iExplore Papua New Guinea Active(Trip #63551)

Tour Overview

Papua New Guinea is unlike any place on earth. Known as the Land of a Thousand Cultures, it is not surprising that there are well over eight hundred distinct languages spoken throughout the country. Towering mountain peaks have kept remote villages isolated and kept their customs and languages intact. This is a country of wild beauty, breathtaking fertile valleys, golden beaches and coral islands, all with fascinating flora and fauna. It is a place of drama, solitude and sophistication, recognized internationally as one of the premier dive locations in the world.

Experience the natural wonders of this beautiful landscape by trekking through Mt. Hagen and viewing some of the 38 species of Birds of Paradise. You will stay close to the Paiya and Melpa village people and observe their daily routines and some of their ceremonial rites.

There is more life around the reefs of Papua New Guinea than anywhere else on the planet. Home to over 2,000 species of fish it is truly a diver’s dream come true.

For the Optional Diving Tour Extension to Loloata Island, the Bootless Bay area, with its myriad habitats and diversity has one of the richest marine macro-faunas to be found anywhere in the world. Some of the residents you may see on your dives include the ghost pipefish, commensal shrimps, short-nosed dragon fish, crabs, sea stars, sea urchins, mollusks, fish and pygmy seahorses living on sea fans.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - Mount Hagen
On arrival in Port Moresby, after the completion of customs and immigration, you will be met and transferred to your flight (not included; suggested flight: Air Niugini (PX) #182, departing Port Moresby at 1510, and arriving Mt. Hagen at 1610) to Mount Hagen. Upon arrival in Mount Hagen you will be transferred by 4WD to the Magic Mountain Hideaway your home for the next two nights.

Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, is a collection of hot, sprawling, suburbs scattered around the hilly terrain. It is the only part of the country with this dry climate within the rain shadow from the Owen Stanley Range to the northeast.

Magic Mountain Hideaway is a set of guest bungalows at Paiya Village that will enable you to observe the daily village lifestyle at close quarters. Western Highlands culture and customs are authentically demonstrated in the village environment. Village style food is served and you are able to observe and even participate in the preparation.
Dinner
Magic Mountain Hideaway – Guest House

Day 02 & 03: Mount Hagen
Enjoy two full days of touring among the people of the Paiya area, experience the village life style and pure Western Highlanders traditions. A dance welcomes you to your Guest House.

At Paiya village you will see women dancing in traditional costumes, the Chief and his three wives, the Village Museum – with its collection of spirit stones, skulls of past Chiefs from many years ago and observe the general village.

On Day Three you will participate in an ecological tour of Paiya, Magic Mountain and nearby villages followed by a traditional mumu dinner (The mumu is an earth oven that is formed by heating stones which are then used to cook the food). After dinner you will witness a courting ceremony where boys and girls come together to meet, greet, and sing love songs while dancing.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Magic Mountain Hideaway

Day 04: Mount Hagen - Rondon Ridge
This morning a scenic transfer to Mount Hagen and then transferred to Rondon Ridge. Rondon Ridge is situated at 7100 feet above sea level and sports magnificent views of the incredible Wahgi Valley. Rondon Ridge is the pinnacle of luxury in a rural setting. Only 30 minutes drive from the major center of Mount Hagen. Rondon Ridge has twelve tastefully furnished rooms with modern bathrooms, warmed beds and quilts for those chilly highlands nights. Power is supplied by its own hydro system, providing uninterrupted clean electricity.

This afternoon a half-day nature and bird tour will take you walking on the tracks of Rondon Ridge. With ten species of Bird of Paradise in the Rondon Ridge area, numerous orchid species and hours of walking trails based out of the lodge, there is ample opportunity for those wishing to get up close and personal with the unique ecology of this area.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rondon Ridge

Day 05: Rondon Ridge
Today you will spend a full day trekking in the Mount Hagen area. Departing from Rondon Ridge, your day will spent trekking to a nearby Melpa village. The trek takes you through traditional gardens, past family homesteads and over man-made ditches. These ditches were and are used to delineate land boundaries, as defensive installations and as drainage. Upon arrival in the village, you will be meet with a traditional greeting and have the opportunity to interact with the people and gain insight into an ancient culture.

The Melpa people are said by anthropologists, to be “predisposed to capitalism”, because of their complex traditional society in which “big men” earn status by accruing wealth and then giving it all away in ceremonial exchanges.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rondon Ridge

Day 06: Mount Hagen - Ambua - Tari Gap
Transfer to the airport for your spectacular flight to Ambua. You are met and transferred by lodge shuttle to the Ambua Lodge for check-in.

Ambua Lodge is an inspired mixture of local architecture, spectacular views and modest luxury off the beaten track. Located at 7000 feet (2100 meters) in the PNG Southern Highlands, homeland of the Huli clan with their human hair wigs adorned with colorful flowers. Recipient of the 1991 Pacific Asia Travel Association's "Pacific Heritage Award" which sighted Ambua Lodge as "superb example of culturally sensitive and ecological responsible tourism". Ambua Lodge has thirteen species of birds of paradise close by and an amazing array of orchids. Lists of birds, orchids, and other plants of the Ambua and Tari Gap area are available.

This afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua – hight mountain forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveler. Optional activities (non-exclusive) from the lodge include a guided walk in the rain forest, a visit to the Tari Gap area, and/or a trip to look for the exotic birds of paradise.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ambua Lodge

Days 07 & 08: Tari Gap
Enjoy two full days of nature, cultural and trekking activities with your lodge guide. The lodge is located at 7,000 feet in the Tari Gap area in the southern highlands, bordering on pristine mid-montane rainforest and in the beginning of the valley grasslands. This location promises the visitor the eternal spring weather and magnificent views of the Tari Valley.

The forest canopy, a dense mass of interlocking tree tops of all shades of green and the occasional bright splash of color, provides a natural setting and an exhilarating climate for venturing along the nature trails. Cross-traditional vine bridges where you will discover secluded waterfalls, view the timid tree kangaroo, and spot high altitude orchids and rhododendrons. Take advantage of the birding in the Tari Gap area where one may chance to observe up to ten species of bird of paradise.

The Huli Wigmen of the Tari Valley have formed a strong bond between themselves and these beautiful birds. Men revere the birds by imitating them in both daily and ceremonial lives, decorating their human hair wigs with the plumage of only the most beautiful birds. Tari is one of the few places left where men and women can be seen wearing traditional dress as part of daily living and a man’s wealth is still counted by the number of pigs and wives they possess.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ambua Lodge

Day 09 : Tari - Port Moresby - Depart
Transfer to Mt Hagen Airport for your flight to Port Moresby International Airport (not included- suggested flight- Air Niugini #865 departing Tari at 1100 and arriving Port Moresby at 12:30) for your onward depart.
Breakfast

OPTIONAL DIVING EXTENSION TO LOLOATA ISLAND
(4 Days/ 3 Nights):

Day 9: Tari - Port Moresby - Loloata Island
Transfer to Mt Hagen Airport for your flight to Port Moresby International Airport. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to Bootless Bay for your ferry transfer to Loloata Island.

Transfer to hotel for check-in. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Loloata Island Resort is Papua New Guinea’s best kept secret. A diving resort, only a short distance from Port Moresby, nestled in Bootless Bay, Loloata offers an incredible array of diving opportunities. Papua New Guinea already has the reputation as one of the best diving locations in the world.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Loloata Island Resort

Days 10 & 11: Loloata Island - Diving
For the next two days you will have the opportunity to make two dives per day.

Aside from the island’s relaxing attributes, a variety of island walks and snorkeling opportunities, the dive sites at Loloata are practically unsurpassed. There are a variety of shipwreck and other adrenalin spiced dives for the more experienced. The ‘Big Drop’ dive is a sheer wall dropping into dark water where divers are likely to see sharks and stingrays. Likewise, the ‘Tunnel’, is a 12-meter swim through which is another popular choice for experienced divers. The wreck dives allow divers to explore prawn trawlers, tug boats and a barge to name a few, all sunk for recreational use.

There is also a range of reef dives available that allow you to see a large variety of brightly colored native fish and mesmerizing coral clusters. Every Friday night at Loloata Island Resort is a cultural night where guests are given a chance to experience true Papua New Guinean culture by way of song and dance.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Loloata Island Resort

Day 12: Loloate Island - Port Moresby - Depart
Ferry transfer to Bootless Bay and road transfer to Port Moresby International Airport for your onward departure.
Breakfast

Departure Dates

Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details.

Prices

2009 Pricing

$4,095 per person, double occupancy, based on two persons traveling together
$765 single supplement
$4,795 solo traveler

OPTIONAL DIVING EXTENSION (4 Days/ 3 Nights):
$1,495 per person, double occupancy, based on two persons traveling together
$200 single supplement
$1,695 solo traveler

Inclusions:
· Airport meet and assist on arrival
· All transfers and sightseeing on a non-exclusive (shared) basis, unless otherwise indicated
· Accommodations as detailed in a double standard rooms with private facilities
· Services of a professional English-speaking local guides as detailed in the itinerary
· Scheduled TNAIR charter flights: Rondon Ridge - Ambua
· Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
· Entrance fees to the sights indicated
· Papua New Guinea Goods and Services Taxes

Exclusions:
· International air and taxes
· Domestic Air Niugini flights: Port Moresby-Mt. Hagen-Port Moresby
· Departure tax
· Items of a personal nature
· Optional touring
· Travel Insurance
· Gratuities
· Holiday surcharges
· Entry visa fees

Notes:
· Maximum baggage allowance is 10kg per person and a maximum of 5kg carry-on baggage per person. Large, hard sided suitcases are not permitted on the charter aircraft.
· Domestic flights must be booked in conjunction with your international arrival and departure flights in order to take advantage of discounts offered on tickets purchased outside of Papua New Guinea.
Domestic flights to be booked are:
Day 1 – PX182 Port Moresby – Mt. Hagen 1510/1610
Day 9 – PX865 Mt. Hagen – Port Moresby 1100/1230

These trips are priced assuming two travelers. Surcharges for solo travelers and discounts for groups, if any, will be applied. Prices assume itinerary is purchased "as is". Minor changes to hotels or hotel add-ons to the beginning or the end of the existing itinerary can be made at no extra charge. Any customization requiring us to start with a new base itinerary will require a non-refundable upfront planning fee of $250 that is creditable towards the final trip price.

Group Discounts

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Options & Upgrades

OPTIONAL DIVING EXTENSION TO LOLOATA ISLAND
(4 Days/ 3 Nights):

Loloata Island Resort is Papua New Guinea’s best kept secret. A diving resort, only a short distance from Port Moresby, nestled in Bootless Bay, Loloata offers an incredible array of diving opportunities. Papua New Guinea already has the reputation as one of the best diving locations in the world.

You will stay at the Loloata Island Resort and for two full days you will have the opportunity to make two dives per day. In addition, all of you meals will be included.

Aside from the island’s relaxing attributes, a variety of island walks and snorkeling opportunities, the dive sites at Loloata are practically unsurpassed. There are a variety of shipwreck and other adrenalin spiced dives for the more experienced. The ‘Big Drop’ dive is a sheer wall dropping into dark water where divers are likely to see sharks and stingrays. Likewise, the ‘Tunnel’, is a 12-meter swim through which is another popular choice for experienced divers. The wreck dives allow divers to explore prawn trawlers, tug boats and a barge to name a few, all sunk for recreational use.

There is also a range of reef dives available that allow you to see a large variety of brightly colored native fish and mesmerizing coral clusters.

Every Friday night at Loloata Island Resort is a cultural night where guests are given a chance to experience true Papua New Guinean culture by way of song and dance.