A Taste of New GuineaA short tour introducing you to some of the fascinating aspects of New Guinea culture. This is a chance to experience 2 different regions, the coastal area around the capital, Port Moresby and the area around Goroka in the Eastern Highlands which has long been known as a centre for coffee production and is the home of the infamous Asaro mudmen. In the care of an English speaking local guide you will visit sites of local cultural significance and attend sing-sings where the villagers will perform local songs and dances in traditional dress. There will be excellent opportunities for photography. This tour is designed for people with limited time who would nevertheless like a New Guinea cultural experience. It can be run consecutively with other Taste of Tours with a slight modification to allow for a longer more thorough exploration of this fascinating country. Itinerary Day 1: On arrival at Port Moresby airport you will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: After breakfast you will begin a full day tour to the Papuan Coastal villages including Gabagaba and Gaire. At Gabagaba village the local women will perform local dances dressed in traditional costumes. You will witness the preparation of a traditional earth oven meal (mumu) which will later be served to you for lunch. A walk through the local gardens will show you the different crops that are grown in the area. After lunch you will continue on to Gaire village where you will witness a canoe race and attend a performance of traditional Papuan dancing. You will be returned to your hotel later in the afternoon.
Day 3: An early start will see you leaving the city and traveling up to the Sogeri plateau and Varirata National Park. A popular venue for birdwatchers you will visit the lek tree of the Raggiana Bird of Paradise, PNG's national bird. Here the Raggiana males gather to dance in an attempt to attract a mate. In the afternoon you will return to Port Moresby and visit the beautiful orchid gardens in the Botanic Gardens.
Day 4: Another early start sees you taking the early flight from Port Moresby to Goroka. On arrival you will transfer to your hotel before going on a Goroka town tour where the places to be visited may include the local craft market, the J K McCarthy museum, the Mt Kiss Lookout and a local coffee factory depending on timing.
Day 5; Today you will take a morning tour to visit the famous traditional weavers of Kainantu. In the afternoon you will return to Goroka for a performance by the acclaimed Raun Raun drama group.
Day 6: After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the Goroka showgrounds for a full day at the show with an english speaking guide. The Goroka show is one of the premiere events on PNG's cultural calendar and is a fantastic spectacle as clans come together from all over the country to perform dances, plays and songs in traditional dress. Towering head-dresses with Birds of Paradise plumes, grass skirts and the bizarre mudmen of Asaro provide colour and excitement and offer fantastic photographic opportunities.. You will be returned to your hotel when the days spectacle is complete.
Day 7: Another full day at the Goroka Show.
Day 8: After breakfast you will transfer to the airport for your onward flights.
Difficulty
Participants need to be in good health and of a reasonable fitness level. While you will not be trekking into the hills there will be a little walking on uneven ground and travel between sites will largely be along unsealed and often bumpy roads. Expect rain somewhere and while the area around Goroka at 1600m may be quite cool and even cold at night, around Port Moresby it may be hot and humid.
Accommodation We can arrange your international flights entering Papua New Guinea from a variety of destinations on request. Please enquire if you would like any extensions to this tour. |
Price guide
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