Discovering the Secrets of Papua New Guinea's Indigenous People

Witness Sacred Practices, Traditional Performances and Unique Festivals in Papua New Guinea's Highlands

Explore the rich cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea on this immersive trip. From visiting the Asaro Mudmen and experiencing their traditional ceremonies to witnessing the Bogo Cultural activities from the Graiku Tribe and learning about their old ways of hunting in the jungle, this journey offers a unique opportunity to experience the authentic traditions of the Bosavi tribe and other tribal communities of Papua New Guinea.

Group Size

2- 15 Guests

Experience | Difficulty

  • Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
  • DSLR, mirrorless, compact or iPhone cameras
  • Moderate schedule
  • Travel by car or minibus
  • Moderate elevation changes and lots of walking and some hiking
  • (non-photographers also welcome)

Weather | Sun

Goroka and Mount Hagen, both located in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, experience cool temperatures with an average high of around 21°C (70°F) and an average low of around 12°C (54°F). The region is known for its misty and foggy weather, especially in the early morning and evening, with occasional rainfall.

Includes

Accommodation in twin/double rooms:
Goroka: Comfortable 2-star lodging at Asaro Mudmen Eco Lodge and the Skeleton Tribe Lodge in Simbu 
Mt. Hagen: Well-appointed 3-star hotel
Meals included in the program (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Private transfers including fuel
Village entry fees
Engaging activities as mentioned in the program
Knowledgeable local guides
Experienced Tour Leader from Tribes of Papua New Guinea or local guides

Tribes you will see on this trip.

Asaro Mudmen – Moko Moko Dance – Widow ceremony – Gimisave Arunumuna Tribe Women Group – Burning heads of Gimisave – Yangpela Asaro Mudboys – Bere Tribe – Skeleton Tribe – Narku dust Walkers aka The Ash Kondai Pia – The Insect Hunters of Mindima – Bogo Tribes – Graiku Tribe –  Sekaka Tribe – Jiwaka Tribes – Forest Skull Kids of Koskala 

ITINERARY

Flight from your home to Port Moresby

Connecting flight to Port Moresby and overnight there.

Morning flight to Goroka – Morning transfer to Asaro, Arrive around noon and check in Asaro Eco Lodge. Walk around the small village and visit an old traditional house for seeing the widow ceremony. After this head back to the Asaro Eco Lodge for your free evening. Dinner and overnight.

Morning walk to Mount Gurupoka (not difficult walk about 25 minutes) and enjoy the ceremony and ghost walk of the Asaro Mudmen, in company of the Asaro Mudmen you will visit the old sacrifice cave and the cross on top of the holy mountain of Gurupoka. Back to basecamp for lunch and in the afternoon you will see the traditional making of the Asaro Masks. After this the Moko Moko Tribal dances of Victory will be performed for you, a very spectacular show that Mudmen used to dance after victory of their tribal fights.
Dinner and overnight at Asaro Mudmen Eco Lodge

After breakfast you will have a small walk down in the valley to see the Asaro River together with some of the local villagers. On the way a show of cannibalism is performed. Around noon we will head to the village of Gimisave by local bus and visit the community of coffee growers where we also see the performance of three cultural groups: The Gimisave Arunumuna Tribe Women Group, the Yangpela Asaro Mudboys, and in the blue hour of the evening a performance of the Burning heads of Gimisave. You will also see a performance of traditional Bamboo Cooking and taste some local foods.
Back to the Asaro Guesthouse for dinner and overnight stay.

Morning transfer to Mindima. Lunch and relax. At 3 PM first performance of the Dust Shakers Tribe at the side of the river, small walk to the bottom of the valley. Dust Shakers are widowers after a few years they are ready to date again and wanna show their strength and body to the ladies in the village. Try to get a photo when the dust flies around their whole body.
Back by 5, 6 PM at the Skeleton Eco Lodge. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast walk to the cave and full morning Skeleton Tribe performance in the mystical cave where the legend of the Skeleton Tribe started.
Pick nick lunch near the Cave, Back to the Skeleton Eco Resort and see the Insect Hunters and their Tradition in the afternoon. Evening dinner and overnight at the Skeleton Eco Resort.

Morning transfer to Bogo Cultural Village (about 2 hours) and check in have lunch. Afternoon performance of Bogo Cultural activities from the Graiku Tribe, the pristine valley of Bogo looks like a fairytale, with a beautiful river with huge boulders running through it, spotted with Traditional houses, farms and pigs surrounded by majestic mountains. Overnight in Bogo (Capsule bed with shared showers and toilet).

See more activities and walk around Bogo Village and the surrounding Rainforest Jungle. You will see more traditional houses and the old ways of Papua New Guinea hunting, setting traps and how to make fire with natural materials from the jungle.

Morning Transfer to Jiwaka – Afternoon you will see the full dressing of the Jiwaka Tribes in full bilas with amazing feathers and headdresses. We see man, ladies and Bamboo flute players from the Sekaka Tribe and visit an old traditional men’s house. After this we see the performance of the Forest Skull Kids of Koskala. Evening dinner and sing traditional songs in front of the fireplace in an old tribal house. Overnight in Koskala.

Transfer to Mount Hagen and a short drive to see the Huli Wigmen in the afternoon,we learn about their culture and see the famous jumping Huli Wigmen dance, you are always welcome to join the dancing and drumming. Dinner and overnight in Mt Hagen.

Flight from Hagen to Port Moresby

Flight to your home from POM

Arrive your home airport

OPTIONS & BENEFITS

Price: 3600 USD per person in shared double room.

– All room nights in shared double room
– Transportation from Goroka to Asaro and Asaro to Goroka by local transport and local guide
– Breakfast lunch and dinner (all meals)
– Performances for all cultural groups and tribes
– Guided walks to caves and mountains
– Taxes and fees
– Basic Laundry
– English speaking Tour Guide during your trip

– International and domestic flights to: Goroka Airport and Mt Hagen.
– Insurance (recommended)
– Personal expenses (drinks and alcohol with your food, souvenirs, phone bill, etc.)

Accommodation is basic but clean, and at some places can be with shared toilet or showers. We stay with the tribes at local homestay guesthouses. Electricity is available during most of the whole trip, also you will have internet access. (For phone access you need to pay extra SIM card at Port Moresby airport)
Due to unforeseen events the organizers can change the program during the execution of the trip. We will do our best to follow the program and include all events mentioned. We make plans to cover most problems should they arise, which is very seldom, but the visitor must be aware of the small possibility of plans not working out as per schedule and accept this warning.

FOR BOOKING SEND AN EMAIL TO info@tribesofpapuanewguinea.com
We ask for a deposit of 50% to be paid. As soon as we have the deposit your booking reservation is confirmed. The deposit is non-refundable but valid for next year’s trip to join.
We ask for the final balance of payment 2 months before the expedition commences.
Cancellation within 3 weeks of the commencement of the expedition incurs a penalty of 100% of monies paid to date. Payments can be done by international bank transfers in EU, USA or Thailand (Asia).


– Please bring warm clothing for the evenings.
– There is no mosquito problem in the highlands
– Extra money can be changed at the airport upon arrival
– Sim card possible to buy at POM airport the company to choose is DIGICELL
– You need a passport valid for 6 months + VISA application and approved VISA
– https://ica.gov.pg/
– At the airports you need a printed version of all your vaccinations (this might change any time)