• Trip Overview
• Detailed Program
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Trip Overview

This 14-day trip (+ 3-day optional extension) organized for Voyages en Papouasie customers offers a complete immersion in authentic Papua New Guinea. From the mysterious Sepik region to the spectacular Highlands, via the remote villages of the Simbai region, you’ll experience an intense cultural adventure.

Your journey begins in the swamps of the mighty Sepik River, where you’ll meet the Iatmul crocodile-men and discover their impressive Spirit Houses. You’ll also discover the Abelam people, renowned for their giant yams and spectacular dances.

After the Sepik, you’ll attend the Mount Hagen Show, one of the world’s largest tribal gatherings. But first, a charter flight takes you to Simbai for an immersion experience with the Kalam people.

The optional Rabaul extension allows you to discover New Britain, its active volcanoes and the spectacular Baining fire dance, one of Papua’s most impressive cultural performances.

• Sailing the Sepik River and meeting the Iatmul crocodile-men
• Visit to the Spirit Houses and stilt villages
• Meet the Abelam people and their traditions
• Mount Hagen Show: 2 days at the festival
• Kalam people in Simbai: 3 days of immersion
• 2 charter flights Mount Hagen – Simbai
• Rabaul extension (3 days): Active volcanoes, Baining fire dance, WWII wreck diving

Detailed Program

• Day 1: Arrival Port Moresby - Flight Wewak
  Early morning arrival in Port Moresby. Meet your guide at the airport and enjoy an invigorating breakfast. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a little sightseeing before boarding your flight to Wewak on the north coast of New Guinea. Capital of the East Sepik province, Wewak is the gateway to the swamps and rainforests of the Sepik River, the longest river in New Guinea. On arrival, transfer to the comfortable Boutique Hotel, where the rest of the day is free to relax after the long journey.

  Accommodation : Wewak Boutique Hotel – Deluxe Room – Meals : P.D.D. – Flight : 1h30

• Day 2: Towards the Sepik River - Kanganamun Village
  After meeting your local guides this morning, you set off on a five-hour journey to Pagwi on the Sepik River. From here, you travel downstream by motorized pirogue, a journey of around two hours that takes you to the village of Kanganamun, in the heart of the Middle Sepik. This region is home to the famous crocodile-men of the Iatmul ethnic group, whose rituals include deep scarification to resemble the teeth marks of the great crocodile spirit. Their huge spirit houses are considered cathedrals of primitive art. On arrival, settle in with your hosts in authentic basic accommodation.

  Accommodation: Sepik Guesthouse – Meals: P.D.D. – Transfer: 4h30 by bus + 2h30 by pirogue

• Day 3: Exploring the Middle Sepik - Villages and Spirit Houses
  You have the opportunity to visit at least two traditional dance ceremonies, as well as a number of different spirit houses and villages. Travelling by motorized pirogue, you explore some of the villages to learn more about the traditions of their initiation ceremonies, before continuing to Palembe, where you take a short walk to one of the oldest Haus Tambarans (Spirit Houses) in the Sepik region.

  Accommodation: Sepik Guesthouse – Meals: P.D.D. – Transfer : 3h by pirogue

• Day 4: Abelam people near Maprik - Return to Wewak
  You leave the village in the morning for Pagwi, where the bus takes you to an Abelam village near Maprik. The Abelam people live in the Bismarck Range and are known for their incredible skills in growing giant yams, as well as for their fantastic spirit houses and dances. Visit the local spirit house and watch a dance. After a local lunch in the village, you return to Wewak, where you can relax at the Boutique Hotel.

  Accommodation: Wewak Boutique Hotel – Meals: P.D.D. – Transfer : 1h by pirogue + road

• Day 5: Wewak flight to Mount Hagen
  Flight to Mount Hagen in the Highlands. On arrival, check into hotel. Afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Mount Hagen at your leisure.

  Accommodation : McRoyal Hotel – Meals : P.D.D. – Flight : PNG Air

• Day 6: Exclusive cultural encounter
  Early departure for an exclusive cultural encounter organized for Wild Frontiers guests. In a picturesque village setting, meet members of tribal groups. Admire their fascinating ornaments and body decorations, their traditional sing-sings. Meet a women’s group to learn about the lives of Papuan women.

  Accommodation: McRoyal Hotel – Meals: P.D.D.

• Day 7: Mount Hagen Show - Day 1
  Day one of the Mount Hagen Show! Early departure for the festival grounds. Stroll among the dancers getting ready, with their elaborate headdresses of feathers, shells, leaves and body paint. The show begins: hundreds of dancers sing and drum. An exhilarating experience! Picnic on site.

  Accommodation: McRoyal Hotel – Meals: P.D.D.

• Day 8: Mount Hagen Show - Day 2
  Day two of the Mount Hagen Show. Another full day at the festival to enjoy the different tribal groups and the unique atmosphere. Free time to photograph and immerse yourself in this exceptional cultural celebration.

  Accommodation: McRoyal Hotel – Meals: P.D.D.

• Day 9: Mount Hagen charter flight to Simbai
  Early departure for the local airport. Spectacular charter flight to Simbai, a remote village in the heart of the Bismarck mountain range, with no road access. Flight over breathtaking mountain scenery. From the airstrip, a 45-minute walk to your authentic village accommodation.

  Accommodation: Simbai Village Guesthouse – Meals: P.D.D.

• Day 10: Kalam Festival - Day 1
  First day of the Kalam Festival. You’ll witness the initiation ceremonies of young boys into adulthood, a sacred and rare event. Traditional dances, songs and ancestral rituals in a spectacular mountain setting.

  Accommodation: Simbai Village Guesthouse – Meals: P.D.D.

• Day 11: Kalam Festival - Day 2
  Second day of the Kalam Festival. Continuation of initiation ceremonies. You take part in village life, share meals with your hosts and discover mountain agriculture in this isolated environment.

  Accommodation: Simbai Village Guesthouse – Meals: P.D.D.

• Day 12: Kalam Festival - Day 3
  Third and final day of the Kalam Festival. End of the ceremonies and privileged moments of exchange with the villagers. A unique immersive experience in one of Papua’s most remote regions.

  Accommodation: Simbai Village Guesthouse – Meals: P.D.D.

• Day 13: Simbai charter flight to Mount Hagen
  After breakfast and a farewell to the village, walk back to the airstrip. Charter flight to Mount Hagen, then domestic flight to Port Moresby. Free time to explore the capital.

  Accommodation: Airways Hotel – Meals: P.D.D.

• Day 14: Port Moresby flight - City tour - International flight
  Transfer to the international airport for your departure flight. End of main tour. OR departure for Rabaul extension.

  Meals : Breakfast

• Extension Day 15: Rabaul flight - Volcanoes and WWII history
  RABAUL EXTENSION: Flight to Rabaul in New Britain. Discover active volcanoes (Tavurvur and Vulcan), visit World War II historic sites, Japanese bunkers and shipwrecks. Check-in at Rapopo Plantation Resort.

  Accommodation: Rapopo Plantation Resort – Meals: P.D.D.

• Extension Day 16: Baining fire dance
  A day dedicated to discovering the Baining culture. In the evening, witness the spectacular Baining fire dance, one of Papua’s most impressive cultural performances. Dancers wear giant masks and dance barefoot over glowing embers.

  Accommodation: Rapopo Plantation Resort – Meals: P.D.D.

• Extension Day 17: Return to Port Moresby
  Free morning to enjoy the beach, snorkel or dive the World War II wrecks. Fly back to Port Moresby, then connect with your international flight.

  Meals : Breakfast

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