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

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
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

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
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

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

Day 11

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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
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

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

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.

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.

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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