Journey to the Heart of Papua New Guinea: Exploring the Black-Faced Tribe, Asaro Mudmen, Skeleton Tribe, and other Unforgettable encounters.

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Papua New Guinea and immerse yourself in the unique and fascinating cultures of the highlands. This 20-day tour will take you on a journey through the remote and stunning landscapes of Papua New Guinea, where you’ll have the chance to experience the traditions and rituals of various tribes.

From Mount Hagen, you’ll make your way to the Enga Province to spend several days living with the Black Faced Tribe, learning about their customs and traditions. Next, you’ll head to Jiwaka to witness the elaborate dress and ceremonial performances of the Sekaka and Forest Skull Kids of Koskala tribes.

After a stay in Bogo Cultural Village, you’ll continue to the Skeleton Village, where you’ll witness the ancient practices of the Skeleton Tribe and the Narku Dust Walkers, also known as the Ash Kondai Pia. From there, you’ll visit the Asaro Mudmen and see the incredible Moko Moko dance and the Widow ceremony. You’ll also have the opportunity to witness the Burning Heads of Gimisave, the Yangpela Asaro Mudboys, the Bere Tribe, and the Insect Hunters of Mindima.

This tour is ideal for those seeking adventure, cultural immersion, and an unforgettable journey off the beaten path. With experienced local guides and comfortable basic Eco Lodge accommodations, you’ll have the opportunity to witness unique rituals and traditions while gaining a deeper appreciation for the diverse and vibrant cultures of Papua New Guinea.

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

Group Size

Maximum 2-10 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

  • 20 Days
  • Travel, landscape, seascape and nature photography
  • Professional photographer | guide
  • Photo walks & discussions
  • Maximum 10 Guests
  • ECO Lodges
  • Breakfasts – Lunch Dinners – Except on free days (2)
  • National park permits
  • Local transportation

Tribes you will see on this trip.

Black Faced Tribe – 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

Your Photographer

David Van Driessche

www.davidvandriessche.com 

David Van Driessche, also known as David Dennis, is a travel photographer with a flair for capturing eye-catching photographs of places and people. Originally from Belgium, David studied photography and film in Europe and worked as a tourism product manager in the 1990s, where he traveled the world photographing some of the finest hotels and resorts around the globe. Eventually, he settled in Thailand and has since explored much of Asia over the past 20 years, photographing destinations and leading hotels in countries such as Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, and China.

 

ITINERARY

Flight from Manila to Port Moresby

Arrive at Mount Hagen and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hagen.

Welcome by Miss Lydia and go to buy necessary food and utilities to use in Enga province. Transfer through two provinces to the Village of the Black Faced Tribe – Overnight at local house or bungalow.

Local activities and walks and many interactions with the Enga Tribes AKA the Black faced Tribe. Dinner and overnight in local house or Bungalow.

Local activities and walks and many interactions with the Enga Tribes AKA the Black faced Tribe. Dinner and overnight in local house or Bungalow.

Local activities and walks and many interactions with the Enga Tribes AKA the Black faced Tribe. Dinner and overnight in local house or Bungalow.

Local activities and walks and many interactions with the Enga Tribes AKA the Black faced Tribe. Dinner and overnight in local house or Bungalow.

After breakfast we travel back to Hagen, we stay in the same hotel and overnight in Mt Hagen. Your local guide will take over in Hagen and accompany you to Mindima.

Early morning checkout 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. After the presentation of the Huli Wigmen we head to Koskala in Jiwaka Province. Overnight in Koskala.

Today 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.

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.

After breakfast we drive down the mountain to Mindima, better known as the Skeleton Village. After lunch we walk to the cave and see the Skeleton Tribe performance in the mystical cave where the legend of the Skeleton Tribe started. 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.

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. Afternoon we walk around the village to see the local life.
Back by 2, 3 PM at the Skeleton Eco Lodge. Dinner and overnight.

Free day at Skeleton – Activities can be arranged or just exlore the village life around the Skeleton tribe. Always go with one of our guides when you leave the property. Breakfast lunch and dinner at own expense.

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.

Free day at Asaro, please do not leave the location without one of our guides or boys. Breakfast lunch and dinner at own expense.

Transfer to Goroka or Goroka Airport and end of service

OPTIONS & BENEFITS

Tribal Lands | Papua New Guinea Expedition 2 pax 8600 EURO
2 Black Faced Tribe Extension 6 days 2 pax 2600 EURO

– All room nights in shared double room (except extra night in Mt Hagen around 250 kina)
– Transportation from Goroka to Asaro and Asaro to Goroka by local transport and local guide
– Breakfast lunch and dinner (all meals) except day 15 and 19.
– 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.)

– Extra night in Mt Hagen

– Meals on day 15 and day 19.

 

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.

 

– 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)

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 PNG, 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 in 2023)