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Example Itinerary
Papua New Guinea Crocodile Festival
This 12-day itinerary, handcrafted by Remote Lands, takes you through some of Papua New Guinea’s most beautiful landscapes, that will no doubt leave a lasting imprint on your memory. Scuba dive the pristine shores in the company of whale sharks, explore mysterious caves and thick jungles, and watch locals interact with alligators at the Sepik Crocodile Festival. (NB - the Crocodile Festival itself takes place every August).
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
- Trek Through Time: Kaironk River Valley is famed for its many archeological sites, and travelers will trek over steep spurs, pig fences, and stream crossings to reach isolated dig sites and villages.
- The Crocodile Men: Normally held in August, the Crocodile Festival features the tribal cultures of the Sepik River, most famously the Crocodile Men of Palembei, Yentchen, and Kanganaman. Some of these tribes use ritual scarification of the back and arms as a rite of passage for young men, producing patterns that look like the scales on a crocodile.
- Diving PNG: Awash in abundant sealife, clear water, and wreck dives from WWII, Papua New Guinea is a unique diving destination. In Lauadi, divers will explore life under the waves and keep an eye out for whale sharks and hammerheads.
Day-by-Day
Day 1
Map ▲Alotau »
Arrive at Alotau’s Gurney airport, where you’ll be transferred by car and boat to resort. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure, doing whatever you wish - be it exploring the resort’s stunning shoreline, or relaxing by the pool.
Hotel Options
Day 2
Map ▲Alotau »
Today, you’ll spend an entire day scuba diving the pristine waters of Lauadi, a nearby dive site frequented by whale sharks and hammerheads. Take a midday break for a gourmet picnic lunch, and continue your exotic dive adventure in the afternoon, before returning to your hotel.
Alotau
Day 3
Map ▲Alotau »
Explore the thrilling jungles that surround your hotel, trekking through lush, verdant foliage to discover powerful waterfalls, mysterious skull caves, and charming local villages, accompanied by your seasoned local guide.
Day 4
Map ▲Madang »
Today you’ll head back to Port Moresby, the seaside capital of Papua New Guinea, where you’ll be met by a local guide who will whisk you away for lunch at a great little cafe. Catch your flight to Madang, and check in to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.
Hotel Options
Madang
Day 5
Map ▲Madang »
Glide through the azure sea to Planet Rock and Barracuda Point dive sites today, where you may come face-to-face with whale sharks, who are frequent visitors. Return to your luxury room at Jais Aben Resort, to relax before enjoying a buffet dinner.
Day 6
Map ▲Madang »
Today, you can enjoy a choice of activities, from either a full-day canoeing expedition down one of Madang’s picturesque streams, to a morning dive trip followed by an afternoon sea kayak excursion through labyrinths of lush mangroves along the shoreline. Whatever your choice, return in the evening to your luxury room at Jais Aben Resort to rest up for the day ahead.
Day 7
Map ▲Simbai & Kaironik Valley »
Catch a plane with your local guide to Simbai, a unique, timewarped village, nestled in the highlands of Medang province, is isolated from the outside world but for charter planes. You’ll be greeted with a spectacular traditional welcome dance featuring exotic feathered headdresses. Next up, pay a visit to the cozy tribal museum, which holds the tribes’ sacred jewels in its coffers. After lunch, trek through the exciting Kaironk River Valley, famous for its wealth of archaeological digs. The challenging hike, which takes you over steep spurs, pig fences, and stream crossings, is well worth the effort. Along the way, you’ll likely be greeted by friendly local tribespeople crossing your path. Camp out overnight in a local village hut.
Hotel Options
Simbai & Kaironik Valley
Day 8
Map ▲Simbai & Kaironik Valley »
Another challenging and thrilling day of trekking is ahead; today, you’ll once again hike through the ancient Kaironk River Valley, stopping along the way at famous archaeological dig sites, and enjoying a local village lunch in a stunningly picturesque location overlooking the river. Overnight once again in a local village hut.
Day 9
Map ▲Ambunti »
A plane will transport you on a picturesque journey to Ambunti today, where you’ll check in to Ambunti Lodge, escorted by your local guides. Once settled, you can venture to the Sepik Crocodile Festival, where you’ll be graced with a ringside seat to the performance area, which often offers displays of groups dancing with live crocodiles. The festival is organized by the WWF, and aims to promote the conservation of wild crocodiles. (NB the Crocodile Festival takes place every August.)
Hotel Options
Day 10
Map ▲Ambunti »
Today, you may either choose to head back to the Sepik Crocodile Festival, or enjoy a full day trip up the Sanchi River, a tributary of the Sepik, on a motorized longboat canoe. The canoe trip will take you to Waskuk village, which holds unique artisan wonders. Your next stop will be Amaki, where you’ll transfer to a traditional dugout canoe for the return journey. Bed down in your air-conditioned room at Ambunti Lodge.
Ambunti
Day 11
Map ▲Sepik Region »
Leave Ambunti via a languid three-hour boat ride downstream, where you’ll be transferred to a four-wheel drive vehicle for a three-hour drive through the grassy plains of the Sepik Basin, lush tropical jungles, and picturesque villages, climbing to the cool Prince Alexander Range. Check in to your charming hotel.
Hotel Options
Day 12
Map ▲Departure »
Rise early today to catch your morning plane to Port Moresby from Wewak. From here, local guides will help you with your international flight check-in onward.
Terms & 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.
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.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Getting Tribal in Papua New Guinea
- Author
- Travelogues
The relatively untouched jungles and highlands of Papua New Guinea are a haven for wildlife and a diverse array of tribal cultures unlike anywhere else in the world.
Tanks and Zeroes: Wreck Diving in Papua New Guinea
- Author
- Juanita Pienaar
There’s no doubt that PNG is one of the most exotic destinations in Asia, but things get even more exciting under the waves; diving in Papua New Guinea is a WWII adventure in one of Asia’s lesser traveled destinations.
Boys’ Trip in Papua New Guinea
- Author
- Remote Lands
Planning an adventurous getaway with the guys? Looking for a destination to challenge and amaze you? Why not get off the beaten path and check out one of the most untouched and exciting places in the world: Papua New Guinea.
What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.
A Couple from London
The Asaro Mudman tribal people took us where no tourists had been before, down through their lands to the source of the clay they use to make their tribal masks.
A New York honeymoon couple
My wife and I had a really great trip to Vietnam. We enjoyed all of the hotels you recommended and felt we were very well looked after.
Zippy from Tel Aviv
Our guide was amazing, very polite and had endless knowledge and good connections - certainly the right person to escort your clients.
