magnificent views of the valley below and surrounding peaks. The Tari Valley - home of the Huli, a colorful and proud people still largely living the same way that their tumbuna did. The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua - high mountain forests with roaring waterfalls backon the intrepid traveller.
Overnight Ambua Lodge
Tue. 16, Sep.
Enjoy a full day of cultural and ecological touring. The Tari area is home to an incredible 13 species of birds of paradise, as well as numerous orchid species. Learn how the Huli live and how they interact with and use their environment.
Overnight Ambua Lodge
Wed. 17, Sep.
You will be transferred to Tari airport, for your ongoing Air Niugini flight PX866/PX861 to Port Moresby. In Port Moresby, you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and transferred to your ongoing international flight.
Notes
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:
GBP290.00 per person (Single throughout except twin share on the MV SEPIK SPIRIT and at RONDON RIDGE). LAND COST INCLUDES:
Accommodation, airport transfers and tours on a seat in a bus basis, meals from dinner on 11 September to breakfast on 23 September, local guides and show gate fees. LAND COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Domestic and international flights, visa fees and services of a personal nature such as beverage, laundry charges, phone and fax bills. ADDITIONAL AIR CHARTER COST:
GBP785.00 per person
Saturday 13 Sep. Mount Hagen/Goroka/Mount Hagen
Sunday 14 Sep. Mount Hagen/Goroka/Mount Hagen
Monday 15 Sep. Mount Hagen/Sepik
Friday 19 Sep. Karawari/Ambua 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. IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you are booking your own Air Niugini flights into PNG, you are only to book and ticket the domestic Air Niugini flights together with your international flights. We will book the Air Charter flights. The Air Niugini flights you are to book and ticket are: 
Friday 12 September -- Air Niugini PX180 PORT MORESBY/MOUNT HAGEN
Monday 22 September -- Air Niugini PX. If you wish us to book the Air Niugni flights for , you let us know and we will be happy to obtain a quote for you.865 TARI/PORT MORESBYItinerary 2
Day 1 Upon your arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met at the airport and escorted to the Airways Hotel to check in. Remainder of the day free to acclimatise and rest by the pool. Overnight Airways Hotel.
Day 2 Return to the airport in the morning to board your Air Niugini flight to Mt Hagen. Upon arrival in Mount Hagen, you will be met and driven to Rondon Ridge, nestled on the edge of Wahgi Valley – a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture. Half Day birding and nature tour around the walking tracks of Rondon Ridge. Overnight Rondon Ridge.
Day 3 & 4 You will be transferred from Rondon Ridge to Mount Hagen Airport, for your charter flight to Goroka – where you will be met and transferred to the Goroka Show for the day. In the afternoon, you will fly back to Mount Hagen. Overnight Rondon Ridge.
Day 5 Fly by charter from Mount Hagen to the Sepik Basin in the north of the mainland. From the air you will see how the mountains start to give way until eventually vast tracts of dense tropical lowland rainforest cover the landscape for as far as the eye can see. From the airstrip, you will be transferred to the air conditioned comfort of the MV Sepik Spirit. Inspired by the architecture of the “haus tambaran” or the spirit house, the MV Sepik Spirit has a truly unique design. With its shallow draught, it allows travel to rarely visited areas of the Sepik River and its tributaries in comfort. Overnight MV Sepik Spirit.
Day 6 & 7 Two days are spent exploring the many 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 carving, now famous the world over. Overnights MV Sepik Spirit.
Day 8 From the Sepik Spirit, you will be transferred to Karawari Lodge. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, Karawari Lodge boasts a spectacular view over hundreds of kilometres of dense tropical jungle. Inspired by local architecture and built with traditional materials, the Lodge provides all modern comforts and is evocatively decorated with locally produced carvings and crafts. Overnight Karawari Lodge.
Day 9 Fly by charter aircraft to Ambua airstrip over some of the most rugged and impressive landscapes in the world. The country between Ambua and the Sepik region is amazing array of jagged limestone that seem to rise and drop at impossible angles. Ambua Lodge is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley in the Southern Highlands Province – home of the Huli “Wigmen”, a colourful and proud people, still largely living the same way that their ancestors did. The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua – high mountain forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveller. Overnight Ambua Lodge.
Day 10 & 11 In contrast to the Sepik people whose art is manifested in ceremonial and decorative carvings, these Highlands people employ as their art, body decoration, face painting and human hair wigs decorated with feathers, flowers and moss. The Huli culture is the most vibrant, intact and colourful to be experienced anywhere. Overnights Ambua Lodge.
Day 12 Today you leave Ambua Lodge and transfer to Tari Airstrip for your flight to Port Moresby where you will be greeted at the airport and escorted back to your hotel. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to discover Port Moresby – the busy bustling economic centre and capital of Papua New Guinea. Overnight at the Airways Hotel
Day 13 Return to the airport in time for your international flight out.
ENDS
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:
US$552.00 per person (Single throughout except twin share on the MV SEPIK SPIRIT and at RONDON RIDGE).
LAND COST INCLUDES: Accommodation, airport transfers and tours on a seat in a bus basis, meals from dinner on 11 September to breakfast on 23 September, local guides and show gate fees.
LAND COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Domestic and international flights, visa fees and services of a personal nature such as beverage, laundry charges, phone and fax bills.
ADDITIONAL AIR CHARTER COST:
US$1,368.00 per person
Saturday 13 Sep. Mount Hagen/Goroka/Mount Hagen
Sunday 14 Sep. Mount Hagen/Goroka/Mount Hagen
Monday 15 Sep. Mount Hagen/Sepik
Friday 19 Sep. Karawari/Ambua
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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You are only to book and ticket the domestic Air Niugini flights together with your international flights. We will book the Air Charter flights.
The Air Niugini flights you are to book and ticket are: Friday 12 September -- Air Niugini PX180 PORT MORESBY/MOUNT HAGEN Monday 22 September -- Air Niugini PX865 TARI/PORT MORESBY
Symbiosis can make these bookings for you if you wish.
