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10 Day Papua New Guinea & the Mask Festival

Dates: July 04 - 13, 2018

Your adventure begins atop the rich volcanic soils of the Western Highlands. Experience all the colour and energy of this region’s concentrated cultures as we explore, the bustling Mount Hagen produce markets. We venture into the hills to feed Birds of Paradise then get up close and personal with witch doctors, sorcery and generational artisans. Our mountain-top retreat offers stunning views over the hills and valleys, while serving as an ideal base from which to explore the prolific birdlife and rich cultures of neighbouring villages.

You head south east to experience the wonder of the tropical fjords of Tufi. With its unique landscape characterised by deep volcanic fjords and transparent waters, Tufi is only accessible by sea or air. You’ll experience village life, paddle the fjords in outriggers, and snorkel the waters of the Coral Triangle. Abundant sea life is everywhere and underwater visibility exceeds 30m, placing you in the thick of the magic.

The nation’s capital, Port Moresby offers a contemporary take on this ancient land: during an overnighter before we head to East New Britain, we visit the National Parliament, galleries and museums. We lunch at the refurbished Nature Park and enjoy intimate encounters with some of this country’s diverse wildlife. A city with a reputation known worldwide, Port Moresby is undergoing a fervent economic renaissance and offers a contemporary insight into this ancient land. What’s instore for fast-evolving Papua New Guinea? Our day trip in Port Moresby is your insight...

Then we journey North-East to the coastal delights of East New Britain. When you conjure images of a tropical paradise, it’s almost certainly East New Britain that you see. Invisible teal oceans, palm trees swaying in coastal breezes, smiling locals and delicious fresh seafood and produce. We’re also front row for the explosive dancing, colours and energies of the annual Mask Festival in region capital Kokopo. Steeped in colonial history and at home with the smouldering Mount Tavurvur volcano, there’s many stories to here. We’ll also snorkel the gorgeous Duke of York Islands and trek the volcano.

Your trip concludes in Port Moresby, in time for your journey home: the smell of saltwater on your skin and pockets full of memories.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mount Hagen

Highlander Hotel – (B,L,D)

FLIGHTS: Port Moresby to Mount Hagen

Welcome to Papua New Guinea! Once you clear customs at Jackson’s International Airport, we’ve booked another short flight to take you to the heart of this ancient land: Mount Hagen.

A bustling city with deep connection to culture and various tribal communities, Mount Hagen is busy, colourful, a little unpredictable and brimming with life.

We ease into the atmosphere with a lunch in renowned Banz Cafe, good viewing distance from the throng of Mount Hagen crowds and known locally as an ‘oasis for expats and local dignitaries’. You could very well have one of the best cups of coffee in your life here, fresh from the local plantations.

After lunch, you’re up front and centre with more amazing produce as we explore the renowned Mount Hagen markets. Filled with produce from this fertile region, we taste test the more curious and you’ve plenty of opportunity to purchase unique handcrafted goods.

Day 2: Mount Hagen

Highlander Hotel – (B,L,D)

We venture out for breakfast in the hills to share it with the local Birds of Paradise. Experience these amazing birds up close as they fly in for their morning feed. Make sure your camera batteries are charged, you’ll want to capture their gorgeous plumes. We also explore village cultural life: You’ll witness customs of past and present and experience some amazing costume and performance. At Pogla village they revive the Mudmen tradition, while at the nearby Tokua Village we’ll be met with a traditional greeting and challenge, and learn the role sorcery plays in everyday life.

The terrain here is dense forest, often with low-lying cloud so while much of PNG stands out for its tropical palms and white beaches, here we find its fertile heart. And what better place to really feel it, than a world-heritage listed, 10,000 year old agricultural site? Over 116 hectares of swamp and 1500 metres above sea level, excavations into Kuk Swamp reveal it has been worked almost continuously for over 7,000 but possibly 10,000 years. We explore this amazing site that contains well preserved archaeological remains that demonstrate evolutions in farming practices that transformed agricultural understanding about 6,500 years ago. The history of PNG is astounding and this is a real treat that transforms the imagination back thousands of years. You’ll be amazed at the tangible history here.

We spend a final night at The Highlander before our journey to the south east begins in the morning.

Day 3: Mount Hagen to Tufi

Tufi Resort – (B,L,D)

FLIGHTS: Mount Hagen to Port Moresby + Port Moresby to Tufi

Arrive in Port Moresby for your transfer to the tropical outpost of Tufi. You’ll head off to a fabulous lunch awaiting you at the Gateway Hotel before making your connecting flight into Oro Province and Tufi Lodge, nestled on the side of a Tropical Fjord.

Often described as ‘Scandinavia in the Tropics’, Tufi is an unforgettable destination for divers wanting to experience the wonders of the Coral Triangle.

Tufi is home to a magical mix of international traveller and locals still living traditional lives of self-sufficiency on surrounding islands. Dinner on your first night is a banquet in the long room surrounded by masks, sculptures and carvings whispering insights of local life.

Day 4: Tufi

Tufi Resort – (B,L,D)

Tufi is nestled on the slopes of an extinct volcano, Mt Trafalgar and it has produced andesitic volcanic eruptions which have led to the fjord channels which make this area so distinctive. Today you explore Boulders Waterfall and its surrounding rainforest.

A short boat ride down the coast is this beautiful waterfall, secreted up a short fjord. When you arrive at the landing area you will follow a small goat track through untouched rainforest. Once you’ve reached this waterfall you can cool off with a swim in a rock pool, high above sits a boulder with cool waters of the rainforest cascading down around you. When everyone has cooled down enough you’ll return to the boat and back to the resort.

After lunch, we board larger boats for a relaxing fjord cruise, seeing all that these fjords offer. Gorgeous flora and fauna, steep cliffs that seem to fall into the sea, you’ll marvel at the beauty of it all.

You can have another swim, or just sit back relax and enjoy a cold drink as served up by the onboard bar service. Enjoy the running commentary and insight provided by your guide and Captain as they reveal insight into these remote villages and their people.

Day 5: Tufi

Tufi Resort – (B,L,D)

We head out to meet local villagers this morning via a McLaren Harbour Cultural Tour. Your boat will head into one of the fjords to be met by locals in their outrigger canoes and traditional dress. A quick vessel-swap and you’ll share the journey in their outrigger as the villagers take you deep into the inner reaches of the fjord where spirits and sorcery run wild. From the end of the fjord they will walk you through the rainforest to a sacred area. Here you’ll be shown you how to make sago, local bush medicines, fire making, mat making skills and traditional tattooing. We will also get to see how they use various bush materials to maintain their traditional lifestyle. When finished they will paddle us back to the boat, from there it will be a short cruise back to the resort for lunch. This afternoon we enjoy our famous Sunday BBQ luncheon on the beautiful Komoa Beach before a free afternoon where you can choose to dive, fish, visit villages or just relax in the beauty of your surrounds.

Day 6: Tufi to Port Moresby

The Stanley – (B,L,D)

FLIGHTS: TUFI – PORT MORESBY

We board an early morning flight from Tufi back to Port Moresby for an overnighter exploring the nation’s capital. Home to 800 language groups and diverse cultures, what does PNG’s capital city look and feel like? We’ll explore this cultural hotspot today on a quest to unveil some answers for you.

You’ll visit the distinctive Parliament House, and witness the extensive development of Port Moresby’s newly booming economy. The Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery is the ‘Spirit House’ of this fascinating county. Home to artefacts that highlight the rich natural, cultural and contemporary heritage of PNG and her people. The scale of their exhibitions is mind-bending with over 30,000 anthropological collections, 25,000 archaeological collections, 18,000 natural science collections, 7000 contemporary artworks and over 20,000 war relics.

Moving on to the refurbished Nature Park we see a huge array of native bird and wildlife, including Tree Kangaroos, Cuscus, rainforest Pigeons, Parrots and Birds of Paradise. Papua New Guinea brims with life and culture, and the animal kingdom at home here is varied and curious. We wrap up our city explorations with our return to our accommodation for the night. Port Moresby does hospitality well for the overnight traveller, you’ll revel in modern ‘luxuries’, before the next, more adventurous leg of our journey, tomorrow.

Day 7: Port Moresby to Rabaul / Kokopo

Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort – (B,L,D)

FLIGHTS: Port Moresby to Rabaul

We fly out to Rabaul – the former capital of East New Britain until the 1990’s when it was smothered by volcano ash – and introduce you to one of our favourite regions of PNG, ‘The Bismarcks’. It’s all ‘tropical paradise’ from the abundant coral reefs of the area to the secluded islands and warm hospitality. We’re here for the pick of the calendar in these parts: the annual Mask Festival. The festival is full of energy, colour and an insight into the rich cultural traditions that make up this amazing country’s reputation as one of the final frontiers. After check in at Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort, we head out on a half day tour of Rabaul, exploring its historical sites and marvelling at the fighting spirit of this town that was covered by ashes 23 years ago. You’ll see plantations of coconuts, cocoa and balsa wood which line the roads in this ultra-fertile region. This is Queen Emma’s old kingdom – the American-Samoan woman who introduced plantation crops to the region in the late 1800’s. Kokopo replaced the old capital – the original township of Rabaul - after it was covered in ash by the ever-rumbling Mt Tavurvur that forms a dramatic backdrop to the bay.

Day 8: Rabaul / Kokopo

Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort – (B,L,D)

Today marks the start of the annual Mask Festival and we’ll see Kokopo swell with performers arriving from across PNG. Here you’ll experience one of the premier festivals of the South Pacific, and we’ll be in the thick of the action.

From the Kinavai Ceremony of Duk Duks; the secret men’s society of the Tolai, to the unforgettable Baining Fire Dancers – who dance vigorously with and at a fire to invoke the spirits of the volcano – you’ll bare witness to ancient traditions expressed with youthful enthusiasm. Day one of two, make sure you’re charging your camera batteries to keep up with the action. Colour, drama and spectacle ignite the senses!

Day 9: Kokopo

Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort – (B,L,D)

Day two of the annual Mask Festival and you’ll witness the intricate craftsmanship of New Ireland’s Malagan Mask Cultures. Inspired by their local sealife, these mask making skills are passed down between generations and, made from all local materials, an absolute marvel. The Pomio whip dancers will also perform and you’re bound to experience cultures from further afield like the energetic Tapioca dancers from the Trobriands, otherwise known as ‘the Islands of Love.’ The Mask Festival is a highlight on both locals and travellers’ calendars alike, there’s plenty to explore and experience.

Day 10: Rabaul to Port Moresby

Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort – (B)

FLIGHTS: Rabaul to Port Moresby

Your morning flight returns you to Port Moresby in time for your international connection, life skills affirmed and pockets full of memories.

Note: The itinerary provided here represents the most current information, but please note that it should be used as a guide only, and activities may vary due to local events, inclement weather, or other circumstances beyond our control.