Private/Group Tour Highlights
- Revel in a unique opportunity to visit traditional homes, witness ceremonial dances and celebrations and glimpse traditional village life.
- Fly by charter flight into the deep heart of the jungle for a stay at the secluded Karawari River Lodge.
- travel by motorboat down the Karawari river to visit small villages that line its shores for a glimpse traditional village life.
- Journey through the traditions and customs of the Melpa People who will share their fascinating tribal traditions
- Explore the Rondon Ridge area, a pristine rainforest home to numerous orchid species and a wide variety of birdlife.
- Learn of the region's wildlife on a guided birding and nature walk in the surrounding nature trails.
Tour Overview
Papua New Guinea is a destination shrouded in mystery and saturated in historic culture that has gone nearly untouched for centuries. With Yampu’s Cultural Wonders of the Western Highlands sample itinerary, travelers will be able to explore Papua New Guinea’s rich heritage in the depths of the jungles of the Sepik Region.
The tour begins in the Capital of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby. Visitors will have an exciting introduction to the country as they explore the capital, touring must-see sites including the National Museum and the Nature Park before flying to Mount Hagen.
Mount Hagen will serve as an entry point into the Sepik Region as modern amenities begin to blend with more traditional ways of life of the locals. From here, travelers will feel like true adventurers as they take a charter flight, deep into the jungles of the region.
Staying at the Karawari River Lodge, Yampu Travelers will enjoy modern amenities while visiting the local tribes along the Karawari River. Here the villagers will share their fascinating tribal traditions, ceremonies, and art.
Wrapping up the ten-day journey, explorers will get an even better understanding of the region with a vibrant nature tour of Mount Hagen before making their way back to Port Moresby for their flight home.
Inclusions
Exclusions
International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services and other personal items or services not mentioned.
Package Price: From £$ 11899
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
International Flight to Port Moresby
Upon arrival to Port Moresby, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel.
Upon arrival to Port Moresby, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel.
Private Half Day Port Moresby Tour, Lunch Included
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After breakfast proceed with a private half day Port Moresby and surroundings tour with visits to the National Museum, Nature Park, National Parliament House and other points of interest. After your tour, transfer to Airways Hotel for a sit-down lunch and transfer to Jackson's Airport for your domestic flight to Mount Hagen. Mount Hagen Town is in the upper Wahgi Valley - a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture in the world.
Domestic Flight to Mount Hagen
Upon arrival to Mount Hagen, you will be met at the airport and you will be driven up a picturesque road past highlands gardens and on to the lodge. From its location in the mountains on the edge of the valley, Rondon Ridge boasts panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the city below.
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Karawari Excursion with Shuttle Flight, Lunch & Dinner Included
This morning fly by charter flight into the deep heart of the jungle where your wondrous journey continues at the Karawari Lodge in the Sepik region. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, the lodge boasts a spectacular view of hundreds of kilometers of dense tropical jungle. Proceed with lunch, followed by an afternoon visit to a nearby village to learn about the customary process of harvesting and preparing the sago palm. Sago is the staple food for the Karawari tribes.
This morning fly by charter flight into the deep heart of the jungle where your wondrous journey continues at the Karawari Lodge in the Sepik region. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, the lodge boasts a spectacular view of hundreds of kilometers of dense tropical jungle. Proceed with lunch, followed by an afternoon visit to a nearby village to learn about the customary process of harvesting and preparing the sago palm. Sago is the staple food for the Karawari tribes.
Exploring the Karawari River Villages
For the next two days you will travel by motorboat down the river to visit the small villages that line its shores. The villages provide a unique opportunity to visit traditional homes, witness ceremonial dances and celebrations and glimpse traditional village life.
For the next two days you will travel by motorboat down the river to visit the small villages that line its shores. The villages provide a unique opportunity to visit traditional homes, witness ceremonial dances and celebrations and glimpse traditional village life.
Karawari River Excursion with the Karawari tribes
Enjoy your second day traveling along the Karawari River and visiting more local tribes along the way. The Karawari tribes express their beliefs through their skillful and artistic expressions of sculpture and art. Enjoy this opportunity to admire or the beautifully woven baskets, carved masks, drums and sculptures. You will also have an opportunity to purchase art from the local villages.
Enjoy your second day traveling along the Karawari River and visiting more local tribes along the way. The Karawari tribes express their beliefs through their skillful and artistic expressions of sculpture and art. Enjoy this opportunity to admire or the beautifully woven baskets, carved masks, drums and sculptures. You will also have an opportunity to purchase art from the local villages.
Guided birding and nature walk of Mount Hagen
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Fly by charter from Karawari to Mount Hagen. During the flight mountains rise up to startling heights out of the flat lands of the Sepik Basin. Mount Hagen town is in the upper Wahgi Valley - a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture in the world. Upon arrival, drive up the mountain to Rondon Ridge Lodge. After settling in, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon on a guided birding and nature walk in the surrounding nature trails. The Rondon Ridge area is a pristine rainforest and home to numerous orchid species and a wide variety of birds. The lodge has hours of walking trails providing ample opportunity to explore the unique ecology of this area. Over 180 species of birds have been recorded in the rainforests around Rondon Ridge including twelve species of Bird of Paradise. ...read less
Private Full Day Melpa People Culture Tour
A day of comprehensive touring 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. The Melpa people are "true farmers" that still maintain traditional farming methods that can be traced back 9,000 years. The tour will bring you to local villages where the villagers will share their fascinating tribal traditions; such as the rites of widowed women, the ceremonies surrounding marriage and funerals, the traditions of tribal warfare and the daily customs of the Melpa people. This area is also the home of the famous Pogla mudmen, famed for their unique bilas (traditional dress) and the ancient story that surrounds it. ...read less
Private Full Day Huli Tribe Cultural Experience
Another full day cultural touring through the beautiful Western Highlands, including a visit to the iconic Huli tribe at their local settlement in Mount Hagen. 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 decorated with feathers, flowers and moss. This famous highland tribe are admired for their vibrant and colorfully decorated hair wigs and bilas.
Another full day cultural touring through the beautiful Western Highlands, including a visit to the iconic Huli tribe at their local settlement in Mount Hagen. 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 decorated with feathers, flowers and moss. This famous highland tribe are admired for their vibrant and colorfully decorated hair wigs and bilas.
Mount Hagen - Port Moresby
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At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight to Port Moresby.
Domestic Flight to Port Moresby
Upon arrival to Port Moresby, you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel. Then you will take your lunch and proceed on to another half day sightseeing tour of Port Moresby to take in more scenes and sites of the capital before tomorrow's flight home.
In this half day tour, you will visit the Bomana War Cemetery, Pacific Adventist University, a scenic drive tour to Koki Fish Market, Hanubada Villages, and Tatana Island before returning to the hotel for the evening.
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International Flight Home
At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight.
At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred to the airport for your flight.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea
KARAWARI LODGE, Papua New Guinea
Places You'll See
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Port Moresby
The Sprawling Capital of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, sits on the shores of the Gulf of Papua with a growing population of 300,000 residents. Though small in comparison to other capitals, Moresby has an array of activities to choose from including golfing, snorkeling along its shores, a visit to the Port Moresby Nature Park for a glimpse at the local wildlife, and numerous historic points of interest.
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Mount Hagen
The third-largest city in Papua New Guinea, Mount Hagen was unknown to westerners until the early 1930 as explorer flew over the lush jungle region. Much like then, local highlanders adorn traditional dress and maintain a modest way of life. Today, Mount Hagen City is the business heart of the Papua New Guinea highlands supporting important industries such as tea and coffee. Visitors can get a real feel of the country by learning from locals while visiting the quaint markets and handicraft shops.
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Karawari River
Karawari River flows through the most remote regions of Papua New Guinea. With no roads, the local tribes do very well getting around in their manmade dugout canoes, living completely off of the land. Get an understanding of some of the tribes in the region with their traditional dances, food and dress while staying in the comfort of private lodges.
Media Gallery
Hotel Options
Featured Accommodation
Rondon Ridge Lodge
7100 feet above sea level, on the outer fringes of the Kubor Range, lies Rondon Ridge. Boasting panoramic views of the Wahgi Valley below, Rondon Ridge is the pinnacle of luxury in a remote and rural setting. It is a spectacular introduction to our lodges on arrival and a welcome stone to civilization before departing Mount Hagen. Rondon Ridge is located in the mountains above the city from where you can marvel at the stunning vista of the surrounding mountains and the city below.
Mount Hagen , PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Featured Accommodation
Karawari River Lodge
One of the most remote and un-spoilt destinations in Papua New Guinea – the lodges private airstrip and the Karawari River being the only way in or out. Stilted villages line the edges of flooded waterways and dug out canoes are the primary mode of transport.
Karawari Lodge arranges river excursions in 18-seat motorized jet boats to the surrounding villages where you visit traditional homes, witness ceremonial dances and celebrations and are honored with a glimpse traditional life.
Karawari River , PAPUA NEW GUINEA
5 Star Properties
Airways Hotel
Port Moresby , PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The hotel is nestled in its own botanical gardens, offering world-class accommodation set in an oasis of understated luxury in one of the Pacific’s most striking and inspiring settings. After flying in to Port Moresby’s Jacksons International Airport, there’s only one place you’ll want to land.
