Example Itinerary

Goroka Festival

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
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.

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

  • Meet Tribal Chiefs: Learn about the fascinating and diverse cultures of Papua New Guinea by visiting with tribal chiefs in Omrakan, Mount Hagen, and Tambul.
  • Goroka Show: Around 100 tribes show up for the biggest tribal festival in Papua New Guinea, the Goroka Show. Normally held in September, this “sing-sing” highlights the varied cultures of the region and travelers get a front row seat to the costumes, dances, and practices of these tribes.
  • Sepik by Canoe: Drift down the winding Sepik River in a wooden motorized canoe to the isolated Kanganamun village, where you'll be greeted by friendly locals with a traditional welcome dance.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

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.

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.

Read More
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.

Read More
Hilton Port Moresby Preferred Hotel
About

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.

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

Map

Losuia, Trobriand Islands

Wake up bright and early to enjoy a lovely breakfast before your flight to Losuia. 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.

Hotel Options
About

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.

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.

Trobriand Island
Trobriand Island

Day 3

Map

Losuia, Trobriand Islands

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

Map

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.

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.

Read More
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.

Read More
Hilton Port Moresby Preferred Hotel
About

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.

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 5

Map

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.

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.

Mount Hagen
Mount Hagen

Day 6

Map

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

Map

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.

Hotel Options
About

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.

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

Map

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.

Goroka
Goroka

Day 9

Map

Goroka

Free time at the Goroka Cultural Show.

Day 10

Map

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.

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.

Day 11

Map

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.

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.

Wewak
Wewak

Day 12

Map

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.

Hotel Options
About

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.

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 13

Map

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.

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 14

Map

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.

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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.

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