South Pacific Vacations

Papua New Guinea Luxury Tours 1

The New Guinea Odyssey takes you through New Guinea, allowing enough time in each stop over to be submersed in the culture and ecology of the area. You will be taken on a cultural journey through a few of Papua New Guinea's 700+ language groups, from the Melpa of the Wahgi Valley, to the Yokoim of the Karawari River, the Iatmul of the Sepik River and finally the colourful and flamboyant Huli of the Tari Basin.

Each destination has its own unique ecosystem; you may see the magical Superb Bird of Paradise at Rondon Ridge, the bizarre Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise at Karawari, the mysterious and illusive Sepik Blue Orchid in the Sepik or the stunning Ribbon-tailed Astrapia at Ambua. The New Guinea Odyssey takes the time and provides the opportunity to experience this amazing "Land of the Unexpected."

Day 1. Port Moresby to Mount Hagen. Upon your arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and transferred to your flight Air Niugini PX180 Port Moresby to Mount Hagen. Mount Hagen Town is in the upper Wahgi Valley - a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture in the world. Perched high on Mount Kuta is Rondon Ridge, with unbelievable views of the Wahgi Valley. Overnight Rondon Ridge LD

Day 2-3. Explore Mount Hagen. Two full day are spent exploring the Hagen Area and Wahgi Valley. The Mount Hagen area is the home of the Melpa people, a people with a strong culture, who in the face of modernity, still live largely traditional subsistence lifestyles. In the mountains surrounding the Wahgi Valley live a stunning array of bird, orchid and plant life. Overnight Rondon Ridge BLD

Day 4. Mount Hagen to Karawari. Fly by charter from Mount Hagen to Karawari, the mountains start to give way until eventually vast tracts of dense tropical lowland rainforest cover the landscape for as far as the eye can see. From Karawari airstrip, you will be transferred by river boat and four wheel drive to Karawari Lodge. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, Karawari Lodge boasts a spectacular view over hundreds of kilometres of dense tropical jungle. Inspired by local architecture and built with traditional materials, while still providing modern comforts. Overnight Karawari Lodge BLD

Day 5. Karawari. Wake up to the chattering of Lorikeets and Eclectus Parrots. After breakfast enjoy touring programs that provide insight into the amazing ecology and culture of the Karawari area. Overnight Karawari Lodge BLD

Day 6. Karawari to Sepik Spirit. You will be transferred by river boat to the air conditioned comfort of the MV Sepik Spirit. Inspired by the architecture of the "haus tambaran" or spirit house, the MV Sepik Spirit has a truly unique design. With its shallow draught, it allows travel to rarely visited areas of the Sepik River and its tributaries in comfort. Overnight MV Sepik Spirit BLD

Day 7-8. MV Sepik Spirit. Two full days are spent exploring the many waterways of the Sepik and its tributaries including visits to traditional Sepik Villages.

The Sepik River is one of the largest rivers in the world - in terms of flow. Steeped in mystery, the people of the Sepik area have fascinated anthropologists like Margaret Mead since the area was first visited. Part of the mystery and attraction of the Sepik peoples is their amazing carvings, now famous the world over. Overnight MV Sepik Spirit BLD

Day 9. Sepik Spirit to Tari. Fly by charter aircraft to Ambua airstrip over some of the most rugged and impressive landscapes in the world.

The country between Ambua and the Sepik region is an amazing array of jagged limestone that seem to rise and drop at impossible angles. Ambua Lodge is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley - home of the Huli, a colourful and proud people, still largely living the same way that their ancestors did. The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua - high mountain forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveller. Overnight Ambua Lodge BLD

Day 10. Tari. A full day of ecological and culturally based touring are sure to satiate those yearning for discovery. For the adventurous, there is an opportunity to have a bona fide village experience.

Enjoy a further full day of cultural and ecological touring. The Tari area is home to an incredible 13 species of birds of paradise, as well as numerous orchid species. Overnight Ambua Lodge BLD

Day 11. Tari to Port Moresby. As your odyssey draws to a close, you depart from Amua airstrip by charter to Mount Hagen. Your onward connection PX183 then takes you from Mount Hagen to Port Moresby. You will be met in Port Moresby by Trans Niugini Tours staff and transferred to the Airways Hotel Overnight Airways Hotel BL

Day 12. Depart. Trans Niugini Tours staff will transfer to your outgoing international flight.

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

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