Example Itinerary

Meet the Wigmen: Papua New Guinea Adventure

Duration
13 days / 12 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Heritage
Destinations
Papua New Guinea

This trip takes you on a breathtaking exploration through some of Papua New Guinea's most remote locations – Tari in the Southern Highlands and the Sepik River. You'll meet the Huli Tribe's wigmen, see beautiful primitive art and be treated to a tribal performance of Sing-Sing. At the end of your trek, you’ll have time to relax on the beautiful coastline of Madang.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Sepik Canoeing: Travelers take a motorized canoe down the Sepik River — known for its vibrant wildlife and isolated river cultures — to explore the riverside villages among the rainforest and mangroves.
  • Beaches of PNG: Explore the isolated beaches of Papua New Guinea at Wewak and Madang, where travelers will find rich underwater sealife and crystal clear water for snorkeling and diving.
  • Wigmen Sing-Sing: First known to Westerners in 1934, the Huli Wigmen of Hela Province are known for their distinctive face makeup and ornate headdresses, decorating themselves with the colorful plumage of the birds of paradise. While in a Huli village, travelers are treated to a traditional sing-sing.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Port Moresby

On the first day of your Papua New Guinea adventure, you'll land in Port Moresby and check into your hotel. Port Moresby has a selection of great properties that offer the full range of modern amenities for the traveler – we recommend the Comfort Inn, which has tropical gardens and a pool. In the afternoon, head out on a tour of Port Moresby and enjoy the relaxed island pace.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Proximity to the Airport: If the Airways Hotel was any closer to Jacksons International Airport, it would be on the runway. A stay here is convenient for guests with early/late flights or looking to escape the capital to explore Papua New Guinea's more remote regions via a domestic flight.

Extensive Wellness Facilities: For an airport hotel, the Airways doesn't hold back on spa and fitness services. The well-equipped gym, as well as tennis and squash courts, are great options for those looking to keep active while traveling. Meanwhile, the award-winning Bliss the Spa offers a wide range of massages, facials and other treaments, such as foot reflexology, Thai massage and Swedish massage, to name but a few.

Fine Dining: Airways' quintet of drinking and dining venues cater to the diverse tastes of international visitors. Fresh seafood is easily the best feature on the menus here, whether its in authentic Indian dishes at Bacchus or grilled up BBQ-style and served with a beer by the pool.

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Airways Hotel Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Prime Location: The Hilton Port Moresby is only a short drive from Jacksons International Airport and offers mountain and city views.

Attentive Staff: Representing Papua New Guinea for the Hilton brand, Hilton Port Moresby offers high-end hospitality for travelers befitting the Hilton name.

Adjacent Convention Center: For guests visiting Port Moresby for a conference or other event, the Hilton Port Moresby is located next to a large convention center with an outdoor amphitheater.

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Hilton Port Moresby Preferred Hotel
About

The Crowne Plaza is Papua New Guinea's only proper business-class hotel and provides all the necessary comforts for international travelers. Situated on a hilltop in the heart of the business district, the hotel has panoramic views of the Coral Sea and surrounding inland areas.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Tari

Today your trek begins. In the morning you'll take a flight to Tari where you'll meet your guide and transfer to the trek site. Tari is home to the Huli Tribe with their infamous wigmen. The Huli people live much as their ancestors have for centuries. The Huli revere birds and decorate their wigs with feathers and imitate bird movements in their dancing. You'll spend your first trek night in a local village homestay, including lunch and dinner.

Hotel Options
About

A village homestay in Papua New Guinea provides the ultimate culturally-immersive experience, though it is not for everyone. This type of accommodation is quite basic, without electricity or modern amenities, but there's no more authentic way to be a part of local village life.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Tari
Tari

Day 3

Karida

It's onward to Karida Village today, where you'll get to meet more local Huli villagers. On the way, you'll visit Hibure Bachelor Center and Skull Cave. In the afternoon, enjoy bird-watching and spirit dance in the village. Tonight you'll stay at a local homestay.

Hotel Options
About

A village homestay in Papua New Guinea provides the ultimate culturally-immersive experience, though it is not for everyone. This type of accommodation is quite basic, without electricity or modern amenities, but there's no more authentic way to be a part of local village life.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

Karida

Enjoy another day in the village with the Huli Tribe. Today the wigmen will perform a traditional Sing-Sing celebration, dressed in full tribal costume. After the performance, enjoy a traditional lunch roasted in an underground-oven and in the evening, listen to one of the elders during story-telling time.

Day 5

Kumul

This morning you will be transferred by air from Tari to Kumul via Mt. Hagen. While at Mount Hagen, you'll have the chance to browse through a colorful local market. In Kumul, enjoy spotting Papua New Guinea's beautiful tropical birds. Come evening, settle into the peaceful Kumul Lodge, an eco-lodge made from all-natural materials and run by local villagers.

Hotel Options
About

Located in the lush rural highlands of Papua New Guinea, Kumul Lodge is a renowned eco-lodge offering comfortably rustic accommodation. Owned and operated by people from the local community, guests staying at Kumul Lodge contribute to the immediate area through their commercial support and in turn, guests enjoy cozy accommodation surrounded by native wildlife and enjoying local hospitality.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Kumul
Kumul

Day 6

Mount Hagen

Rise early today and embark upon a full-day tour to Wabag, before returning to Mount Hagen. Wabag Town is the biggest provincial capital in Papua New Guinea and here you can enjoy local coffee. In the evening, check into the Quality Hotel Highlander.

Hotel Options
About

The Highlander Hotel in Mount Hagen, gateway to the Western Highlands and its vibrant culture of tribal sing-sing rituals, is one of the best hotels in PNG and offers many comforts one might not expect in the region, such as an outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, and a choice of dining options. The hotel's buildings are inspired by traditional architecture, with thatched roofs, and are surrounded by landscaped grounds.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 7

Ambunti

Today you'll bid adieu to Mount Hagen and fly to Ambunti. Here, you'll meet up with your guide and begin the four-day Middle Sepik Canoeing Art Tour. By exploring the waterways in this fashion, you'll get to see intricately-carved spirit houses and remote villages dotted throughout virgin forest. Spend the evening in a cozy village hut.

Hotel Options
About

Perched on the banks of the Sepik River, Ambunti Lodge provides basic accommodation and restaurant services. Guests may choose from twin or double rooms, and recent upgrades have resulted in air-conditioning and private bathrooms in each, making the rooms among the most comfortable available in the area.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

Sepik River

Continue your journey through the waterways of the Sepik River, stopping at villages and meeting different ethnic communities. Many villages you meet on this trip still practice ancient customs – secret ceremonies performed within spirit houses. You'll spend tonight in a village hut.

Hotel Options
About

A village homestay in Papua New Guinea provides the ultimate culturally-immersive experience, though it is not for everyone. This type of accommodation is quite basic, without electricity or modern amenities, but there's no more authentic way to be a part of local village life.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Sepik Region
Sepik Region

Day 9

Sepik River

Today is dedicated to exploring the waterways of the Sepik River, pushing through thick rainforest and mangroves, passing schools and villages and spotting all sorts of wildlife. It's your final night staying in a local village hut before making your way back to the more developed parts of Papua New Guinea.

Day 10

Wewak

Fly to the beautiful coastal town of Wewak, built on an estuary. Upon landing, you'll be escorted to your hotel, Windjammer Beach Resort. Enjoy the day at your leisure, perhaps exploring nearby islands or just relaxing on the beach with sunset drinks.

Hotel Options
About

This beachfront resort is in a convenient position halfway between Wewak town and the airport, offering comfortable accommodation for all ages. The Windjammer is one of Wewak’s oldest and most iconic resorts with a strong local following and a peaceful position on the waterfront, fringed by swaying palms.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 11

Madang

Today you will fly from Wewak to Madang, where you'll transfer to the relaxed beachfront surrounds of Jais Aben Resort. You have a full day here at your leisure to enjoy Mabang's coastline, the beach and the facilities at the resort.

Hotel Options
About

Jais Aben Resort is located on 22 acres of a former coconut plantation, situated beautifully on the tip of a peninsula between the Bismarck Sea and the Nagada Harbour. Located directly on the seafront with beautiful views facing the open sea, it features twin bungalow style units, all strategically located to catch the sea breezes.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Madang
Madang

Day 12

Madang

You have another full day of beach time today, where you can relax, swim and sunbathe with the addition options of snorkeling, diving, or going on a day canoe trip to Kranget Island. On Kragret Island, you can enjoy fresh seafood and crystal clear blue waters.

Day 13

Departure

On your final day, you'll take a flight from Madang to Port Moresby, where we will assist with your onward travels and departure flight.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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