Goroka Show, Madang and the Mighty Sepik River
Tour Introduction
Led by various regional guides, this 12 day group tour is perfectly suited to those with limited time to visit Papua New Guinea. The group will firstly visit remote villages along the Sepik River, travelling by motorised canoe for a truly authentic glimpse of village life along New Guinea’s longest artery. Next we travel to the warm coastal resort of Madang for the opportunity to experience the local culture and snorkel or dive the colourful coral reefs. Finally comes the highlight of the trip: we ascend to the cool Eastern Highlands for the spectacular Goroka Show, the oldest and largest cultural festival (or sing sing) in the country. For two days, over 100 highland tribes come together to display their unique music, regional dances and tribal rituals: a spectacle like no other on earth.
Full Itinerary
Depart Singapore on Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Met on arrival in Port Moresby and assisted with connection to Wewak. Rest of the day at leisure.
Staying at In Wewak Boutique. Includes No Meals.
After breakfast, transfer by road to Pagwi. Change to motorized dugout canoe and commence the sepik river canoe safari.
Staying at Chambri Guest house. Includes All Meals.
Visit the middle Sepik villages via Wasui Lagoon to Wagu Lake
Staying at Wagu Guesthouse. Includes All Meals.
Early morning visit to the rainforest to see the Lesser Bird of Paradise. Later, visit the Wasukukarea blackwater tributaries including Meno and Tonginmjam
Staying at Ambunti Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Depart Ambunti by canoe to Pagwi. Transfer by road to Maprik and enjoy mini cultural show. Later, transfer to Wewak.
Staying at In Wewak Boutique. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Catch Air Niugini flight to Madang. Met and transfer to the hotel.
Staying at Madang Resort Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Morning harbour cruise visiting Siar Island for a short walk and Pig Island for snorkelling. Afternoon tour of Amele Vilalges including Hobe, Suyao and Haya.
Staying at Madang Resort Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Depart Madang and transfer by road ( approx 7-8 hours) to Goroka, stopping at Yonki Hydro Dam en route. Transfer to the hotel.
Staying at Pacific Gardens Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Visit the Goroka Show. The largest cultural festival in the country.
Staying at Pacific Gardens Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Enjoy another day at the Goroka Show.
Staying at Pacific Gardens Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport. Catch Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby. Connect with Air Niugini flight to Singapore
Includes Breakfast.
Download the full details of this itinerary and start planning your trip today.
Download FileTour Accommodation
In Wewak Boutique Hotel
Overview
In Wewak Boutique Hotel is a beautiful colonial-style property situated on a hillside on the outskirts of Wewak town overlooking the beautiful Bismarck Sea.
The rooms have private facilities, fridges, direct dial telephones, flat-screen satellite TV and air conditioning: the deluxe rooms also have private balconies. All rooms are cleaned daily and a laundry service is available.
There are two restaurants on site, both with good service and air conditioning. The Cocoa Café offers breakfast and lunch daily and the Vanilla Room serves dinner. The hotel has a small outdoor swimming pool and showcases excellent examples of local East Sepik Province artefacts and art throughout the building.
The hotel is ideally placed for trips in the Pagwi district, famous for its diverse culture, village worship houses and wildlife.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
En suite bathrooms, two restaurants, bar, lounge, direct dial telephones, TV, fridge, laundry service, swimming pool, sundeck area and Wi-Fi.
Optional Activities
Cultural activities in the nearby Pagwi region.
Chambri Guest House
Overview
Chambri Guest House offers very basic accommodation in a remote Sepik village. Rooms are small and the mattresses provided have mosquito nets. There is a pit toilet located a short distance from the accommodation building and washing is usually undertaken in the river. There is no electricity but a kerosine lantern provides light in the common room in the evening. It is recommended that you bring your own torch for personal use in the night.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
The main guest house has a common area for dining and 3 x rooms. Pit toilet located a few metres from the accommodation building. Mattress with mosquito net provided. No shower or electricity but kerosine lantern will give you a light in the common room in the evening. For a large group, several houses nearby will be used to accommodate up to 15 people.
Optional Activities
Cultural tours along the Sepik River and its tributaries.
Bird watching
Crocodile Hunting at night time
Wagu Guesthouse
Overview
Wagu Guest House offers very basic accommodation in a remote Sepik village. The beds provided have mosquito nets. There is a flush toilet and cold water shower adjacent to the accommodation building.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Flush toilet and cold water shower, adjacent to the main accommodation building. Mosquito nets provided.
Optional Activities
Cultural tours along the Sepik River and its tributaries. Bird watching.
Ambunti Lodge
Overview
The only hotel on this part of the mighty Sepik River, Ambunti Lodge offers basic accommodation but is the best option for those undertaking the three-day canoe trip, which takes you into the heart of authentic Papuan life and culture.
Electricity comes from a generator which goes off at 22:00hrs and comes back in the morning. Rooms are small and beds have mosquito nets. En suite bathrooms have flush toilet, cold water shower (very refreshing in the heat) and air-conditioning in each room (limited hours).
Ambunti Lodge is the only accommodation in the area apart from bush-material guesthouses in the villages which are even more basic.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private facilities, dining room, lounge, bar, air-conditioning (restricted hours)
Optional Activities
Cultural tours along the Sepik River and its tributaries. Bird watching.
Madang Resort Hotel
Overview
A large comfortable hotel ideally located at the entrance of the beautiful Madang harbour. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens and offers a range of accommodation types to suit all budgets from standard rooms to executive waterfront bungalows.
The standard rooms are small and simple with en suite facilities, while the spacious en suite premier rooms are much more comfortable and spacious, recently refurbished with flat screen tv and balconies overlooking Dallman Passage.
The hotel has two restaurants including the new “Haus Win” featuring open dining along the waterfront.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private facilities, 2 restaurant, 2 bars, 4 swimming pools, tennis courts, air conditioned gymnasium and fitness centre, as well as a lagoon with kayaks and canoes available for guests. There is a dive shop with full PADI Dive training facility.
Local Wildlife
Hundreds of species of coral, small fish, larger pelagic species including barracuda, jacks, rays and turtles.
Optional Activities
Snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking, jungle hiking, coastal boat tours and tours to BilBil village,
Pacific Gardens Hotel
Overview
The Pacific Gardens Hotel is a simple but comfortable hotel located in the lush Pacific Gardens Estate close to the airport in Goroka. The property, one of the best options in Goroka, is within a safe gated park with walking trails and BBQ area.
The hotel has a well-stocked bar and lounge, and a good a la carte restaurant serving international and traditional Papuan dishes.
The standard rooms are small and simple with en suite facilities, while the spacious premier rooms are set further away and much more comfortable and spacious, having en suite bathroom and direct dial phones. Wi-Fi is available in the main building (charged locally) and there are self-catering apartments for rent.
Other facilities include conference room, laundry service, room service, currency exchange, gift shop and pleasant gardens to enjoy.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private facilities, restaurant, bar, lounge, direct dial telephones, Wi-Fi (charges apply), laundry service and currency exchange.
Optional Activities
Cultural tours in Goroka villages where the Asaro mud men tribes are found. The famous Goroka show is held every year close to Independence day (16 September), when over 100 different tribes from around the country gather to showcase their traditional dance, dress and music.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Tour Dates
Adult Price
Single Supp
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
Yes
Flight Info:
Return flights with Air Niugini from Singapore to Port Moresby are included. Please enquire for flight fares from London Heathrow
Best Visited:
May to October
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We write to express our thanks for organising another highly successful special itinerary tour [to Papua new Guinea], despite the last minute changes to our tour schedule. We were very impressed with [your representatives]. They ran a highly professional service in all aspects. The three lodges, all with their own very special character, were well run with friendly staff, clean and with good facilities. The food at all three was excellent -including the vegetarian provision. The transfer arrangements…were excellent…The excursion opportunities at all the lodges were good.. .The three contrasting locations of the lodges…enabled us to sample three very different village cultures, and their remoteness and juxtaposition to primary rainforest. . .made for excellent wildlife viewing especially for birds.. .In all our world travels so far, we have never been able to match the very special experience that combined the comfort of these individually unique lodges.. .with the opportunities to explore some of the world’s dwindling rainforest and meet its ancient and charming peoples and witness its unique birdlife. To step outside our lodge cabin [at Tari] and observe three species of birds of paradise was just magic!
