MV Sepik Spirit

The MV Sepik Spirit, built in 1989, is a shallow draft vessel purpose-built for navigating shallow inland waterways. The entire vessel is air-conditioned and up to 18 guests are accommodated in 9 spacious berths, each with en-suite bathroom, large windows and river views. Onboard facilities include a comfortable lounge, well stocked bar, dining area and a cove. Venture to the area Papua New Guinea is most famous for in unparalleled comfort and security. The Sepik Spirit complies with the most rigid of safety standards including both the American Bureau of Shipping and Papua New Guinea safety regulations.

Cruises usually operate over 4 days between Karawari Lodge and the village of Timbunke on the main Sepik River, travelling on the Karawari, Krosomeri and Sepik Rivers. Daily explorations into the smaller tributaries and their remote and isolated villages are done using 18-seat jet-boats with guests returning to the MV Sepik Spirit before sundown. Depending on the particular cruise, guests may visit the Blackwater Lakes, Chambri Lakes and villages in the Middle and Upper Sepik. Private touring and transfers are not available.

The MV Sepik Spirit allows one access to incredibly remote villages and provides the traveller with the opportunity to mingle with local people and experience traditions, cultures and lifestyles that are witnessed by very few outsiders each year. The river banks are dotted with villages, each with their own 'Haus Tambaran' or 'Spirit House' decorated with ancestral figures, carvings, massive garamut drums and secretive ritual flutes. The Sepik Region is a gallery of tribal art. Each village boasts its own unique style and every villager is an artisan. A cruise on the MV Sepik Spirit is only accessible by air charters with flights departing from either Mount Hagen or Ambua Lodge.

Charter flights from other departure points can be arranged. The cruise departure and termination points are subject to change without notice due to operational considerations.A cruise commencing on a Monday from Timbunke necessitates an overnight at Karawari Lodge on the Thursday night to connect to the air transfer on Friday to either Mount Hagen or Ambua Lodge. The cost of the night at Karawari Lodge is additional.

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