Mt. Hagen Show Tour Panorama
Destination
Papua New Guinea
Duration
10 Days
Activity Level
Active
Comfort Level
Superior
The Panorama is a fully-escorted program that provides a stunning view into Papua New Guinea. Begin your adventure at the spectacular Mount Hagen Show, a sing-sing that provides an incredible view of cultures from all over Papua New Guinea. In a land of nearly 800 languages, there is no better opportunity to see so many gathered in one place. Then head to Tari and the Ambua Lodge for more cultural insights into the Huli village life. Continue your adventure by visiting Karawari Lodge and making your way to the Sepik River to board the MV Sepik Spirit. Here you’ll discover a rarely-visited corner of the globe. Your visit to Papua New Guinea will give you unparalleled insight into this wonderful pre-technological world that is still very much alive.
The Mt. Hagen Show Tour Panorama is fully escorted. An escort guide will be with you throughout the trip.
Itinerary
Day 1 August 16 Port Moresby
Upon arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met and transferred to the Airways Hotel, where you will meet your escort and other group members. The rest of the day is yours at leisure.
Meals
Dinner
Lodging
Airways Hotel
Day 2 August 17 Port Moresby / Mt. Hagen
Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Mt. Hagen town in the upper Wahgi Valley, a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture in the world. (Air Niugini 180) You’ll be met and transferred to the Mount Hagen Show grounds for a full day of enjoyment. The festival brings together sing-sing groups from across Papua New Guinea, celebrating a dazzling and diverse array of cultures. The Show brings together more than 80 unique and colorful sing-sing groups from across Papua New Guinea; each of whom shares their impressive celebration display through colorful traditional dress, dance, and song. The show will begin as each tribal group enters the showground and proudly performs their unique sing-sing to the enchanted audience. The performance gradually builds until each of the tribes is simultaneously performing to a cacophony of rhythmic drumming and hundreds of voices. It is truly an awe-inspiring experience.
Later in the afternoon, you are driven up a picturesque road past highlands gardens and onto Rondon Ridge. Perched high above Mt Hagen, with mist-filled views of the Wahgi Valley below, Rondon Ridge is your accommodation during the Hagen Show.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Rondon Ridge
Day 3 August 18 Mt. Hagen Show
Spend the day enjoying the Mt. Hagen Show, world-famous for its color, culture, and sheer vibrancy. It truly is a spectacular event. The diversity of the coastal, lowland, and highland sing-sing groups at the Mt. Hagen Show reflect the incredible variety of Papua New Guinea’s landscape and makes for an unforgettable experience. You will arrive at the showgrounds with ample time to wander through the tribal groups where you can interact with and photograph the performers as they prepare themselves for the festivities.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Rondon Ridge
Day 4 August 19 Mount Hagen / Tari
Transfer from Rondon Ridge for your charter flight to Tari/Ambua Lodge in the highlands of PNG. A short flight across untouched rainforest and mountains will bring you to the Tari Valley; the home of the famous Huli tribe. Once you arrive you will be transferred to Ambua Lodge; nestled at the edge of the lush green rainforest and overlooking the serene Tari Valley below. Spend the afternoon enjoying Ambua’s winding forest trails that take you through lush rainforests, past gushing water-falls, and over traditional vine bridges.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Ambua Lodge
Day 5 August 20 Huli Villages
Spend a day touring the Hiuli villages and countryside. The Hulis are famed for their colorful bilas (traditional dress) and unique traditions. The Huli men pride themselves on their beautiful bilas with their elaborately constructed human hair headdress which they lavishly decorate with flowers, mosses, and ornate bird feathers. Their bilas, combined with their unique sing sing are intended to impress their audience as well as intimidate enemies. Visit the men’s wig school and tour the local villages to experience how this proud mountain tribe has evolved in the modern age, while still maintaining the stories, beliefs, and traditions of their ancestors.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Ambua Lodge
Day 6 August 21 Tari / Karawari
Transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Karawari. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, the Karawari lodge boasts a spectacular view over hundreds of miles of tropical jungle. Inspired by local architecture and built with traditional materials, the lodge offers modern comforts in a unique setting. Proceed with lunch then followed an afternoon visit to Kundiman village for sago making demonstration. Sago is the staple food for the river people.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Karawari Lodge
Day 7 August 22 Karawari / Sepik Spirit
This morning transfer to the Sepik Spirit river boat. Its’ unique design was inspired by the local art and architecture of the “Haus Tambaran” or Spirit House. Enjoy lunch onboard as you begin the cruise along the swirling waters of the Karawari river, cruising past the remote villages and wild jungle that line the banks of the river. This afternoon travel into one of the local villages to catch your first glimpse into the unique tribal traditions of the river people.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Sepik Spirit
Days 8-9 August 23-24 Sepik Region
Travel on the MV Sepik Spirit offers a unique and diverse experience of the remote Sepik region. The journey begins on the Karawari River, a tributary of the “Mighty Sepik River”, and transverses along the remote river waterways to the Krossmeri Junction and may touch on the Sepik River. You will pass jungle covered banks dotted with traditional fishing villages as you journey down the winding river to reach the Sepik River. As you meander along the river systems you will experience remote villages, learn their customs and experience their day to day lives in modern times; which still closely reflects their traditional tribal lifestyle. The tribes of the Sepik area are famed for their artistic carvings which express their ancient traditional stories and beliefs. You will have plenty of opportunity to admire or purchase some of their unique artifacts while visiting the local villages.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner daily
Lodging
Sepik Spirit
Day 10 August 25 Mt Hagen / Port Moresby
Begin the journey back up the Karawari River and prepare to leave the Sepik Spirit for your flight to Mt Hagen. Upon arrival in Mt Hagen, you will be mat and transferred to your ongoing Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby. In Port Moresby, you will be met and transferred to your international flight home.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
none
Dates & Price
Dates
Customized for you on your dates, or join a group on the following dates:
For dates and customization options for this adventure, please contact us.
Best Time of Year to Visit
The Panorama is a fully-escorted program that provides a stunning view into Papua New Guinea. Begin your adventure at the spectacular Mount Hagen Show, a sing-sing that provides an incredible view of cultures from all over Papua New Guinea. In a land of nearly 800 languages, there is no better opportunity to see so many gathered in one place. Then head to Tari and the Ambua Lodge for more cultural insights into the Huli village life. Continue your adventure by visiting Karawari Lodge and making your way to the Sepik River to board the MV Sepik Spirit. Here you’ll discover a rarely-visited corner of the globe. Your visit to Papua New Guinea will give you unparalleled insight into this wonderful pre-technological world that is still very much alive.
The Mt. Hagen Show Tour Panorama is fully escorted. An escort guide will be with you throughout the trip.
Rates Per Person
Need to Know
Rates Per Person - 2023
Land Cost
$6885
Internal Charter Flights
+ $2430
Air Niugini Flights
+ $600 - $800
Single Supplement
+ 805
Rates Per Person - 2023
Monday 19 August 2024 – Mt Hagen to Tari
Wednesday 21 August 2024 – Tari to Karawari
Sunday 25 August 2024 – Karawari to Mt. Hagen
BOOK THESE AIR NIUGINI FLIGHTS:
Saturday 17 August 2024 – Air Niugini PX180 Port Moresby to Mt Hagen
Sunday 25 August 2024 – Air Niugini PX183 Mt Hagen to Port Moresby
Need to Know
Travel Insurance is mandatory.
While traveling in Papua New Guinea, please keep in mind that although PNG is situated relatively close to other well developed South Pacific and Asian nations, such as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Indonesia, and Singapore, PNG is somewhat isolated, and, as a result, most services and facilities, including transportation and tourism, are relatively underdeveloped by comparison. Unlike these countries, you are visiting a country with a tourist trade in its infancy, and thus you may have to deal with different situations along the way. PNG also has a culture that is completely different from others. Although these factors make for a unique experience, it may at times create circumstances that may become frustrating if the visitor does not remain patient and keep an open mind. If you come to Papua New Guinea with a spirit of adventure and a positive, flexible attitude, you will surely have only good memories to take home with you.
Special Note Regarding Charter Flights: Maximum baggage allowance is 10 kg / 22 lbs per person and a maximum of 5 kg / 11 lbs for carry-on baggage per person. Large, hard-sided suitcases are not permitted on charter aircraft.
Please note that this trip operates under different payment and cancellation policies than those described in our complete Terms & Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please review the complete Terms & Conditions prior to submitting a deposit.
Expenses covered
Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses not covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
Deposit and payment schedule
A $1000 non-refundable per person deposit is due upon booking. A second deposit of $1000 per person is due 180 days prior or at the time of booking for reservations made fewer than 120 days before departure. Final payment for land arrangements is due 120 days prior to departure. (Note: this schedule supersedes that listed in the General Terms and Conditions.) Airlines require full payment when tickets are issued. The deposit may be made by Visa, Master Card, or check, and the Reservation Form may be submitted via our website. Full payment schedule and cancellation penalties are described in our Terms and Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please request these if you do not have them before advancing a deposit.
Airfare
We can help you secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.
Insurance
When you make your reservation, we strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance in case of emergency situations. Please contact us for a recommended policy.
Itinerary Change Fee
There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.
Duration 10 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Group Size 12 - 18
The stated range indicates minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures.
Comfort Level
Superior
Superior lodges and hotels
Activity Level
Active
Extensions
Activity Level
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.
Single Supplement
The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.