Goroka Show, Madang and the Mighty Sepik River
Tour Introduction
Led by various regional guides, this 15‑day group tour is perfectly suited to those with limited time to explore Papua New Guinea. The journey begins in the cool Eastern Highlands, where we attend the spectacular Goroka Show, the country’s oldest and largest cultural festival. For two full days, over 100 highland tribes gather to display their vibrant costumes, rhythmic dances and ancestral rituals – an unforgettable celebration of Papua New Guinea’s extraordinary cultural diversity. While in Goroka, we also hike on Mt Gurupoka to witness a traditional ghost dance and visit a Chimbu village for further cultural encounters.
Next, we descend to the warm coastal resort town of Madang, renowned for its friendly atmosphere, volcanic scenery and rich marine life. Here there is time to explore the region’s colourful coral reefs on a harbour cruise and snorkelling excursion, visit nearby Amele villages, and discover the area’s natural and cultural highlights including Balek Habitat, the museum and bustling local markets.
Finally, the tour concludes with a truly immersive adventure: a Sepik River canoe safari. Travelling by motorised dugout canoe, we journey along New Guinea’s longest river to visit remote villages famed for their artistry, spirit houses and ancient traditions. From birdwatching in pristine rainforest to meeting master carvers and witnessing a dancing mask performance, this section of the trip offers an intimate and authentic glimpse into life along the Sepik. The safari ends with a mini cultural show in Maprik before returning to Wewak and onward to Port Moresby.
*Our 2026 Group Tour is now full*
Full Itinerary
Depart Singapore on Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Arrive into Port Moresby in the early morning, and connect with a domestic Air Niugini flight to Goroka in the Highlands. Met on arrival once there and transfer to your nearby hotel.
Staying at Hotel Phoenix. Includes Breakfast.
Spend a full day at the Goroka Show, witnessing the colourful sing‑sing performances as highland tribes gather to showcase their traditional dress, music and dance.
Staying at Hotel Phoenix. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Enjoy a second full day at the Goroka Show, with the chance to see iconic performers such as the Asaro Mudmen reenact their dramatic ancestral traditions.
Staying at Hotel Phoenix. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
This morning visit Mt Gurupoka for a short hike, ancestral cave visit and ghost dance, then return to Goroka before an afternoon excursion to a Chimbu village to observe traditional crafts and customs.
Staying at Hotel Phoenix. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Travel overland from Goroka to Madang with scenic stops en route, including the Yonki Hydro Dam, before arriving at your hotel in the afternoon.
Staying at Madang Resort Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Take a morning harbour cruise with visits to Siar and Pig Islands for walking and snorkelling, then spend the afternoon exploring Amele villages and enjoying a sing‑sing performance at Haya.
Staying at Madang Resort Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Take a morning tour of the north coast, including the historic Alexishafen mission, then visit Balek Habitat, the museum and local market in the afternoon.
Staying at Madang Resort Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Fly from Madang to Port Moresby and onward to Wewak, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel overlooking the Bismarck Sea.
Staying at In Wewak Boutique Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Drive from Wewak to Pagwi before beginning your motorised canoe safari to Wagu, where you overnight in a simple village guesthouse beside the Hunstein Range and explore the surrounding lake environment rich in birdlife.
Staying at Wagu Guest House. Includes All Meals.
Begin with an early forest walk to see the Lesser Bird of Paradise before travelling through the Blackwater tributaries to visit local villages and continue by canoe to Chambri Lake for your overnight stay.
Staying at Chambri Guest House. Includes All Meals.
Visit the Chambri Lake villages to see their renowned spirit masks and pottery before continuing downriver to Kanganamun for traditional dancing‑mask performances and an overnight stay in a simple village guesthouse.
Staying at Kanganamun Guest House. Includes All Meals.
Return upriver to Pagwi to end your canoe journey, then continue by road to Apangai village for a visit to its impressive Haus Tambaran and sing‑sing before travelling on to Wewak.
Staying at In Wewak Boutique Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Fly to Port Moresby and transfer to your hotel, then spend the afternoon visiting the Adventure Park with its extensive orchid garden and Birds‑of‑Paradise aviary.
Staying at Airways Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Make an early visit to Varirata National Park to observe the Raggiana Bird of Paradise and other forest species before returning to Port Moresby to check out and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Includes Breakfast.
Download the full details of this itinerary and start planning your trip today.
Download FileTour Accommodation
Hotel Phoenix
Overview
This small, modern, no‑frills hotel is conveniently located close to Goroka Airport and within easy reach of the Goroka Showground. Rooms are simple but comfortable, each with en suite facilities. The property has an on‑site restaurant serving hearty meals and a pleasant outdoor pool area for relaxing between excursions. It provides a practical and well‑situated base during the busy show period.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private en suite rooms, restaurant and outdoor swimming pool, business centre and gift shop.
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.
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,
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.
Wagu Guest House
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.
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
Kanganamun Guest House
Overview
Kanganamun Guest House offers a simple and traditional homestay experience in one of the Middle Sepik’s most culturally significant villages. Built from local materials and run by a welcoming host family, the guest house provides very basic accommodation, yet delivers an authentic glimpse into daily life along the Sepik River. Rooms are modest, facilities are limited, and meals are prepared using local produce, creating a stay that is rustic but genuinely rooted in the community.
The village of Kanganamun is well known for its impressive spirit houses and strong artistic heritage, with many skilled carvers and storytellers living in the area. Travellers can explore the village, meet local artisans, and observe customs that have been passed down through generations. The Sepik River itself is the lifeline of the region, and journeys by motorised canoe offer a memorable way to experience the surrounding waterways and nearby settlements.
A stay at Kanganamun Guest House is best suited to those with a sense of adventure and an interest in authentic cultural encounters. While comfort levels are low, the opportunity to spend time with local families and experience one of Papua New Guinea’s most fascinating regions makes it a rewarding addition to any Sepik journey.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Facilities
Traditional homestay lodging in an immersive village setting, with basic shared facilities. Meals prepared using local ingredients.
Airways Hotel
Overview
Regarded as one of Papua New Guinea’s finest hotels, the luxurious Airways Hotel enjoys a prime position close to Port Moresby’s international airport. Designed in an elegant art‑deco style and set within landscaped grounds, the property offers a calm and secure base either side of a flight.
Guests have access to an excellent range of facilities, including a choice of restaurants and bars, a spacious lounge, outdoor tennis court, swimming pool with separate children’s pool, spa, gym and conference centre. A 24‑hour reception, currency exchange and ATM add further convenience.
Rooms are modern, comfortable and well equipped, featuring air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, safe, ceiling fan, mini‑bar and private balcony. Wi‑Fi is available at a surcharge. The hotel’s high standards of service and comprehensive amenities make it an ideal stopover in the capital.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private facilities, cable TV, restaurant, bar and lounge, outdoor tennis court, swimming pool with separate children’s pool, spa, conference centre, safety deposit box, 24-hour reception desk, currency exchange and ATM.
Optional Activities
Guided tours of Port Moresby.
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:
September 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
It is difficult to comprehend that the holiday is over. PNG is a special, amazing place where you still feel like a traveller/explorer, not a tourist. The images of the extremely varied birds, culture, people and scenery will remain with me always. Thank you for arranging it!
About 90 percent of the tour was wonderful. Reggiana’s Bird of Paradise displaying on the first afternoon, awesome! Food was superb throughout (a first for Shirley and I!). Logistics were essentially smooth and punctual. Regarding the lodges Raintree Lodge served it’s purpose, a comfortable base. Rondon was contemporary and well appointed (lovely rooms). Kumul was, as expected, rudimentary but an experience enhanced by THAT BIRD FEEDING STATION!). I was literary just two metres away from a Bird of Paradise! Wailindi was relaxing and very efficient. Everywhere the people were so affable and welcoming!! Incomprehensible levels of diversity regarding the culture, remarkable.
