A Truly Adventurous Exploration of Papua New Guinea with Benedict Allen
Tour Introduction
This is truly a unique adventure in the company of one of the two greatest living British explorers (according to Daily Telegraph), Benedict Allen.
Adventurer, author, broadcaster and motivational speaker, Benedict Allen has extensive knowledge of the Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea, having been inducted into one of its tribes in a grueling male ritual rite called “man strong as crocodile” and travelled its many tributaries.
During this extraordinary journey Benedict will regale you with tales of his many exploits in PNG, Namibia, Indonesia and Central Asia, traversing vast distances solo or with a few camels, living off the land and encountering many dangers and gaining huge insights.
Join Benedict and the group’s various local guides for what is sure to be a trip of a life time (and that is no cliche when applied to this tour).
Full Itinerary
Arrive in Singapore and connect with onward flight to Port Moresby.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Arrive in Port Moresby. Fly to Mount Hagen. Met and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon birding in the lodge grounds
Staying at Kumul Lodge. Includes Lunch and Dinner.
Morning guided visit to Tonga birding site. Afternoon guided visit to kopia or Anji & Walya birding sites.
Staying at Kumul Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Morning visit to Pigsties with a local guide in search of birds of paradise and other avian species. Afternoon visit to Anji Village for a cultural experience.
Staying at Kumul Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to the airport and catch flight to Port Moresby. Connect with flight to Wewak. Transfer to the hotel.
Staying at In Wewak Boutique Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer by road to Pagwi and board motorised canoe for transfer to Kandengei village. Afternoon cultural experience.
Staying at Chambri Guesthouse. Includes All Meals.
Continue village visits in the Sepik by motorised canoe. Transfer to Wagu village.
Staying at Wagu Guesthouse. Includes All Meals.
Early morning visit to the nearby forest to see the lesser bird of paradise. Continue village visits in the Sepik by motorised canoe. Transfer to Ambunit.
Staying at Ambunti Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Return to Pagwi motorised by canoe. Then transfer by road to visit Apangai village to experience a mini culture show. Continue by road to Wewak and transfer to the hotel.
Staying at In Wewak Boutique Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Catch flight to Port Moresby. Connect with Air Niugini flight to Singapore
Includes In-flight Meals.
Download the full details of this itinerary and start planning your trip today.
Download FileTour Accommodation
Kumul Lodge
Overview
Owned and run by local people, Kumul Lodge stands at 2,800m (8,500 ft) above sea level in a montane forest area near Mt Hagen. The word kumul means bird of paradise in Pidgin English: there are not many other properties in PNG where you can see wild birds of paradise inside the lodge grounds, sometimes even from your room. Nearly 100 avian species have been recorded in the lodge grounds alone, including three species of birds of paradise, and more can be found at nearby sites at various altitudes on guided tours.
Kumul Lodge was locally designed and built with regional natural materials and all the staff are from the local community. Accommodation is in simple rooms with private bathroom. There is also a stove to keep the lodge warm in the cool evenings and electric blankets are provided on the beds.
The lodge has a strong ethos concerning the environment and uses some of its funds to increase awareness of the vulnerability of the forest and the birds among the local population. The local owners hope that eventually the area will be declared a national park and are working towards that end.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant / bar, en suite rooms, feeding platform for birds
Local Wildlife
The lodge’s feeders encourage a plethora of birds into the lodge grounds and create outstanding photographic opportunities. Some which regularly visit the feeders include smoky honeyeater, Brehm’s tiger parrot, Belford’s melidectes, brown sicklebill, ribbon-tailed astrapia, island thrush, Belford’s melidectes, Brehm’s tiger parrot and chestnut forest rail. There are trails through excellent moss forest where crested satinbird, lesser melampitta and New Guinea woodcock might be encountered. Excursions from the lodge can produce sightings of blue, King of Saxony, and lesser birds-of-paradise. For instance, on a guided visit to Pigites Site at 2,500m (7600 ft) one can find King of Saxony bird of paradise, Princess Stephanie’s astrapia, Loria’s satinbird, wattled ploughbill, regent whistler, tit berrypecker, black-breasted boatbill and garnet robin.
Optional Activities
Guided birdwatching in the local forest and excursions to visit tribal villages.
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.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Tour Dates
Adult Price
Single Supp
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
Yes
Flight Info:
Fly from Singapore to Port Moresby on Air Niugini. Return flight to Singapore are not included. Quotes can be provided
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
Extensions are possible. Three options have been included at the end of the itinerary. Please ask for more details.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
[Your Papua New Guinea representatives] were probably the most efficient and best organised company I have had dealings with. They were an absolute pleasure – everything worked perfectly.. .Overall an excellent holiday, very well organised and a fascinating place to visit. Most enjoyable. Thanks.
