Trip : Sepik Highlands Remote Odyssey #003
Days : (15 Days/14 Nights).
Graded : Easy-Moderate.
- 2 Nights Port Moresby
- 2 Nights Wewak Hotel
- 3 Nights Middle Sepik Canoeing
- 4 Nights Mt Hagen Hotel
- 3 Nights Tari Trekking.
This 15 days Itinerary provides an in-depth experience into Papua New Guinea’s mighty Sepik River region and Highlands including Mt. Hagen and Tari (home to the Huli Wigmen).
Day By Day Itinerary
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Day 1
PORT MORESBY – WEWAK (Meals: D)
On this first day, you’ll arrive at the Port Moresby Airport and met by a local guide who will accompany you to the domestic air terminal for your onward flight to Wewak. Here, you’ll be met by another local guide and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Wewak.
Day 2
WEWAK – SEPIK RIVER (Meals: B, L, D)
After an early breakfast, you’ll start the journey to Pagwi (about 3.5 hours) by 4 wheel-drive vehicle. Here, you’ll board a motorized canoe and travel to Korogu. You’ll have a chance to tour this village, see artifacts on display and visit with the people. You’ll then depart for Kanganamun where you’ll be treated to a traditional welcome spirit dance by the villagers. Your knowledgeable guide will provide information about this region and the culture here. Overnight in Kanganamun.
Day 3
SEPIK RIVER (Meals: B, L, D)
After breakfast, you’ll depart by motorized continue to Aibom to witness poetry making – famous in this region – and then travel onward to Yajamin Village. Here, you’ll spend some time with the people as they perform a singsing. You’ll also watch them make sago, weave baskets, carve and paint with traditional materials. You’ll have a chance to tour a haus tambaran while learning about the importance of these buildings as well as the initiation ceremonies. Overnight in Yajamin Village.
Day 4
SEPIK RIVER (Meals: B, L, D)
After breakfast, you’ll head to Palimbe Village where you will tour another haus tambaran and see the numerous wood carvings and artifacts (many for sale) from this area. You’ll then continue by canoe to Marringe and on to Chambri Lake. You may have the opportunity to accompany villagers on a crocodile hunt! You’ll continue on to Kanganamun Village. Overnight in Kanganamun.
Day 5
SEPIK RIVER (Meals: B, L)
After breakfast, you’ll board the canoe once again and continue back to Pagwi where you’ll board your vehicle for the drive back to Wewak. Overnight in Wewak.
Day 6
Wewak – Port Moresby
On this morning, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back to Port Moresby. (There are few direct flights from Wewak so you must transfer back to POM prior to going to the Highlands.) Upon landing, you’ll be met by local a guide and transfer to your hotel in Port Moresby. Depending on your flight, you might have time to visit some sights in Port Moresby including Parliament Haus, the Botanical Gardens and the Boroko Market. Overnight in Port Moresby.
Day 7
TARI VALLEY (Meals: B, D)
After breakfast, you’ll head back to the airport and onward to Tari (home to the Huli Wigmen). There, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to a village guesthouse about 40 minutes away via public motor vehicle, PMV. (Note that there are few cars available for hire in Tari and most transport is by public transport).
Despite the road being in rough shape, this will be an exciting drive through small villages where you’ll see the local people and their gardens. In the afternoon, you’ll have time for a nature walk and brief tour of nearby villages. Overnight in Tari.
HIGHLIGHT! Tari is a land of lush, high valleys wedged between impressive limestone peaks. The people of Tari still maintain their cultural heritage and it’s normal to see them in their traditional attire on special occasions and market days. Their culture is deeply rooted and you will see them tending their gardens and pigs as well as being involved in daily activities. They are among PNG’s last people to be exposed to Western culture which is why they still maintain their strong culture and traditions.
Day 8
TARI VALLEY (Meals: B, L, D)
After breakfast, you’ll have a full day tour (on foot) of Tari and the region that will include seeing the Huli Wigmen Dance, Huli bachelors and widows as well as their burial grounds. You’ll also see the Tari Basin and a special spirit dance. Overnight in Tari.
Day 9
TARI VALLEY (Meals: B, D)
After breakfast, you’ll continue your tour of Tari with a bit of village trekking to see waterfalls, birds and exotic wildlife in the surrounding forests. Overnight in local in Tari.
Day 10
TARI – MT HAGEN (Meals: B, D)
After breakfast, you’ll head off to Mt. Hagen by road (either PMV or private car) or by small airplane (which runs weekly flights). In Hagen, you’ll be meeting by a local guide upon arrival and transferred to private lodge just outside of Mt. Hagen. Overnight near Mt. Hagen.
Day 11
MT HAGEN (Meals: B, L, D)
After breakfast, you’ll go to a small village that hosts a cultural center and museum. Here you’ll find spiritual artifacts believed to be over 200 years old that have been worshiped as gods. You’ll also meet the local chief (Bigman) and his wives who dress in traditional attire and body ornaments.
You’ll also see a special welcome dance by the women of the village, mock fighting in which participants use traditional bows and arrows, and a re-enactment of a marriage ceremony in which pigs, money and food are exchanged for the bride. You’ll see the traditional cooking of food in a mumu (an underground pit using hot stones to cook the food). In the afternoon, you’ll head back to your lodging. Overnight near Mt. Hagen.
Day 12
MT HAGEN (Meals: B, L, D)
After breakfast, you’ll head to the Waghi Valley to visit the local coffee and tea plantations and processing plant. You’ll also see an orchid garden and be treated to a special regional dance and a Mudmen show before continuing on to the town of Mt. Hagen. Here, you’ll visit the market, reportedly the biggest in all of the South Pacific and best known for its fresh and tasty fruits and vegetables. Overnight near Mt. Hagen.
Day 13
MT HAGEN (Meals: B, D)
After breakfast, you’ll have the chance to take a nature walk into the rain forest and see orchids, exotic plants and birds. In the afternoon, you’ll go to a nearby lodge to spend time bird watching the amazing variety of birds that are attracted to the feeders and flowers. Overnight near Mt. Hagen.
Day 14
MT HAGEN – PORT MORESBY (Meals: B)
After breakfast, you’ll head to the Mt. Hagen airport and head back to Port Moresby. There you’ll be met by your local guide. You’ll have a last chance to do some shopping and sightseeing in the city. Overnight in Port Moresby.
Day 15
PORT MORESBY – Departure (Meals: B)
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight home.
*****
Any area of touring or canoeing or trekking may be substituted for security reasons.
While in the Highlands, you’ll be amazed at the lush greenery, high mountains, fast flowing rivers, wide valleys and, of course, the people and their rich culture. Many large festivals happen in the Highlands, including the Mt. Hagen and Goroka shows; however there are smaller sing sings (often impromptu ones) that you may be able to see off season. Note that accommodations tend to sell out at least a year in advance for Hagen and Goroka so consider traveling during the off season for fewer crowds and lower prices.
The Sepik region is famous for its waterways that branch off from the mighty Sepik River. The people in this area maintain a traditional lifestyle, spending their days farming, fishing and hunting. Each village is unique in both nature and culture.
Nearly all flights arrive into Port Moresby via Brisbane, Cairns or Tokyo.
Tari.
HIGHLIGHT!
Tari is a land of lush, high valleys wedged between impressive limestone peaks. The people of Tari still maintain their cultural heritage and it’s normal to see them in their traditional attire on special occasions and market days. Their culture is deeply rooted and you will see them tending their gardens and pigs as well as being involved in daily activities. They are among PNG’s last people to be exposed to Western culture which is why they still maintain their strong culture and traditions.
You will be led by experienced local guides who are knowledgeable about their particular area of the country.
This itinerary may be personalized to match your particular interests, dates and length of travel.
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This itinerary can easily combine with either one of the show cultural events:
- Enga Cultural Show
- Mt Hagen Cultural Show
- Goroka Festival
- Morobe Agro-Cultural Show.
***For help in customizing this or any other tour to Papua New Guinea, please contact us.
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