Papua New Guinea (with Mount Hagen or Goroka Show)
Many travellers have requested over the years that we operate similar style journeys to other destinations around the globe. Papua New Guinea is one of the most requested!
The last frontier! How many countries and regions can rightfully be so described? Papua New Guinea has been on the periphery of the civilised world throughout its entire existence. Even as the global community creeps closer, tribal ways and local custom still dictate the daily lives of the multitude of cultures that are scattered throughout the pristine coasts and grand highlands. Undiscovered tribes have been found as recently as the last 50 years. This truly is the land that time forgot!
WE OFFER 8 OR 11 DAY OPTIONS FOR THIS TOUR. SEE ITINERARY BELOW
Although technically the 'dry season' we should expect periods of rain, especially in the highlands
***IMPORTANT NOTE ON COSTS*** PNG is an expensive travel destination due to the need to fly to most locations as roads are nonexistent or often impassable at times. Ground costs are also expensive for a variety of reasons. Our tour starts and finishes in Cairns, Australia as this is a very short flight to PNG. We include in your price the return flights from Cairns to Port Moresby as this allows us to access cheaper internal PNG flights for you. You need only arrange your own travel to and from Cairns. There are also quite a few locations such as the Sepik and Wewak where we receive package deals which includes meals.
"Back in the 1950's in Junior School, Miss J told us to do a project on a country, and I chose the far distant New Guinea. Later I read of the tribes of PNG being persuaded to share their dances and song, and saw my first photo of the Mudmen.
60 years on I searched out adventures to the Sing Sing in PNG, and discovered Global Drift. This led to the most memorable journey of my travelling life, a well-organised, culturally sensitive expedition that far exceeded my expectations. I'll NEVER forget the peoples we met, the splendour of the Sing Sing, or the friendliness of the Papuans. If one wants an unforgettably emotional experience one should consider Global Drift"
Ken R Moore, Holmfirth, West Yorks, UK
| 8 Day Itinerary | ||
| Departures: | 10th August 2025 | (Sunday to Wednesday) Mount Hagen |
|---|---|---|
| 7th September 2025 | (Sunday to Wednesday) Goroka | |
| Price: | AUD$6490 | Includes return international airfares from Cairns to PNG |
Day 1 - depart Cairns to Wewak We depart Cairns on a morning flight to Port Moresby and in the afternoon take a flight to Wewak. Transferring to our Hotel we enjoy dinner and a briefing on the tour ahead Day 2 - Wewak to Palimbe (Sepik River) We are in 4WD’s today en route to Pagwi through mountains and rainforest. On arrival we board a motorized canoe and begin our river expedition to Palimbe. We visit one of the largest Haus Tambaran (Spirit house) along the Sepik River and enjoy the remote wilderness Day 3 - Palambe to Wagu (Sepik River) This morning we may explore the village. If our timing is right we may be present for one of the initiation ceremonial days. A rare insight into this most interesting tradition that is still in existence today. Permission will hopefully be granted to women among our group to visit the men's exclusive spirit houses. We then move onto the lake village of Wagu where we may have a chance to join in on a crocodile hunt with the villagers Day 4 - Wagu to Ambunti (Sepik River) We continue our journey to the Chambri Lake by motorized canoe. We stop on the way at Aibom which is famous for pottery making. There is pottery of all sizes, shapes, colours and patterns. Arriving at Chambri Lake we see a newly built Spirit House at Wombun Village. We return to Ambunti for dinner Day 5 - Ambunti to Wewak We bid farewell to our friendly hosts at Ambunti and continue our journey back to Wewak. An interesting travel day on the backroads Day 6 - Wewak to Goroka or Hagen We transfer to our flight from Wewak to Goroka or Hagen. We check in on arrival and visit the townships where sing-sing rehearsal is well underway. We enjoy a sneak peek at some of the dances scheduled for the weekend’s festivities Days 7 - Goroka or Hagen Show A full day to enjoy this remarkable festival. After breakfast we will head to the show grounds and the main traditional sing-sing arena. Here we will be captivated by the cultural extravaganza displayed by hundreds of different tribes of PNG. The senses are truly on overload. Everyone is in festival mode and we will be drawn into the fun and vibrant atmosphere Day 8 - Goroka or Hagen to Port Moresby depart Transfer to the airport and board our flight to Port Moresby. (If joining our Madang Explorer extension we depart by road or a short flight). We arrive in time for our ongoing connection to Cairns where you tour ends. Accommodation and arrangements can be made for any interested in exploring the 'capital' of tropical North Queensland 3 DAY 'MADANG EXPLORER’ ADD ON TOUR - Extra AUD$990 - TOTAL PRICE FOR 11 DAY PACKAGE IS AUD$6980 Day 8 - Goroka or Hagen to Madang Today we drive (if possible) to Madang on the Highlands Highway which is the main road link from the Highlands to the seaports of Madang and Lae. The road snakes up and down rugged mountains and crosses rivers and creeks of all sizes. We will see many villages along the highway arriving in Madang in the early evening. If the road is closed we will complete this section by air Days 9-10 - Madang On our first day on the coast enjoy a full day tour of Madang and the north coast road, possibly to Bogia, if conditions are favourable. We take a picnic lunch and return to hotel early evening.
The next morning we take a harbour cruise with a picnic lunch with opportunities to swim and snorkel. The afternoon is free for further exploration perhaps at the vegetable market where hundreds of vendors spend the day selling their organic tropical food.
Alternatively you may be ready to relax by the pool Day 11 - Madang to Cairns (via Port Moresby) Transfer to the airport and board our flight to Port Moresby. We arrive in time for our ongoing connection to Cairns where you tour ends. Accommodation and arrangements can be made for any interested in exploring the 'capital' of tropical North Queensland |
Local Payment
Your Local Payment is collected by your group leader in cash at your group meeting on Day 1 of the trip and is part of your tour price. The money is spent locally on your tour.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Extra Accommodation
Pre and post trip accommodation is offered on most journeys pending availability. Please indicate in your enquiry if you require any rooms before or after your tour and the amount of nights requested.
For tours where the start and finish points are different w can assist you with your arrangements in both locations.
Single Traveller
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
However, for those that would prefer a single room for the tour we do offer a single supplement. This also applies to single travellers who we are not able to match up.
It must be stated however that on many of our tours we stay in small family owned guesthouse accommodation. In certain instances with full groups the passenger combinations may not always allow you to enjoy a single room. Please keep this in mind when booking your single supplement. We will however, always do our best to accommodate you.
Please make your request for this service a minimum of 3 months prior to your journey.
The quoted extra payment is for the entire trip.
Single Travellers
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
Due to the exploratory nature of this journey no single supplement is offered.
Airport Arrival Transfer
Global Drift offers an optional arrival transfer to your hotel at the quoted fee.
In your trip dossier you will receive directions on how to make your way to your starting point hotel. It is quite easy and possibly cheaper than we are able to offer it.
Should you require this service please advise us at the time of your booking.