Goroka Festival

Duration: 14 days / 13 nights

Price Per Person: From $19,600

Interests: Trekking, Tribal

Destinations: Papua New Guinea

This 14-day itinerary, built around its main highlight, the Goroka Cultural Show, takes you deep into the culture of Papua New Guinea. You’ll be entertained by all kinds of varied traditional local dances put on by different tribes decked out in vibrant ancestral dress, while also meeting with local chieftains, and local villagers who will welcome you with grand smiles. You’ll arrive a visitor to Papua New Guinea, and leave a friend.

Highlights

Exclusive meetings with village Chiefs
Get a front-row seat to one of the country’s most entertaining festivals
Watch traditional village life as you drift by along the river in a wooden canoe
Sip fresh, delicious Goroka coffee

Day-by-Day

Day 1 Port Moresby

Arrive in Port Moresby, the seaside capital of Papua New Guinea, and transfer to your hotel. Check in and get settled into your beachfront room. In the evening, there will be an orientation meeting and dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 Louisia

Wake up bright and early to enjoy a lovely breakfast before your flight to Louisia. Upon arrival, you’ll be escorted to your clean and comfortable room at Kiriwina Lodge by a hotel representative. This afternoon, you’ll gain some insight into local culture by visiting with villagers, including a meeting with the Paramount Chief at Omrakan village. Take time to explore the island’s stunning beaches, World War II relics, and even nearby caves.

Day 3 Louisia

Enjoy another early breakfast before heading off to explore more local villages. Here, you’ll be entertained by traditional dances, and you’ll be introduced to local community schools. You’ll return to your lodge to get ready for more in the evening, when you’ll be entertained by more traditional dances put on by the young boys and girls from nearby villages.

Day 4 Port Moresby

After breakfast today, you’re heading back to Port Moresby, where you’ll check in once again. You may enjoy the day at your leisure, either enjoying the hotel’s facilities, exploring the beachfront, or checking out the charming city center.

Day 5 Mount Hagen

Today you’re heading to the third-largest city in Papua New Guinea, the volcano city of Mount Hagen. After your flight arrival, you’ll be escorted to your room at Quality Hotel Highlander. You’ll make a stop along the way to say hello to the city’s Chief and his wives, and another in Tambul, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the traditional village life of the Kaguel Valley people.

Day 6 Mount Hagen

Start your day off with a refreshing nature walk around the lodge, exploring its beautiful surroundings. Next up, you’ll be taken to the local market, as well as tea and coffee plantations nestled in the Waghi Valley. This afternoon, you’ll witness a traditional Mt Hagen courtship, after which, you are free to do as you please.

Day 7 Goroka

You’ll be checking out of Magic Mountain Hideaway Lodge today, and heading to Goroka for its cultural show. The drive will take you past some incredible panoramas of the Papua New Guinea landscape. Stop along the way in Komunive Village for the traditional mud man performance. Check in to your hotel, the Quality Hotel Bird of Paradise, before exploring some of the town’s must-sees, including the JK McCarthy museum.

Day 8 Goroka

Spend two full days taking in one of Papua New Guinea’s best shows, the Goroka Cultural Show. You’ll get a front row seat to the traditional Sing-Sing, a Papua New Guinea traditional dance performed by local tribal groups kitted out in vibrant tribal attire.

Day 9 Goroka

Free time at the Goroka Cultural Show.

Day 10 Madang

Start your day off with fresh, delicious Goroka coffee, before you begin your thrilling and picturesque road trip to Madang Province. Stop along the way at Ramu Sugar for lunch, as well as a wildlife conservation area to check out eels and turtles. You’ll bed down tonight in an oceanfront bungalow at Jais Aben Resort.

Day 11 Wewak

Visit some local sights this morning, from the Kalibobo lighthouse, to the Haus Tumbuna, before returning to your guesthouse for lunch. You’ll be flying to Wewak today, where you’ll check in to your air-conditioned room at the Windjammer Beach resort.

Day 12 Sepik Region

Today, you’re heading to Sepik, a name shared with its river, the Sepik River, which supports many traditional villages that line its banks. Transfer to a wooden motorized canoe, which will take you along the river to Kanganamun village. Here, you’ll be greeted by friendly locals with a vibrant display: the traditional welcome dance.

Day 13 Wewak

Pay a visit to the traditional river villages of the Middle Sepik to get a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of the local people. Visit local spirit houses in Palimbe Village to gain insight into local beliefs. After lunch, you’ll be transferred back to Wewak, where you’ll spend the night once again.

Day 14 Departure

Enjoy a final breakfast at your Wewak hotel, and transfer to the airport for your flight to Port Moresby, where you can connect to your international flight, either home or to your next destination.

SUGGESTED HOTELS FOR DAY 1

Gateway Hotel

The Gateway Hotel is a short drive from both the international and domestic terminals and is surrounded by lush, tropical gardens. The hotel has 115 rooms and apartments, all with balconies, internet, cable TV, air conditioning and tea/coffee facilities. The Ani Ani Restaurant serves some of the finest international cuisine in Port Moresby, and features a buffet from a different part of the globe each night. Alternatively, choose one of Enzo's pizzas in the Rattle 'n' Hum Pizzeria & Bar. The hotel also boasts a beauty salon and souvenir shop.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Airways Hotel

Australasia's leading airport hotel and one fo the finest hotels in Papua New Guinea, the Airways Hotel is located on a hillside overlooking Jacksons International Airport. Seevn guest room and suite types are available, ranging from the well-appointed Bacchus Room to the spacious Presidential Suite. All accommodations are decorated in an airy, modern style with warm wooden furnishings and flooring, crisp white linens and standard mod cons; such as WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities, and a 49-inch smart TV. Hotel amenities include a health and fitness center with sauna and steam rooms, a rooftop swimming pool, a spa, plus tennis and squash courts. There are five drinking and dining options for guests, including fine dining at the Bacchus Restaurant.

PREFERRED HOTEL

Hilton Port Moresby

A modern building with impressive architecture, the Hilton Port Moresby is one of the best accommodation options in the capital. Lodgings include five guest room types, including an accessible room, as well as two suite types. All are furnished in a contemporary style with standard mod cons for convenience. Club rooms offer access to a private lounge, which serves complimentary refreshments. Hotel facilities include a rooftop outdoor pool, a hot tub, a gym and a convention center with an open-air amphitheater. For dining, guests can enjoy drinks and deli-style food at Copper, all-day international dining at Feast, coffee and snacks at Halo, traditional dishes at Mumu, as well as alfresco cocktails at Summit.

Kiriwina Lodge

A simple but welcoming L-shaped lodge overlooking a peaceful lagoon, Kiriwina is run by charismatic British expat Dennis Young, who personally greets guests with tales of his 45 years in PNG. Rooms are simple and clean, and the lodge serves excellent seafood.

SUGGESTED HOTELS FOR DAY 4

Gateway Hotel

PREFERRED HOTEL

Airways Hotel

PREFERRED HOTEL

Hilton Port Moresby

Quality Hotel Highlander

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. Each of the 60 rooms has a color television, IDD telephone, air conditioning and of course a private bathroom. Some rooms are equipped with broadband Internet, and access is available to all guests in the business center. The Poolside Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch on an outdoor terrace and Palmuri serves an à la carte dinner menu by an open stone fireplace. The Highlander is 10 miles from the Mount Hagen Airport (HGU).

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAYS 7-9

Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise is the best hotel in Goroka, and while hardly posh, it is relatively clean and comfortable. It has 52 rooms, cable TV, IDD telephones, laundry, room service, an outdoor heated pool and gym. The Lahani Restaurant offers exotic dishes such as crocodile, buffalo, venison, and pigeon as well as fresh Highland vegetables and fruit. The hotel also has a more casual café with outdoor dining, the Deck Bistro, and a bar called Birdy's Piano bar. The Bird of Paradise is conveniently located in the center of town near the J.K. McCarthy Museum, Raun Raun Theatre and Mount Gahavisuka Provincial Park, an 8,000-acre park featuring walking trails, a scenic lookout, and a variety of native flora and fauna. Amenities include an outdoor heated pool, game room, fitness center, on-site squash club, business center and broadband Internet access. The hotel is only five minutes from the Goroka Airport (GKA).

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAY 10

Jais Aben Resort

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. All bungalows come with air conditioning, ceiling fan, TVs, fridges, and coffee/tea-making facilities, with some units featuring private verandas. The stylish Coco's Restaurant offers local and international cuisine, and the informal Bridge Bar & Grill is perfect for relaxed beachfront dining. The resort also boasts a well-stocked games room.

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAY 11

Windjammer Beach Resort

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. The Windjammer offers a wide selection of rooms and of of its highlights is a carved crocodile bar. The Windjammer is within walking distance of shops, parks and restaurants and the beach is suitable for swimming and surfing.

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAY 12

Kanganaman Village Guest House

This very simple, wooden guesthouse, in the small village of Kanganaman, East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea, is not for everyone. Its thatched roof and wooden walls are enough to shield guests from the elements, but may not keep out every creepy-crawly. It provides guests with humble mattresses for sleeping and mosquito nets for comfort and peace of mind. Still, this rustic abode provides guests with an unforgettable experience and in-depth insight into how the locals live their day-to-day lives, thus further immersing visitors into their Sepik experience.

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAY 13

Windjammer Beach Resort

FROM

$16,300

PER PERSON

Enquire

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Price is based on double or twin hotel room occupancy and includes accommodation, transfers, car/driver, English-speaking guide, activities and entrance fees, breakfasts and some casual lunches while touring. Flights and optional special activities will be quoted separately. Most personal expenses, including dinners, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and gratuities can be paid on the spot while traveling. Prices may vary depending on season, choice of accommodation and other factors.

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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.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, 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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Goroka Festival

Highlights

Day-by-Day

Day 1 Port Moresby

Day 2 Louisia

Day 3 Louisia

Day 4 Port Moresby

Day 5 Mount Hagen

Day 6 Mount Hagen

Day 7 Goroka

Day 8 Goroka

Day 9 Goroka

Day 10 Madang

Day 11 Wewak

Day 12 Sepik Region

Day 13 Wewak

Day 14 Departure

SUGGESTED HOTELS FOR DAY 1

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAYS 2-3

SUGGESTED HOTELS FOR DAY 4

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAYS 5-6

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAYS 7-9

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAY 10

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAY 11

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAY 12

SUGGESTED HOTEL FOR DAY 13

Similar Itineraries

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Exclusively Asia

Explore 400+ Journeys in 33 Countries Across Asia

Where to go

What to do

When to go

Filter to Select Your Itinerary

Travelogues

What Others Say

Aman Jet Expeditions

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Explore 400+ Journeys in
33 Countries Across Asia