New Guinea's Hidden Wonders Expedition

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Departure Date

December 25, 2025

Overview

Trip Overview

This 8-day Papua New Guinea vacation takes you to the remote highlands and waterways of this frontier nation. It features moderate accommodations, shared tours, and is great for travellers who want to go far beyond the tourist trails.

Your journey begins in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, where you’ll connect onward to Mount Hagen in the western highlands. Spend a night at a lodge perched high up on Mount Kuta and enjoy spectacular views of the Wahgi Valley spread out far below you. The next day, fly to the Karawari River region to spend two full days in jungle country. Venture down waterways alongside local boatmen, search for exotic birds on jungle hikes, and meet with local villagers to learn about their ways of life and admire their impressive craftsmanship, including the iconic crocodile masks they make. You’ll also visit Kundiman Village to witness a sago-making demonstration, as sago is one of the staple foods in the region.

Connect back to the Wahgi Valley and spend the next few days hiking the highland trails and meeting the Huli people in the region. One day, you’ll learn about the coffee, tea, and mining industries that fuel the region’s economy. You’ll also meet people from remote villages that weren’t contacted by the outside world until 1933. Another day, visit with the Huli people, who are known for their elaborate masks and human hair wigs decorated with colourful flowers.

After exploring the landscape of the Wahgi Valley and meeting its people, you’ll be held back to Port Moresby where you’ll catch your flight back home.

Highlights

Departures

From Port Moresby:

Departs Thursdays

 

Trip Includes

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • Land transfers
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Expert local tour guide 
  • Domestic flight Ambua to Karawari
  • Domestic flight Kawarai to Mount Hagen 

 

Trip Excludes

  • Travel insurance
  • International, domestic airfare & airfare taxes
  • Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
  • Gratuities
  • Optional excursions
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fees, if applicable

 

Upon arrival in Port Moresby you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and transferred from your incoming international flight to your onwards domestic flight to Mount Hagen; the heart of the PNG highlands. This area is famed for its fertile lands and stunning mountain ranges, as well as the complex and fascinating cultural traditions of the Melpa tribe. Upon arrival at the Mount Hagen airport you will be driven up a picturesque road past highlands gardens and on to the lodge. From its location in the mountains on the edge of the valley, Rondon Ridge boasts panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the city below.

Meal

Dinner

 

Rondon Ridge Lodge

Rondon Ridge is a 40-minute drive from the town of Mount Hagen and just under an hour from the airport. There are several daily flights between Mount Hagen and the capital, Port Moresby. Rondon Ridge is a perfect hub for access to Ambua Lodge, Karawari Lodge, MV Sepik Spirit and Bensbach Wildlife Lodge.

Rondon Ridge Lodge

This morning fly by charter flight into the deep heart of the jungle where your wondrous journey continues at the Karawari Lodge in the Sepik region. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, the lodge boasts a spectacular view of hundreds of kilometers of dense tropical jungle. Proceed with lunch, followed by an afternoon visit to a nearby village to learn about the customary process of harvesting and preparing the sago palm. Sago is the staple food for the Sepik tribes.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

Karawari Lodge

Guests are accommodated in ten separate cottages, each built out of local bush materials and inspired by traditional architecture. Each cottage has two private twin rooms, each with modern en-suite bathrooms, and a communal veranda. Despite its remoteness, the lodge has 220V electricity, hot and cold water, comfortable mosquito-netted beds, ceiling fans, and a breezy veranda - all make for a welcome sanctuary after a day's exploration.

Karawari Lodge

Each day you will travel by motorboat down the river to visit the small villages that line its shores. The villages provide a unique opportunity to visit traditional homes, witness ceremonial dances and celebrations and glimpse traditional village life. The Karawari tribes express their beliefs through their skillful and artistic expressions of sculpture and art. Enjoy this opportunity to admire or the beautifully woven baskets, carved masks, drums and sculptures. You will have an opportunity to buy art from the local villages.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

Karawari Lodge

Guests are accommodated in ten separate cottages, each built out of local bush materials and inspired by traditional architecture. Each cottage has two private twin rooms, each with modern en-suite bathrooms, and a communal veranda. Despite its remoteness, the lodge has 220V electricity, hot and cold water, comfortable mosquito-netted beds, ceiling fans, and a breezy veranda - all make for a welcome sanctuary after a day's exploration.

Karawari Lodge

Spend another day touring in the Karawari area.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

Karawari Lodge

Guests are accommodated in ten separate cottages, each built out of local bush materials and inspired by traditional architecture. Each cottage has two private twin rooms, each with modern en-suite bathrooms, and a communal veranda. Despite its remoteness, the lodge has 220V electricity, hot and cold water, comfortable mosquito-netted beds, ceiling fans, and a breezy veranda - all make for a welcome sanctuary after a day's exploration.

Karawari Lodge

Fly by charter from Karawari to Mount Hagen. During the flight mountains rise up to startling heights out of the flat lands of the Sepik Basin. Mount Hagen town is in the upper Wahgi Valley - a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture in the world. Upon arrival, drive up the mountain to Rondon Ridge Lodge. After settling in, enjoy the remainder of the afternoon on a guided birding and nature walk in the surrounding nature trails. The Rondon Ridge area is a pristine rainforest and home to numerous orchid species and a wide variety of birds. The lodge has hours of walking trails providing ample opportunity to explore the unique ecology of this area. Over 180 species of birds have been recorded in the rainforests around Rondon Ridge including twelve species of Bird of Paradise.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

Rondon Ridge Lodge

Rondon Ridge is a 40-minute drive from the town of Mount Hagen and just under an hour from the airport. There are several daily flights between Mount Hagen and the capital, Port Moresby. Rondon Ridge is a perfect hub for access to Ambua Lodge, Karawari Lodge, MV Sepik Spirit and Bensbach Wildlife Lodge.

Rondon Ridge Lodge

Your tour today will take you on a journey through the traditions and customs of the Melpa People. First contact with the Melpa was made in the mid-1930. The Melpa people are "true farmers" that still maintain traditional farming methods that can be traced back 9,000 years. The tour will bring you to local villages where the villagers will share their fascinating tribal traditions; such as the rites of widowed women, the ceremonies surrounding marriage and funerals, the traditions of tribal warfare and the daily customs of the Melpa people. This area is also the home of the famous Pogla mudmen, famed for their unique bilas (traditional dress) and the ancient story that surrounds it.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

Rondon Ridge Lodge

Rondon Ridge is a 40-minute drive from the town of Mount Hagen and just under an hour from the airport. There are several daily flights between Mount Hagen and the capital, Port Moresby. Rondon Ridge is a perfect hub for access to Ambua Lodge, Karawari Lodge, MV Sepik Spirit and Bensbach Wildlife Lodge.

Rondon Ridge Lodge

Enjoy another day cultural touring through the beautiful Western Highlands, including a visit to the iconic Huli tribe at their local settlement in Mount Hagen. In contrast to the Sepik people whose art is manifested in ceremonial and decorative carvings, these Highland people employ as their art, body decoration, face painting and human hair decorated with feathers, flowers and moss. This famous highland tribe are admired for their vibrant and colourfully decorated hair wigs and bilas.

Meal

Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

 

Rondon Ridge Lodge

Rondon Ridge is a 40-minute drive from the town of Mount Hagen and just under an hour from the airport. There are several daily flights between Mount Hagen and the capital, Port Moresby. Rondon Ridge is a perfect hub for access to Ambua Lodge, Karawari Lodge, MV Sepik Spirit and Bensbach Wildlife Lodge.

Rondon Ridge Lodge

This morning you depart for Port Moresby. Upon arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and transferred to your ongoing international flight.

Meal

Breakfast


Summary

Terms and Conditions

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in the low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.