| Itinerary
Sunday, May 18
United States / Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Board your flight for a journey across the world's largest ocean to Papua New Guinea. As you cross the Equator, you also change seasons.
In Flight
Monday, May 19
International Date Line
You “lose” a day as your journey takes you across the International Date Line - but only temporarily. You will recover it on your return trip.
In Flight
Tuesday, May 20
Port Moresby
Today your flight arrives in Papua New Guinea’s capital city of Port Moresby. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Airways Hotel is not only one of Papua New Guinea’s finest hotels; it is also considered one on the most unique hotels in the world. The hotel is nestled into the mountainside and situated within its own botanical gardens and boasts stunning views of the crystal clear waters of Bootless Bay and the majestic mountains of the Owen Stanley Ranges.
The interior of the hotel and the guest rooms have been decorated with a light touch, accentuated with natural wood and pastel colors, glass and objects d’ art.
Unsurpassed service, enticing facilities, exquisite dining, and the unparalleled combination of the exotic and the modern await the Boutique traveler in this luxurious tropical setting.
Port Moresby is a collection of hot, sprawling, suburbs scattered around the hilly terrain. It is the only part of the country with this dry climate within the rain shadow from the Owen Stanley Range to the northeast.
Airways Hotel D
Wednesday, May 21
Port Moresby/Mount Hagen
Today you will leave the Airways Hotel and transfer to Jacksons Airport for your flight to the heart of the Western Highlands and the commercial center, Mt. Hagen. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
After lunch there will be a tour into the Waghi Vally which was discovered only 50 years ago. It is bounded on the southern side by the Kubor Range and on the northern side by the Bismark Range. Mt. Wilhelm (4,450 meters) is the highest point in the range and in Papua New Guinea. With the draining of much of the swamp area in the upper part of the valley, evidence was found of an extensive agricultural system over 5,000 years old and indications of man's presence 10,000 years ago.
The tour explores this magnificent valley with its tea and coffee plantations interspersed with village homesteads traditionally laid-out gardens and dance grounds surrounded by leathery stands of bamboo. A visit to see the ritual dance of the Mudmen is also included. The warriors daubed with grey clay and wearing grotesque masks reveal their strange legend in dance and mime.
Highlander Hotel B, L, D
Thursday, May 22
Mount Hagen
Today, a full day is spent at the Tumbuna SingSing. Tumbuna is the Tok Pisin (the lingua franca of Papua New Guinea) word for ancestors. "Taim Bilong Tumbuna" refers to the time before the white-man came, being the ways of the ancestors. Tumbuna Sing Sing will be a spectacular celebration, involving local tribes celebrating their culture in a colorful extravaganza of traditional dress, dancing and singing. Bringing together a few of the 800 or so language groups of Papua New Guinea, the Tumbuna Sing Sing is a unique opportunity to witness the ways of the Tumbuna, as well as meet and listen to the stories first hand from tribal elders about the Taim Bilong Tumbuna (time of the ancestors).
Highlander Hotel B, L, D
Friday, May 23
Mount Hagen/Tari
Today you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Tari. The first outsiders to visit the Tari Basin (in the 1930’s) found a spectacular diversity of tribal peoples living ‘Stone Age’ lives, convinced that theirs was the only human society on earth! Upon arrival, you take a short 10-minute walk through the high-altitude forest enroute to your lodge.
Ambua Lodge is an inspired mixture of local architecture, spectacular views and modest luxury. Recipient of the 1991 Pacific Asia Travel Association's "Pacific Heritage Award", the lodge was sighted as a "superb example of culturally sensitive and ecologically responsible tourism".
Located in the Tari Gap area, Ambua Lodge borders on pristine mid-montane rainforest, at the beginning of the valley grasslands. This location promises the visitor eternal spring weather and magnificent views of the Tari Valley.
The lodge and units (which are strung out along a steep ridge) are built from indigenous bush materials. Each unit is set in a sea of flowers, featuring 180-degree picture windows, modern bathroom, and electric blankets (it is suggested that your electric blanket is turned on to #1 prior to leaving for dinner) and continental quilts for the cool highland evenings. Ambua generates electricity from its own mini hydroelectric power plant.
Every accommodation unit is reached by a series of paths and steps, downhill on the way home to bed and uphill to the main lodge for breakfast. Take your time, enjoy the magnificent mountain air and scenery and the beautiful flower gardens surrounding each accommodation unit and along the paths. You will find rhododendrons, ground orchids and many other exotic plants and flowers.
This afternoon you take a guided-walking tour of the local waterfalls, flora and fauna. Your guide will point out the great variety of plants and animals found in the area, as well as the ways in which the Huli people utilize the abundant natural resources around them.
Bird lovers in particular should enjoy the Tari Gap area, as it provides a unique opportunity to observe up to 13 different species of ‘Birds of Paradise’ alone!
Ambua Lodge B, L, D
Note: Please be aware that Ambua is at an altitude of 7000 feet, and this fact combined with the gently sloping paths, may cause you to breathe heavier than normal.
Saturday, May 24 & Sunday, May 25
Tari
You have a two full days of adventure in the great Tari Basin and surrounding mountain slopes. This area is the home of the Huli Clans, one of the largest ethnic groups in the Southern Highlands, and one of the most culturally intact in all of Papua New Guinea.
The Huli were only discovered as recently as 1935 and were one of the last groups to come under governmental control. The men take great pride in their appearance, cultivating everlasting daises and collecting ‘Birds of Paradise’ feathers to decorate their wigs.
At each village, there are new opportunities to learn about Huli culture, traditions and way of life - which are still governed by their belief in ancestral spirits and sorcery. During your visits you can watch a festive “sing sing”, sun dance, a wedding ceremony and meet spirit doctors.
Ambua Lodge B, L, D
Monday, May 26
Tari/Karawari
This morning you fly north into the heart of the Sepik River basin. Upon landing on Amboin's grass airstrip, you are met by river trucks and taken on a short ride to Karawari Lodge.
Perched on a hilltop at the foot of the Hunstein Range, the Karawari Lodge is the only accommodation in an area of nearly 250,000 square kilometers and is inaccessible by road. The main lodge as well as the cottages are designed in the style of the haus tambarans and are built entirely of bush materials. The lodge affords a spectacular panoramic view of the Sepik basin. It has been included in Harpers and Queens Magazine's among "The 300 Best Hotels in the World".
You will be greeted with cold drinks and refreshing towels upon arrival, a practice repeated whenever you return to the lodge from your day on the river. The main lodge, which serves as the lounge, bar and dining room, is filled with art from the area. The grounds contain marvelous gardens (the famous Sepik Blue Orchid is found here), a swimming pool and a pet cockatoo which may appear on your porch looking for a handout.
Karawari Lodge has 20 self-contained twin share bungalows fitted with ceiling fans. It contains one of Papua New Guinea’s finest collections of primitive artifacts.
After lunch there will be a visit to Kundiman Village for a Sago making demonstration. Sago is the staple food for the river.
Karawari Lodge B, L, D
Tuesday, May 27
Karawari
Travel along the jungle-friged waterways where boatmen, standing upright, paddle their slender dugout canoes. See traditional villages and bountiful birdlife along the rivers and nearby lakes. Excursions enhance your understanding of traditional village culture.
Karawari Lodge B, L, D
Wednesday, May 28
Karawari/Mt Hages/Port Moresby
Today you leave Karawari Lodge and transfer to Karawari Airstrip for your charter flight to Mt. Hagen, the wild frontier of Papua New Guinea’s Highlands. Upon arrival in Mount Hagen, you will be met and transferred to the Highlander Hotel for a poolside lunch. After lunch transfer to the airport for your flight to Port Moresby. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Airways Hotel B, L, D
Thursday, May 29
Port Moresby/United States
Today you will be transferred to the Airport for your International departure flight.
During your homeward flight today, you will regain the day "lost" on your outbound journey, arriving back in the United States on the same day.
B, L
Of Special Note:
Sequence of daily sightseeing may vary due to local conditions. Your local Abercrombie & Kent staff will keep you apprised of any itinerary changes if/as they occur. Please also be aware that some flights within Papua New Guinea may operate with departure times that are quite early in the morning.
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