Itinerary
Below please find the day-by-day itinerary for this expedition. Unless otherwise noted, daily excursion options are included in the cost of the trip. We do our best to adhere to the scheduled itinerary, but in the spirit of our expeditionary style of travel we may deviate slightly to take full advantage of encounters with the destination and its people, culture, and wildlife.
DEPART USA / PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
July 28 — July 30
Board your independent flight to Papua New Guinea, crossing the International Date Line en route. Arrive in Port Moresby on July 30, and transfer to the Airways Hotel for dinner and overnight.
PORT MORESBY / MOUNT HAGEN / KARAWARI
July 31
After breakfast, board our group flight to the Sepik River area, via Mount Hagen. Transfer to Karawari Lodge—named for the nearby river—your base for exploring the fascinating culture along the jungle-fringed waterways. The main lodge building, designed after the traditional haus tambaran—ancestral worship house—is decorated with artifacts and boldly carved furniture, and includes a dining room, library, lounge, and a long veranda overlooking the Karawari River.
KARAWARI
August 1 — August 2
Spend two days exploring ‘Arambak’ country, one of the most remote and unspoiled areas of Papua New Guinea. Board small boats to explore along the Karawari River, where crocodiles bask on the banks, and you may see locals paddling their dugout canoes with long, curved oars. You have several opportunities to observe village life and customs, participate in daily activities, and see reenactments of traditional ceremonies. Search for several species of birds of paradise and the beautiful Sepik blue orchid, found along the forest trails surrounding the lodge.
KARAWARI / MOUNT HAGEN / RONDON RIDGE
August 3
Board our charter flight to Mount Hagen and, upon arrival, transfer to Rondon Ridge Lodge. Each room features a bird’s-eye view of paradise, overlooking the Wahgi Valley. Spend the afternoon exploring the lodge’s vast network of forest trails.
RONDON RIDGE
August 4 — August 5
Located at 7,100 feet above sea level, Rondon offers pristine highlands rainforest. Over 180 species of birds have been recorded here, including 10 species of birds of paradise. A highlight of your time here is the chance to meet and interact with the Melpa people. Though first contact with the Melpa was made in 1934, in many ways, their lifestyle remains relatively unchanged. Among the world’s first horticulturists, learn about the important industries of gardening and sweet potato cultivation.
RONDON RIDGE / MOUNT HAGEN / PORT MORESBY
August 6
Bid farewell to Rondon, and transfer to Mount Hagen for our flight to Port Moresby. Check in to the Airways Hotel with the rest of the day a leisure.
PORT MORESBY / VANIMO / JAYAPURA, PAPUA, INDONESIA
August 7
After breakfast, board our flight to Vanimo, then embark on a scenic drive, crossing the border of West Papua and Papua. Arrive in Jayapura and check in to the Swiss-Belhotel Papua for dinner and overnight.
JAYAPURA / WAMENA (BALIEM VALLEY)
August 8
After breakfast, board our short flight to Wamena, the largest town in Indonesia’s West Papua highlands. Enjoy lunch before visiting the colorful Wamena market. Check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
WAMENA (BALIEM VALLEY)
August 9 — August 10
Spend two full days exploring in and around the stunning Jayawijaya Mountains and magical Baliem Valley. The lush terrain is punctuated with swift rivers, the colorful blooms of orchids, and the purple haze of cultivated sweet potato fields. This region is home to the indigenous Dani and Lani tribal people—isolated by 8,000 foot peaks, most of the 5,000-foot-high valley remains as untouched as it was on the day that American explorer Richard Archbold stumbled upon it in 1938. The people here live in palm-shaded, round hut village compounds that have changed little over the millennia. Known for their unique personal decoration, which sometimes includes boar tusks through their noses and headdresses made of bird feathers, the most famous of these adornments is the koteka, traditional penis gourds worn by the elder tribal men. The Dani tribe inhabits one of the most fertile areas in West Papua and constant war with neighboring tribes earned them a fearsome reputation as prolific headhunters. During the annual Baliem Valley Culture Festival, enjoy a traditional pig feast, watch a mock battle, energetic dance performances, and several competitions, such as archery and spear throwing. You’ll also have an opportunity to see the 250-year-old mummy at Jiwika, and visit traditional villages where you’ll have the opportunity to experience the daily lives of the Dani people, visit their straw-capped homes, and see their lush gardens.
WAMENA / JAYAPURA
August 11
Following breakfast and a mid-morning flight back to Jayapura, enjoy a visit to Ayapon Village by local boat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Spend the afternoon at the Cendrawasih museum and local art market.
JAYAPURA / DENPASAR (BALI)
August 12
This morning board our flight from Jayapura to Denpasar, Bali. Arriving in the late afternoon, enjoy some free time before our Farewell Dinner at the hotel.
DENPASAR, BALI / USA
August 13
Today, board your independent homeward flight, arriving in the USA the same day. More info, please contact us!
