“Through the Lens of Alexandre Rouleau: Papua New Guinea Tribal Photography Expedition”

This immersive 13-day photography expedition takes you deep into the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, where ancient traditions and dramatic landscapes converge. From the haunting presence of the Asaro Mudmen to the fire-lit rituals of the Burning Heads of Gimesave, each day reveals a new layer of cultural intensity and visual storytelling. You will walk through misty mountains with Skeleton warriors, document the rhythmic Dust Shakers, and join the Insect Hunters on their nocturnal forest pursuits. Along the way, intimate studio portrait sessions with Godox lighting balance the raw energy of environmental shoots, creating a diverse photographic portfolio. The journey continues with encounters among the Kamunyombglo, Frog Hunters, Jiwaka dancers, Bird Spirits of Wii Towai, and the bearded Enguwal tribesmen. Guided by Canadian travel photographer and videographer Alexandre Rouleau, this tour is designed to capture both the raw beauty and human spirit of Papua New Guinea in unforgettable cinematic frames.

Through the Lens of Alexandre Rouleau: Papua New Guinea Tribal Photography Expedition October 02- 14, 2026

Important Information for Photographers and Participants

To ensure the highest quality results during our studio-style tribal portrait sessions, we will be working with two Godox AD600 professional strobes throughout the expedition. These lights allow us to create striking, dramatic portraits in controlled lighting environments at Asaro, Skeleton, and Waterfall locations.

All participants must bring their own Godox XPro II TTL wireless flash trigger, compatible with their specific camera system (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus/Panasonic, or Leica). This trigger is essential for synchronizing your camera with our lighting setup.

Before the trip, please ensure that:

  • You bring the correct Godox XPro II trigger for your camera brand

  • You are confident in connecting and operating the trigger

  • You have practiced basic flash control (TTL or Manual mode)

  • You pack extra batteries for your trigger

Basic assistance will be provided on-site, but there will be no time for full technical tutorials. Preparation is essential to fully benefit from these rare portrait opportunities with professional lighting.

Accommodation & Practical Notes

We stay in local homestay-style eco lodges, each with private toilet and shower facilities (except at Waterfall Lodge, where facilities are shared). Electricity is generally available, though power cuts are common in Papua New Guinea. Most lodges have backup generators. Internet access is available in most locations. For mobile phone service, a Digicel SIM card can be purchased at Port Moresby Airport.

Evenings can be cool, so warm clothing is recommended. There is no mosquito problem during the dry season in the highlands. Currency exchange and SIM cards are available at Port Moresby Airport.

Booking & Payment Conditions

To confirm your booking, please email info@tribesofpapuanewguinea.com. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place; this deposit remains valid for a future trip if needed. The final balance is due two months before departure. Cancellations within one month of departure incur a 100% cancellation fee. Payments can be made via international bank transfer (EU, USA, or Thailand).

Please note that while we carefully plan all activities, program changes may occur due to local conditions. We will always aim to deliver the full experience as outlined.

Travel Requirements

Your passport must be valid for at least six months, and a visa must be obtained in advance (there is currently no visa on arrival). Invitation letters are available upon request. More information can be found at https://ica.gov.pg/.

Papua New Guinea offers an authentic, remote, and culturally rich experience—this journey rewards preparation, flexibility, and an open mind.

Group Size

8-18 Guests

Experience | Difficulty

  • Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
  • DSLR, mirrorless, compact or iPhone cameras
  • Moderate schedule
  • Travel by car or minibus
  • Minimal walking not difficult

Weather | Sun

Sunny days, cool nights

What to bring

Essential Travel Documents

Passport valid at least 6 months
Approved PNG visa (must be obtained in advance)

  • Printed and digital copies of:

    • Flight tickets

    • Travel insurance (highly recommended)

    • Emergency contacts

  • Small notebook + pen (always useful in the field)

  • Photography Gear (Core)

    • Camera body (preferably 2 bodies if possible)

    • Lenses:

      • Portrait lens (50mm / 85mm ideal)

      • Wide-angle lens (landscapes, villages, festivals)

      • Mid-range zoom (24–70mm or similar)

    • Memory cards (lots of them)

    • Portable hard drive or laptop for backups

    • Camera cleaning kit (dust is common)

    • Rain cover for camera gear

    • Lightweight tripod (optional but useful)

    • Lens cloths and blower

Photographer

Alex Rouleau

I’m Alex, filmmaker and photographer behind Adrift Vision. I create cinematic, story-driven visuals in remote places, built around real environments, real people, and experiences that feel immersive.

This Papua New Guinea expedition is more than a trip for me. It’s a shared adventure with a creative purpose. My aim is that we all leave with images and films that feel powerful and honest, while staying respectful of the cultures we’re invited to witness. At the same time, I want everyone on the expedition to have the time and rhythm to create at their own pace. The days are designed with photographers and videographers in mind, with space to observe, to shoot, and to stay present in the experience.

Everyone comes with a different style and a different level, and that’s part of what makes a strong group. Whether you’re here to move fast and chase moments, slow down and build frames, or simply be fully immersed in the journey, you’ll have the right environment to do it, and a crew of creators around you to share it with.

If you’re looking for a true PNG expedition that’s remote, intense, visually rich, and driven by story, welcome to the journey.

ITINERARY

You arrive in Goroka, a Highland town surrounded by misty valleys and forested ridges. After settling into the Asaro Lodge, we begin with an afternoon walk into the Mudmen village to meet our hosts. The first encounter with the Asaro Mudmen is unforgettable: ghostly figures in white clay masks, their bodies painted with earth to resemble spirits of the underworld. As the light softens at day’s end, Alexandre leads a golden hour photography session, teaching how to work with natural illumination to highlight the masks against the glowing forest. Dinner and a welcome night at the lodge set the tone for the adventure ahead.

Before sunrise we ascend Mount Gurupoka, where mist lingers in the valleys. As the first rays of light strike the ridges, the Mudmen perform their ghost walk, drifting through fog like shadows of another age. This is a lesson in environmental portraiture — Alexandre demonstrates how to capture atmosphere, layering, and depth in low light. At the summit, we step inside a sacred cave and pause at a cross that holds deep meaning for the tribe. After a mid-day rest, the focus shifts indoors: studio portraits with the Moko Moko ceremonial group and selected Mudmen, using Godox lighting to shape faces, shadows, and textures. In the late afternoon, the colorful Bena tribe fills the lens with vibrant bilas and feathered headdresses, glowing in the golden hour.

The road winds through dramatic Highland scenery as we travel to Gimesave village. In the afternoon, we gather by the river where the Gimisave Arunumuna Women Group perform with grace and strength, followed by the youthful energy of the Yangpela Asaro Mudboys. As twilight descends, the forest grows dark and the Burning Heads ritual begins: figures emerge from the shadows, smoke swirling, crowns of fire glowing against the night. Under Alexandre’s guidance, we work with long exposures and controlled lighting to capture this extraordinary spectacle. Overnight at the Burning Heads Lodge, where the echoes of fire and chant linger into the night.

Arrive at the Skeleton Tribe Eco Lodge, home to warriors whose white-painted bones and skull-like masks recall the spirits of ancestors. At noon, the Skeleton men appear along ridgelines and jungle rivers, smoke rising around them — a setting made for dramatic silhouettes and moody environmental shots. Mid-day offers time to rest or focus on studio portraits with Alexandre, where Godox lighting reveals every detail of bone paint and body art. In the late afternoon, the Dust Shakers prepare their bodies with ash and earth, beginning a hypnotic ritual of rhythm and movement that grows more intense as firelight takes over. The session carries into the evening, capturing both motion and atmosphere under torchlight. Overnight at the Skeleton Eco Lodge.

After sunrise, we join the Insect Hunters deep in the forest. They move with silence and precision, tracking among tangled roots and shafts of early light piercing the canopy. This is a chance to document movement, group energy, and fleeting stillness within the natural environment. After lunch and recovery, we head out with the Doko Daka tribe, immersing in their forest world. At night, torches flare to life and we follow the Insect Hunters once more into the bush. Firelight dances on painted bodies, creating a primal and cinematic setting for photography that continues well after dark. Overnight at the Skeleton Tribe Lodge.

In the morning we transfer to a Highland site where the Kamunyombglo women appear in ceremonial dress. Their giant headdresses rise high, decorated with flowers, feathers, and shells, while their wide bilas shimmer with natural dyes and ornamentation. Alexandre helps frame portraits that capture scale, detail, and the grandeur of traditional attire in natural light. Mid-day provides rest before a studio session with three Chimbu tribes, using soft light to enhance the beauty of their costumes and body paint. As the sun lowers, we photograph them once more in their garden landscapes, where culture and daily life blend seamlessly with the natural environment. Overnight at the Skeleton Eco Lodge.

After breakfast we drive to the Waterfall lodge. The local people takes us into wetlands and jungle streams with the Frog Hunters, a tribe whose rituals are bound to the cycles of water and amphibian life. Their movements in the shallow streams are precise and symbolic, offering documentary moments rich in texture and intimacy. In the afternoon, we slow down to immerse in village life at Wii Towai — weaving, cooking, and storytelling in shaded bamboo huts. Alexandre guides portrait sessions in soft indoor light, balancing natural ambiance with the rhythm of daily life. Overnight at Wii Towai Lodge.

We travel to the Jiwaka region, where sub-tribes gather for a day of performance and ceremony. Feathered dancers whirl in brilliant color, groups form in ceremonial poses, and entire communities display the strength of their traditions. For photographers, this is a chance to practice wide environmental framing — capturing dancers against the Highlands backdrop. Among the groups are the Koskala Skull Kids, eerie and fascinating figures whose painted skull faces evoke the spirits of the dead. Overnight at Wii Towai Lodge.

The day begins at the lush Wii Towai Waterfall, a place of mist, spray, and hidden spirits. From the rocks and foliage emerge the surreal Bird Spirits, their feathered forms echoing the elegance of paradise birds. Alexandre guides participants in capturing movement and grace in shifting light and spray. Later, in a controlled setting, we create studio portraits with the Voice of Bird of Paradise and the Honey Bee Girls, each bringing unique costume and symbolism. After a quiet break or a walk to the falls, the evening closes with a torch-lit photo session, blending dramatic light with jungle atmosphere. Overnight at Wii Towai Lodge.

We drive into the bustling Highlands town of Mt. Hagen, where the world-famous Huli Wigmen await. Their ornate wigs, made of human hair and decorated with feathers and ochre, represent one of Papua New Guinea’s most striking cultural identities. Morning photography focuses on portraits and ceremonial poses, with Alexandre offering guidance on capturing bold color in natural light.

In the afternoon we continue to Kumul Lodge, perched in bird-rich forest. Here the lenses turn toward nature itself — photographing birds of paradise, parrots, and other highland species in their native habitat. Overnight at Kumul Lodge.

The morning is devoted to bird photography at Kumul Lodge, where species such as ribbon-tailed astrapia and parrots can be photographed at close range. After lunch, we transfer toward Tambul to meet the Enguwal Tribe, known for their striking bearded warriors. Overnight near the Enguwal community, surrounded by mountain air and quiet mist.

The final day is dedicated to the Enguwal Beard Tribe, whose long, flowing beards and ochre-painted bodies create some of the most powerful imagery in the Highlands. Early morning light filters through the mist, providing perfect conditions for dramatic portraits of warriors in ceremonial gear. Alexandre emphasizes contrasts — between deep green vegetation, rich ochre tones, and human presence — to create bold, memorable frames. In the afternoon we return to Mt. Hagen, where a farewell dinner marks the close of the expedition. Overnight at a Hagen hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Mt. Hagen to Port Moresby, carrying home not just thousands of images but also unforgettable encounters with some of Papua New Guinea’s most unique cultures and landscapes.

OPTIONS & BENEFITS

Short Trip: 4200 USD PP in double room

Single supplement: 870 USD

Long Trip: 4800 USD PP in double room.

Single supplement: 970 USD

Minimum of 8 people upwards .

– All room nights in shared double or single cabin in Wii Towai

– Transportation from Goroka to Mt Hagen + Tambul and Birding Lodge by private -transport and local guides

– 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

– Guidance by Alex

– International and domestic flights to: Goroka Airport and Mt Hagen.

– Insurance (recommended)

– Personal expenses (drinks and alcohol with your food, souvenirs, phone bill, etc.)

– overnights in Port Moresby

1.The Colorful Splendor of Papua New Guinea’s Bilas and Sing Sing Celebrations

In Papua New Guinea, with its more than 800 distinct tribes, cultural expression is as diverse as the land itself. One of the most striking features of this heritage is Bilas—traditional ceremonial dress made from feathers, shells, flowers, and natural dyes. These intricate adornments are not part of daily life. Papua New Guineans wear modern clothing every day, just like people anywhere else.

Bilas is reserved for special occasions—weddings, funerals, school openings, and major festivals—when communities come together to celebrate identity and ancestry. It’s similar to how Europeans wear traditional outfits for festivals, like Dirndls in Germany or costumes at Carnival in Venice.

These vibrant traditions come to life during Sing Sings, gatherings where tribes perform dance, music, and rituals wearing their unique Bilas. While tourists are often drawn to these events, Sing Sings were never created for outsiders. They’ve existed for generations, long before tourism, and are deeply rooted in local life.

Sing Sings help keep culture alive. They pass ancestral stories to younger generations and strengthen the bond between villages. For visitors, they offer an unforgettable glimpse into Papua New Guinea’s spirit. But for the people themselves, they’re something far more meaningful—a proud expression of identity, unity, and heritage in a changing world.

2.Traveling to Papua New Guinea is an unforgettable experience, but it is important to understand that this is not a typical luxury destination.

Our eco-lodges are located in remote areas, offering a raw, authentic, and culturally rich experience. To ensure your comfort and preparedness, please review the following key points:

Basic but comfortable accommodations – Rooms are simple, clean, and newly built. Each has a private toilet and shower (except in waterfall lodge, it is shared toilet and shower.)

Electricity – Power outages are common across Papua New Guinea due to the national grid. However, we operate a generator that provides electricity daily from 6:00 PM to midnight.

Water supply – Water is collected through a rainwater tank system. In rare cases where the main tank is empty, we will provide water in buckets for your needs.

Hot water – Showers are usually cold, but hot water can be provided upon request so you can mix it with cold water for a more comfortable shower.

Safe drinking water – Do not drink tap water or use it for brushing teeth. We provide bottled water for drinking and oral hygiene throughout your stay.

Payment & Cancellation Policy

Booking & Deposit
To confirm your booking, please send an email to info@tribesofpapuanewguinea.com.
A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. Once the deposit has been received, your reservation is confirmed. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable, but it can be credited towards participation in the following year’s expedition.

Final Balance
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 1 month prior to the start of the expedition.

Cancellations

  • More than 1 month before the expedition: The 50% deposit is retained, but may be applied to the following year’s trip.
  • Within 1 month of departure: Cancellation incurs a penalty of 100% of all monies paid to date. No refunds will be issued.


Payment Methods
Payments may be made via international bank transfer to accounts in the EU, USA, or Thailand (Asia). We also provide account options in both Europe and the USA.
For convenience, payments can also be made through WISE or REVOLUT apps.
PayPal is available for credit card payments; however, please note that PayPal transactions will incur an additional 3% processing fee added to your invoice total.

Travel Insurance
All participants are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking. Insurance should cover trip cancellations, international medical emergencies, evacuation, and unexpected travel changes. As our expeditions travel through remote regions of Papua New Guinea, it is essential that you are covered in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Responsibility & Liability Disclaimer

Tribes of Papua New Guinea and its partners will make every effort to ensure that your journey runs according to the planned itinerary. However, due to the remoteness of the areas visited, the dependence on tribal schedules, and the limited infrastructure in Papua New Guinea, programs may be subject to change without prior notice.

We are not responsible for delays, changes, or cancellations caused by domestic airlines in Papua New Guinea. Guests should be aware that local flights are frequently rescheduled or cancelled at short notice,

and while we will assist with re-arrangements wherever possible, we cannot accept liability for additional costs incurred.

We are also not liable for cancellations or changes due to weather conditions, political situations, natural disasters, or any other events beyond our control. Any additional expenses arising from such circumstances are the responsibility of the participant.

By booking with us, you acknowledge that you are joining an expedition in one of the most remote and culturally diverse parts of the world, and you accept the inherent risks associated with this type of travel.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the world’s last great frontiers — a land of rugged mountains, lush rainforests, and more than 800 distinct languages. The Highlands, where much of this journey takes place, are famous for their cool mountain air, spectacular scenery, and some of the most vibrant tribal cultures on Earth. Life here follows the rhythm of tradition, and visitors have the rare chance to step into a world that has changed little over centuries.

We stay in comfortable local homestay guesthouses within tribal villages, each equipped with private toilets and showers. Electricity is available during most of the trip, and there is internet access at the lodges, although speeds may be limited. Please note that power cuts can happen anywhere in PNG, so a portable power bank is highly recommended. Most accommodations have backup generators.

Mobile phone coverage is limited outside towns. For the best connection, we recommend purchasing a DIGICEL SIM card at Port Moresby Airport on arrival.

While we will do everything possible to follow the planned program, unforeseen circumstances such as weather, road conditions, or local events may require adjustments. These changes are rare, but flexibility is important to ensure the best possible experience.

Packing & Clothing Recommendations:

  • Warm clothing for the evenings, as temperatures in the Highlands can drop to 10–12°C (50–54°F).
  • Lightweight breathable clothing for daytime activities.
  • Comfortable walking shoes or trekking sandals for village walks and uneven ground.
  • A light rain jacket or poncho in case of sudden showers.
  • Insect repellent, especially for lowland or river areas (mosquitoes are minimal in the Highlands during the dry season).
  • Sun protection — hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • Power bank or solar charger for charging devices during power outages.
  • Daypack for carrying water, camera gear, and personal items during excursions.

Additional Information:

  • Extra cash can be exchanged at Port Moresby Airport upon arrival.
  • You need a passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry and an approved PNG visa before arrival. There is currently no visa on arrival — apply in advance via Papua New Guinea Immigration. We can provide an invitation letter if required.
  • We are not responsible for flight cancellations or delays; however, if rooms are available, we will accommodate you at no extra cost and adjust the program where possible.