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PAPUA NEW GUINEA - CULTURE |
Papua New Guinea - |
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DAY 1: |
PORT MORESBY / MOUNT HAGEN |
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Upon arrival in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea you connect with your onward flight to Mount Hagen. Mount Hagen is located at the western end of the Wahgi Valley, a huge valley, bounded by mountains whose peaks exceed 13,000 feet. The valley floor is covered in a lush green carpet of subsistence crops of sweet potato, coffee, tea and vegetables. On arrival at Mount Hagen you are met and transferred to Rondon Ridge. |
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DAY 2: |
MOUNT HAGEN |
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Today is spent exploring this picturesque and stunningly beautiful landscape and the different cultural and ethnic groups with their complex and intricate beliefs in the ancestor spirits, complex moka exchanges and inter-tribal marriage rules. You learn how the people in towns and cities have adapted their beliefs to integrate the west's consumerism, pop culture and dress. Your day will also include short nature walks around the lodge area. |
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DAY 3: |
MOUNT HAGEN / SEPIK PROVINCE |
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Today you are transferred from your lodge to marry up with your charter flight to Karawari, where you are transferred to a waiting jet boat and travel up river to your lodge, set on a ridge overlooking the Karawari River, in the Middle Sepik region. It is a time-warped mixture of pre-technological and technological architecture and is the perfect base for some old-fashioned jungle, river and village exploration. You are in the middle of Arambak country – drums throb, wild birds call and traditional village life continues largely unchanged. No roads, thick jungle, crocodiles and locals poling dugout canoes. The afternoon is spent visiting the nearby Kundiman village to witness how the locals harvest and make their staple food from sago palm trees. |
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DAY 4: |
SEPIK PROVINCE |
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Today you travel along the jungle-fringed waterways of the Sepik River where boatmen, standing upright, paddle their slender dugout canoes. As you travel you will see bountiful birdlife along the rivers and nearby lakes. You have the opportunity today to enhance your understanding of traditional village culture as well as visiting the Yimas Lakes, an expansive system of lakes which provide locals with consistent supplies of fresh fish. |
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DAY 5: |
SEPIK PROVINCE / TARI VALLEY |
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Today you fly to the Tari Valley, a small regional centre in the Central Highlands. On arrival at Tari Airport you are met and transferred to Ambua Lodge which is situated high on the slopes of the Tari Valley. This location promises eternal spring weather and magnificent views of the lush countryside. The forest canopy, a dense mass of interlocking tree tops of all shades of green and the occasional bright splash of colour, provides a natural setting and an exhilarating climate for venturing along the nature trails that feature traditional vine bridges, a secluded waterfall, and high altitude orchids and rhododendrons. The Tari Gap area has many viewing areas in which to observe up to 13 species of the birds of paradise. The flamboyant Huli Wigmen of the Tari Valley have formed a strong bond between themselves and these beautiful birds. Men revere the birds by imitating them in both daily and ceremonial life, decorating their human hair wigs with the plumage of only the most beautiful birds. Tari is one of the few places left where men and women can be seen wearing traditional dress as part of daily living and men's wealth is still counted by the number of pigs and wives they possess. The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua - high mountain forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveller. |
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DAY 6: |
TARI VALLEY |
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In contrast to the Sepik and Tari people, whose areas are manifested in ceremonial and decorative carvings, these Highland people employ as their art, body decoration, face painting and human hair wigs decorated with feathers, flowers and moss. The Huli culture is the most vibrant, intact and colourful to be experienced anywhere. Take guided walks through the tropical jungle to spot the elusive Bird of Paradise and view the multitude of orchids found in the area. |
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DAY 7: |
TARI VALLEY / PORT MORESBY |
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Today you are transferred to the Tari airport to connect with your flight to Port Moresby and your international flight.
Click here to view accommodation options in Mount Hagen |
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