Classic Goroka Show Tour

Upon arrival in Port Moresby, you’ll be met and transferred to your Air Niugini flight from Port Moresby to Mount Hagen. (Air Niugini 186) Upon arrival in Mt. Hagen, you will enjoy a tour of the Wahgi Valley. Then you’ll be transferred to Rondon Ridge, one of the premier accommodations in the western highlands. Enjoy beautiful views of the valley, which contains some of the oldest evidence of agriculture. MEALS Dinner LODGING Rondon Ridge

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your charter flight to Karawari Lodge. Karawari Lodge, poised on the ridge overlooking the river and jungle-clad Sepik Basin, is a world entirely unique. The real fascination here are the people and how they live with the land and how it molds their lives. They still live as they have for generations – rituals, sing-sings, storytelling, food gathering, and preparation. With Karawari’s carefully planned cultural program, daily visits in riverboats are made to selected villages allowing you the opportunity to be able to observe village life and customs, participate in typical daily activities and see re-enactments of traditional ceremonies. You will visit remote jungle waterways where you will find huge lichen and vine – festooned trees, masses of brilliant flame flowers, and a profusion of orchids. The soft dawn glimmers on these waterways and the vast plain erupts with a myriad of birds – the raucous jungle music. Dug-out canoes glide close by the river banks – stilt villages suddenly spring insight along the flowing waters. Here you will see man and the environment as it has been for thousands of years. MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner LODGING Karawari Lodge

You will be transferred today to the air-conditioned comfort of the MV Sepik Spirit, your home for the next couple of nights. Inspired by the architecture of the “haus tambaran,” or spirit house, the MV Sepik Spirit has a truly unique design. Enjoy lunch onboard the Sepik Spirit and then begin your voyage of discovery to a local village. MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner LODGING MV Sepik Spirit

Spend two full days exploring the many waterways of the Sepik including the Black Water Lakes. While touring you will visit villages where the people are prolific and famous carvers. In the villages, you can purchase many interesting items such as masks, elaborately carved hooks, ancestral figures, hand drums, baskets, bilums, and gourds. MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner daily LODGING MV Sepik Spirit

In the morning you will be transferred to Karawari Airstrip for your charter aircraft from Karawari to Lake Murray Lodge. Flying over the Central Ranges, which are some of the most rugged and impressive landscapes in the world. You will be transferred to Lake Murray Lodge which is an inspired mixture of local architecture, spectacular views and modest luxury off the beaten track. After lunch proceed on an afternoon walk around the island which includes a visit to a local village-maybe by boat or a walk. There is also an option of a 2-3km hike (walk) to the station and the local market if you need to stretch your legs. MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner LODGING Lake Murray Lodge

Enjoy a full day of cultural and ecological touring by visiting the Pari tribe. Demonstrations will include traditional bilas display, traditional weaving, a traditional sing-sing and a chance to share stories with the villagers. Of interest, the lake also has had sightings of its’ own “Nessie”, believed to be a relative of the Theropod dinosaur family. MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner LODGING Lake Murray Lodge

Fly by charter this morning to Mt Hagen. Mt Hagen is located in the upper Wahgi Valley—a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture in the world. You will be met and transferred to your accommodations, Rondon Ridge, perched high on Mount Kuta, with unbelievable views of the Wahgi Valley. Enjoy a half-day excursion leaving about the Melpa people. MEALS Breaktast, Lunch, Dinner LODGING Rondon Ridge

Via charter flight, make your way to Goroka today. Goroka, home of the famous and intriguing Asaro Mudmen, will be your base for the Goroka Cultural Show. The rest of the afternoon you are free at leisure MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner LODGING Bird of Paradise Hotel

Spend two days enjoying the cultural extravaganza that is the Goroka Show. The shows were first held in the 1950s as a means of gathering different tribes and clans together. At times, there might be more than 40,000 painted warriors dancing to the beat of the Kundu drums. Among the performers are the legendary mud men of Asaro. Tribal folklore says that centuries ago the warriors of Asaro were defeated in a tribal fight “payback” raid, and, to make themselves look fierce in the process, covered their bodies with grey mud. According to legend, the ruse worked. Their enemies fled at the sight of these ghostly apparitions. The mud men recreate the drama at the Goroka Show. MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner daily LODGING Bird of Paradise Hotel

As your tour draws to a close, fly from Goroka to Port Moresby with Air Niugini (Air Niugini flight 961). On your arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. That afternoon, enjoy a half-day city tour. The sightseeing includes visits to the National Parliament (outside view only) and the National Museum. Also, explore the beautiful National Botanic Gardens situated in the spacious grounds of the University of Papua New Guinea, and visit the Hanuabada village (which means “big village”), one of the largest villages in Port Moresby until it’s destruction by fire during World War II. MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner LODGING Airways Hotel

You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your international flight onward.