Day 1: PORT MORESBY

Upon your arrival in Port Moresby (POM), you will be met by PQA staff and transferred to the airport Hotel.

Day 2: PORT MORESBY/MT HAGEN

Transfer for your  flight Air Niugini from Port Moresby to Mount Hagen.

The  areas  surrounding  the  township  of  Mount Hagen  consist of mountain ranges,  covered  with  lush  tropical rainforest,  rugged limestone bluffs and small valleys dotted with subsistance farming. Mount Hagen is located at the western end of the Wahgi Valley, a huge valley, bounded by mountains whose peakes exceed 4,000m.  The valley floor is covered in a lush green carpet of subsistance crops of sweet potato and commercial crops of coffee, tea and vegetables.  In every direction that one looks, it is possible to see the homes of a number of cultural-linguistic groups.  The main cultural group in Mount Hagen are the Melpa (or Hagen) people.  To the west there are the Tambul People and the Nebilyer People.  To the north are the Baiyer people and the Jimi People.  To the east are the Jiwaka (or Wahgi) People.  Each of these groups, all within 50km of Mount Hagen Town,  have their  own language,  customs,  "bilas"  (or body decoration) and  traditions. The tour today will give you some insight into the fabulously interesting and complex society of the Wahgi Valley. Today, photograph the colour and vibrance of a traditional Melpa Men's sing sing.

The decoration of a Melpa Women's sing sing has to be one of the most extravagant  and intricate  bodily  decorations  in the world.  In traditional times, women would display all their husband's wealth in order to increase his prestige.  Today you will witness this amazing spectacle.

OVERNIGHT RONDON RIDGE

Day 3: Mount Hagen

Photograph the unique culture and tradition of the Melpa people who live near the Mount Hagen City which 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.  We will take 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.

Overnights RONDON RIDGE (BLD)

Day 4: Mount Hagen to KARAWARI

Fly by charter from Mount Hagen to the Sepik, 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. You will be transferred from the airstrip by river boat to Karawari Lodge. Located on a ridge overlooking the Karawari River, in the Sepik region, is a time-warped mixture of pre-technological and technological architecture - is the perfect base for some old-fashioned jungle, river and village exploration.

You are in the middle of Arambak country-- locals pole dug-out canoes, the drums throb, the wild birds call, and, traditional village lifestyles continue largely unchanged. "Something like a National Geographic expedition. No roads. Thick jungle. Locals poling dugouts. Crocodiles. You wind up at the surprising Karawari Lodge. Proceed with lunch then follow by an afternoon visit to Kundiman village for sago making demonstration.  Sago is the Staple food for the river people.

Overnight KARAWARI LODGE (BLD)

Day 5: KARAWARI

A day excursion along the jungle-fringed waterways of the Karawari River where boatmen, standing upright, paddle their slender dugout canoes with sculpted silhouettes of crocodile masks. Village life including carved totems, drums, woodcarvings and different expressions of art are also experienced.  See bountiful bird life along the rivers and nearby lakes. Excursions will enhance your understanding of traditional village culture in the Sepik region.

Overnight KARAWARI LODGE (BLD)

Day 6: KARAWARI/TARI

Fly by charter aircraft to Tari over the Central Ranges, which are some of the most rugged and impressive landscapes in the world. The country between Ambua and the Sepik region is an amazing array of jagged limestone that seem to rise and drop at impossible angles. Ambua Lodge is an inspired mixture of local architecture, spectacular views and modest luxury off the beaten track. Located at 7000 feet (2100 meters) in the PNG Southern Highlands, homeland of the Huli clan with their human hair wigs adorned with colourful flowers. Recipient of the 1991 Pacific Asia Travel Association's "Pacific Heritage Award" which sighted Ambua Lodge as "superb example of culturally sensitive and ecological responsible tourism". Afternoon guided nature walk through the alpine forest looking for the exotic bird of Paradise.

Overnight AMBUA LODGE (BLD)

Day 7: TARI

Enjoy a full day of cultural touring. In contrast to the Sepik people whose art is manifested in ceremonial and decorative carvings, these Highland 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.

Overnight AMBUA LODGE (BLD)

Day 8: TARI/PORT MORESBY

This morning you depart for Port Moresby on Air Niugini. Upon arrival in Port Moresby, you will be transferred to Airways Hotel.  Spend the
afternoon at leisure.

Overnight AIRWAYS HOTEL (BLD)

Day 9: PORT MORESBY

Transfer from hotel to airport for international flight. (B)

Itinerary is subject to change.